Belly Boat Fishing in the Netherlands: An Aquatic Adventure for Predator Enthusiasts

Let’s dive into the world of belly boat fishing and discover why it’s an art worth mastering.

Section 1: The Beauty of Belly Boat Fishing

Belly boat fishing is a unique and immersive experience that allows anglers to get up close and personal with the serene waters of the Netherlands. Sitting just above the water’s surface in your trusty inflatable belly boat, you’ll feel a profound connection with nature. Here are some of the advantages of this fishing method:

• Enhanced Mobility: The belly boat is incredibly portable, allowing you to access remote fishing spots that might be difficult to reach by traditional means. You can explore hidden corners of lakes, rivers, and canals where predatory fish thrive.
• Stealthy Approach: Predator fish are known for their wariness, and the stealthy approach enabled by the belly boat makes it easier to get close to your quarry without spooking them. You’ll find that fish are less likely to detect your presence, giving you a better chance of a successful catch.

Section 2: Prime Locations in the Netherlands

The Netherlands offers a wealth of prime locations for belly boat fishing, teeming with a variety of predator fish, including pike, zander, and perch. Here are some notable regions:

• Biesbosch National Park: This expansive, biodiverse wetland is a hotspot for predator fishing. The numerous creeks, lakes, and rivers provide a rich hunting ground for pike, zander, and perch.
• Loosdrecht Lakes: Located in the province of Utrecht, these interconnected lakes offer excellent opportunities for pike and perch fishing. The maze-like structure of the lakes provides plenty of cover and ambush spots for predators.
• IJsselmeer: This large freshwater lake in the northern Netherlands is known for its big pike and zander. The shallow areas near the reeds are particularly attractive to these species.

The best time to visit these locations depends on the season and the species you’re targeting. Generally, the spring and early summer months are ideal for pike and zander fishing, while perch fishing can be fruitful year-round.

Section 3: Tackling Techniques for Predator Fishing

Before heading out for belly boat fishing, you’ll need the right equipment. This includes a sturdy belly boat, a suitable fishing rod and reel, fishing lines, and a selection of lures and baits. For predator fish, consider using lures that mimic the prey of your target species. Tailor your approach to factors like water clarity and weather conditions:

• Lures and Baits: Use realistic-looking lures like crankbaits, soft plastic swimbaits, and spinnerbaits to attract predator fish. Pay attention to the color and size of your lures, as these factors can make a significant difference.
• Techniques: Experiment with different casting and retrieval techniques to mimic the movements of prey. Vary your retrieval speed, pauses, and jerks to trigger strikes from hungry predators.

Section 4: Safety Measures and Precautions

Safety should always be a top priority when belly boat fishing. Here are some crucial safety measures to keep in mind:

• Wear a PFD: A personal flotation device (PFD) is a must. It can save your life in case of an accident or capsize.
• Local Regulations: Be aware of and adhere to local boating and fishing regulations. These may include rules about boat registration, fishing permits, and restricted areas.
• Weather Conditions: Keep a close eye on the weather forecast before heading out. Sudden changes in weather can affect water conditions and pose risks. Always prioritize your safety and return to shore if conditions deteriorate.

Section 5: Conservation and Responsible Fishing Practices

Belly boat fishing is not just about catching fish; it’s also about preserving the environment and the species you target. Here are some essential conservation and responsible fishing practices to follow:

• Catch and Release: Whenever possible, practice catch-and-release to protect the predator fish populations. Handle the fish gently and release them unharmed.
• Size and Bag Limits: Respect size and bag limits set by local authorities. These limits help maintain healthy fish populations and ensure future generations can enjoy belly boat fishing.
• Environmental Respect: Leave no trace when fishing. Dispose of your trash properly and be mindful of the environment. Avoid damaging aquatic vegetation, and never release live bait into non-native waters.

In conclusion, belly boat fishing in the Netherlands offers an exciting and immersive way to connect with nature while pursuing predatory fish. By understanding the unique advantages, discovering prime fishing locations, mastering effective techniques, prioritizing safety, and adopting responsible fishing practices, you can make the most of your belly boat fishing experience. So, get out on the water and embark on a thrilling pursuit of predators, all while contributing to the conservation of these remarkable species and their habitats.

