Tag Archives: Water Temperature

Carp Fishing Equipment

How to Improve Your Catch Rate when Winter Fishing

It is true to say that a sudden fall in temperature puts nearly all fish off their feeding. Thus when winter approaches many anglers put their rods away until the warmer months return. But most fish will start feeding again after the temperature has fallen, but far less freely than before.

Freshwater usually does not fall any where near freezing point except for the cooler upper layers where ice can often form. The critical temperature is around 39 degrees Fahrenheit or roughly 4 degrees Centigrade beneath which you will be unlikely to make a good catch as the fish will be in a state of torpor. Most of the time the water temperature will be above this and cold weather fishing can be very productive.

You should be ready to change your expectations. If you catch a handful of fish when the water is cooler this represents as successful a visit as a bag full in the summer months. When you fully accept that it is more difficult to catch when the water is colder in comparison to when it is warm you are able to enjoy some great sport.

If it is cold enough to freeze the surface of a flowing river it is easy to find a spot to fish. Areas free of ice will dictate where you fish as these will be warmer at the surface than anywhere else. You should use a fixed ledger rather than a moving bait and let the fish slowly find your offerings. Ground bait lightly as the fish will only eat sparingly and experiment with some highly flavored treats for the fish. A piece of cheese can work wonders when it is cold for the likes of roach and chub.

Because the fish only bite shyly, feeling for the takes with your fingers on the line may be your first thought. You may find it is too cold to take your gloves off to do this. Using a sensitive quill or stick float over-fished statically on the bottom can work well. If you move the bait gently a few inches every so often you will cover more ground and potentially induce a take.

You must find deeper spots in still waters that will hold warmer water than in the shallows. This might mean that you have to cast further than you would like in conditions where the fish are rather sluggish. Bread flake or crust molded onto the hook, perhaps with a smelly attractant added, works better than maggots when it is cold. If you can find very deep water say over 20 feet this will likely to be much warmer owing to the temperature gradient in such waters and the fish may be feeding very freely here. In this case large juicy worms can be a good choice where perch inhabit the water.

In conclusion, whereas the summer angler hates bright sunlight which can put fish off their feeding, the reverse applies in the colder months. On a bright sunny winter’s day the water can warm up slightly by the afternoon enough to stimulate the fish’s renewed feeding activity. It certainly will lift the angler’s spirits in the winter season!

Mark Jenner is a keen angler enjoying all aspects of the sport. He spends most of his time in pursuit of trout, pike or carp as well as occasionally doing some sea fishing. His web site reviews many items of game and carp fishing tackle and his blog site reviews general fishing subjects and records his pike fishing sessions.

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Favorite Hiding Places of Fish

Before you attempt to catch fish, you need to find out where they are. Remember that fish are found nearly everywhere there is water with sufficient levels of food, oxygen, and cover. You are certain to be within a relatively close distance to a body of water that has fish living in it. For an angler, this is good news. They are there – now you have to find them!  

All fish are different. Because of this, they do not all live in the same kind of waters. Fish tolerate different environmental conditions. Some of these include differing levels of salt, amounts of oxygen, types and amounts of food, water temperature, and hiding areas. The most distinguishing element of fish is salt. Some fish do not live in areas where there is a lot of salt.

On the other hand, some fish need salt to survive. There are also some types of fish that can live in both saltwater and freshwater.  Freshwater ponds, reservoirs, and rivers contain significantly less salt than the ocean. North America has a majority of freshwater bodies. Some of the fish that you will find in these freshwater bodies are the bluegill, carp, catfish, crappie, and bass. In contrast, many species of fish live in the ocean’s salty water. Thanks to their kidneys, these fish are able to keep the proper balance of salt in their body. The more popular saltwater fish are the bluefish, cod, sea trout, tuna, and flounder.   

