Fishing in snow/hail/sleet

I read recently in one of the mags or online that its pretty pointless fishing in this kinda weather. Doesnt make much sense and it hasnt put me off goin out (the chest infection has though ) but one does wonder what affect it would have on the fishys apart from cooling down the water temperatures. Anyone care to shed a bit of light on the subject? I have noticed the reports section is very quiet at the moment but maybe thats just due to people opting for the fire instead of the shore.

Kinda wondering the same thing myself. Had a session the other day in the cold down here in Waterford, no snow about but damn freezing. There wa squite a good show of codling but nothing else. Any suggestions?

it hasnt put me off either. infact i like the empty beaches at this time of year. i'd say people opt for the warmth as opposed to braving the elements.

i have been wondering about the water temps myself. i was out over the weekend on a co.londonderry beach - no bass caught but plenty of coalies,flounder,whiting etc to keep us busy. it was -2 on the beach but we have noticed that up here we are a few degrees warmer on the beach than inland temperatures. it was -5 when i was at home which is about 5mile from my local marks

one thing i've also noticed is when returning fish my hands are warmer in the water than they would be just standing around (dry) so i dont know if the fish feel that cold unless it for a prolonged period.

one of the guys i fish with is a marine biologist and he's telling me water temp at end of october was around 10 degrees up here - we havent been able to ascertain what temps suit bass just yet- we are gonna keep and eye on water temps next year and see how it pans out.

i would say why the reports are low is probable due to the state of the roads make a difference and the distance you have to drive 50 miles on dodgy back roads covered in ice

It takes a lot of snow/sleet/hail to cool down the sea due to vast body of water you're talking about, so in the short term it makes little difference. If you're fishing shallow beaches then it's going to make more of a difference, especially if fishing a flooding tide after a really cold night as the cold sand will cool the water a little.

If you're talking about over a period, such as what we have right now, then it may well make a difference. Some fish will leg it to deeper water, where the temperature is that bit more consistent. If you find a deep hole close to the shore then you could be in for a cracking session.

The worst bit about it of course if the fact it's blooming miserable. I'm not a fan of it, although if there are fish about I'll gladly brave it for a bit. Make sure you have lots of layers on and a supply of hot drinks to keep warm. Nothing wrong with setting up a good bit from the water to keep blood circulating in your feet.

My hat goes off to anybody that braves it in this, I'm taking a few days off but intend to get out in a week or so depending on road conditions.

http://www.met.ie/latest/buoy.asp

this will give ya the water temp

The weather hasnt stopped these lads fishing in greystones jay

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nice pictures lads
ice fishing were you

The weather hasnt stopped these lads fishing in greystones jay

The weather hasnt stopped these lads fishing in greystones jay

Haha brilliant! Is that the Ian Golds Igloo mark 2....

http://www.met.ie/latest/buoy.asp

this will give ya the water temp

Thanks Taz. Yeh ive been keepin an eye on the water temp. I use http://www.marine.ie/home/publicationsdata/data/buoys/

i would say why the reports are low is probable due to the state of the roads make a difference and the distance you have to drive 50 miles on dodgy back roads covered in ice

Yeh never thought of that as I dont drive... Am learning but until I do Im that bloke on the Dart that smells like fish guts.

Well, down here in Waterford, the weather kinda eased off so I took a trip out hoping to catch a few codling... Got to my mark at about 3am baited up and chilled out (literally) for 3 hours and caught a cold, not a cod! haha! Mind, due to the bad weather I could not get hold of any lug, had to settle with squid/crab cocktails... Maybe I would have done better with the crab/lug but hey, it was an experience! I think today I am in need of a hot whiskey/honey cocktail to rid this cold! I could have done with a portable coal fire and an igloo!

i havnt been out in ages as the snow is vicious here where i am. weedave your braver than i am, esp with all the snow use had in coleraine and still getting out

fecking troopers!

I fish mainly at night so the risk of ice puts me off a bit, having said that I had a nice 4.5lb bass off the north coast last Jan in temperatures of -7. The sand was like concrete it was that frozen. I think it comes down how much cold you can take. Hands are definitley the hardest hit for me.

Would you think that flatfish would be put off by the cold sand because I mean its not really "cosy" for them to burry themselves in the ice cold sand waiting for nothing to come?
I know that the watertemperature isnt much affected by the cold but the sand and the activity in it might be.

I will still give it a try because fishing the shore with snowy mountains around you is just priceless isnt it?
Just cant wait to get out fishing!

i havnt been out in ages as the snow is vicious here where i am. weedave your braver than i am, esp with all the snow use had in coleraine and still getting out

fecking troopers!

it has to be done mate - but i'm only a few mile form the beaches so it aint as bad for me really.

its funny being on a frozen beach with no sand in sight becasue of the snow - cold but fun none the less.

regards
dave

Check this out...

Never seen this before! Soon they are not only surfing but also iceskating on the beach
Looks amazing though doesnt it?

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