THE COLOURFUL WINTER CODE
Carpfeed coach Rob Hughes shares his advice on hookbait choice during the colder months
“Remember that different colours act in different ways underwater”
IT’S cold. I need a fishing fix, but I’m sure, like you, I’m continually dodging the weather. It’s either too cold, frozen or flooded!
When the weather window opens and the work and family commitment stars align, I’m out of the traps like the proverbial greyhound. The spools need to spin, and I’m damned sure I’m going to do everything within my powers to make them.
That takes a couple of things, the first being a bit of effort. Bites at this time of year are not hard to come by. It’s just a case of doing a bit of research, going the extra mile and just generally being sensible.
For all the carp tigers out there, who want to tough it out on a ‘big boys’ lake for a big fish, fair play to you. I’ve been there and done that, but at the moment it’s a case of quick bites and short day sessions for me. Hit n’ run carping has been my bread-and-butter style of fishing for a very long time and the key ingredients to success are activity and attraction.
The first thing you need to do is head out to a water with a bit of form. The ‘Big Pit’ that hasn’t done a bite since October isn’t the best place to start. Get yourself on a commercial, a high stock venue or a dayticket water that sees lots of anglers and a fair amount of bait. Carp that are moving are carp that are feeding, so sitting somewhere that the fish are likely to feed is half the puzzle solved. The next is location, and that’s once again pretty simple. Go for any obvious signs but keep your eyes and ears open. Where were the fish yesterday? The chances are they’re not far away today. Find out what has come out and where from, and that’s the plot you want. LESS IS MORE Venue and swim decided, now comes the interesting bit. Less is definitely more in the winter. Yes, you can use maggot bags and such like, or spod loads of maggots and slop to get the peg rocking should a low pressure turn up. But most of my winter success over more winters than I care to remember has come