The cold changes the carp's behaviour considerably in winter. At this time of year, the fish live in slow motion, they digest slowly and move around very little. In these conditions of fishing in cold water, making some observations beforehand is essential to find interesting spots. Fortunately, these spots are often very obvious and easy to identify. Today we will explain how to find the best spots for setting up your lines.
If you want to take advantage of the winter to search out new corners and venture off the "beaten path", you'll have to be a bit more patient. It makes more sense to set up your rigs in a place that you know and where you have noticed touches earlier in the season. Generally speaking, spots which are busy in summer and autumn remain so in winter.
If you haven't noticed any productive areas earlier in the season, you can always set up your lines in very busy waters which are fished throughout the year. Carp will find food there more easily and are therefore more active than in unfished areas.
If you're starting out carp fishing in cold water, it's better to start with a small pond to acquire good basic skills.
Carp are generally more active in areas known by anglers. Food is more abundant there.
You already know that fish are less mobile during this period. The jumping and porpoising which indicates their presence is a lot more rare. For more success search out areas where there are fish. The spots where there are fish are very obvious. You'll soon be able to spot them easily.
In the first place, even if it seems obvious, the edges should not be neglected. They are home to dense vegetation and the perfect living environment for developing larvae and other small insects which carp adore. The shallow depth of these areas means the water warms up when the sun is at its highest. The milder temperatures in these areas attract carp.
River edges warmed by the sun are very much appreciated by carp
If you fish in lakes or ponds, the shallows should hold your attention. These areas where the depth is shallower (between 1.20 m and 2.50 m) allow aquatic vegetation to grow there and shelter all the small insects which carp adore. The shallow depth of the area means the water warms up more quickly when it's sunny. Spotting shallows requires a bit of experience, but there are few signals which can quickly put you on the right track. A dark patch is often the sign of shallows. You can also see if there is grass "tickling" the surface of the water. If so, don't hesitate any longer and set up your line near this spot.
Make the most of summer to go and locate future winter sessions in advance. Shallows and obstacles are much easier to locate when the water is low.
Submerged forests are easy to spot and are also excellent spots for prospecting. In fact, carp like these wooded and quiet areas for resting. However, it's worth knowing that fish in a resting area are not always looking to feed. It's best to set up your lines near the area to try to make the carp come out of its shelter or to try and intercept a fish looking for food. If you manage to lure a carp near its hiding place, you will need to restrain it very quickly so as not to give it a chance to go and take refuge in the branches. You run the risk of breaking your rig and above all of wounding the carp. Pay close attention to the slightest beep to be at your rod quickly.
These forests are an excellent spot for carp
Now that you know which spots to choose for your winter sessions, you just have to be patient and watch the area where you fish attentively. The slightest ripple, the smallest eddy can give away the presence of a carp moving or feeding. It might seem like nothing, but information like this is more than valuable at this time of the year.
Catching a carp in these conditions is a magnificent challenge and if you succeed it's immensely satisfying. So? Are you ready to rise to the challenge?