Margin fishing is typically associated with summer, but don't discount this technique just yet. It can still be highly effective for catching large carp throughout the year. With just a few adjustments to your approach, you can continue to target and catch big fish in the margins this autumn.
THE BEST MARGIN FISHING POLES WILL HELP YOU EXTRACT THOSE BIG MARGIN DWELLERS
Don't pack away the heavy gear just yet
It's still essential to have a robust tackle setup. A strong hollow elastic rated 18-20 is crucial for controlling the initial powerful run of a large carp and subdue it quickly. Use a thick mainline, like 0.22mm, and a sturdy hooklength, like 0.19mm, this will prevent breakages. A size strong 14 wide gape hook is a suitable choice along with a hair rigged band to mount the pellet hookbait.
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Look for deeper water
Finding the right depth is crucial. Use a plummet to explore the margins and locate the desired depth, which is typically around 2ft 6ins to 3ft deep. Avoid fishing in shallow areas with overgrown vegetation, as big carp often prefer deeper areas in autumn. Look to present your rig well down the bank, between 11m and 14.5m away from you, in front of the next peg is a perfect place to try, this will reduce the risk of spooking carp. Plumb up your rig so that the base of the float is showing when the plummet hits the lakebed, this will ensure that your hookbait is touching the bottom. Remember, even large carp can give subtle bites, so be patient and wait for the float to quickly vanish before striking.
HOW TO PLUMB UP PROPERLY ON THE POLE, OUR GUIDE WILL GET YOU PLUMBING ACCURATELY
Leave it late
Wait until the final hour of your fishing session before feeding this swim to allow time for the carp to settle. Use hard pellets, feed 4mm as to avoid attracting smaller fish. Introduce small quantities every 10 minutes, the amount of bait to fill a small pot is ample. Wait at least 40 minutes before introducing your baited rig. Once you start fishing, an 8mm banded pellet hookbait is ideal to stand out from the loose feed.
THE SHORT POLE CAN ALSO BE EFFECTIVE WITH PELLETS, SEE HOW TO FISH 8MM PELLETS ON THE POLE
Dunk your pot
Accurate feeding is crucial for fishing deeper margin swims. Consider dunking your pot in the water before shipping to prevent pellets from rattling and bouncing out, as lost bait when shipping out not only reduces the bait to feed also leaves small deposits all over the swim reduces the chances of attracting carp into the area you are fishing. This method ensures that the bait stays in the pot until you reach your target zone, avoiding unnecessary bait loss and potential distractions for the carp.
OUR GUIDE, HOW TO FEED WITH A POLE POT HAS TIPS AND TRICKS TO USE THEM EFFECTIVELY
Avoid striking at liners
Large carp can create lots of turbulence when feeding, often brushing against your rig and causing false indications. To avoid foul hooking and spooking other fish, it's essential to use a suitable float. Select a float with a round or diamond shape body in 0.4g or 0.5g, with a thick bristle, 2.5mm to 3mm is ideal. This can suppress the indications from a carp contacting the rig. Focus on striking only when the float vanishes quickly as slow deliberate dips may be caused by the movement of the fish in the peg.
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT POLE FLOAT
Margin success
Even as the temperatures cool and the leaves begin to fall from the trees, the biggest carp in the lake will still venture into the margins to feed later in the day, by choosing the right depths and getting the feeding right, extracting some of the biggest residents in the lake from the margins during the autumn months is still a possibility.
USING THE BEST LANDING NET HANDLES IS CRUCIAL FOR LANDING BIG MARGIN FISH
