Many anglers pack the rods away once the clocks go back, but winter can offer some of the most peaceful and rewarding sport of the year. The lakes are quiet, the fish are still feeding, and with the right approach you can enjoy some cracking sessions on the Somerset Levels.
Scale everything down
Cold water slows the fish down, so finesse is the name of the game. Lighter lines, smaller hooks and single baits such as maggot, worm or a single grain of corn will out-fish a big bed of bait most days. Think of it as fishing for bites rather than trying to fill the swim.
A light float rig or a small feeder fished with a delicate tip lets you see those shy winter bites, which are often no more than a gentle lift or a slow dip.
Find the fish
In winter the fish tend to shoal up in the deeper, more sheltered areas out of the wind. Rather than waiting for them to come to you, spend a little time working out where they are holding — it makes all the difference. Once you find a shoal, you can often catch steadily from the same spot.
Feed sparingly
Heavy feeding is a mistake in cold water. Introduce just a few maggots or a small nugget of groundbait at a time, and let the fish tell you whether they want more. It is far easier to add bait than to take it away.
Wrap up warm
A flask of something hot, a decent bib and brace and a pair of gloves turn a cold day into a comfortable one. Winter sessions are often best kept short and focused — a few productive hours over the middle of the day, when the water is at its warmest, can be more rewarding than sitting from dawn to dusk.
Give winter a go
There is a real satisfaction in catching when others have given up, and you might just have the lake to yourself. Check the day-ticket prices, wrap up warm, and come and enjoy the quiet season. If you fancy staying over, our caravans make a cosy winter base.
