Carp Fishing Winter

Tactics

When winter finally arrives, it’s that time where we may certainly need to change our carp fishing tactics.

I’ve fished many winters over the years, 35+ years of them, in rather harsh weather conditions, from having my rods frozen in the lake to umbrellas blowing away.

Hopefully, in this guide, I can give some good advice to catch an extra carp or two in freezing cold conditions.

I will run you through, step by step, some of the tricks that have been successful for myself at catching winter carp.

Homework

When winter finally arrives, it’s that time where we may certainly need to change our carp fishing tactics.

I’ve fished many winters over the years, 35+ years of them, in rather harsh weather conditions, from having my rods frozen in the lake to umbrellas blowing away.

Hopefully, in this guide, I can give some good advice to catch an extra carp or two in freezing cold conditions.

I will run you through, step by step, some of the tricks that have been successful for myself at catching winter carp.

Have you done your homework on the lake you are going to fish in the winter? Has the lake past winter form? This is something you need to know before you even start a winter campaign. If the lake does not do fish in the winter, I would certainly avoid it.

You really don’t want to sit there for long hours, especially fishing at night, with a very minimal chance of a bite. You’re soon going to get disheartened.

Scan social media. If the fishery you are thinking to fish is on there, look at past catch reports to see if any carp have been caught in the winter months. Another way also is to do internet searches for information etc.

Choose a well-stocked lake, or at least a medium water which has past winter fishing form.

Once you have found your chosen water, more homework. Certain swims may fish better in winter than others if you’re lucky. Especially on day-ticket waters, the bailiffs can really help, as they want you to catch fish, as they will want anglers to help promote the fishery to sell tickets.

Always chat to the fishery’s bailiffs. You’ll soon get the vibe if they are trying to be helpful.

Next information you need to gain is tactical. What are the best baits to use and methods? Do zigs work, PVA bags, single hookbaits etc?

If possible, chat with the bailiffs also if you visit the venue before fishing the venue, if possible. Be polite and talk to some anglers. You will know if they will want to help or not; some will not even want to talk.

If you get any friendly people fishing, politely ask, “Can you give me a few pointers for winter fishing?” Just don’t barrage them with loads of questions and hang around for too long.

On the Bank – Ready to Fish

You arrive at the lake ready to fish. Now’s the time to walk the bank. Leave the kit in the car if allowed; carry a bucket to reserve a swim, that’s all.

Now walk the lake, eyes and ears peeled for any signs at all of fish activity: showing carp, pin bubbles, swirls etc.

Also, if anyone is fishing, it’s worth approaching them if they’re out of the bivvy or have no bivvy. Again, they may want to help or not. It’s pot luck, but always worth a try, especially if you haven’t seen signs of any carp.

Right, you’ve seen nothing or have no extra help from people angling. Let’s go back to the homework section, where research may help you out. We discussed swims with winter form! Are any free right now?

If so, let’s head to a winter-form swim (if you’ve seen no signs of carp elsewhere).

My Chosen Baiting Tactics for Winter

Carp angling for many years, I have my own preferences of how to fish and have a lot of confidence in them. Here is a list of methods, in no chosen order, I use for my winter fishing.

1. Single Hookbaits

Single hookbaits can be a devastating way to catch a carp when all else fails. I generally like to use a food-type dip. A glugged single boilie can be a bottom bait or pop-up, depending on the lake bed. I generally use pop-ups to combat winter chod on the lake bed.

This method comes into its own when targeting showing fish.

2. Small Mesh PVA Bag

Using small mesh PVA bags in winter can be highly effective also. Just give the fish a mouthful of attraction to home in on.

I fill my bags up with small pellets and sometimes add a broken boilie or two for extra attraction. Hookbaits are generally pop-up boilies unless there are crayfish present, then I will change to a to a crayfish-proof style bait.

3. PVA Stringers

Stringers are highly effective and a great way  again, to place baits on those showing carp. Highly underused carp fishing method.

4. A Hookbait with Minimum Freebies

The next method I like to use, especially at shorter ranges, is a few boilies around your baited rig. Boilies are usually order of the day for me, and it’s so easy to catapult a few out.

Don’t worry about the seagulls if any are present. It’s only one pouch full lol.

5. Zig Rigs

High pressure and zigs aren’t banned on the lake you fish? You have to give at least one rod a go, especially if those carp have been caught on them.

Order of the day for me is either black foam or a trimmed-down pop-up. Depth is crucial. Find the sweet spot. Is it mid-water or a few feet from the surface?

I personally start at mid-water.

Location, Location, Location

You have your chosen swim. Hopefully, you may have some of these features in it.

Reedbeds

Carp love reedbeds and hanging around them. Keep your eyes open and watch if they are twitching or moving, and it’s not birds or the wind etc.

A rig next to some reeds can reap the rewards.

Snags

Where there are snags, there can quite often be carp. Always look in snags for carp: dead trees, branches etc.

Of most importance, fish 100% safely when targeting snags for carp. It’s not fish at all costs.

Dying Lily Pads

Another great place to find carp. They love hanging around lilies even when they are not at their best. Natural food lays there, like snails for example.

Again, please make sure it’s safe to fish there.

Shallow Water

Yes, you heard — shallow water. I usually aim for 3ft plus, though. It’s the first part of the lake that can warm up quickly if there is enough sun over it, and the carp will certainly visit that area on most lakes.

Centre of the Lake

Sounds a little odd to the previous ones, but in the centre of the lake, carp quite often like to hang out due to angling pressure.

Even when lakes are quiet in winter, they have been accustomed to staying in this safe area.

Silty Areas

Carp love silt in winter and can often drop to those lower areas.

Why are carp covered in leeches in winter? Because they’re more dormant than usual and sinking close to those silty areas.

Strategic Winter Re-Casting

The million-dollar question is, how often should you recast in winter fishing?

My answer is more often in winter, finding and hunting Mr Carp down.

If you can use 3 rods, then that’s a great advantage in winter. That extra rod will be my roving rod, recast every hour or at showing fish if it does not interfere with my other fishing rods.

You can change that hookbait on the roving rod every cast if you like, to give a fresh piece of attraction, and I would highly recommend a glugged hookbait.

The other 2 rods you can leave a lot longer, especially if you’re lucky to catch on one of them before fishing to the same spot.

Use your gut instinct. Myself, they could be fishing up to 12 hours.

Staying Comfortable

My last piece of advice is to stay comfortable and warm in winter, especially if night fishing.

You will fish better and enjoy it more also.

Wrap up warm and dry, so waterproofs are essential also.

Keep a change of warm clothes, to include socks.

A towel is equally important, even if it’s kept in your car or van.

Warm drinks and warm food.

I recommend a twin-skin-type bivvy to stop condensation.

I will cover this in another article.

Final Thoughts

Really hope this article helps you catch some bonus carp in the winter, as it has myself, and most importantly, enjoy your winter fishing. I certainly do!