10 WAYS TO KEEP THE BITES COMING...
Winter may be just around the corner, but there are still plenty of carp to be caught if you tweak your tactics...
THE first frosts have arrived, which can be the prompt for many carp anglers to hang up their rods until the spring.
Yet there are many others who love this time of year and keep catching throughout the winter by making small adjustments to their tackle and tactics. Here’s a selection of tips and tricks to keep the bites coming...
Target snaggy tree lines
Snags and dead reedbeds are great places to look for carp at any time of year, and in winter they really come into their own as ideal areas for the fish to hold up in relative safety.
Fish as tight to them as safely possible, and keep the clutch on your reel locked up to ensure that any hooked fish can’t make it into the snag itself.
Head to deeper water
All fish, not just carp, head to deeper water when it’s cold, as temperatures are more stable in these areas and they are less affected by wind chill.
Such areas are good places to start your search for a winter carp. That said, if it’s a bright and sunny day don’t rule out shallow areas. They will warm up quickly and carp will head to them as a result.
Fish for liners
Finding fish in winter can be the biggest challenge, as they are less visibly active. This doesn’t mean you can’t search them out, however. Fan your rods out across the swim and look out for minor bobbin movements, indicating fish are in the area.
Search the thermoclines
Carp won’t always be sat on the bottom. In fact, they spend the bulk of their time in a warmer, more comfortable layer of water known as a thermocline. Zig rigs are the best tactic to search these out. Keep adjusting the depth of your rig every half hour or so until the bites start coming.
Go invisible
Carp that are particularly cautious will be even more so in the winter months, as the lack of activity in most lakes causes the water to become tap-clear. For this reason, it’s best to opt for a fluorocarbon mainline because these are practically invisible once submerged. Keep the other rig components discreet too – camouflage your hooklinks and scale down your hook sizes.
Watch that wind
Wind direction can have a massive impact in the colder months. Nine times out of 10 it
will be better to be on the back of it when the temperatures are down, unless it’s a strong southwesterly during a mild spell of weather. An easterly during these months is the kiss of death for most species, carp included!
Go for bites over brutes!
There’s no doubt that winter carp fishing can be difficult. So, instead of opting for the large low-stocked pit you may have been targeting in summer, head to a higher-stocked venue. All that matters is getting bites when it’s cold... catching monsters can wait until spring!
Less is more
The metabolism of carp slows down as temperatures fall, so they won’t be looking for a banquet. Reduce the amount you feed and be as accurate as possible with where you put it. When temperatures hit rock bottom, a single bright hookbait in the right place can be all that you need to get a bite.
Target feeding spells
Carp will still have a feed most days, even when it is bitterly cold. These feeding periods can be incredibly short, however, so being on the fish at the right time is crucial. Ask about and do your research: the chances are that the lake you choose has a defined bite time, even in the depths of winter.
Nail your location
The carp, even in high-stock lakes, will be extremly localised during the winter. Finding them is more vital now than at any other time of year. They won’t move far either, so once you pinpoint the holding area you can enjoy consistent success.
Pay close attention to catch reports and watch the water like a hawk for any potential signs of life.
The smallest clue may be all you need to achieve big results.