Bagging Up - Carp Fishing

We have been lucky so far that the really cold weather has held off. However, we are bound to have a cold snap soon, so we have put together our top 10 tips for Bagging Up this winter.

1. Accuracy

   With the fish lying torpid for much of the time, it is essential that you are accurate in your casting. If you have a small amount of feed out, cast right onto it. This is where marker floats come into their own. MAGIC MARKER BRAID - Different colours on a single spool to enable you to hit several different marks with one rod and reel. A few feet can make all the difference

2. Overhanging trees and bushes

   Many people will tell you that you have to fish deep in the winter. Personally, I have had a good deal of success fishing the margins, especially where there are overhanging trees and bushes. The bushes protect the water from the harshest of the frost and also provide a steady stream of easy food, with fruit and bugs dropping into the water. With the waters being much quieter, it is often possible to overcast and then walk around to drop your bait in exactly the right spot. Best though if you have a mate to mind your rods just incase you get an immediate run.

3. Attractive Baits

   Fish don’t need to eat so much in the winter. It would be reasonable then to assume that they might be a bit more picky about what they do eat. Surely it would make sense for your hookbait to look, smell and taste as good as it possible could. A high quality carp bait used with paste and dips can make for a far more attractive bait.

4. Business end

   With many waters crystal clear, the importance of paying attention to the business end could not be more important. Pin your hooklength to the bottom, either using Kryston heavy metal or lead core. Make sure your hooks are incredibly sharp, even to the point of changing the hook each time you catch. You may not get many bites. Make the most of it when it comes. There can be a lot of debris on the bottom at this time of year, with fallen leaves and twigs. Make sure your hookbait is not hidden underneath it. Use PVA foam to allow your hooklength to sink slowly and rest on top of the debris. Guard your hook from catching on twigs by using a PVA stockings to shield the hook point

5. Take your time

   An hour spent surveying a smallish lake can save you from a blank. Don’t just rush into your favourite swim, look around and move to the fish. They are not necessarily going to move to you. Study over the course of the day, week, months. There may well be a pattern to where the fish are at a given time of day and / or in certain weather conditions.

6. Travel Light

   Move around if you need to. It’s easy to set up your bivvy, get warm and sit and wait for a run. The problem is that if the fish have moved off to the other end of the lake, you’re really wasting your time. Unless it’s raining cats and dogs, it’s far better to fish out in the open. You can watch the water better and get a move on to go where the fish are if they show further than you can cast to. For added mobility, consider ditching your bedchair for a Terry Hearn recliner

7. Find an easier water

   I know it seems like a cop out, but sometimes you just want to land a few decent fish. If your normal water is proving a bit too difficult, head for a well stocked commercial water. The chances are it will be pretty quiet (casual day ticket anglers might consider winter carping to be too difficult). I hit a local day ticket water last winter. Normally packed in the summer, I was usually the only one there and I had some great sport. My best session started by cracking thin ice from the surface. I had 12 fish that day, 8 of which were doubles, the largest being a common of 19lb 6oz.

8. Polaroids

   OK, I know it’s #8, but I just thought of this one while I was walking my local lake. Get yourself a decent pair of palaroid sunglasses. Glare from the low sun plays havoc when you are trying to spot fish in the winter. The water is genrally pretty clear as well at this time of year, so if you have decent sunglasses, you may well spot the fish a little deeper that you would without them. They are also useful for spotting underwater features that may harbour some hungry fish.

 

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