Winter Carp Fishing Tips

Introduction:

Winter can be an angler's favourite season to go carp fishing. To some, that may seem unusual, but for too many, it is the norm. The lakes and rivers are considerably less crowded with anglers, and you can frequently have the lake to yourself. Here are some of our recommendations to help you catch fish all through the winter, which is a fantastic time to be out on the bank.

Venue choice is important!

Expecting to catch well throughout the winter when fishing large, exposed gravel pits with only a handful of carp in them can be virtually impossible. Choosing a well-stocked venue that has good winter form is a must. Remember, when choosing the right lake, try and find venues that aren’t really deep; they tend to produce fewer bites in the winter. whereas a shallow lake will warm up quicker in the winter sun and tempt the fish to feed.

Staying Comfortable

There should be no reason to be cold or wet on the bank in this day and age. If you’re freezing cold or soaked through, you will either pack up and go home or you simply won’t be fishing as effective as you can be. Layering is critically important, starting with a base layer and then adding layers over the top. Simple: If you become too warm, take off a layer; if you become too cold, put on a layer.

Read our essential guide to winter carp fishing clothing.

As well as warm clothes, it’s time to bring out your carp fishing  bivvy, ideally with an overwrap that helps retain warmth and reduce condensation. Also, don’t forget that winter is the ideal time to use the groundsheet supplied! Whilst you can be hardcore and tough it out under a brolly, we’d recommend using a full bivvy system. A good 5-season rated sleeping bag is also a must; this ensures a good night's sleep and when the temperatures really plummet, an additional bedchair cover makes sure you stay vitally warm.

Plenty of hot drinks and food

Make sure you take plenty of food and as much tea or coffee as you can drink. A good stove, kettle and some cookware mean you can brew up as much as you like and cook some warm food. It’s amazing what a warm cuppa and a hot sandwich can do for the spirits!

Correct bait choice

Once November 1st comes around, we recommend putting away the fishmeal-type boilies and opting for more natural baits like maggots or quick breakdown and digestible boilies. Many companies now produce "winter" baits.

Now you don’t need gallons and gallons of maggots; usually a few pints per day will be enough to tempt a bite. Fishing a pop-up maggot rig cast out with a PVA mesh bag is always a winning tactic in winter!

Using a single hookbait and a bright pop-up while fishing in the winter is another effective fishing tactic. This works best when casting at showing fish. When the conditions are right and the fish are showing signs of feeding, introduce little amounts of bait, but don’t go too heavy on the freebies!

Carry spares

We recommend always carrying a box of spares, no matter the season, but especially in winter. This can be a box that is left in the car or van during your sessions. Usually this "spares" box consists of; spare gas for your stove, a second stove should yours break during your session, extra water, tea and coffee, a change of clothes, including socks and pants, spare food like pot noodles, terminal tackle and spare batteries for head torches and bivvy lights.

Feeding Spells

The fish may only be willing to feed for a very short period each day during the colder months, so if you can figure out when that window of opportunity is, you could be onto a winner. Being at the lake just before that feeding window and having the rods on the spot could mean the difference between catching and blanking. So, get accustomed to the lake and understand the carp’s behaviour throughout the winter months.

Look for signs of fish activity

It goes without saying: location, location, location. Look for signs of fishing activity and this should indicate where the carp like to spend their time. If there are no obvious signs when first looking around the lake, find a swim that gives a good view of the whole lake. Carp shoal-up in the winter, so if one gives itself away, you can safely say there are more in the area.

We recommend sitting at the front of your swim or positioning your bivvy, so you get the best view of the lake. Make a brew, sit back and watch. Once a carp gives its location away, it’s a simple case of moving on to them.

Refine your rigs

In winter, we recommend refining your rigs and reducing the size of your set-ups. Swapping size 4 and 6 hooks for 8’s (depending on circumstances), using a fluorocarbon mainline and even using 15lb hooklink materials instead of 20 or 25lb can be an advantage. In winter, water tends to clear up, becoming crystal clear, so making sure it is pinned down and hidden is vital. Even so far as reducing lead size, we recommend using a lead with enough weight to reach your spot instead of using 4oz leads and creating a massive splash.

Summary

So, here are our winter fishing tips, which will make you more comfortable during your session and hopefully put a few extra carp on the bank. If you're prepared, winter can really be a joyous time to go fishing, the sunrises and sunsets can really be a thing of beauty.

As always, tight lines and be lucky.

Team Trakker