Winter fishing with Corona Fishing - reviews, equipment, tips

Winter is a great time of the year. Wonderful views encourage walks and trips to the mountains, where the frosty landscape is breathtaking. Seemingly negative temperatures do not encourage fishing. However, among lovers of fishing there will be also those who like to visit the shores of rivers and lakes. Check what Corona Fishing recommends: opinions about winter fishing can be extremely different. Appropriate knowledge and well-prepared equipment allow you to fully benefit from this season of the year.

From the beginning, what changes in winter?

Winter fishing trips have their charm. This will be confirmed by every stick mate who has had the opportunity to fish at this time of the year. However, if we want to count the trip as successful, we have to take into account several variables. First of all, fishing where we can find fish, and this turns out to be not such an easy task.

With the onset of negative temperatures, the physiology of fish also changes, so following this line of reasoning - the most important elements of their behavior also change. The intensity of foraging is completely different, just like the food itself or the positions it occupies. It might seem that we are going to a proven spot, where the fish always took a good bite. We cast the line, wait ... and the waiting ends, because it doesn't take anything.

Fish are cold-blooded, which means that the lower the water temperature, the less heat reaches their body. Here it is necessary to mention a very important issue, which is the optimal temperature for a particular species. Fish such as crucian carp, tench and pike do not like low temperatures. They feel best when the water is around 15-20 ° C, and at lower temperatures, they stop looking for food and become numb. The above-mentioned species are one of the most often caught by anglers, and as it is easy to deduce - cold is not the best time to catch them. When choosing to go fishing in winter, you have to keep this in mind. Fortunately, in Polish waters there are also species of cold-water fish, such as burbot. And they should be of particular interest to us.

The second factor that should be taken into account when fishing in winter is the level of oxygen in the water. Here it should also be said that depending on the species of fish, their tolerance to the amount of oxygen in the water changes, but regardless of their requirements, if the oxygen level drops significantly, metabolic processes slow down. When the oxygen level in a river or pond drops, the fish automatically look for somewhere to find more of it. Another important piece of information: oxygen dissolves much better in cold water. Theoretically, the colder it gets, the more oxygen in it. However, we must remember that in winter it is easy to cut it off, if only because of the formation of a sheet of ice on the surface.

The last point to be made is food. For many species, omnivorous fish will primarily look for animal food. This is due to the fact that in winter the importance of high-calorie fats and proteins, which are a source of energy, increases. We should also remember that at low temperatures the fish are not as active as at higher temperatures. They forage less intensively, do not swim as fast, and rarely come close to the top of the water. Simply put, they are lethargic, so you should not expect an extremely intense bite (or at least it happens much less often than in summer).

Simplifying all of the above information: in winter, the easiest way to find fish is where they will not have to use too much energy due to a slow metabolism. To this should be added easy gas exchange and access to animal food.

Fishing on the river

In winter, fish avoid fast currents and prefer to wait until the season in still waters. Whenever they have the opportunity to swim into a river lake or a dam reservoir - they will most likely be happy to do so. We will note at once that in such places we find fish, especially at the beginning of winter and at the end, when the temperatures are not yet reaching the critical point. This is a good place to find chubs, ides or daces. Roaches, bream and perches are also relatively easy to find.

The second issue will be fish that for various reasons could not reach the oxbow lake (in most cases these will be small and medium-sized rivers) and are forced to stay in the bed. Usually, such individuals will gather near obstacles, such as large stones or fallen trees, or in reverse currents.

Rivers are a good place for winter fishing, which is confirmed by Corona Fishing specialists - our opinions and the opinions of our visiting customers are in agreement. Some say that deeper places, where the water flows more slowly and the bottom is muddy, is also a good area for fishing.

Corona Fishing reviews - lake fishing

Lakes up to five meters deep are good places for winter fishing. The water temperature is relatively even, which favors the fish. It usually reaches 4 degrees at the bottom, which guarantees a sufficient amount of oxygen, and animal food is also plentiful. Fish can feed around rotting plants, but you have to bear in mind that in these areas the water cools down very quickly. In this case, it is best to look for fish in the vicinity of bottom meadows. This is a good location to catch bream, roach or carp, and at dawn to catch large specimens of perch and pike.

Shallow lakes are a bit more problematic as the water temperature drops much faster and cools evenly across the depth, which can make the fish lethargic. If the lake is not ice-bound - and the oxygen level still allows free gas exchange - it is best to look for fish in the coastal zones.

What happens when ice appears on the lake?

Everything will change over time, but in the initial phase - nothing at all. The first few weeks do not generate any major changes in the aquatic environment. Problems begin to emerge after them, because there is an oxygen deficit. Cutting off the water from oxygen for too long causes the fish to die in extreme cases. That is why it is so important to drill holes in the ice sheet, which is beneficial for fish and provides them with a life-giving element.

