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Fish behavior
In cold water, fish move around much less, often congregating in the deepest areas and feeding in very short phases. It therefore becomes crucial to locate these winter holding areas (pools, breaks, central sectors of lakes) rather than relying on broad prospection.âeuros
Choice of position
In lakes or large ponds, it is generally advisable to look for the greatest depth accessible within casting distance, often between 8 and 12 m depending on the site. In small lakes or canals, marked breaks, slightly deeper zones and areas sheltered from cold winds are preferable.âeurosâeuros
Priming and priming
In winter, the groundbait should be heavily depleted: a low-nutrient, dark, highly digestible mix that works slowly and doesn't overfeed the fish. Initial baiting should be very moderate (only a few feeders), then maintained by spaced recalls, or even only by a single shot when bites are rare.âeuros
Esches and micro-baits
Fine animal baits are king: maggots, pinkies, bloodworms, sometimes a small cut-up worm or a grain of corn to sort out the bigger stuff. On the hook, a minimalist presentation (one or two maggots or a small bunch of bloodworms) triggers more hits than bulky plugs.âeurosâeuros
Mounting, feeder and line
Simple, sliding rigs (inline or light helicopter type) ensure optimum detection of the often very discreet bites. Small-volume feeders, sometimes a little heavier for good depth control but lightly loaded with groundbait, provide precision and sobriety.âeurosâeuros
Fishing approach
In winter, it's best to start "opportunistically": test one or two distances, stay very precise, then move slightly if nothing happens. The key is to give the fish time to get onto the shot without constantly casting again: a few extra minutes between casts often makes all the difference.
