It is often said that your eyes are the biggest edge when it comes to catching carp and it is hard to disagree, because If you don't find the carp, the chances of you catching them are greatly reduced. While you will sometimes catch fish by plotting up in the first available swim and pub chucking some rigs out, fishing in a swim you know has carp present will definitely increase your chances and it does wonders for your confidence too.
When it comes to finding carp there are lots of ways to do it, sometimes they are obvious launching themselves out the water or cruising round on the surface, but other times it is the subtle clues that many anglers miss, and the anglers that notice them are often the one who consistently put carp on the bank!
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Showing fish
The most obvious sign that carp are present is when they physically show themselves. Nobody is entirely sure why they do this, whether it's to rid themselves of parasites, adjust the pressure in their swim bladders, or simply for fun, but at times, they seem to love launching themselves out of the water.
There are two key behaviors to watch for. Carp that jump high and clear of the water are an obvious giveaway to any angler that fish are in the area, but they are unlikely to be feeding. On the other hand, when carp gently poke their heads out, often referred to as rolling, they are usually feeding, especially if it happens near your bait!
Both signs are worth acting on, and moving to an area where fish are showing is almost always the best bet.
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Fizzers/bubblers
Bubbles rising from the bottom often indicate fish activity. Gases become trapped in the silt layer of lakes as bacteria break down fish waste and detritus and when fish disturb the silt, these gases are released, contrary to the common belief that fish themselves produce the bubbles.
More often than not, bubbling (or "fizzing," as it’s also known) is a clear sign that carp have their heads buried in the silt while feeding. They are usually searching for natural food like bloodworms, but any feeding activity is worth casting a bait to.
The best time to spot bubbling is usually at dawn, so if you’re planning a day session, arriving at first light can help you locate feeding fish. A well-placed single hook bait or solid bag near the bubbles can be a great way to nick a bite.
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Swirling
When fish are close to the surface or swimming and feeding in shallow water, their sheer mass tends to move a lot of water, creating tail patterns and swirls on the surface. While these clues aren’t always obvious, paying close attention to the water can help you spot subtle signs that indicate where the carp are comfortable. More often than not, other anglers will have missed these signs, giving you a real advantage.
A great place to look for this activity is in the margins or around thick weed beds, you might even spot the lobe of a tail just poking out of the water when fish are happily settled in an area.
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Birdlife
While birdlife can be a real pain for carp anglers, whether they are stealing floaters or diving down to eat bait off the bottom, they can also work to your advantage!
At certain times of the year, when birds like swans and geese have young, they become highly protective. and a big carp swimming near them can be perceived as a threat, causing the birds to react. If you see birds striking at the water, flapping their wings, or becoming unusually vocal or nervous, it’s often a sign that a large carp is nearby. Similarly, smaller birds frantically flying away from an area after diving on your spot is another clear giveaway that a big carp has disturbed them.
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Physical signs
Sometimes, carp are overly confident and swim around completely unfazed by an angler’s presence. This is most common on hot days when they can be seen basking in the warm sunshine and arriving at a swim that is "black with carp" is the most obvious sign that fish are present.
Dorsal fins, tails, and the shoulders of a carp breaking the surface are telltale signs of fish cruising on top. A qualitypair of polarised sunglasses will help cut through the glare, making it much easier to spot carp while also reducing eye strain, especially if you're searching for long periods throughout the day.
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Coloured water
If you look closely when walking around a lake, you can sometimes see a contrast in the colour of the water, particularly on clay based lakes. Water that looks darker or cloudier than the surrounding area is a sure sign that carp have been ripping up the bottom while feeding. This is one aspect very few anglers notice or look for and we can assure you, if the water is cloudy a bite is almost certainly on the cards as the fish are definitely feeding in the area!
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Just can't find them
There are days when, despite trying your hardest to find them, the carp elude you. These are the sessions where experience comes into play, and you have to consider other factors to locate the fish.
Look at past captures from the same time of year, if a particular swim or area of the lake consistently produces fish, it’s worth heading there. If there’s a new wind blowing, the fish will often follow it, especially if it’s a warm wind. Alternatively, you can target areas with natural features such as underwater bars, snags, or reed beds, as these can act as carp magnets regardless of the weather.
CATCHING CARP CAN BECOME EASY IF YOU PREBAIT CORRECTLY.
