If you asked carp anglers across the country what influences their fishing the most, the answer wouldn’t be surprising. While there is no definitive right or wrong response, the majority of anglers would likely say that the weather is the main factor affecting their confidence in catching fish. You could have the best bait, rigs, and spots in the lake, but if the weather isn’t right, it can completely put the carp off feeding, leading to a disappointing blank.
You’ll often hear anglers describe conditions as ‘carpy,’ but what does that really mean? While it’s often a general intuition, there are specific conclusions that can be drawn about the weather that make certain conditions far better for carp fishing.
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Air Pressure
Air pressure has become a significant revelation in carp fishing over the last decade, with many anglers observing patterns between isobars and the carp's willingness to feed. Numerous anglers, media sources and YouTube videos have highlighted this weather factor, prompting many anglers to check air pressure before planning their next session.
Anything below 1000mb is considered the holy grail for carp fishing, as it typically pushes carp down to the lakebed, where their appetite seems to increase exponentially.
Low pressure between 1000-1010mb remains excellent for fishing on the bottom, with high fish activity and feeding rates.
From 1010-1020mb, air pressure is moderate and often marks a transitional period in the weather. During this time, a variety of tactics can be effective.
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When pressure rises to 1020-1030mb, it’s considered high and can significantly affect the willingness of carp to feed. The fish generally move higher in the water column, making floater fishing or zig rigs effective options. Fishing in shallow areas or near the margins can also yield results.
At 1030-1040mb and above, air pressure is very high, presenting challenges for anglers. This range often coincides with still, hot summer days or bright, freezing winter conditions—both of which are unfavourable for carp fishing.
In such high-pressure conditions, carp are often found near or on the surface (even in winter), in shallow areas, or sunbathing spots sheltered from the wind. Conversely, during low-pressure conditions, the fish are more likely to be in deeper water and feeding near the bottom.
These are general guidelines, and exceptions always occur—carp are known for breaking the rules! In simple terms, the higher the air pressure, the higher in the water you can expect to find the carp. Similarly, the lower the air pressure, the closer to the lakebed they are likely to be.
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Wind
The wind can significantly influence where carp are located in a lake. You’ll often hear anglers use terms like "on the wind" or "off the back of the wind." Generally, a wind coming from a southerly direction is ideal, as it brings warmer air and typically stronger gusts. These stronger winds help breathe life into the lake by creating water movement, which increases oxygen levels, helping stimulate the carp to feed.
On the other hand, colder winds—especially during winter—can have the opposite effect. They often cause carp to avoid the exposed areas, seeking shelter in calmer, slightly warmer parts of the lake. This makes understanding wind direction and its effects crucial for anglers.
As the old angling adage goes:
"Wind from the east, fish bite the least; Wind from the west, the fish bite the best.
Wind from the north, few anglers set forth; Wind from the south blows bait in their mouth."
Carp are wild creatures and they can often throw the rule book out of the window, but this rhyme isn't far from the truth, with an easterly seemingly the kiss of death to all fish, not just carp.
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Temperature
Carp originated in warmer climates than the UK and naturally prefer warmer waters. The most beneficial water temperature for a carp is around 24°C, as this is the optimum temperature for them to efficiently digest their food into energy and mass. As such, the summer and autumn months are typically the best times to be on the bank, applying plenty of bait and catching lots of carp. However, temperatures that climb too high will often see the carp uninterested in feeding and they will happily sunbathe with no intention of feeding.
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In spring, any rise in temperature can be beneficial to your angling. Even if it’s fairly cold outside, an increase of just a few degrees will often spark the carp into moving around the lake in search of warmer spots heated by sunlight. If you identify where the sun hits the lake the most during the day, the carp won't be far behind.
Winter presents the most challenging conditions for carp fishing due to the lower water temperatures, and anything under 4°C can be the kiss of death, as the carp become torpid and become unwilling to move. However, if the weather remains stable for a time, even if it’s consistently cold, carp will begin to acclimatise and may begin feeding lightly. As a rule, any sharp drop in water temperatures will negatively impact your carp fishing.
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The moon
The moon is one of the most hotly debated topics in carp fishing. Some carp anglers are convinced that it directly impacts their success, while others dismiss it as completely irrelevant. Although there is little evidence to prove that the moon influences a carp's willingness to feed, it can serve as a confidence booster for many anglers.
Additionally, there’s no denying that certain fish are often caught around specific moon phases. Whether this is due to increased angling activity during these times or other factors is a debate for another day. Generally, a big full moon and a new moon are considered the best times to be out on the bank, if the moon can influence the tides of the oceans, it must have an impact on a small water body like a lake?
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The best weather conditions
In spring, bright, sunny days with a warm wind blowing are great times to be on the bank. If the water temperatures quickly increase, the activity of the carp will follow suit.
In summer and autumn, water temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees coupled with a big southerly/westerly wind, and low pressure after periods of high pressure, is an amazing time to be out chasing carp. The first temperature drops of autumn can sometimes shock the carp into feeding thinking winter is coming.
In winter, look for settled periods or any weather windows that are bringing an increase in temperatures or air pressure.
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