Ice is the fastest when it comes to organisms living in shallow lakes. In deeper reservoirs, oxygen deficiencies will initially appear near the bottom zone. While the fish may forage periodically under anaerobic conditions, they will have to move higher over time. The longer the ice sheet blocks oxygen, the higher the fish must move. Over time, in extreme situations, they will find themselves just below the surface of the ice. As a result, the fish will be very reluctant to eat, because they will eat the food very rarely.

What Corona Fishing specialists advise on this - opinions about fishing in frozen reservoirs vary, and there is no doubt that it is much more difficult to find a suitable place where the fish will fish. The exceptions are scalds, i.e. boggy, swampy areas that do not freeze during winter and river estuaries.

 

You have to be careful with the former, because not all of them are exposed, and the ice can be very thin on them. Then it is easy to accidentally and unintentionally bathe in cold water.

If we are sure of the chosen place and checked the thickness of the ice, we can try to fish. As a rule, it is a place where the most diverse species of fish will naturally gather due to the good access to oxygen. The same is true for the mouth of the river. And when the ice begins to melt, coastal zones become a great place to fish, because that's where life-giving oxygen first arrives.

The best winter fishing equipment according to Corona Fishing - opinions and tips

We have already touched upon the issue of fish behavior in winter and places where you can find good fishing areas, but what would a trip without the right equipment be and what would it do? Corona Fishing - the opinions of our specialists boil down to the fact that good equipment is the basis, but you should also not forget that you need to adjust it to the place of fishing.

Winter is the time when anglers, in particular, look forward to catching trout. When it comes to lures, it is best to choose those that as closely as possible imitate the natural food of predatory fish - and that's what trout are. It is worth focusing on lures that are the result of craftsmen. In Poland, there is no shortage of real professionals who are well aware of how a lure should look and work.

In fact, it will not be an exaggeration to say that hand-made lures are a tradition of Polish fishing, so why not use them? Especially that the wobblers prepared in this way are deceptively similar to small fish, i.e. the natural food of trout. It must be remembered that the color is not without significance. In low-temperature water, tiny fish have a pale, weak color. In many cases, ashy, gray or black lures work well. With a clear conscience, we can recommend Pomeranian wobblers, but also spoons, spinners and jigs.

The second issue is, of course, the rod, which should allow you to precisely operate various lures, and at the same time allow you to haul even these large species of fish. Our offer includes several different pole models that are perfect for this task. First of all, these are rods manufactured by us, i.e. people who have already spent many winters fishing.

• Wild river,
• Zed's advantage,
• Trout. Fascination.

For fans of winter fishing, we can also offer sticks from the well-known and appreciated by professionals St. Croix.

Ice fishing, which is what anglers live for when the temperature drops

Ice fishing is one of the most exciting forms of fishing. There are many of us waiting for this, let's admit it, relatively short period of the year. Despite the fact that it gives a lot of fun and gives a lot of satisfaction, it is still dangerous. The angler has to take into account many factors that can guarantee his safety, i.e. the thickness of the ice and its structure. It is also worth investing in a safety suit - in case of unpleasant surprises.

As for the equipment, short rods are used for ice fishing, usually not more than a few dozen centimeters. The shortest are the so-called balalaikas. On the other hand, in the context of fishing methods, it is impossible to ignore the Mormyshka one. The main task of such a set is to imitate the small fish in the tank as well as possible. Fishing with ice spinners and beetles is equally popular.  

We know very well that ice fishing requires the use of advanced equipment. In our store, we have created a separate category that includes one. You will find there all kinds of lures, fishing rods - from reputable companies and those designed by us - and accessories: from ice augers to bait cases.

It is true that ice fishing is not the easiest one, but that's why it gives so much joy and satisfaction from each caught fish.

Corona Fishing opinions - clothing is especially important

In winter, the temperatures are not pampering, and several hours of fishing and a rather static position favor the body's rapid cooling down. When choosing the right clothing for anglers, it is best to direct your attention to clothing that will provide good thermal insulation. Resistance to tearing and a proper fit are also important - clothes should not restrict movement.

Warm pants and a jacket are an absolute must. Long, waterproof trousers with numerous pockets should satisfy most anglers. As for the jacket - double-layer models with mesh that improve air circulation are great. But that's not all. Adequate underwear can be a decisive factor in a successful lunge and protect you from chills during long hours of fishing. The hat is a must, because it is through the head that the most heat escapes. For this gloves, preferably ones with detachable fingers, so that you do not have to take off the whole gloves if necessary. If the weather is good and you go fishing on sunny days, you should definitely wear sunglasses. Snow reflects rays strongly, just like a water surface, which will translate into tired eyes after a few hours.