Before you leave
- Pack compact. One or two rods, a tackle box, unhooking mat, pliers, tape measure and a bag with food and drinks. Anything loose goes over the side eventually.
- Check your VISpas. Everyone who fishes needs one; check in the VISplanner app that the Westeinderplassen are covered. See VISpas & rules.
- Look at the wind. Wind strength and direction decide where you can fish comfortably. In a strong wind, pick the lee side of islands and reed beds.
- Arrive a few minutes early. Then you can load up calmly and we run through the briefing without rushing.
On the water
- Cruise gently to your spot. You have all day; a few extra minutes of boating on the lake is no problem.
- Engine off, drift the last metres. Cut the engine well before the spot and let the boat drift in. Pike and perch often sit closer to the bank than you think.
- Fish parallel to the structure. Position the boat a cast away from the reeds and cast along the bank rather than straight at it.
- Don't linger too long. No bite in twenty minutes? Move. From a boat you have the luxury of covering ten spots in a day.
- Outside the channel. When stationary, stay outside the channel and keep your distance from other boats and anglers.
Fish on board
Land the fish with a big net and lay it on a wet unhooking mat on the floor of the boat. Unhook with long-nosed pliers, measure and take a quick photo, then release: hold the pike horizontally next to the boat until it swims off by itself. Gloves or a lip grip make bigger pike easier and safer to handle.
Planning your day
In autumn and winter the days are short. Fish the last hour of daylight through to our 17:00 closing time — in winter that is exactly dusk, often the best moment. Eat on board in between and bring a thermos — staying warm is half of a good fishing day.
Ready to start?
Hire a fishing boat in Aalsmeer for €150 per day — no licence needed, briefing beforehand and fuel included.