Early winter Vaal tactics

[Scythe]

My stats have shown mostly, especially in the dead of winter the first largies tend to pop out from around 10AM, so in my book it's usually the best time ... but the fish are moving from when the sun comes up ... good smallmouth fishing by casting to risers, boils and nervous water or onto underwater rock piles with a tag team of oversized nymphs.

You often then hit a largie if you don't first hit the smallmouth.


Best time to be on the water ?

ALL the time

[vanderw]

I have two favourite times to fish.
1. When it's raining!!
2. When it's not raining!!

[poppernel]

I have two favourite times to fish.
1. When it's raining!!
2. When it's not raining!!

We'll then class you as normal.

DAVE

[Ryan]

So which lucky buggers are heading out this weekend for Largies...by the sounds of it, the fishing is still pretty tough, but I'm super keen to get out!! Should be heading out for a Largie weekend at the end of this month..

[troutmaster]

Hmm, seems like a cold-front will be hitting the Parys area so I guess my Fishing Tuesday / Wednesday might be even tougher than planned:

7 Day Forecast


8°C - 17°C Saturday

5°C - 19°C Sunday

7°C - 20°C Monday

9°C - 21°C Tuesday

4°C - 12°C Wednesday

-2°C - 11°C Thursday

-4°C - 11°C Friday

[Scythe]

Tuesday should be smashing ... fish will be pre frontal and the temps are still nice.

I'd go cast my arm out of it's sockets on Tuesday ... in fact ... come to think about it ...

[troutmaster]

Tuesday should be smashing ... fish will be pre frontal and the temps are still nice.

I'd go cast my arm out of it's sockets on Tuesday ... in fact ... come to think about it ...

Agreed, assuming the 'weather man's' prediction does not change or the front hits earlier...

Pi$$es me off as we are working on Tuesday and will only be at the Venue around 17:00... on the water by 17:30 if we rush and do not unpack at the chalet [brandy can be poured when on the ark]... nice LM spots are not exactly close to the chalet, thus casting can only begin from 18:00 at best... and I guess it is about dark by that time

BUT, 1 never knows... that 1 or 2 casts might just deliver the goods, perfect time [almost dark], perfect conditions [assuming prediction holds true]... Oh, how nice a brandy will be after such a session...

WE MUST DREAM

[Michael]

Sunday/Monday will be the best days...

You don't want a falling or rising barometer...you want stable conditions. My guess, Sunday and Monday will be epic.

I think I shall go Sunday...hunt them largies...

[Ryan]

I rate Sunday and Monday.. Tuesday looks good, but you may chance the falling temp.. So keen to get out on Sunday, but now I'll have to be at work..