5. Where and when to fish
Reading the water, good hours and the weather
Read the water
- Look for features: weed edges, fallen trees, drop-offs, channel mouths, the shade of bridges -- fish stay close to shelter and food.
- On a river, coarse fish sit in the slow current behind obstacles; predators lurk on the line between the current and the slack water.
- Wind blowing towards the bank pushes food and fish onto the windward bank -- don't shy away from it.
Hours and seasons
- Early morning and evening are usually the best times, and in summer almost exclusively.
- Spring (after the closed season) and autumn: fish feed a lot and the water is at good temperatures.
- Winter: slow fishing, small baits, deep water; predators (zander, pike) stay active.
- Solunar periods and stable air pressure help -- the app shows you the forecast for every spot.