Keep Warm in Winter Carp Fishing
The Introduction
If you like to carp fish like me in winter, and have done for many years, I would like to share a few pointers for you which may help.
From the early 1990s, when my winter carp fishing began, believe me, I made plenty of mistakes that made my angling very uncomfortable! Well, as time has passed, I’ve learnt you can be more comfortable in winter if you prepare properly for your fishing trip.
Being comfortable in winter is paramount: A for your health and B for your enjoyment.
You will also fish much better if you are warm and dry in the winter. There’s nothing worse than being wet, cold and miserable when you’re fishing. It will often just make you end your session earlier than you planned.
The List
Always write a list of items you need to take with you fishing, especially in winter. We all lead hectic lives, or most of us do, so writing a checklist will eliminate forgetting something useful or needed when we arrive at the chosen fishing location in winter. This can be a complete lifesaver.
Winter Carp Fishing Essentials
Where affordable, please think about trying to follow these guidelines to keep you more comfortable. You don’t always need to buy fishing brands either.
Clothing
Layers: it’s all about layers to keep you warm and dry.
I start with usually a thermal T-shirt and thermal long johns. These can be bought cheaply if you look hard enough.
Next, add a thermal jumper followed by my hooded [top]. That’s my main 3 layers and then a nice waterproof coat.
My legs: I wear jogging bottoms on top of my thermal long johns.
These are followed up by a waterproof, thermal-lined bib and brace.
My feet: I wear two pairs of thermal socks and always wear a good fishing boot which is waterproof also.
My head: it has to be a good-quality woolly hat or thermal hat. These can be picked up inexpensively.
My hands: I often wear fingerless gloves, which I can use most of the time when fishing. Good for casting, and you don’t have to take them off for making a brew on the bank either.
Night Fishing
A good, strong waterproof bivvy is essential in winter to withstand harsh weather conditions.
As is a twin-skin bivvy to stop condensation.
Always take care when cooking or making a brew inside. Keep the door open. This solves 2 problems: condensation and carbon monoxide poisoning.
A 5-season sleeping bag is a necessity. I always use a bedchair cover also for an extra layer. If you’re too warm, you can always pull it off.
A hot water bottle is a great item to keep a bit of warmth in your sleeping bag. A cheap buy and takes up very little space, and I simply fold mine up in my bedchair.
Reliable lighting is essential. I’ve had a Ridgemonkey bivvy light for years. You can adjust the brightness or colour, which is an excellent feature, and they last days on a single session, certainly enough for my hours on the bank.
The other thing with good lighting: it does make those dark hours seem less boring than sitting in a dark, enclosed bivvy.
Next essential lighting is a head torch, and I always carry a spare one just in case one goes down. This is a top tip, as this happened to me a few times over the years.
I’m currently using the NGT rechargeable head torchNGT rechargeable head torch. Brilliant, well-made piece of kit and very affordable compared to others on the market.
Makes re-baiting or changing rigs a doddle at night, and all those roaming-around chores you need to do in the dark.
Put the Stove On to Keep
Warm
Lighting your cooking stove can really make a difference. Those cups of hot drinks and warm food always make a difference. Please make sure you use it only in a well-ventilated, safe area. I don’t mean to sound boring, but believe me, I have seen the results of some bivvy fires in the past. Always cook outside if possible.
You also need to be careful of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Extra Spare Essential Items You Need to Carry Winter Carp Fishing
Here’s my list:
- Towel
- Spare batteries
- Spare fuel for cooking
- Lighter or matches
- Water
- Coffee, tea, sugar
- Snacks, to include hot snacks
- Spare clothes
- Toilet paper or kitchen towels
- Bin bags
All the extra items you can leave in your car or van. They’re simply there if you need them. It’s something I do and have learnt to do over the years. Sounds trivial, but believe me, you probably will fetch a couple of these items over the winter.
Final Thoughts
I really hope this article will give you a few tips on enjoying your winter angling by keeping warm, dry and comfortable. I’ve really enjoyed sharing them with you.
Winter fishing is really worth it, and the rewards can be there for the taking.