Why Fishing in Cold Weather Is Awesome
Most people tend to fish in the warmer months rather than winter, but fishing in the colder months has its own charms. The cold is no excuse to store your fishing gear for the winter! Any serious angler should consider going fishing in the winter.
l BIGGER FISH – Some of the biggest spotted seatrout, bass and red drum are caught when the weather is the coldest.
l FISH GATHER TOGETHER – Fish tend to be much more concentrated, and when you find them, fishing can be over-the-top good.
l LESS CROWDED – You may have the water more or less to yourself. If you’re fishing on a lake, it’s likely there will be fewer boaters which means less wake and less noise.
l WEATHER IS BEARABLE – The burning hot sun, mosquitoes and bugs are not an issue.
Advantages You Need to Know for Winter Fishing
Fishing in the colder months brings with it its own set of advantages. Here are the most major ones.
l Less Competition
This is the biggest and most obvious advantage of winter fishing. There will be less competition in winter because many recreational anglers don't like spending hours outside in the cold. With fewer people fishing, you have fishing spots almost all to yourself. This greatly increases your chances of getting a large catch automatically.
l Different Experience
Winter fishing requires you to adopt a different fishing strategy. Since the fish have less energy in winter, the session pace is slower. However, that doesn't mean you won't get hooked; it just means you'll have to adapt your fishing techniques to new challenges. You also have to deal with the cold constantly throughout your training, but at the end of the day, there's nothing like catching a big bass and cooking it over a hot winter stove.
l Quality Catch
In winter fishing, you trade quantity for quality. While it's true that it's harder to catch fish in winter, the chances of catching a valuable specimen are much higher. As mentioned, the competition is less, and once you're ashore, the catch is almost guaranteed, since the fish don't have enough fighting power in the winter.
Plus, winter is a great opportunity to diversify your catch. Since many warm-loving species go out of production during the winter, you have the opportunity to catch game like northern pike and bass that would otherwise be lost during the warmer months due to competition from other anglers.
Tips For Successful Fishing In Cold Weather
With winter coming on fast and the temperatures dipping to new lows, you may be tempted to pack up your lures and fishing rods until next spring. But fishing in cold weather can be as great as it is in the summer, especially since the weather keeps most anglers cozied up next to their wood burning stoves. Winter is a particularly great time to fish because freshwater species group up, meaning more fish on your lure. But winter fishing takes some prep. Here are five fishing tips for cold weather angling.
l Location! Location! Location!
We cannot stress this enough. Fish tend to congregate in winter and are less active in swimming. No matter what species you're targeting, choosing the right fishing spot is essential to a successful fishing trip. There are many resources available that can properly guide you on how to choose the right fishing spots for your location and weather during the winter. But as a rule of thumb, unless you know what you're doing, you should avoid heavy water in winter.
l Time the Weather
Winter weather can certainly be very changeable. The last thing you want is to get ready to go, only to come back to your cabin freezing from an unexpected snowstorm or rain. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan your fishing trips For winter fishing, the best weather conditions are when the skies are clear and the cold weather front has not passed.
l Choose the Right Gear
If you don't prepare for your winter fishing trip, not only can you run into a lot of trouble along the way, but you can also seriously damage your fishing gear. First, you'll want to be prepared to adjust your cord reels to keep them from stiffening in cold weather. Many fishing supply stores offer this service for a low price, so if you don't know how to properly disassemble, clean, and lubricate your reel, you can ask the store owner to do it for you.
Second, it's important to condition your threads to keep them from twisting and tangling from the cold. Also, since winters tend to be wetter, it's important to bring something dry to store your gear when not in use. Of course, your own comfort and safety are paramount. Bring enough clothing to ensure you stay warm no matter the changeable weather.
The risk of frostbite and hypothermia can be very real, and not only should you protect yourself through insulation but also make sure you have proper waterproofing around your body.Apart from waders, coveralls,heavy gloves, a thick hat, and hand warmer are some of the essentials of proper winter fishing attire.Such as Ocoopa Union 5s,the rechargeable hand warmers would help you a lot in winter fishing. If you wore gloves but the hands were still cold, why not choose to take the Ocoopa Union 5s as your fishing hand warmer?It comes with 4-level adjustable heat, enhancing your hand-warming experience greatly in the winter. And If the risk of getting wet is particularly high, there are also waterproofing sprays available on the market that will make your winter clothes more hydrophobic and grant you additional protection.
