While the initial action post-spawning can be frantic as the fish look to pack back on the pounds, it won’t take long for them to start becoming clued-up and wary of obvious angling traps. If you want to keep catching them all summer, you have to be different. Here’s some edges that I’d recommend going forward.
GET ALL THE KIT YOU NEED FOR CARP FISHING BY CHECKING OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDES TO RODS, REELS, ALARMS, BIVVIES AND MORE.
IGNORE THE CLEAN SPOTS!
Instead of obsessively fishing the rock-hard, super-clean and polished areas that everyone else is drawn to, try looking for soft, smooth silt and fish that instead. The majority of the food is in the silt, and carp feed in it all the time!
People tend to get too preoccupied with what the silt is doing to their presentation – very rarely will it cause significant problems if you think it through. If you’re using a lead clip, try a long, soft link of 12ins-14ins. If you’re using a helicopter, then you can keep the rig itself short – simply move the top bead up a foot or more above the lead instead.
Both these adjustments will ensure that, in all but super-thick silt, you’ll still be presented properly. In addition, when casting, always make sure you feel the lead down gently to the bottom – this alone will hugely reduce the depth the lead will end up burying into the soft stuff.
FIND THE RIGHT VENUE FOR A CARP FISHING HOLIDAY BY CHECKING OUT THIS WHERE TO FISH GUIDE.
FISH A BOTTOM BAIT WITH NO FRILLS
Break free from the endemic brainwashing – stop using hookbaits that are obviously different from anything else down there, acting unnaturally by being lighter and ‘waftier’ than the other food items. Instead, simply thread on a bottom bait, the same as the other boilies you are using!
Carp don’t struggle to suck up even great big 22mm baits, and it’s a myth that we need to finely balance a bait in order for it to be taken. In actual fact, I think the opposite is true a lot of the time – if it’s light, and flutters about too much, not only will it be harder for the carp to pick up but it will be acting unnaturally, and that could often be more than enough reason for the carp to ignore it completely.
LEARN MORE ON HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT BOILIE FOR CARP FISHING IN THIS ARTICLE.
TRY MAPLES
Maple peas are a fantastic particle bait. Cheap, easy to prepare and highly attractive, they are extremely effective during the peak summer months.
Simply soak them for 24 hours, adding a good measure of brown sugar, then boil until they begin to split. Take out a few handfuls before they get too soft and keep these for hookbaits. Fish a pair of peas on a simple knotless knot and bait positively with them where you’ve seen carp, either using a catapult or spod. Beware the bream and tench, though – if your water is well stocked with other species, you might find sleep hard to come by!
LEARN HOW TO COOK AND PREPARE THE BEST PARTICLE BAITS FOR CARP FISHING IN THIS ARTICLE.
USE YOUR LOAF
Not only is bread one of the cheapest carp baits, but it’s extremely effective too. There are a couple of ways I like to use it. First, if you blend up a loaf in a food processor, you can create the ultimate breadcrumb. This can be squeezed into balls and thrown in or fished in PVA bags. Trust me, it sends the carp absolutely crazy!
Another really good way to use bread is to add it to a bucket of particles. If you’ve prepared a container of hemp or maples, smash a loaf into it as well for really enhanced attraction.
FISH AWAY FROM THE CROWD!
Instead of being constantly and predictably drawn to the same areas that everyone else is fishing, try focusing on the little bays and corners that are overlooked. If it’s a busy lake, then the carp will quickly learn to take advantage of the areas that see minimal angling pressure.
It could be a leafy corner that’s too overgrown to fish properly – don’t feel restricted with standard tackle, get in there with a 6ft rod and take advantage! And even the busiest lakes will have places within those pressured swims that never see rigs and bait. If your lake is murky and has a bit of depth in the edge, then the fish will almost certainly be taking advantage and could be coming through right under your feet. Instead of fishing to a bar at ‘15 wraps’, try setting up quietly and fishing a couple of subtle traps right in the margins!
If you fish the same as everyone else, you’ll catch the same too. Break the mould and be different – the rewards can be huge!
This page is a free example of the amazing content Angling Times Members get every single week. Becoming an Angling Times Member gives you access to award-winning magazine content, member rewards, our back issue archives, bonus content and more! Join our fishing community and find out more today!