Another factor that weighs heavily on where you will find certain fish is oxygen. All fish must have a certain level of oxygen to survive. Some fish, such as carp, survive on less oxygen than fish like trout. The living plants within a lake or stream directly affect the amount of oxygen in the water. They add oxygen to the water through photosynthesis. This process uses sunlight to make food. Oxygen also makes its way into water from the surrounding air.  You will find certain fish in certain bodies of water based on what kind of food is there. It is based on the amount and type of food available in a setting. All fish need to eat, so the amount of competition with other fish is a factor that determines which fish will be in certain areas.   

Fish prefer different water temperatures. Some fish are flexible. They have the ability to live in a wide range of temperatures. Other fish, however, need either cold or warm water to survive. Trout is an example of this. You will only find trout in cold water. Your best bet for finding a certain type of fish is to learn about the type of water it prefers. They are most often found in water that is close to their preferred temperature. We, as humans, can control one factor when it comes to where fish live. Water quality often determines where a fish will live and we have the means to ensure a high level of water quality. All fish must have water that has adequate levels of oxygen. Good-quality water will obviously support more species of fish than water that is polluted. Water that is stagnant, polluted, or lacking adequate oxygen simply cannot support a large group of fish.

While some fish, such as carp, live in water that is not very clean, most fish need a high quality of water in order to survive.   Discovering the places where fish live is the first step to successful fishing. Several factors come into play when looking for a fish’s habitat. Some of these are the levels of salt and oxygen found in water. Another factor is the temperature of the water. All fish are different. Because of this, it benefits you, the angler, to take the time necessary to find the bodies of water in which they live.

Want to find out about bowhunting pigs and bowhunting turkey? Get tips from the Bowhunting Tips website.

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Virus Infections In A Koi Fish. A Viral Illness

Vital disease occurs when a virus infects the cells of its host and multiplies rapidly within them. Several viral diseases can affect koi. Some, such as Spring Viremia Carp virus, are extremely contagious and the mortality rate is high. Viruses spread when infected faces are released into the water.

The virus most commonly found in koi is carp pox. It presents itself as easily visible, opaque, waxy looking lumps on the skin. One or more of these may be present anywhere on the body, head or fins. In extreme cases, the body can almost completely cover with them. Carp pox is generally observed in the spring, particularly on young fish.

As the water temperature rises, the lumps can be seen to break up and often completely disappear. No chemical treatments are available for viral diseases; the keeper must rely on the fish’s immune system to combat them which means self cure. The wax like growth of carp pox can be clearly seen. Although it looks unsightly, it generally disappears as water temperatures rises.

Regularly disinfect handling equipment. As koi fish age, they developed an immunity to carp pox. It is a good idea to become familiar with using a microscope so that you can identify parasites and apply the appropriate treatment. Some of the more common parasites will be discussed later.

Koi are voracious feeders, but offering them more than they can eat in a reasonable time is wasteful. Unless skimmers are turned off at feeding time, many pellets will be removed from the pond surface before they can be eaten.

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Finding Where the Fish Hides

Before you attempt to catch fish, you need to find out where they are. Remember that fish are found nearly everywhere there is water with sufficient levels of food, oxygen, and cover. You are certain to be within a relatively close distance to a body of water that has fish living in it. For an angler, this is good news. They are there – now you have to find them! 

All fish are different. Because of this, they do not all live in the same kind of waters. Fish tolerate different environmental conditions. Some of these include differing levels of salt, amounts of oxygen, types and amounts of food, water temperature, and hiding areas. The most distinguishing element of fish is salt. Some fish do not live in areas where there is a lot of salt.

On the other hand, some fish need salt to survive. There are also some types of fish that can live in both saltwater and freshwater.  Freshwater ponds, reservoirs, and rivers contain significantly less salt than the ocean. North America has a majority of freshwater bodies. Some of the fish that you will find in these freshwater bodies are the bluegill, carp, catfish, crappie, and bass. In contrast, many species of fish live in the ocean’s salty water. Thanks to their kidneys, these fish are able to keep the proper balance of salt in their body. The more popular saltwater fish are the bluefish, cod, sea trout, tuna, and flounder.  