If you want to buy one you can find the best one here.

Fishing and Camping Nijmegen

Fishing and Camping in Nijmegen: A Perfect Getaway

Nijmegen is a beautiful city located in the eastern part of the Netherlands, surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. It is a perfect destination for those who love to fish and camp. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best fishing and camping spots in Nijmegen.

Camping in Nijmegen

Camping is a great way to experience the beauty of nature in Nijmegen. There are several camping sites in and around the city that offer a range of facilities for campers. Some of the popular camping sites include:

1. Camping De Groote Flierenberg: This camping site is located near the river Waal and offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes. It has spacious pitches for tents and caravans, along with modern facilities like showers, toilets, and washing machines.
2. Camping Het Groene Eiland: This camping site is situated on an island in the river Waal and offers a unique camping experience. It has pitches for tents and caravans, along with facilities like a restaurant, playground, and a swimming pool.
3. Camping De Oude Molen: This camping site is located in the woods near the city and offers a peaceful and quiet camping experience. It has pitches for tents and caravans, along with facilities like a restaurant, playground, and a fishing pond.

Fishing in Nijmegen

Nijmegen is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. The city is surrounded by several rivers and lakes that offer a variety of fish species. Some of the popular fishing spots in Nijmegen include:

1. The river Waal: This is the largest river in the Netherlands and is home to several fish species like perch, zander, and pike. It is a popular spot for both recreational and sport fishing.
2. The river Maas: This river is located near Nijmegen and is home to several fish species like carp, bream, and roach. It is a popular spot for recreational fishing.
3. The Ooijpolder: This is a nature reserve located near Nijmegen and offers a variety of fish species like pike, perch, and carp. It is a popular spot for both recreational and sport fishing.

Tips for Fishing and Camping in Nijmegen

1. Obtain a fishing permit before fishing in any of the rivers or lakes.
2. Follow the fishing rules and regulations to ensure sustainable fishing.
3. Pack appropriate camping gear and clothing for the season.
4. Respect the natural environment and leave no trace of your camping activities.

Conclusion

Nijmegen is a great destination for fishing and camping enthusiasts. With its beautiful natural landscapes, rivers, and lakes, it offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, Nijmegen has something to offer for everyone. So, pack your camping gear and fishing rods, and head to Nijmegen for a perfect getaway.

If you need a guide get in touch on 00447888681692 for a quote and ask for Ben

How to catch Pike during the spawning season

Pike fishing during the spawning season can be a challenging but rewarding experience. It requires a bit of strategy and patience, as well as an understanding of the pike’s behavior during this time. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips and techniques that can help you catch pike during the spawning season.

“Head of a pike (1815) by Jean Bernard (1775-1883). Original from The Rijksmuseum. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.” by Rijksmuseum/ CC0 1.0

Understanding the Spawning Season

The pike spawning season usually occurs in the spring, around April or May, when the water temperature reaches around 50-55°F. During this time, male and female pike will move into shallow waters, such as bays, coves, and backwaters, to spawn. The males will search for females and try to entice them to lay their eggs in their nest. After the eggs are laid, the males will guard the nest to protect it from other fish and predators.

Tips for Catching Pike during the Spawning Season

1. Find the right location

As mentioned, pike will move into shallow waters during the spawning season. Look for areas with a slow current, such as backwaters or coves, where the pike can lay their eggs without them being swept away. Also, look for areas with structure, such as weed beds or fallen trees, where the pike can hide and ambush their prey.

2. Use the right bait

During the spawning season, pike are more focused on protecting their nests than feeding. Therefore, it’s important to use bait that mimics the behavior of the prey they are trying to protect their eggs from. Try using lures that resemble small fish, such as crankbaits or swimbaits, that mimic the movement of the prey.

3. Fish during the right time of day

Pike are more active during the early morning and late afternoon, especially during the spawning season. Try fishing during these times to increase your chances of catching a pike.

