THE EXPERT’S VIEW
“By Mid-October the carp changed their behaviour and started to show over more broken ground and in deeper water”
AS FISHERY manager at Nash’s Royston day-ticket fishery I get to spend more time by the water than most, which allows me to follow the changing ways of the carp through the seasons.
One thing that has been very clear this autumn is how the carp have changed the spots where they are feeding confidently as the water temperature has started to fall.
Through the summer it was all about finding the hard spots. If you found a spot where the lead cracked down close to showing fish then it would be a dead cert for a bite.
A light scattering of baits was all that was needed, with little-and-often baiting definitely out-performing filling it in.
Around the middle of October the carp subtly changed their behaviour. They started showing over more broken ground and in deeper water, so I guessed it was time to try something different.
Fortunately, my change in tactics worked a treat. A light spread of the new Key Cray boilies would hopefully keep the fish looking for grub and my version of the multi rig would keep the hook popped up by an inch, clear of any weed and chod. I only normally get to fish one or two nights a week, so it was a real confidence booster when the opening night, fishing over the softer areas, resulted in a cracking brace of twenties.
So if you are struggling over your normally productive spots, have a look for some softer areas nearby. Just make sure it’s clean silt – if your lead or bait comes back smelling horrible then you are unlikely to catch.