Another factor that weighs heavily on where you will find certain fish is oxygen. All fish must have a certain level of oxygen to survive. Some fish, such as carp, survive on less oxygen than fish like trout. The living plants within a lake or stream directly affect the amount of oxygen in the water. They add oxygen to the water through photosynthesis. This process uses sunlight to make food. Oxygen also makes its way into water from the surrounding air.  You will find certain fish in certain bodies of water based on what kind of food is there. It is based on the amount and type of food available in a setting. All fish need to eat, so the amount of competition with other fish is a factor that determines which fish will be in certain areas.  

Fish prefer different water temperatures. Some fish are flexible. They have the ability to live in a wide range of temperatures. Other fish, however, need either cold or warm water to survive. Trout is an example of this. You will only find trout in cold water. Your best bet for finding a certain type of fish is to learn about the type of water it prefers. They are most often found in water that is close to their preferred temperature. We, as humans, can control one factor when it comes to where fish live. Water quality often determines where a fish will live and we have the means to ensure a high level of water quality. All fish must have water that has adequate levels of oxygen. Good-quality water will obviously support more species of fish than water that is polluted. Water that is stagnant, polluted, or lacking adequate oxygen simply cannot support a large group of fish.

While some fish, such as carp, live in water that is not very clean, most fish need a high quality of water in order to survive.   Discovering the places where fish live is the first step to successful fishing. Several factors come into play when looking for a fish’s habitat. Some of these are the levels of salt and oxygen found in water. Another factor is the temperature of the water. All fish are different. Because of this, it benefits you, the angler, to take the time necessary to find the bodies of water in which they live.

Information on goldfish care can be found at Aquarium Fish Care.

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Creating a Fish Pond with Variety

In order to create the perfect fish pond in your own garden, you will need a performing pool or foil, pumps, special vegetation and fish. It sounds quite easy but what is really important is the way in which all these elements are combined in order to create the pond of your dreams.

First of all, it is very important to make up a plan of the pond. Its form, dimension and maybe a little waterfall all have to be in complete harmony with the yard you are willing to build it in. You have to avoid the areas close to the trees because leaves may fall and this wouldn’t be very aesthetic for the pond and could even destroy its natural balance. The necessary condition for the existence of a biologic equilibrium is sun light. If the pond does not receive enough sun light, the water temperature does not warm enough and the plants and fish do not evolve adequately.

Moreover, in order to style up the pond, you can give it a geometrical form (circle, rectangle or diamond). This style asks for sober vegetation, like water lilies and some semi aquatic plants. You can also hide the edges of the pond with river rocks or using a multitude of plants in love with watered areas. It also gives the pond a plus in what concerns the style and also contributes to the creation of the natural habitat for the fish that will come up in it.  In addition to this, it is very necessary to project the pond with variable depth. Thus, during the winter, the fish will have deeper areas to stay in and will not be affected by water freezing.

After two or three weeks from installing the pond, you can start to populate it. You may start with plants which evolve best in water, such as myriophyllum, potamogeton, ceratophyllum. They are very useful for fish and for the water oxygenation, stopping the apparition of algae. A very important element is represented by the famous water lilies. The varieties of this species are numerous as well as the form and the color of the flowers. You can combine different colors and different species in order to make the pond seem natural and stylish. In order to plant them, you have to use special baskets with sand covered with gravel as not to spread and to keep the plants very well fixed.

There are also some floating plants which can cover the surface of the pond and can move in the direction of the wind. Some of these plants are the water hyacinth and the water salad, which give the pond an exotic aspect. The bad thing is that these plants don’t survive in the winter. The edges of the pond can be populated with reed, rush, pond iris and pond lily, plants which also survive during the winter. As species of fish, the most recommended ones would be the exotic ones, such as Chinese carp or discus fish. Both of them can be found in different colors, which give the pond a great variety.

Jason Boonstra is the author of “The Ultimate Water Garden Manual” – compulsory reading for anyone considering pond fish species. For a FREE 20 part mini-course on “The Secrets To Creating & Maintaining a Stunning Water Garden!” go to => http://www.watergardentips.com