Scott Karabowicz Weather Q&A

Do you believe that reducing the amount of gear you take with you can help during the winter months?
“In recent years, my winter angling has revolved exclusively around Zig Rigs. Not having to carry bait buckets, a hard-bottomed boat, oars or a lifejacket for baiting up and landing fish has been like a breath of fresh air. Or course, some additional clothing and a brimming petrol can counteracts that somewhat, but the lack of a boat and too much unnecessary clutter make a move on to fish for a second night (if I’m lucky!), or the remaining few hours of my trip, a doodle.”

Are there any particular weather apps you swear by, especially so in the winter months? 
“I’ve used WeatherPro for a number of years, but also refer to XC Weather, which I find can be more accurate, especially when it comes to wind strengths. I also like to follow the Fishing PRO app when it comes to moon cycles, and what it predicts are ‘major’ and ‘minor’ bite times, too. Come rain or shine, though, in the winter, if I can go, I will, despite the conditions. The only exception will be when the pit has a full lid of ice on it, when I’m then forced to stay at home.”

Describe your perfect winter conditions for us…
“In an ideal world, these would be bright, sunny days without too much ripple. Then it would be overcast through the night, the cloud covering trapping in the warm air below. When on the Zigs, I’d feel less confident with my hookbaits higher in the water if it was blowing a hoolie, with gusts over 30mph. A light ripple is preferred, and if the sun’s out, I might use only black or brown hookbaits. If it’s an overcast and chilly day, however, then I feel a yellow or red fleck on the hookbait might more likely catch their eye and draw attention to it.”

Do you place more emphasis on feeding times now than you did, say, 20 years ago?
“The reality is that my sessions are often short, and no longer than 24hrs from arrival to departure. Once the hookbaits are out fishing, they tend to stay put for the duration, unless a quick move is called for, or a fish has shown within reach in my swim and I don’t have a rod nearby already. In the context of fishing Zigs, I don’t think there is such a thing as bite time, as fish will be capitalising on a hatch, feeding on the emerging insects they come across throughout both the day and night. The carp on my lake certainly don’t seem to play by the rules in the winter!”

With that in mind, how far in advance do you work or plan, i.e., when will you bring the rods in, put on fresh rigs, re-cast and rebait?
“Again, when it comes to Zig fishing, if the day is going to be bright and sunny, then I may well re-cast quite early in the day to clear any sediment that might have built up on the hooklink through the night. If it’s my usual late morning-to-midday arrival, then as long as the rods are out for a good hour or so before dark, they will stay put until at least 8 a.m. Whilst the bites I have had have generally come within a couple of hours of casting out, I’m a big believer in keeping those hooklinks as clean and unobtrusive as possiblewhen they’re likely to be the most visible.”