A UK fishing holiday offers a host of benefits. You can take all the family, introduce the kids to fishing, and you can combine angling with other outdoor activities. There are fisheries, rivers, and stretches of coastline across the country, all of which offer different opportunities and different species of fish. What’s more, you will enjoy a different experience dependent on the season and even the time of day that you go fishing.
Plan your trip according to who will be going with you, their level of experience, and the additional and extra activities that you want to enjoy during your trip. There are some areas that are best suited to new anglers, as well as some spots that have been converted so that they offer accessible fishing opportunities for those in wheelchairs or that would be unable to traverse difficult terrain.
FISHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Planning a family fishing holiday means ensuring that you have all the equipment that you need. As well as camping gear and tents, you will need rods and tackle, fishing rigs for the whole family, and details of where to get the best bait and suitable accessories. In terms of online access to some of the best fishing gear around, check out this link for some guidance.
Don’t overlook packing toys and entertainment for the kids, though, because while you might not mind sitting on the riverbank for 5 or 6 hours at a time, it can become boring for kids.
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Get the kids as involved as possible, having them choose the right bait, and have them follow weather forecasts. Get them to bait hooks, look around for live bait, and don’t be afraid to let them play. If they enjoy the outdoors, then they are one step closer to sharing your love of fishing. Make games and challenges of everything you do, and everything you get them involved in. It will make it more appealing to them and keep their interest longer.
SEASONAL FISHING
Much of the year in the UK is relatively mild. It can get cold in winter months, but waters rarely freeze, and although summer months obviously enjoy higher temperatures, the temperate conditions enjoyed in some inland rivers means that fish stock may not change too dramatically over the course of the year.
However, if you are introducing other members of the family to fishing then it may be best to avoid winter fishing. Temperatures will be lower and the chance of rain higher. Pack waterproofs, ensure that you have something for the kids to do if the weather gets particularly bad, and also ensure that you have the right bait and equipment for the season.
SEA FISHING
The UK has an abundance of beaches and coastline, and this makes sea fishing holidays extremely appealing. It combines seaside resort activities with the opportunity to land bass, flatfish, and flounder, among many other species. Although beaches tend to look similar, and the majority do offer snag free fishing, you should consider the specific features of the beach and the water to ensure that you have the right tackle. The type of fish you are trying to catch will determine the best bait.
Almost any beach, or coastal area, offers decent fishing. As well as fishing off beaches like Chesil Beach in Dorset, you can also fish off sea walls and local landmarks. The power station in Morecambe attracts bass because of the warmer waters it produces, and local fishing tackle shop Gerry’s Fishing will provide advice on the best tackle and the best equipment for your trip.
RIVER FISHING
If you are looking to combine a family fishing expedition with other outdoor activities, then river fishing is a strong option. River fishing can mean sitting on the bank of the river, but if you really want to get the kids into your favourite pastime, then buy them a set of kid’s waders and let them loose in the water of the river.
The Frome is one of the best rivers for fishing. Grayling, sea trout, and brown trout are not only found in abundance but the Frome has also seen numerous record breaking catches. There are also sizeable salmon, and with this wide and varied a selection, it shouldn’t get boring for the kids, while the stock means that you should have enough of a catch to provide for the whole family come dinner time.
The still calm rivers of the UK are also ideal for kayak fishing. This type of fishing allows you to paddle into all those nooks and crannies where fish feed, potentially increasing your chances of reeling in a catch. However, kayak fishing isn’t as easy as it looks as you need to be proficient in both kayaking and fishing amongst other things. Be sure to read tips for fishing from a kayak before your embark on a kayak fishing adventure.
FISHERY FISHING
Fishery fishing is another good family fishing opportunity. Choose the right fishery or fish farm, and you will usually have access to at least two or three lakes. The different lakes are normally stocked with different fish, and the fishery owners should have introduced some unique features to make fishing the spot more interesting.
Some fisheries accommodate families and groups, providing entertainment and offering meals as well as fishing. Choose the fishery according to the type of fish, the amenities that you require, and its locale and proximity to local amenities. Carp fisheries are found through the country, and sites like Bluebell Lakes in Northamptonshire and Menards Carp Fishery in West Sussex are great for serious anglers, while Eye Kettleby Lakes in Melton Mowbray has everything from hot tubs to a restaurant on site.
ACCESSIBLE FISHING
It isn’t just the kids that should enjoy a fishing holiday. If you’re planning the trip then it is safe to assume that you like fishing, but this amazing outdoor activity can be enjoyed by people of any age and skill level.
Accessible fishing is becoming more widely available throughout the UK, providing wheelchair access to well stocked fishing spots and marks. The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads have a number of accessible spots, with ramps that can be moved to the water and moved to different areas when required, and other councils and boroughs are also introducing similar accessible fishing policies. Don’t miss out.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
The location that you choose for your fishing holiday will help determine how successful a family expedition it is. If you’re going sea fishing, then locations like Morecambe are ideal. Seaside resorts have a mass of activities beyond fishing.
Choose a river that is close to local entertainment, or take plenty of outdoor equipment so that you can all enjoy outdoor activities together. Take a mobile phone and even a portable DVD player, but try to limit the time that your kids are allowed to play on these.
A fishing holiday is not just a fishing opportunity, so don’t overlook the holiday element of the trip. Try to accommodate the likes and dislikes of all family members. Don’t expect everybody to fish for the whole time that you’re away, and provide alternative entertainment for those hours when you’re not at the river bank, on the sea wall, or fishing a well-stocked fishery.