performance of lures in the winter?

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:43 pm

hi,
so far this winter i have concentrated only on fresh bait fishing and have been told that this is the best option, do you fish during the winter months using lures and if so what type will catch what fish?

als could you please educate me in summer lures

many thanks

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:49 pm

Hi petersclan

Lure fishing in winter is not really practised, unless it is out in a boat with pirks or cod-feathers etc. Spiining from the shore or rocks, pier, breakwater etc is usually carried out from spring to early autum. However, it would be unwise to suggest that fish cannot be caught by this method in winter, but I don't think many try it. Bait fishing is the tried and tested method of winter fishing.

Regarding lures for summer fishing, there are a gamut of different types available each with its own 'action' , from the humble mackerel spinner to wobbling, diving and floating plugs.
'Bass-bullets' are a popular choice and cast very well, so too the 'Dexter Wedge'.
An all time classic is the 'Toby' either in the silver or gold colour schemes.

Successful lure fishing is really 'trial and error', try different patterns of lure and then stick with the one that gives you the best results. Also 'working' the lure correctly so it induces a fish into taking it is important.

Hope this helps

Tight Lines.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:25 am

try http://www.mikeladle.com/osa.html
plugging for bass, about as much as you will ever need to know.

Guest

petersclan, the fact that shore anglers generally don't spin in the winter is that the species we traditionally spin for are spring and summer fish...ie Bass, Mackeral etc.

In Devon I've seen seen people spinning through the winter (and catching pollack and the like) but here (the east coast) Bass are not around in the depths of winter. That being said the summer season seems to be getting longer every year and it may be worthwhile in the future.

The great benefit of lure fishing is that without the need to get worms or fish bait one is able to go fishing on a whim, whenever you feel the need and that makes it really convenient.....you can't beat a summer evening working a lure along an estuary.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:46 pm

thanks to all,

we have been using bait at present, mainly mackerel but rag as well and have had a few good fish

will leave the lures for a while but still looking into how to use and what to use so as can stock up ready for spring

thanks again

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:18 pm

It's not all doom and gloom on the lure front through the winter, but it can be hard work. I spend all my time fly-fishing nowadays and have had good sport right up until Christmas, although from mid-November onwards it becomes very weather dependant. January to March are the poor months, but as has been said there are still Pollock about. There are Bass hanging around all year along the Dorset coast, but once the sea temps drop below 10c they become less inclined to chase bait. Normally sport wont pick up until May, but we've had a mild winter so far, so it could kick-off sooner. We don't normally see any consistant action with the fly until the sea temps rise above 12c.

There are 3 types of lures that produce good results through the summer and autumn. Firstly there are the traditional metal 'spoon' type lures. You wont go far wrong with Dexter Wedges, Abu Tobys and C-Bar/German Sprats. Many swear by switching the trebles with a single hook to improve hook-ups. Next we have the plugs. Two types you need to look at- divers and surface plugs. The guys at B.A.S.S. swear by Strom Jointed Thundersticks and Rapala J-11s for diving lures and Yo-Zuri Alie Duel Mags and Chugbugs for surface work. The last group of lures are the soft plastics. The Redgill Sandeel is a classic, but there are some super realistic lures available now such as Storm Sandeels. Shads work from the shore too.

As has been said above, you can have all the lures in the world, but if you don't use them right you're wasting your time. Few lures work when you just crank them back. More often than not you need to impart some action with the rod or vary the retrieve to get them to work. Giving a bit of thought to when and where you're fishing will help improve ctach rates. Chuck and chance will produce some fish, but apply a bit of effort and the results can be fantastic. As I have found with the flyrod, you can be extremely mobile and seek out the fish, covering a big area of beach. Fishing at dawn and dusk can give you a real advantage as the fish feed confidently close in and in the case of Bass, use their superior eyesight to target bait. Success is directly related to effort IMO and once you crack the code for a selection of marks you'll have a ball. I haven't touched a bait for 5 or 6 years and don't invisage seating on my backside watching a rod tip anytime in the near future either.

Tightlines,

Martin.

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:04 pm

brilliant information thanks very much, this is exactly the info that i was after and now i have a lot to go on

many thanks and much appreciated