Winter bream fishing can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for anglers of all skill levels.

As the temperature drops, bream, a type of freshwater fish, move to deeper waters where the temperature is more stable.

In this article, we'll provide an overview of winter bream fishing, including tips for success, understanding bream behavior, selecting the appropriate equipment and tackle, and techniques for catching bream during the winter months.

Characteristics of bream fish in winter

It is the bream that is the most frequent trophy for most anglers both in summer and winter. It comes across from very tiny specimens to half-kilogram individuals of transitional age. Well, if we have good feeder tackle, bait, the right place, a little experience, and luck at our disposal, then you can also meet the very, real, hunchbacked-bronze bream, which a couple of years ago was a scavenger, and caused some of our irritation after being caught: "Well, again this trifle, when will the hunchback be?".

Of course, on a paid reservoir, the fish is different. The bream payer can be found infrequently. Basically, people gravitate towards carp, grass carp or, say, trout. Well, in public waters, it is the bream or the bream that can be found most often.

Firstly, the behavior of the fish changes as the water temperature drops. Bream will move to deeper waters where the temperature is more stable and they tend to congregate in schools, making them easier to catch in larger numbers. However, their metabolism slows down, which means they will be less active and less inclined to chase after fast-moving lures.

When looking for the best spots to catch bream in the winter, try deep holes and channels in the river or stream, as well as areas near underwater structures like logs, rocks, and drop-offs. Also, look for weed beds as they provide cover for bream and their food sources.

Some bream may change the color or texture of their scales in order to blend into the environment better or as a physical adaptation for the cold season, and some species of bream may enter a state of hibernation which means they will not be as active and won't bite as much.

Also, the food of the bream fish becomes scarce during the winter months, so they feed less frequently, and the food they do consume is generally low in energy content. It's good to keep this in mind when choosing baits or lures.

Bream behavior in winter

When it comes to bream behavior in the winter, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

Firstly, as the water temperature drops, bream will tend to move to deeper waters where the temperature is more stable. This can make it a bit more challenging to find them, but once you do, you're more likely to find them in large schools.

One thing to note is that breams become less active in the winter, and their metabolism slows down. This means they are less likely to be interested in fast-moving lures and may require a more subtle approach to be caught.

Another thing to consider is that the food sources of bream become scarce in the winter months, as a result, they feed less frequently. This means that they will be more selective about what they eat and may require different types of bait or lures to be enticed to bite.

Some species of bream may enter a state of hibernation during the winter which means they will not be as active and less likely to bite on baits or lures.

Best locations for catching bream in winter

Fishing can be conditionally divided into " summer " and " winter ". Depending on the region, the border between them can shift by more than a month. And it's all about the temperature of the water. When it decreases and reaches a value of 10-12 degrees, the fish switches to a winter lifestyle. The metabolism of fish slows down significantly, respectively, and activity drops.

It is the fishing of bream and bream in October that can be the most unpredictable. The fish finish feeding for the winter. And it does it differently. In the daytime or at night, there can be a real short bream - the next day - "as chopped off."

With a subsequent decrease in temperature, scavengers and breams gather in flocks and lie down in wintering pits, edges with a slow flow of water. In contrast to summer, warmer water remains at depth in winter.

When it comes to finding the best locations for catching bream in the winter, there are a few key places to focus on.

One good spot to look for is deep holes and channels in the river or stream. As the water temperature drops, bream will tend to move to deeper, more stable waters, and these areas can provide the ideal conditions for them.

Underwater structures

Another place to target is areas near underwater structures like logs, rocks, and drop-offs. These areas can provide cover for the fish and also attract a variety of small creatures that bream feeds on.

Weeds

Weed beds are also a good spot to look for bream during the winter. The weeds cover the fish and attract a variety of food sources such as small crustaceans and insects

Natural Structures

Additionally, near creek mouths, dams, or locks, or where natural springs or warm water discharges into a water body, can be prime spots in the winter as well. These areas can hold warmer water, which is more comfortable for the fish, which then makes them more active and therefore more likely to be caught.

It's also good to pay attention to the water flow, temperature, visibility and turbidity of the water. Usually, in the winter the water will be colder, slower moving and more clear, which affects the fish's behavior and where they would be found.

The best locations for catching bream in the winter will vary depending on the specific water body and the conditions, but focusing on deep holes, underwater structures, and weed beds can increase your chances of success.

Equipment and Tackle

When it comes to equipment and tackle for winter bream fishing, there are a few key items to consider.

Recommended fishing rod and reel

A medium-light to light power rod with a fast action tip is a good option for bream fishing in the winter. A spinning reel with a good drag system is recommended.

The best type of fishing line for winter bream fishing

A 2-4 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line is best for bream fishing in the winter. These lines are sensitive enough to detect the subtle bites of bream in the colder water, yet strong enough to handle the fish.

Hooks, baits and lures for bream in winter

[caption id="attachment_2394" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Feeder hooks, overview and recommendations[/caption]

For hooks, a size 8-12 is ideal for bream. The best baits to use in the winter are worms, crickets, or small minnows. Jigs or small soft plastic lures that mimic the bream's natural food sources are also effective.