4. Be patient

Fishing for pike during the spawning season can take a bit of patience. The males are guarding their nests, so they may not be as active in pursuing prey. Keep casting and be persistent, and eventually, you may be able to entice a pike to strike.

5. Practice catch and release

During the spawning season, pike are more vulnerable to being overfished. To preserve the population of pike in the area, it’s important to practice catch and release. Handle the fish with care and release them back into the water as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

Fishing for pike during the spawning season can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By understanding the pike’s behavior during this time, using the right bait and fishing in the right location, you can increase your chances of catching a pike. Remember to be patient and practice catch and release to help preserve the population of pike in the area. Good luck!

How to catch more Pike

Pike are one of the most exciting freshwater fish to catch on the fly. They are known for their aggressive strikes, strong fights, and impressive size. If you’re looking to catch more pike on the fly, here are some tips to help you be successful.

“Pike-fish (1775–1833) drawing in high” by Rijksmuseum/ CC0 1.0

1. Use a large fly: Pike are predators and are often looking for a big meal, so use a large fly that imitates a baitfish or other prey. Some popular fly patterns for pike include the bunny leech, deceivers, and clouser minnows.
2. Use a wire leader: Pike have sharp teeth that can cut through regular fishing line, so use a wire leader to prevent losing your fly. A 7-9 inch wire leader with a 30-40 pound test is recommended.
3. Fish in weedy areas: Pike often hide in weed beds and ambush their prey, so fishing in weedy areas can be productive. Be sure to use weedless flies to prevent snagging.
4. Vary your retrieve: Pike can be picky, so vary your retrieve speed and pattern until you find what works best. Some effective retrieve patterns for pike include stripping the fly fast, pausing and jerking the fly, and slow and steady retrieves.
5. Look for structure: Pike often hang out near structure such as logs, rocks, or drop-offs. Focus your fishing efforts around these areas.
6. Fish during low light conditions: Pike are more active during low light conditions such as early morning or late evening, so plan your fishing trips accordingly. Fishing during overcast days can also be productive.
7. Use a sinking line: Pike often hang out in deeper water, so using a sinking line can help get your fly down to where the fish are. A type 6 or 7 sinking line is recommended for fishing in deep water.
8. Be patient: Pike can be elusive and often require patience and persistence to catch. Don’t give up if you don’t catch anything right away. Keep trying different flies and retrieve patterns until you find what works.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of catching more pike on the fly. Remember to always practice catch-and-release to help conserve these amazing fish for future generations.

For more information on fly fishing for pike, check out our website at globalfishingguide.com

Pike Fishing The Netherlands

The pandemic proved to be quite a turning point in my pike fishing adventures in the Netherlands. With just about everything in the Netherlands closed, Pike remained firmly open for business.

You can find Pike in just about every corner of the Netherlands, they live in the rivers, lakes, polders, even the brackish reclaimed lakes that would once have been the North Sea. They are the ultimate Apex predator and offer both the fly and lure fisherman incredible sport if you know where to look.

The Dutch Vispass fishing licence opens up an incredible amount of water for its 50 pound fee. This includes a huge number of gravel pits which would be private in most other countries. I live around Nijmegen and have hundreds in a 50 mile radius all of which hold big heads of meter plus pike .

Pike are armed with serious teeth, so if you are not used to handling them, its well worth starting out with someone who knows what they are doing. Number one tip, never go pike fishing without a decent pair of long nose pliers. Getting tremble hooks out of Pikes mouths is not something to do with your hands.

So how to catch these toothy critters in the Netherlands?

The simplest answer is using soft plastic baits such as the one above. From my experience Pike basically eat anything that swims in front of them. However some baits seem to work better than others.

My personal favourite is the above Pig Shad Jr. in olive green. This looks a bit like a small Pike or a Perch, two of the Pikes main meals.

This can be rigged in a number of ways, however I prefer a weighted nose cone and stinger rig. I have experimented with both single and double stinger rigs, Both seem to work just fine. You can spend a lot of money on pre made wire stinger rigs for these large soft plastics, I have now perfected a much cheaper version, using a treble and Madcat Power Braid Leader material. This material is strong enough for even the biggest of Pike and unlike wire can be easily tied on the river bank without the need for crimps and wire cutters.

