Looking forward to fresh snowfall, ice-skating, crackling fires, and yummy hot drinks? If you’re thinking of heading outdoors with your fishing gear, winter fishing holds some surprises for you!
The common notion is that fishing is significantly more difficult in winter.
However, winter fishing has several advantages. Although spending hours outside in the cold may be a bit challenging.
A lot of freshwater species like to cluster at this time of year. You can catch a lot of fish all season long when you add that many anglers dislike fishing in the cold.
In this blog post, you will learn a few nifty winter fishing tips and tricks to help you in your quest for that perfect catch. Discover where to find the best fishing spots during winter, what to wear, and more!
3 Easy Tips for Winter Fishing
1. Know Where to Go
The first tip for winter fishing is to know where to go. This tip can be applied to both freshwater and saltwater fishing. If you’re after freshwater species like trout, salmon, bass, or walleye, you should know that most species migrate to certain areas of the waterbody, like a river, lake, reservoir, or pond at this time of year. Identify these areas and position yourself to catch the maximum amount of fish.
If you’re targeting saltwater species like tuna, mahi-mahi, or marlin, you need to know where they go to feed and spawn in winter. It can be an area where the water is warm or an area with a specific type of topography, like coral reefs.
Avoid lakes or rivers with strong currents. Besides making fishing more challenging, it may also pose a safety risk.
Target rivers and lakes with a naturally steady stream, especially in the winter. Before going fishing, you can check the conditions online as well. It would save you a lot of time.
2. Bring the Right Gear
A good fishing rod is one of the most important tools needed for winter fishing. Look for a rod with a high strength-to-weight ratio, so it’s easy to carry around.
A high-quality fishing reel will make your life a lot easier. It will also help you catch more fish. Ensure your line has low stretch, so you don’t lose your catch due to line breakage.
Your reel bearings should be cleaned and lubricated because the chilly weather can make them stiff and challenging to use.
You may hire experts to disassemble and clean your reels for a reasonable cost. You should try to do this before you start river fishing in the winter season.
You can also hire equipment from reliable Narooma fishing charters or Montague island fishing charters if you’re on the island.
3. Choose the Appropriate Bait
Using live bait is the best option. In cold water, the fish move more slowly, avoiding artificial bait that moves too quickly.
If you prefer artificial bait, try your best to slow down so you may imitate these species’ sluggish winter behaviour.
Make sure your bait is clearly visible. Fish that are feeding (and fish that aren’t feeding) are more likely to notice bait that is brightly coloured and easy to locate.
Another trick for winter fishing is to use smaller-sized lures. Fish don’t need to eat as frequently during winter and find smaller prey that is easy to catch and digest.
You are imitating their seasonal natural feeding tendencies if you offer them something tiny and slow. Choose baits that are between 2 and 4 inches in size.
Bottom Line
Winter fishing can be an extremely rewarding experience. All you need to do is follow these tips, and you are guaranteed to catch a fish! Remember that you can catch fish even in the coldest months of the year. All it takes is a little bit of planning and preparation.
