Hi I'm looking for tips fishing big waters I'm usually fishing small waters so these really big ones intimidate me a little
If I could get some pointers from you big lake anglers that would be perfect
If I could get some pointers from you big lake anglers that would be perfect
In reply to Post #1
Not everyone may agree but what really helped me when I stepped up to big waters to help stop it being so daunting, and sounds obvious to an extent, but just remember to break it down swim by swim, rather than looking at it as one big open expanse of water. Once in your swim, focus purely on finding the features you can reach and fish to comfortably. It's far too easy to become bsessed with casting to the horizon just because you can.
Once you have cast out, then start looking at other areas of the water and keep an eye on fish showing etc to see if you are in the right location.
Everything you learnt on the smaller lakes is still the case on the bigger lakes, don't let the size baffle you
Not everyone may agree but what really helped me when I stepped up to big waters to help stop it being so daunting, and sounds obvious to an extent, but just remember to break it down swim by swim, rather than looking at it as one big open expanse of water. Once in your swim, focus purely on finding the features you can reach and fish to comfortably. It's far too easy to become bsessed with casting to the horizon just because you can.
Once you have cast out, then start looking at other areas of the water and keep an eye on fish showing etc to see if you are in the right location.
Everything you learnt on the smaller lakes is still the case on the bigger lakes, don't let the size baffle you
In reply to Post #1
In my experience big waters can be easier than small waters once you have located them. The fish are less pressured, and often less ‘riggy'
Figure out where the fish want to be at different times of the year or in different conditions and you're in to a winner. Simple tactics and rigs will usually do the trick if you're on fish.
In my experience big waters can be easier than small waters once you have located them. The fish are less pressured, and often less ‘riggy'
Figure out where the fish want to be at different times of the year or in different conditions and you're in to a winner. Simple tactics and rigs will usually do the trick if you're on fish.
In reply to Post #1
Personally I would Invest in good quality walking boots and decent comfy socks, you will need them.
Walk, look, listen, as much as possible, even when not fishing, if you are fairly local, and get a good pair of binoculars.
Travel light, Good strong simple rigs, and any decent bait you have confidence in.
Stick at it, success won't be instant, unless you are lucky, and be prepared to move, as the fish will flit about with changing weather conditions and/or angling pressure.
Got to stay on them, with them as much as possible, location is everything.
Personally I would Invest in good quality walking boots and decent comfy socks, you will need them.
Walk, look, listen, as much as possible, even when not fishing, if you are fairly local, and get a good pair of binoculars.
Travel light, Good strong simple rigs, and any decent bait you have confidence in.
Stick at it, success won't be instant, unless you are lucky, and be prepared to move, as the fish will flit about with changing weather conditions and/or angling pressure.
Got to stay on them, with them as much as possible, location is everything.
In reply to Post #1
Depends on what you call a big water.
On one of the Walthamstow ressies, I'd more or less bank on a bite from one of them every session.
Another of the smaller ressies, not so.
Spend as much time as you can weeks in advance walking and watching.
Depends on what you call a big water.
On one of the Walthamstow ressies, I'd more or less bank on a bite from one of them every session.
Another of the smaller ressies, not so.
Spend as much time as you can weeks in advance walking and watching.
In reply to Post #1
I fish, In the US but the concept probably still works, Waters of up to 20,000+ acres. I suspect that may be big enough?😁
A number of factors drive finding fish.
1. Seasonality, they often move miles to the prespawn areas, invariably in shallower water/creeks/shallows etc.
2. Post spawn, generally the carp move to summer quarters, I always seek structure, drop offs from bankside points etc. if you cant get afloat, a lot of marker/Deeper work will expose these.
3. Depending on stock density, a lot of Bait will be needed to delay patrolling fish long enough to get a bite.
Alternatively, with low stock/big fish, a bite at a time approach can work, little piles of bait.
Obviously if they show a lot location gets easier fast. (Ours tend not to...)
Basically, find an area you think they will be in and treat it like a small, water, as others have said.
Good luck, big lakes have that mystery about them....