My other go to lure especially on smaller waters is the Fox Rage Zander Pro Shad – 12cm – ultra UV perch these seems to get smashed by all pike up to 80cm. Depending on the depth of the water I try and rig it with as light a jig head as possible, as the action seems to be better on slower retrieves.

Armed with these two lures you won’t go far wrong in most dutch waters around the margins of all lakes and rivers.

The other toy I have invested in which has brought a huge amount of please and freedom is a belly boat.

With so many lakes not having boat ramps very few people fish these lakes from a boat and as such there are vast areas that never get fished. Pike can be found all over the drop offs of most lakes. They also like to follow the wind and baitfish on a windy day. The boat also has a fish finder, this makes fishing for pike even more exciting when a large pike shaped lump appears on the sonar.

If you are just starting out Decathlon have launched a belly boat for under €200 euros. I purchased mine second hand, and came with the fish finder. If you are serious about predator fishing you will never regret purchasing one of these. If you just want to try it out get in touch as we offer a rental service as well as guided trips.

Rod and Reel

Throwing lures, especially big lures all day can be hard work. You don’t need a massive reel with miles of line as Pike don’t make long dashes. I would recommend a light spinning reel with 40lb braid and strong leader. I use a 40lb floro leader direct to the lure of about 1m. I have not been bitten off yet, but always check after catching a fish.

The rods only real requirement is that it can take a heavy bait being cast. You can use a carp rod if you are pushed, but a specialist spinning rod is more enjoyable over the course of a long day.

Pike fishing is very basic fishing without the need for massive amounts of gear. You can walk round a lake for a couple of hours carrying all your gear in your coat pocket. I like to travel light and work as much water as possible.

Now (Sept-Dec) is the best time of year as the fish are fattening up for winter. Spring is also amazing as the big girls come into the shallows to spawn and can be caught in very shallow water.

If you are in Netherlands or thinking of visiting get in touch. I offered guided pike fishing trips around Nijmegen and Arnhem, all gear supplied. We also have some great pubs and breweries and offer combined beer and fishing tours. More details here.

Tight lines and hope to see you soon in the Netherlands.

Fishing the Waal in Nijmegen Holland:

Having recently moved to the Netherlands, my first job was to fish some of the millions of miles of waterways the country has to offer. With the Waal only a 10 minute walk from the house and the promise of Wels Catfish, giant Pike and monster Zander I set of to the local tackle store for some advise and lures.

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I was told I would need a much stronger rig should I want to target the Wels (to be continued), so I decided I would try and catch my first Zander. I have caught plenty of Pike in the UK on all manor of waters but Zander were a lot more rare and I had never caught one.

I was advised to try a large, weighted, soft plastics and bounce them along the bottom at sun down, so thats exactly what I did. I have caught fish on every continent on red head and white body lures and now was not the time to change.

I had originally purchased the above lure to target sea bass of the Hook of Holland but never got round to it, they were the right size and the action looks good.

Where to fish in Nijmegen

The above image shows the water one has access to in the centre of Nijmegen. The bridge on the right is the famous Nijmegen bridge made famous in the 1977 movie a Bridge Too Far. It also happens to be one of the best fishing spot and I would suggest starting there.

I have caught Zander on both sided of the groyne to the left of the bridge, the first image above is of me fishing by the mighty bridge. There are lots of tourist boats and food entering the river. So lots of bait fish. I have also been told you can catch catfish here under the boats in the evening but I am yet to try. Having now caught a few Zander on the red and white plastic and on solid lures, they seem to be all over the Netherlands and offer great sport on light spinning tackle. You also have a good chance of hitting some perch and pike while targeting them.

I am in the process of setting up a guided fishing and brewery tour in Nijmegen so should this sound of interest do get in touch on ben@willowrivers.com and I will give you a discount if you mention the Global Fishing Guide. Tight lines ….

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