Winter Fishing Slow Biting? Be Patient for Better Catches
As the temperature rises a few degrees these days, the daytime temperature is basically around 10 degrees Celsius. In winter, such weather is really a blessing for anglers! I couldn’t miss this opportunity, so I headed to my old fishing spot—let’s call it my “little vegetable patch”—around 9:30 AM. Phew, my favorite spot wasn’t taken by other fishermen, so I rushed over to set up my nest first. Winter fishing requires some tricks for nesting, right? After throwing the bait, I mixed the fishing lure and set up the rod. By the time the lure was ready, it was almost 10 o’clock.
Today’s Fishing Gear & Setup
- Rod: 6.3 meters
- Line combination: 1.0 main line + 0.4 sub line
- Fishhook: Size 4 golden sleeve hook
- Float: 2.4 grams lead weight
- Lure formula: All-purpose fishy and all-purpose fragrant lures
- Bait: Wine-soaked rice
- Fishing depth: 2.6 meters
- Fishing location: Reservoir
- Target fish: Crucian carp
Everything was ready, so I started fishing. First, I cast the lure a few times quickly. Around 10:20 AM, I slowed down the pace—each cast stayed in the water for 5 to 6 minutes. After just a few casts, the float suddenly rose by more than one eye, then slowly sank. I immediately lifted the rod—wow, the feel was great! I thought it must be a big crucian carp. Soon, I pulled it out of the water. Nice! It was at least over two taels (about 100 grams). My first target fish was successfully landed, and my mood instantly brightened up!
The first fish bit less than an hour after I started fishing. I thought today’s fish activity would be super good, and I was really looking forward to the catch. I even daydreamed: Can I make two dishes with crucian carp today—stewed soup and braised? Hahaha, am I being too optimistic?
But sometimes, the bigger your expectation, the crueler the disappointment. After the first fish, I didn’t get a single bite for the next few hours! I caught the first fish before 11 AM, but by 3 PM, there was still no movement. I took a break and ate something in between, but I kept casting the lure and waiting patiently. The float just stayed there like a fixed needle—completely still! To be honest, by 3 o’clock, I was ready to give up and pack up. Just then, a fellow angler called to ask how I was doing. I complained a lot, and he suggested I wait a little longer—maybe there would be a late bite. I thought, well, I shouldn’t retreat easily, so I stayed.
Less than half an hour later, the float finally moved! It slowly sank by two eyes. My heart was racing, and my hands were shaking as I lifted the rod. Sure enough, persistence pays off! The second target fish finally came late!
I kept fishing until 5 PM before packing up reluctantly—by then, the temperature had dropped a lot, and I felt the chill. But after 3 PM, after catching the second fish, the bites got better. I caught a few more crucian carp one after another. I didn’t achieve the “two dishes” goal, but at least I could make a braised crucian carp. If I buy a piece of tofu on the way home, I can still make a nice dish!
Winter Fishing Tips I Learned Today
Winter fishing really tests your patience. The fish are less active in cold water, so it takes longer for them to gather around the nest. I almost gave up at 3 PM, but waiting a little longer made all the difference. Also, don’t rush to change spots if there’s no bite immediately—fish might just be slow to respond. Oh, and adjusting your fishing pace (like slowing down after initial casting) helps a lot too.
So, fellow winter anglers, don’t get frustrated if the bite is slow. Take your time, stay patient, and the fish will come. Trust me, the feeling of catching a big crucian carp on a cold winter day is totally worth the wait!
