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How to Catch Carp in Winter
Winter carp fishing can be quite a challenge. When the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, carp become less active than in the warmer months. With proper preparation for such fishing conditions, there's a high probability that we will conclude our session with success in the form of a winter carp.
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It was once commonly believed that if the water temperature dropped below 10 degrees Celsius, carps would not feed at all. Now we know that was just a rumor. Below, I'd like to present a few tips that should help us succeed:
Choose the right spot
In the winter, carps often move to deeper water where the temperature is more stable and less susceptible to fluctuations in air temperature. Look for the deepest areas in the given body of water as well as places sheltered from the wind, like deep bays. Very good spots are those that are rich in silt since they are often a natural winter feeding ground for carps due to the presence of bloodworms and other small invertebrates in the silt. If sunny weather persists for a few days in a row, it's worth trying shallower and wind-sheltered spots. In such locations, it is best to fish from sunrise to sunset. Often such tactics yield unexpected results in the form of beautiful fish.
Choose the right equipment
This can be exactly the same equipment that we use in other parts of the season.
Stock up on the right baits and groundbaits
Contrary to popular belief that we should fish delicately in winter, for a few seasons I am convinced that fishing with 20 mm or even 24 mm boilies is not excessive. We can confidently use baits of such sizes. For several seasons I tested on one rod baits up to 15 mm, and on the other, I always had a bait of 20 mm size or more. I definitely caught more fish on the larger baits and those that had a more intense scent. In my winter sessions, I always use quickly dissolvable PVA mesh bags filled with a few whole and some crushed boilies, along with small pellets. Personally, I have had good results with Nash Webcast PVA Wide (model 2023)
I practically always boost such a ready-made mesh bag with a very effective enhancer such as Kiana Goo. The Kiana products that work well for me in the winter include Kiana Carp Goo Garlic Supreme and Kiana Carp Goo Pink Almond Smoke. The latter pairs particularly well with CcMoore ShelfLife Boilies - Live System. I also recommend using pellets that work quickly, as well as small grains such as hemp or fenugreek.
Below are the boilies, pellets, and grains I use during my winter sessions:
- Bait Zone Boilies PEG 72
- CCMoore Live System
- UltimateProducts Top Range Boilies - Pure Monster
- CcMoore Pellets - Ultramix Mini
- Carp Old School - Hemp + Fenugreek - Natural
- CcMoore Pellets - Bloodworm
Let's remember that catching a carp in winter is a challenge, but with the right approach, patience, and well-chosen equipment, you can enjoy successful catches even in the coldest months. The last element that should always be present during our sessions is respect for nature and the principles of ethical fishing.