Sinkers and bobbers

A small split shot sinkers and a small slip bobber can help you to fish at different depths and to detect even the most subtle bites.

Additional items

A good landing net and a pair of needle-nose pliers will help you to handle the fish properly, and a good pair of waders or wading boots can be helpful if you're fishing in a stream or river.

Techniques for Winter Bream Fishing

When it comes to fishing for bream in the winter, there are a few key techniques to keep in mind:

[caption id="attachment_1910" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Feeder fishing in winter[/caption]

Bottom fishing Winter bream fishing

Bottom fishing is a technique that involves using a bait or lure on or near the bottom of the water body. This can be an effective technique for catching bream in the winter, as they tend to congregate near the bottom in deeper waters.

When casting, you will want to cast your bait or lure to the bottom and slowly retrieve it, keeping in contact with the bottom. This will help you to keep your bait or lure in the strike zone where the bream are likely to be.

It's also a good idea to pay attention to the wind, currents, and water flow so that you can adjust your casting and retrieve it accordingly. Bottom fishing requires patience and focus, but with a little bit of practice, it can be a highly effective technique for catching bream in the winter.

Winter bream fishing With Feeder

Large real breams are kept separately. Moreover, in their group there are also larger and smaller individuals. It is our task to find such a group.

When fishing on a feeder in the summer, there are no particular problems in attracting large fish to the nozzle. The main thing is to find a suitable fishing point and lure a place. If there is a good, actively feeding fish in the pond, then after a while it will definitely come to the bait spot and to our feeder.

In winter, when the water temperature is low, the situation is worse. Reduced metabolism plus a lack of oxygen in the water - reduces the activity of feeding and movement of the bream to a minimum. The fish becomes so passive that they may not move to even the most attractive bait.

That is why winter bream fishing is more capricious and unpredictable. In winter, it is better to fish with a feeder in open water on a well-known reservoir. If fishing often takes place in the same places, the angler already knows by eye the distance, for example, to the first or second edge, the location of wintering pits, etc.

When the reservoir is covered with good ice, it will be possible to switch to a true winter type of ice fishing. And knowledge of the bottom topography and summer fishing places will only benefit. Each feederist is well versed in bait for catching with a feeder, and this knowledge will only help for winter fishing for bream from the ice.

Choosing the right fishing point for Winter bream fishing With Feeder

So, when fishing for bream in winter with a feeder, the main thing is to choose the right fishing point. Moreover, the lower the temperature drops, the more important this condition becomes. Pundits give data on the very slow movement of fish at low temperatures. So, for example, at a water temperature of 3-5 degrees, a bream in search of food moves only 50-100 cm per minute.

And the point here is not at all the unwillingness to feed or move around. The fish in such water practically sleeps, the energy in the muscles accumulates very slowly, the motility is very slow.

[caption id="attachment_1997" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Where to fish for bream in cold water[/caption]

The bottom of any reservoir, and especially the river, has irregularities and is lined with brows and pits. In warm weather, when feeding, bream can follow along the edges and areas with depth differences. So, in an hour, a flock of scavengers moves on average several tens of meters. It is in such places that food can linger, and colonies of shells live. In the summer, when fishing, finding such a point and feeding it, after a few minutes you can get bites of small fish, and after a while, large ones.

But during winter bream fishing, when the water temperature is less than 10 degrees, you can wait a very long time. In winter, fish prefer deeper areas. Pits, the borders of the brows in front of the deepest section of the reservoir. But not the deepest place! Namely, the descent to it, the exit, or the entrance.

The course of winter sections should be small, but must be present. Running water, at least a little, but brings oxygen, and in winter, fish that have accumulated in flocks, it is very necessary. At such a time, the bream will not be in the pit, even if it is the deepest if there is a poor flow of water.

In shallow water in winter conditions, the bream does not go out, and in the summer, in the absence of noise, it can feed there for a long time.

[caption id="attachment_2026" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Winter Bream Fishing[/caption]

We have already noted with you the influence of atmospheric pressure on the bite. With a decrease in pressure, with prolonged warming, the fish can leave the winter camp and go to smaller areas, but will still stick to places with a difference in depth. Moreover, small scavengers come out for active feeding first, and behind them are already larger ones, and then the bream themselves.

So, despite the excellent ability of the feeder to attract fish, in winter this is not enough. It is necessary to look for a feeding point in the place where there are likely to be scavengers (holes, approaches to it and slopes, deep edges). And bream should be next to them. Therefore, knowledge of the bottom of the reservoir is very important for winter fishing with a feeder.

Conclusion

In conclusion, winter bream fishing can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for anglers of all skill levels.

We've discussed how bream behavior and location change during the winter, and how to adapt your fishing techniques accordingly. We've also discussed the importance of using the right equipment and tackle, as well as the best baits, lures, hooks, and sinkers for winter bream fishing.

As with any fishing trip, it's important to be prepared for the conditions and to always practice safe fishing habits. Be sure to check the weather forecast, wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and be mindful of potential hazards such as cold water and slippery banks.