Q: Better catches at day or night? and keeping warm...

Mark Davies · #1 11-20-2005, 10:39 PM

Is there a significant difference between the quantity and size of catches between day or night?

I am pondering whether to fish Deal pier this Friday night or wait for the daytime.

Advantages of night: I think one is more likely to catch cod at night. This is a big plus for me as cod is one of my target fish (as are all real tasty fish!).

Disadvantages of night: Well, I think it would be a lot colder at night. I have not done night fishing before so am not quite sure if my preparations are enough for 6-7 hours of night fishing. I have invested in thermals (top and bottom) and a balaclava. I intend to wear track suit bottoms, 2 T-shirts and 1 or 2 jumpers and waterproofs (the waterproofs adding no warmth but will be good windbreakers). Plus I have another thick wooley hat. Is this enough? Any tips for staying warm would be much appreciated.

We've been getting some heavy duty frosts in London. After fishing we are planning to get some sleep in the car, but I'm wondering if that would just be too cold! lol

Also the cost at Deal is double at night (£6 per rod) and might not be available for booking for small parties (we are just 2 people).

Thanks to your input about good places to fish I am considering Dungeness. It might be a bit of a walk, but it is free.

nestle · #2 11-21-2005, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davies

Is there a significant difference between the quantity and size of catches between day or night?

I am pondering whether to fish Deal pier this Friday night or wait for the daytime.

Advantages of night: I think one is more likely to catch cod at night. This is a big plus for me as cod is one of my target fish (as are all real tasty fish!).

Disadvantages of night: Well, I think it would be a lot colder at night. I have not done night fishing before so am not quite sure if my preparations are enough for 6-7 hours of night fishing. I have invested in thermals (top and bottom) and a balaclava. I intend to wear track suit bottoms, 2 T-shirts and 1 or 2 jumpers and waterproofs (the waterproofs adding no warmth but will be good windbreakers). Plus I have another thick wooley hat. Is this enough? Any tips for staying warm would be much appreciated.

We've been getting some heavy duty frosts in London. After fishing we are planning to get some sleep in the car, but I'm wondering if that would just be too cold! lol

Also the cost at Deal is double at night (£6 per rod) and might not be available for booking for small parties (we are just 2 people).

Thanks to your input about good places to fish I am considering Dungeness. It might be a bit of a walk, but it is free.

gota say i perfer night fishing i had my biggest fish at night ... coldness doesnt bother me as i work outside :)

all i wear at night is trakkies t-shirt jumper normal coat and a waterproof and i stay luvlt and warm ... just make sure u got loads off coffee as that keeps me going :)

with not fishing look at areas in gosport were i normally fish theres area that act as wind breakers hasler wall does this .. piers tend to get cold as u got no cover .. take a small tent just to use a shalter

Norfolkboy · #3 11-21-2005, 08:09 PM

Hi Mark, this thread by Simon may help you with winter safety (keeping warm etc..)

Winter safety - top tips under £20

pingu · #4 11-21-2005, 09:26 PM

getting rid of the wind is a MUST
and warm feet, rest follow
should be ok with your list

Pross · #5 11-22-2005, 12:12 PM

Consider getting a floatation suit. They are very warm (never been cold in my Imax one) and have the added benefit that if the worst does happen you won't sink like a brick like you will in all those layers. I like night fishing, just invest in a good lantern and the best head torch you can afford as I think that is the most important thing for fishing in the dark (don't forget spare batteries!). A nice big flask is the second most important thing. I'm not sure what kit you use but you may find a fixed spool reel a better option at night too. As for whether you get better catches at night I think it depends on species. Cod fishing seems more productive after dark as do some other species such as conger, I'm sure someone will be able to provide a bit of a guide as to which species are more prolific after dark.

tommy a · #6 11-22-2005, 02:22 PM

Add a little hip flask to take with you to add to the coffee - always warms me up .......

Fishing Forum Admin · #7 11-22-2005, 07:04 PM

NIght fishing will always win over days for me . Because the fishing seems to be better plus there is nothing better than a night fish ( plus no fools ) It does depend on the water though , how busy the water is ( boats ect ) and the colour but as a rule of thumb its always nights

As for keeping warm -

Keep your
Hands warm
Feet warm
Head warm
Lots of thin layers and not big ones

And then you will not go far wrong and as said before hot fluids . Ive been out in -38C and if not for the above I would have been a brass monkey

big guy · #8 11-29-2005, 05:07 AM

any time can catch but night is deffo better, especially in winter.

fish in one of the shelters up the stem. lots of thin layers a good coat and either a overall or pair of bib and brace to keep your back warm.

keeping busy with loads of fish helps too.

FlyingFox · #9 11-29-2005, 06:16 AM

prefer night fishing myself and on the cold winter nights i try to make sure i got plenty of thin layers on, maybe some long johns and Bib and brace with a good wind breaking coat on. also use my beach buddy to sit in and have my tilly lamp burning on the cold nights to hold my hands over or even place a couple of biggish stones on top for a while as they hold the heat for ages and can be placed in my pockets or just hold them in between cast to keep some feeling in my finger tips.

good luck with future night fishing mate.

Ollie.

sam23 · #10 11-29-2005, 11:30 AM

just to add my bit! i got a nice big coat and bib and brace thingy! got to have a good hat, thermal wellies and lots of thin layers as others have said. my hands seem to be the thing to get cold so i have normal gloves and then put some latex exam gloves over the top to keep them dry and its a tight squeeze and it does keep the heat in. where we go the beach is really steep so when its really cold we sit right back from the water and then its good exercise going up and down the beach, sounds daft but the other night we were taking layers off as we were hot!!!! best way to keep warm and get exercise!!! oh and not forgeting 2xflasks of hot choc!!!

sam xx

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