The transition from summer to autumn is one of the best spells in the carp angling calendar. Despite this being a real time of plenty, you can almost guarantee that, on all but the most prolific and popular of waters, the number of anglers fishing for carp during October and November will be way down from the April to August period.
While the big autumn feeding spells of years gone by may be less common, I do find that the carp become more predictable, now that factors such as spawning, algal blooms, oxygen crashes and the abundance of natural food are generally ruled out of the equation.
So, don’t be in a rush to pack your carp rods away just yet. Instead, make sure you’re out there, making the most of this brilliant period in the carp fishing year. You’ll be surprised by your results!
Be flexible with rigs
Weed will be dying back, coating the lakebed, and I take this into account when it comes to rig choice. I favour a low-lying multi-rig with the hookpoint just off the deck. But, If I’m fishing over bait and not getting bites, despite signs of fish, I’ll switch from a pop-up to a bottom bait rig. Let the fish dictate how you angle for them, the more flexible and open to change you are at this time of year, the more carp you will catch!
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Match the hatch
By this time of year the carp will have become wary of bright baits, most likely having been caught on a white, yellow or pink pop-up at least once. My starting point is always a hookbait that mirrors my free offerings in terms of colour, not something they may have too often. Again there are days when a bright bait will score, so be flexible but I will always start with a dull hookbait and let the session develop from there.
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Stick with what works
If you’ve been catching well over a certain bait all summer, don’t change it! If you’re fishing a new water, then do some research and find out what's been going into the water regularly. It might be house pellets, or a certain bait company’s boilie. You’d do well to try these for starters, sometimes it pays to follow the trend, especially if it is working. Alternatively, if your lake is fishing slow, find out what isn't working and try something completely different.
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Short sessions are best
I've often found that mid- afternoon going into dark is a good time to fish in October and November, ideal for those not favouring early starts... like me. And it’s ideal for weekend afternoons too, when many anglers pack up at midday after a night session allowing you to drop in on going spots or be at the lake on a Sunday evening when the fishing pressure drops off and the fish feel confident to feed.
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