Carp Fishing Tips | Is a fresh low-pressure front really the best conditions to catch carp? - Simon Scott

November 21, 2020 Guest User

This is a great question and one I’ve been asked before. The answer is closely linked to oxygen levels in the water.

In short, a big fresh low-pressure system which comes through during the summer, or winter for that matter, is often a trigger for enthusiastic feeding and high activity in fish stocks.

High winds will stir up the water column and lead to increased levels of oxygen in the water body which, in turn, switches the fish on to feeding.

If the low pressure leads to overcast or heavy grey skies and only light winds it’s less of a trigger for the fish to feed.

Bright sunshine can also trigger fish to feed because it can lead to increased levels of oxygen in the water. The sunlight drives the process of photosynthesis, so aquatic plants and algae produce more oxygen if the sun is shining brightly.

Carp Fishing Tips | Carp and weed - Simon Scott

September 12, 2020 Guest User

Carp absolutely love sitting in weed. It provides them with a safe spot in which to rest, and because it is photosynthesising in the sunshine, they can enjoy the benefit of resting in a stream of tiny oxygen bubbles while they relax in the sun.

Additionally, weed beds are often packed full of natural food like snails and shrimps, which the carp can graze on in relative safety. Snail numbers can skyrocket in the middle of summer and carp will often spend many hours feasting on these crunchy snacks.

In terms of catching them while they are in the weed, an excellent approach is to use floater fishing tactics, which can enable you to pin-point the larger fish in many situations.

Alternatively, position rigs on the bottom close to the weed beds on shallow areas or in holes in the weed. It is really important, however, that if you are fishing in or near to thick weed beds that you use heavy tackle that will enable you to land the fish safely. I would use a line of at least 15lb breaking strain and a size 4 hook. This ensures that I have every chance of landing a hooked fish.

Carp love sitting in weed (Photo - Carl and Alex Fishing)

Carp Fishing Tips | Bait for post-spawning carp - Simon Scott

July 15, 2020 Guest User

Spawning is a highly energetic and physically demanding event for the carp. Females will have been through an incredibly stressful few days, as their ovaries go through the last stages of preparation for ovulation and then they actually spawn, releasing their eggs. It is common for both male and female fish to lose scales along their flanks and to scratch themselves during the rough and tumble of spawning.

These physical injuries mean that their ability to regulate their internal salt/water balance may be compromised. The injuries also create holes in their bodies, which could become infected.

So spawning is a potentially dangerous time for carp and after they have finished they will need to rebuild their strength and heal any damage. Because of this they are often really hungry, and they commonly feed hard in the weeks following spawning in order to regain strength.

After spawning carp will be very hungry!

To capitalise upon this big feed-up it’s best to use a high-quality bait to give the fish lots of nutrients – for example, high-quality fishmeal boilies or pellets. These will be very popular with the fish which will, of course, all benefit from the quality of the feed.

If the weather is not too hot and the fish are clearly feeding hard, don’t be afraid to give them a fair bit of bait – they will thank you for it, and you might just catch a fair few along the way.

High-quality fishmeal boilies are best post-spawning

Carp Fishing Tips - Is there an optimum depth carp are most comfortable feeding at? - Simon Scott

June 12, 2020 Guest User

From my experience at the VS Fisheries carp farm and over a fair few years of specifically targeting carp, I have found that they will vary their feeding depth according to water temperature and quality and the location of food.

I have caught carp in large gravel pits at depths of between 25ft and 30ft, particularly in autumn as the water cools.

That said, on a typical gravel pit I would probably start by targeting the shallower areas of 10ft and also regularly try at least one rod a bit further down the slope.

If the water is cold, then try fishing in the deeper areas. Additionally, don’t be afraid to try fishing with zig rigs using an adjustable zig float, which makes it possible to fish a few feet beneath the surface even if the water is really deep.

Zig rigs may be a bit daunting to start with, particularly in really deep water, but take my word for it, they can be hugely effective!

The adjustable zig rig is perfect for fishing really deep water