Fish behaviour will start to change now that the days are getting longer, even though we are still experiencing quite cold nights. This means that the margins suddenly start to become a productive area to target.
That said, summer’s still some way off, and piling bait into water just inches deep isn’t advisable just yet. So, there are a few things to consider to get bites down the edge in the coming weeks.
Ideal depth
The water is still a bit on the clear side, and carp aren’t going to be confident feeding in the 10ins that they’d happily stay in at the height of summer. Instead, I would be trying to find 2ft-3ft of water.
If this is tight against the bank, that’s ideal, but if it is shallower than that I will keep coming away from it slowly, while plumbing up until I find it. Once I find the required depth, I will then try to find a reasonably flat spot to target. I have to say that fishing on a slope isn’t ideal, but it isn’t the end of the world either. It’s just easier to fish on a flat bottom with regard to feeding.
The only exception to the depth rule is when there is cover, such as a big reed bed, that the carp can get into. You can sometimes get away with fishing in as little as 16ins of water if the fish have some form of cover that makes them feel safe.
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Create some distance
As I’ve already mentioned, the water remains quite clear, and that means the fish won’t settle right under your feet. I’m a big believer in fishing long and well away from where I am sat and, as a guide, this normally means going at least 11m down the bank. That slows the process down a little, but if it results in more bites because the carp are that little bit more confident, then it’s time very well spent, in my book.
A GOOD MARGIN POLE WILL BE ABLE TO FISH AT LONGER LENGTHS WHILE STILL MAINTAINING PERFORMANCE.
Unbeatable combo
Bait choice is very much venue-dependant, but you’ll rarely go wrong at the moment with micros and corn. Wetted-down 2mm pellets are a great holding bait, and you don’t need to feed a lot to keep the fish feeding in your swim. I always think sweetcorn comes into its own in clear water, as it is bright yellow and gives you a visual stand-out hookbait that a feeding carp can home in on.
I don’t tend to feed a lot of corn, just a scattering of grains really. One other bait that can be deadly in the margins is dead maggots and, if small silverfish aren’t causing a problem, I will feed a few maggots too, as this gives me an extra hookbait option.
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Feed it right
Carp are happy to come in and feed late-on, but they don’t normally want to do so over huge beds of bait. In fact, the best way to feed the margins at this time of year is to feed for one fish at a time.
Introduce a small amount of bait, catch a carp, and then feed the same again. As a guide, I won’t feed the edge from the off. Instead, I’ll feed it around 30 minutes before I want to go on it, then again five minutes before I have my first look. Look to cup in around 100ml of bait on the first feed and then 50ml-75ml on the second.
DON'T GET YOUR FEEDING WRONG WITH STEVE'S INFORMATIVE POLE CUP GUIDE.
The tougher the better
Margin fish are often of a good stamp, and if I am expecting carp in the 6lb-10lb bracket I see no point in fining down my kit. Be it summer or winter, a big carp is going to pull hard and test your tackle to the limit! With that in mind, mainline is still heavy. I go with 0.22mm to a 6ins hooklength of 0.19mm and a size 14 Guru XS Spade hook.
I don’t believe that the fish are particularly line-shy, so bear that in mind. It makes no sense to fish fine and risk losing any that you hook.
PLAY FISH ON THE POLE CORRECTLY AND YOU CAN LAND BIG CARP WITH EASE!