I fish, In the US but the concept probably still works, Waters of up to 20,000+ acres. I suspect that may be big enough?😁
A number of factors drive finding fish.
1. Seasonality, they often move miles to the prespawn areas, invariably in shallower water/creeks/shallows etc.
2. Post spawn, generally the carp move to summer quarters, I always seek structure, drop offs from bankside points etc. if you cant get afloat, a lot of marker/Deeper work will expose these.
3. Depending on stock density, a lot of Bait will be needed to delay patrolling fish long enough to get a bite.
Alternatively, with low stock/big fish, a bite at a time approach can work, little piles of bait.
Obviously if they show a lot location gets easier fast. (Ours tend not to...)
Basically, find an area you think they will be in and treat it like a small, water, as others have said.
Good luck, big lakes have that mystery about them....
In reply to Post #1
Remember that all of the basics that work for you usually are still a good starting point. Rigs, hooks, bait etc.
Weather conditions - watch the water when the sun is out to see where the fish roam while up in the water.
You can't fish the whole lake at once so use all your smaller water knowledge on the swim you have
And even the biggest lake has margins.... too often ignored, especially early summer evenings.
Remember that all of the basics that work for you usually are still a good starting point. Rigs, hooks, bait etc.
Weather conditions - watch the water when the sun is out to see where the fish roam while up in the water.
You can't fish the whole lake at once so use all your smaller water knowledge on the swim you have
And even the biggest lake has margins.... too often ignored, especially early summer evenings.
In reply to Post #1
My other thing to add is in my experience, winds play much more of a factor on a big pit than they do on smaller waters too
My other thing to add is in my experience, winds play much more of a factor on a big pit than they do on smaller waters too
In reply to Post #3
I agree Phil.
The hardest part about big waters is finding them. Once you've done that (which is more time consuming than it is difficult) they're generally suckers for a pop up. Much easier to catch than small water carp imo, assuming distance doesn't become a problem.
I agree Phil.
The hardest part about big waters is finding them. Once you've done that (which is more time consuming than it is difficult) they're generally suckers for a pop up. Much easier to catch than small water carp imo, assuming distance doesn't become a problem.
In reply to Post #1
. . .location - and bait, lots of it.
Biggest water I've ever fished took 2hrs to walk around (small by some standards) . . . the fish moved in shoals (much like the bream) and by constantly pre-baiting 3-4 swims within comfortable fishing range and on a regular basis paid dividends. Once they moved in as others have inferred they were relatively easy to catch and multiple hits became the norm . . . .much more so than some of the much smaller, spotty, moody waters I've fished!
. . .location - and bait, lots of it.
Biggest water I've ever fished took 2hrs to walk around (small by some standards) . . . the fish moved in shoals (much like the bream) and by constantly pre-baiting 3-4 swims within comfortable fishing range and on a regular basis paid dividends. Once they moved in as others have inferred they were relatively easy to catch and multiple hits became the norm . . . .much more so than some of the much smaller, spotty, moody waters I've fished!
In reply to Post #2
Nailed it. I've been fishing big pits for years (300 acres +)..Break the lake down mate, turn it into 20 lakes and then fish each portion as you would do a lake of that size. Get your gear strong and all your tools up to the job - when the wind blows on those pits, 20mph feels like 40mph as it races across the sheet of water. A lot of anglers fall at the first hurdle as their gear isn't fit for purpose.
Get on your toes - follow the winds, big pit carp react to weather. You have to locate them and make notes on weather conditions e,t,c,....they are creatures of habit on those big pits.
Be lucky, big pit angling along with the rivers is the last real bastion of our pastime.
Nailed it. I've been fishing big pits for years (300 acres +)..Break the lake down mate, turn it into 20 lakes and then fish each portion as you would do a lake of that size. Get your gear strong and all your tools up to the job - when the wind blows on those pits, 20mph feels like 40mph as it races across the sheet of water. A lot of anglers fall at the first hurdle as their gear isn't fit for purpose.
Get on your toes - follow the winds, big pit carp react to weather. You have to locate them and make notes on weather conditions e,t,c,....they are creatures of habit on those big pits.
