Right guys lets get this section warmed up again :

[Skuimkop]

Right guys lets get this section warmed up again as I see there is a lot of eyes passing threw here.

In your opinion do we need to adapt our tactics regarding distance and placement of baits in winter from what we are used to in the summer and why do you think so?

In my opinion you can again split this in two categories. If you are going to target smaller Cats I would say yes but if you are going to target the bigger boys I don't think so much, actually just a little tweak here and there. I will give you my thinking behind this as we get more replies from you guys.

 

[shuraj]

Skuimkop wrote:

Right guys lets get this section warmed up again as I see there is a lot of eyes passing threw here.

In your opinion do we need to adapt our tactics regarding distance and placement of baits in winter from what we are used to in the summer and why do you think so?

In my opinion you can again split this in two categories. If you are going to target smaller Cats I would say yes but if you are going to target the bigger boys I don't think so much, actually just a little tweak here and there. I will give you my thinking behind this as we get more replies from you guys.

i think that placement of the bait will some how tie up with the distance , as this will vary from dam to dam.

Placement is going to be the key factor for winter , as the fish will be hiding areas the water  warms up faster and to ambush prey .

so the key areas would be shallows and structure  to hide under or in .

My 2c

 

[Mission Man]

have some idea's but seen as i haven't had anytime to put them into practice yet i shall keep them to myself and if they work i'll report back. whenever that is.

 

[Steve Catlin]

Hi Guys

I think that the distance will more or less remain the same but the habits change. I feel that the fish slow down in Winter and will not actively hunt as they need to maintain fat for energy. The Angler has to hunt them down, bait placement now is key, rocks, trees, reeds and other structure is best position. Also, get to know the system you are fishing, try new spots around a Dam, find out what the bottom looks like and mix up the baits. I would vary my bait sizes, big fish are not always caught on big baits, my 2 best fish, 18kg caught on cricket and 32.5kg caught on a baby plattie. Iam doing a 3 day session at the end of June, hope to report a good catch.

 

[dorsalfin]

I think that placement is more important than distance in any circumstance, no matter winter or summer. My oppinion for sure.

 

[Gcvanheerden]

imported post

 

[Gcvanheerden]

The question then also pops up regarding bait placement,should you place it shallow for maximum heat during the day or deep water for consistent temperature.I will probally fish both depths to experiment but past 12,the venue I fish is very cold from the lesotho climate.I will fish deeper water in the morning and at night for the consistent temperature.I have not fished very much this winter and last time I fished was the week after easter but the fishing was very hard with only a few carp coming out,I will probally fish again after the exams.

 

[joshua02]

dorsalfin wrote:

I think that placement is more important than distance in any circumstance, no matter winter or summer. My oppinion for sure.

thats what I believe and has worked out well. Most barbel Ive hooked have been in stucture thats normally no more than 80m out

 

[Steve Catlin]

Mine have also been fairly close in, it also depends on bank noise.

 

[joshua02]

Steve Catlin wrote:

Mine have also been fairly close in, it also depends on bank noise.

There is the real problem, if people make nosie you can forget about real fishing

 

[shuraj]

Steve Catlin wrote:

Mine have also been fairly close in, it also depends on bank noise.

that is a very good statement , you cannot hunt for monsters in a busy and noisy venue.


 

 

[Mission Man]

Steve Catlin wrote:

Mine have also been fairly close in, it also depends on bank noise.

Finally someone agree's with me, my wife doesn't understand why i get so :swear:swear:swear when we are somewhere and the camp site next to us is partying all night through.  i tend to then move as far away from the noise if possible else i pack up and leave for another venue cause i strongly believe that the noise will prevent me catching what i went there for.

very good point raised

 

[Skuimkop]

Right nou praat ons lekker.

So what you guys are saying is that you won't move your baits to shallower water bodies where the temperatures are higher. But don't you think the smaller pray fish will move to the shallows and therefor the Cats will follow?

 

[shuraj]

Skuimkop wrote:

Right nou praat ons lekker.

So what you guys are saying is that you won't move your baits to shallower water bodies where the temperatures are higher. But don't you think the smaller pray fish will move to the shallows and therefor the Cats will follow?

My thoughts is that the catfish will follow their food source for easy pickings in the shallow bodies of water .

 

[Mission Man]

Here is my thinking,

Where are you fishing? Kzn is still nice and warm high 20 to low 30's, so i dont see any change needed there as of yet.

inlands however where it is freezing we definately need to adapt.

secondly, what type of water are you fishing?
Rivers? i dont see to much change needed here but seen as i've never fished in a river i totally said to be corrected.

