Winter fishing for carp

[WesJones1984]

As it's starting to get much colder this time of year it's becoming increasingly difficult to catch carp. I was wondering how people are changing their approach regards the bait and rigs being used? In the summer I would either fished with a dog biscuit off the surface, or I would put out a good amount of carpet feed then drop a boilie over the top. But now as the carp won't be eating as much as usual i'm probably going to put a good handful of bait in the large PVA bag with a boilie or large Halibut pellet hook-bait. Does anyone have any good tips for winter fishing for carp they wouldn't mind sharing?

[NICK R]

Originally Posted by WesJones1984

As it's starting to get much colder this time of year it's becoming increasingly difficult to catch carp. I was wondering how people are changing their approach regards the bait and rigs being used? In the summer I would either fished with a dog biscuit off the surface, or I would put out a good amount of carpet feed then drop a boilie over the top. But now as the carp won't be eating as much as usual i'm probably going to put a good handful of bait in the large PVA bag with a boilie or large Halibut pellet hook-bait. Does anyone have any good tips for winter fishing for carp they wouldn't mind sharing?

Yes , stay in front of the fire lol

I just fish fruit flavour , normally a birdseed /milk protein mix , fished over a small bag of crushed boilies
In winter time i normally recast every 20 mins

[headless]

I trickle in a couple of pieces of sweetcorn every ten minutes and fish a waggler over the top, letting the bait drop slowly to the bottom, leave it for a couple of minutes and re-cast, you will be surprised how many bites you get just before the bait hits bottom.

you are on the move the whole time as well, so it helps keep you warm

Darrell

[tjnorton]

If you can watch where the fish show. Nduring winter fish will mainly be in a few places ie deep water of features such as bars where food will come to them.

I will always look for fish shows and signs of feeding and maybe pre bait with easily digestable foods such as sweetcorn. If using a boilie a birdseed mix or milky mix. Also used washed out baits not new straight out of the freezer.

tj

[WesJones1984]

Originally Posted by NICK R

Yes , stay in front of the fire lol

I just fish fruit flavour , normally a birdseed /milk protein mix , fished over a small bag of crushed boilies
In winter time i normally recast every 20 mins

How come you recast every 20 minutes, is that with a fresh PVA bag onto the same spot? Thanks for the bait tips.

[WesJones1984]

Originally Posted by headless

I trickle in a couple of pieces of sweetcorn every ten minutes and fish a waggler over the top, letting the bait drop slowly to the bottom, leave it for a couple of minutes and re-cast, you will be surprised how many bites you get just before the bait hits bottom.

you are on the move the whole time as well, so it helps keep you warm

Darrell

I'm suprised you still catch carp on the drop with them being sluggish in winter. Do you use any shot down the line etc or just simply a waggler and sweetcorn on the hook? Thanks for the tip i'll give it a go.

[NICK R]

Originally Posted by WesJones1984

How come you recast every 20 minutes, is that with a fresh PVA bag onto the same spot? Thanks for the bait tips.

fish dont mov e so much in winter so you have to try and put a bait under their nose , different spots , it may only be a matter of feet

[headless]

Originally Posted by WesJones1984

I'm suprised you still catch carp on the drop with them being sluggish in winter. Do you use any shot down the line etc or just simply a waggler and sweetcorn on the hook? Thanks for the tip i'll give it a go.

I put all the bulk shot around the waggler with a number 8 or 10 6-8 inches from the size 16 hook.

Most bites are just as the bait falls through the last 12 inches. do not over do the loose feed and be patient. It works and it is not on commercials waters I use this rig on.

Another tactic is to cast a bomb to the likely looking areas, use a long hook length and give it 10 min max before casting to a differant area. Try areas that you would not think the Carp would be. tight to reed even if the water is shallow will throw up some Carp.

Darrell

[WesJones1984]

By bomb you mean a method feeder? The waters were I fish don't allow ground bait mixes so I find it hard to make a mix to the right consistency for a method feeder. Would a PVA bag do the job this time of year?

[Maddison_Twatter]

Originally Posted by WesJones1984

By bomb you mean a method feeder? The waters were I fish don't allow ground bait mixes so I find it hard to make a mix to the right consistency for a method feeder. Would a PVA bag do the job this time of year?

I reckon he means a lead IE " ledger Bomb "