Hi Mick....
Hope this helps.
Sort of agree with most of the comments.
Got to say that I actually enjoy the winter fishing as much as summer, if not more. As we always anchor up over winter, the boat tends to provide protection against the cold wind so it just tends to be the hands which get cold and that thats just taking fish off or baiting up.
Tactics
Tactics do change, (for some) in the winter. It's no good drifting with your usual daylights etc.....big smelly baits are the order of the day. These are usually attached to a 6ft flowing trace and anchored to the seabed with a grip lead whilst the boat is sat at anchor. Basically, fishing is the same as from a pier or rock mark but you tend to catch more fish, (even average anglers like me).
Uptide, Crosstide or Downtide
Here is where some arguments come into play....some people swear by Uptiding...we don't. We actually just do "boat casting". All we do is get the gear some distance from the boat, (40-80yds). This could be uptide, downtide or just to the side of the boat.........everything goes and no single method seems better than any other.
Bait
First of all, baits need to be big. Best winter baits for us are Black Lug, Crab and Mussel. Rag never seems to cut it in the winter.
Patience
If your not a patient angler forget it..............if you don't enjoy shore fishing you will probably get bored winter fishing. It takes time getting a scent in the water and bringing fish to you unless you hit your mark spot on and are very very lucky. If you prefer the constant working a pirk and reeling in every 3 mins or so stick to summer fishing.
Safety
Casting from a boat can be dangerous. Davey, (skipper) is quite rightly very safety conscious and always reminds us to be careful, (with people and the boat equipment) We warn each other when we are casting. The trace is always kept outside of the boat. I wouldn't like a 5/0 in the ear etc....and a sharp right hook would often offend the guilty party.
I'm never really fancied "Uptiding" from a charter boat for safety reasons. I guess it would be Ok if there were 4-6 people on board ....any more could be dangerous, (in my opinion).
Weather wise we never take a chance. Yes, you can get away with a little more when anchored close to shore and in sheltered areas but there's always another day to fish if things are too rough.
Cheers,
Jeff.