Dams on the other hand, change is needed. Barbel like warm water so holes, structure in shallower waters than compared to in summer might do the trick. however i also believe that as the fish want to save as much energy as needed size of bait and bait placement is more crucial.

In my opinion i think that the barbel will move to a place where they can get a source of food income which will greatly overcome their amount of energy that is needed to gather the food, such as the entrance of a river into the dam. there they can lay and wait and the river will bring them their next meal. i also believe that in winter, inlands where it is a lot colder the fish will also not be so picky about what food is presented to them, thus a larger variety of baits will work.

as i say, these are just my thoughts, and havent had the time to spend fully investigating each theory yet.

 

[FeedingFrenzy]

You all forgetting one very important piece of information: physiology.

Catfish go into a state similar to torpor during winter - pretty much like kurper do. They don't generally feed. For very good reason - it is too cold to adequately digest one's food. Same as snakes - you don't see them chilling during winter next to mice holes just so they don't have to expend energy to get food! Its because the ambient temperature isn't high enough to enable good digestion - they could end up with something that goes vrot inside them!

The occasional catfish that are caught are caught on very small baits and basically baits placed right in front of therm - triggering instinct more than hunger. They will not take on anything that is large and go vrot in their digestive tract.

Something that is worth considering though: if there is a sustained warm spell during winter - long enough warm the water up by a few degrees and encourage activity then it is worth fishing for cats. otherwise io reckon spend your time preparing for spring or fishing for fish that are active.

 

[Skuimkop]

dorsalfin wrote:

I think that placement is more important than distance in any circumstance, no matter winter or summer. My oppinion for sure.

Can't agree more! Actually I believe this becomes way more important in the winter as smells don't travel that fast in colder water than in hotter water. Thus making your sent trail that much smaller/less effective over time. This is where my other theory also comes in to play. I believe you have to re-bait more regularly in winter to maintain a good sent trail at your targeted area or you need to get fresh sent at your bait. Ways you can use are with the help of a capsule lodged in your bait or if you are fishing under a tree, bridge or other structures with the help of a drip (medical type) but you are limited to the surface with the drip. Dorsal did however test a different method which in my opinion will work well. Maybe he will elaborate on this for you guys.

 

[Fishpaste]

FeedingFrenzy wrote:

You all forgetting one very important piece of information: physiology.

Catfish go into a state similar to torpor during winter - pretty much like kurper do. They don't generally feed. For very good reason - it is too cold to adequately digest one's food. Same as snakes - you don't see them chilling during winter next to mice holes just so they don't have to expend energy to get food! Its because the ambient temperature isn't high enough to enable good digestion - they could end up with something that goes vrot inside them!

The occasional catfish that are caught are caught on very small baits and basically baits placed right in front of therm - triggering instinct more than hunger. They will not take on anything that is large and go vrot in their digestive tract.

Something that is worth considering though: if there is a sustained warm spell during winter - long enough warm the water up by a few degrees and encourage activity then it is worth fishing for cats. otherwise io reckon spend your time preparing for spring or fishing for fish that are active.

COULD NOT AGREE MORE.

 

[The Owner]

I agree with Feeding Fenzy. I'd say about 80% of cats I catch during the winter is on reaction strikes. They tend to just lay still in the shallows when winter hits. it would seem that winter have not properly struck at most of the venues I fish as the cats are still relatively active as the water temperatures are still good. The only barbel I catch that are still hunting is next to trees as the comorant makes nest in them and the barbel feed on whatever drop out of the nests. Strange enough I catch way more barbel next to trees in in the winter, then next to rocks (vice versa in the summer)

 

[Skuimkop]

FeedingFrenzy wrote:

You all forgetting one very important piece of information: physiology.

Catfish go into a state similar to torpor during winter - pretty much like kurper do. They don't generally feed. For very good reason - it is too cold to adequately digest one's food. Same as snakes - you don't see them chilling during winter next to mice holes just so they don't have to expend energy to get food! Its because the ambient temperature isn't high enough to enable good digestion - they could end up with something that goes vrot inside them!

The occasional catfish that are caught are caught on very small baits and basically baits placed right in front of therm - triggering instinct more than hunger. They will not take on anything that is large and go vrot in their digestive tract.

Something that is worth considering though: if there is a sustained warm spell during winter - long enough warm the water up by a few degrees and encourage activity then it is worth fishing for cats. otherwise io reckon spend your time preparing for spring or fishing for fish that are active.

I have found info that suggests when the temperature of the water drops below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 °C), Catfishes virtually stop their growth process. This meaning they only maintain there body mass. In a very elongated version of going into hibernation, they stop feeding when the water reaches somewhere between 46 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (8-10 °C). During this period they bury themselves in structures/debris with only there nostrils exposed.