Be lucky, big pit angling along with the rivers is the last real bastion of our pastime.
In reply to Post #1
The first question is what your definition of "big" is and the second question is how deep the lake is, because all those comments about walking around and observing can go out the window when the lake is too big to walk around or too windy/murky on average to properly spot fish. Also, in deeper pits I've noticed fish don't always jump or show themselves, which can be problematic.
Most important thing is to put in the effort and keep doing so. Try to be there as often as possible, also without rods, and especially during those days when you know you're in with a good chance of learning something new. I have learned a lot right before and during spawning, on days with clear water and/or no wind and by being awake at crazy hours.
Another big advantage is the use of a boat in combination with depth finder and an aquascope and prodding stick. Frequently bait likely areas and check whether or not they have been emptied. Logging that information will put you at a big advantage in years to come. It can take a long time to find your way but as others have said, as soon as you know where to find them, they're not that difficult to catch.
The first question is what your definition of "big" is and the second question is how deep the lake is, because all those comments about walking around and observing can go out the window when the lake is too big to walk around or too windy/murky on average to properly spot fish. Also, in deeper pits I've noticed fish don't always jump or show themselves, which can be problematic.
Most important thing is to put in the effort and keep doing so. Try to be there as often as possible, also without rods, and especially during those days when you know you're in with a good chance of learning something new. I have learned a lot right before and during spawning, on days with clear water and/or no wind and by being awake at crazy hours.
Another big advantage is the use of a boat in combination with depth finder and an aquascope and prodding stick. Frequently bait likely areas and check whether or not they have been emptied. Logging that information will put you at a big advantage in years to come. It can take a long time to find your way but as others have said, as soon as you know where to find them, they're not that difficult to catch.
In reply to Post #12
Nah, it goes something like this
Size, fish stock, topography, angling pressure.
Nah, it goes something like this
Size, fish stock, topography, angling pressure.
In reply to Post #1
You've got to find them, it's no different to any other situation, find some fish, fish well and your in with a chance.
Then build up the experiences of fishing and how the lake/fish react to weather, areas they like and you'll be in with more of a chance.
Get a bit of bait going in on those areas....
You've got to find them, it's no different to any other situation, find some fish, fish well and your in with a chance.
Then build up the experiences of fishing and how the lake/fish react to weather, areas they like and you'll be in with more of a chance.
Get a bit of bait going in on those areas....
In reply to Post #1
Lots of great advice already posted
Off course, location is key - if its possible to locate them...
Some more ideas:
- Find the areas with mussels or other favorite feeding spots.
- Explore the wind.
- Depths and temperature. Ex. Big deep waters are not that big if you concentrate on areas with less than 1.5-2 meters of depth in spring etc.
- Prebait obvious areas, selective high visual baits, where you can return and watch if the baits are eaten, sight is key here.
- Move around, fish for one bite at a time, a bag and handfull of freebees. When you get a bite, log the circumstances, look for patterns.
- In my experience - and I was surprised getting it - I've caught quite a lot in the margin or a rod length out.
Learn to enjoy not catching much - but keep working - crack the puzzle - it can go from 1 catch a season to a suddenly haul... Been there...
Visit a runs water now and then, keeps the self-esteem healthy...
Good Luck
Lots of great advice already posted
Off course, location is key - if its possible to locate them...
Some more ideas:
- Find the areas with mussels or other favorite feeding spots.
- Explore the wind.
- Depths and temperature. Ex. Big deep waters are not that big if you concentrate on areas with less than 1.5-2 meters of depth in spring etc.
- Prebait obvious areas, selective high visual baits, where you can return and watch if the baits are eaten, sight is key here.
- Move around, fish for one bite at a time, a bag and handfull of freebees. When you get a bite, log the circumstances, look for patterns.
- In my experience - and I was surprised getting it - I've caught quite a lot in the margin or a rod length out.
Learn to enjoy not catching much - but keep working - crack the puzzle - it can go from 1 catch a season to a suddenly haul... Been there...
Visit a runs water now and then, keeps the self-esteem healthy...
Good Luck