Spring is a time when it can be easy to get many things wrong. I think part of this is the result of pent-up inactivity over the preceding winter months, coupled with the idea that the carp must surely be incredibly hungry.
Water temperatures will still be low, and often won’t even hit the critical double- figure point until mid-April. Sure, it might feel incredible in the warm late winter sunshine, but it takes a long time for water temperatures to rise to a point where the carp are fully active.
Most articles focus on things to do for successful spring angling, but this month we asked Adam Penning to focus on what not to do.
GET YOURSELF ONE OF THE BEST FISHING BIVVIES TO STAY COMFORTABLE IN THE CHANGEABLE SPRING CONDITIONS.
Don't use too much bait
While there are some super well-stocked and ‘hungry’ lakes where heavy baiting can work, generally it’s unwise to take the view that, because the sun is out, the large-size Spomb needs an airing. This is particularly relevant to big, old fish who will, in the most part, not be willing to take on big beds of bait until after spawning.
I realise that there are variables, and I am generalising here, but my successful spring angling has always revolved around applying bait sparingly. The key tactics to have in your locker at the moment are singles, light-spread baiting with boilies, solid PVA bags and zig rigs.
SALT CAN BE A REAL EDGE FOR SPRING CARP FISHING, LET MARK HOLMES EXPLAIN ALL HERE.
Don't ignore cold winds
Carp will always surprise you with where they want to be, never more so than in early spring. While the most attractive and influencing factors will be extra daylight hours and sunshine (look for islands, reeds and margin snags that face south), I have also found that they will quickly follow a new wind, even if it is a cold-feeling easterly or northerly.
Remember, there are no rules – I have also found them basking in the calm water on the back of spring winds. The key takeaway here is that every carp and every lake is different. While we can establish locational guidelines, always be prepared to be surprised and keep your eyes open and on the water, not glued to your phone!
THE WEATHER CAN REALLY IMPACT FISH BEHAVIOUR, HERE ARE THE BEST WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR CARP.
Don't ignore bright baits
While you would rarely have seen me advocate the use of ‘shouty’ baits, there’s no doubt that early spring is when they tend to work best. Remember that most of the carp in the lake will not have been caught for many months, and there is no question that they can be more gullible early in the year. I have seen single bright ones work so well through March and April, on a huge variety of waters.
I like whites, oranges and sometimes washed-out pinks, but yellow has probably caught more carp than any other bait colour.
IF YOU WANT TO CATCH MORE CARP, TRY SINGLE HOOKBAIT FISHING.
Don't be static
Early-season carp will be highly mobile. They will often have spent much of the winter populating one small part of the lake so, as temperatures creep up, the first thing they like to do is get out and about again. There will be parts of the lakebed that haven't been harvested for a long time, and the carp will take full advantage as they start cleaning off the old favourite haunts. Being rooted to a spot through laziness or having too much gear will cost you.
If you see fish show more than once in the same area, and it's free, then you need to get round there. I know most of you reading this will not take on this advice, and that’s fine, but it will cost you.
THE BEST FISHING BARROWS WILL HELP YOU MOVE AROUND THE LAKE WITH EASE!
Don't be blind
This really is key. I hear from so many people that they can’t locate the carp because they are apparently not showing. The bottom line is that between March and November, on every lake in the world, the carp will be active at some point in each 24-hour period. Simply put, if you are not seeing them, then you are not looking hard enough. Sometimes this requires harder work than some are prepared to put in.
I was at a lake last weekend (mid-March) where the carp seemed very shy indeed. You might see one at first light if you were lucky, but all day they’d be extremely elusive.
However, by applying the aforementioned rule, and knowing from experience that they simply must be showing at some point, I set the alarm and did a night shift. Sure enough, between 2am and 4am it was like the proverbial dolphin show, and locating them was very straightforward. If you are seeing nothing in the day then bear this anecdote in mind – they will always show somewhere, at some time!
IF YOU NEED MORE TIPS ON FINDING CARP, THIS ARTICLE HAS SOME EXCELLENT TIPS TO FIND THEM!
