As winter transitions into spring, how we approach the carp in our venues must adapt to make the most of this prime window in the carp fishing calendar. To gain insight, we spoke with renowned big carp angler Mark Holmes about the bait he uses and how he applies it to consistently catch big fish during this changeable period
As I tend to target the larger residents in lakes, I’ll assume you’re wanting to catch the big’uns. Fortunately for us, these fish feed more than the little ones do. I am, however, ruled in some respects by the water temperatures in my venues. I suspect that at this time of year, and given the amount of cold water entering them during the last couple of months of winter, you’ll be faced with single digit temperatures.
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My target waters are averaging about 7oC at the moment. A carp’s immune system and bodily functions don’t work at full capacity at such temperatures. HOWEVER, THEY FEED EVERY DAY. I have purposely written that in capitals, because it’s a vital point. They are always catchable.
At this time I would try to primarily stimulate them, rather than feed them. I do this by using ingredients that target agitation of a carp’s olfactory system. This is akin to a human’s sense of smell. In layman’s terms there is a difference between carp smelling or sensing food rather than tasting it. If we start to see a rise in the water temperatures pretty quickly, I then need to stimulate the gustatory system, the act of tasting, within the carp.
I achieve this in two ways. First, by the use of boilies rich in oleresins which stimulate their olfactory system more. They are found in spices such as garlic, fenugreek, turmeric, cayenne pepper, chilli, paprika and an abundance of others.
Mix several of these together and you can create your own triggering system within your bait – a bespoke signal that carp will quickly home in on. The other equally important point is to stimulate them initially and then encourage them to feed. Before you scratch your head until it hurts, so let me explain.
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Using a boilie that breaks down into a powdered mush while in the lake is a great stimulator. These are called ‘solubles’ and, although a new concept in the UK, they have been used on the Continent for many years in the carp match fishing scene.
Now throw in a heavily soaked boilie, along with a different shaped drier boilie, and you have the perfect trilogy for fooling the biggest of carp. I would start off by using, say, five Spombs of the solubles to lay a carpet down. These would be accurately cast out, as carp don’t move as much in the colder water temperatures. So tight baiting is crucial.
I would then put out two Spombs of heavily soaked boilies on the same spot, and finally one Spomb of non- soaked barrel-shaped boilies. This would be repeated on each of the three rods over a 24-hour period.
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Some may think this a little too much, perhaps – but, as I mentioned right at the start of this piece, I’m trying to catch the big’uns in the lake.
That’s why I always use boilies, as if you can get carp to feed as opposed to investigate your baits, they become far easier to catch.
A feeding carp is the simplest of fish to catch, in my humble opinion. Good luck this spring and I hope you have the best season yet!
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