Even though walking around on rocks along the coast may feel annoying, it’s often a good indicator of the presence of optimal bottom conditions for the sea trout and its food options. Everything from pebble to huge chunks of granite provides cover for sand hoppers, shrimp, and small fish. If there are waves, these food options are easily whirled up into the water column. A rocky bottom can be good all year round, but especially so during the cold months with few food options in the deeper water. A rocky bottom at a good depth also attracts other predatory fish such as cod and garfish.
The muddy and soft bottoms are often found in inlets, fjords, and brackish areas where outflow from rivers or drainage canals has transported sediment for many years. At the right times of year, these areas offer some fantastic fishing. From late fall till spring, the soft bottoms tend to be where the sea trout, for instance, can easily find food such as bristle worm, goby, and shrimp, since this type of bottom is a good heat insulator during winter.
Along with the eelgrass, bladder wrack is the most prevalent aquatic plant along the Danish shores. This seaweed attaches itself to smooth surfaces such as rocks, gravel, and other variations on the bottom. The bladder wrack is a good hiding place for food options and fish. Bottom conditions with bladder wrack are good indicators of fish being nearby.
Areas with shallow water can be great hunting grounds for predatory fish, since this water heats up quicker than deep water. When the sunny, warm weather arrives in early spring, you’ll often witness the first food options begin to thrive in the shallows. When the tide is high, this location is truly a prime fishing spot.