UNDERSTANDING CARP SHOWS
It’s the time of year when carp are at their most visible. But what can we learn from their behaviour to help us catch them? Julian Cundiff explains…
DESPITE all the developments in tackle, rigs and baits, when it comes to catching consistently, watercraft often makes the difference between success and failure. The best anglers have the ability to think like a carp .... if I were a carp, where would I be today?
Having fished for carp over 35 years, I know that getting in tune with your quarry is the most important key to being able to trap them. Of course, you can guess where they are (successfully or otherwise), but nothing beats actually seeing them and knowing you are on them, or can get on them if you move.
Sadly, seeing carp is no guarantee of success. Not all visible carp are feeding or catchable fish, no matter what you may be told. This month, I thought it would be good to cover my experiences of the different types of ‘carp shows’ and how they can be interpreted.
What I would say is, the fewer carp there are in a water, the more likely I am to react to a show, no matter what I think it may be down to.
Seeing one carp show on a spot in January could make your winter, whereas in summer, when carp are more mobile, it won’t be the be-all and endall. Always balance any show against the number of carp in the water, the time of year, and what the show may actually mean. On a low-stock water in cold conditions? Get a bait on it. Warmer weather and a bigger head of fish? Then start thinking ....
COMMON TYPES OF CARP SHOWS
LARGE SPLASH BUT NOTHING ELSE…
Was it even a carp? It will show that a fish is present but be careful, as it may be a pike or catfish striking.
CARP LEAPS OUT, THEN NOTHING...
Probably a solitary show, and unless I had a spare rod I would not be casting to it.
CARP LEAPING, THEN A PLUME OF BUBBLES…
Much more encouraging. I’d have a single with a stringer on that spot.
CARP LEAPING, THEN COLOURED WATER…
Almost certainly carp feeding strongly and rooting on the bottom - get a rod on it now!
NUMEROUS SHOWS IN ONE AREA…
Most likely fish working a spot, so definitely worth fishing over.
FISH SHOWING ON ONE SPOT, THEN SHOWING A BIT FURTHER AWAY, AND SO ON…
Fish on the move. Can you guess where they are travelling to?
If so, get a rod to where you think they will end up. Often a bait in the right spot that they arrive upon will be taken immediately.
So, there you have my short guide to how carp shows affect my fishing. What I would add is that you will often miss many shows if you are too busy looking at your phone or chatting to mates. The better your eyesight (and polarised sunglasses are a must) the more you will see and learn.
However, the golden rule is that unless you are 100 per cent sure your rods are all on the best spots, casting at a show will benefit you more often than not.
Look, don’t be lazy. Shift yourselves and get a rod on them!