Cold water Carping can be an interesting challenge, in fact this is one of my favorite times of year to be chasing Carp. There are fewer people around in general and you always feel that it is just you against the fish one on one.
November through March is what I would consider "winter carping "here in the North east, when the water temperature usually dips below 50 degrees. Although the water may never get below 50 in some of the southern and western states it should still be considered winter fishing because the drop from their summer temps are as severe and therefore relative.
Back here in the North east the carp can provide good sport in water temps down to around 41 degrees, below this you may be able to catch but consider yourself lucky if you do!
In really cold conditions the carp seem to feed very actively for very short periods, you may go all afternoon without so much as a nibble. Then for an hour after dark all hell lets loose and you might land two or three fish before it shuts down once again.
First question is where to look for wintering fish, I say look in the same places that you found them in the summer. Best places in my mind tend to be shallow areas that are close to deeper water. The carp will usually move onto these shallows late in the day to feed. A lot of people say that the fish move to deep water in cold weather, maybe some do, but from experience its the shallows (river or lake) that seem to produce best.
Weather will play an important roll, the best conditions being a few days of temps in the 50s or even 60s after a long cold snap. After a couple of days of these kind of temps get yourself down to your favorite fishing hole and give them a try. I have had some tremendous catches in these conditions, even in icy February !!
If you stop feeding a spot completely when it gets cold then it is likely that the fish will shut down becoming somewhat dormant. You may be able to keep the carp going by baiting them on a regular basis. If you keep the food going in then the fish may remain fairly active.
A big concern for may anglers is should they chum at all in cold water situations.
I have found that the fish respond best when baited fairly heavily, this depends on the water that you are fishing, but most of my more successful trips have been when I have put a good amount of chum in!
I have fished several waters with friends that tell me not to bait up too heavily, I have baited then caught. They have relied on their lone hook baits with a few freebies and not had a sniff.
My cold water chum is the usual mix of boiled cracked and whole corn with a good fruity flavoring from the Carp Company. Sometimes I will add a little of the Ambio feeding trigger by Kryston , this is high in amino acids.
Hook baits include Bread, Sweet corn, Boilies, Chickpeas and Tigernuts. The last one being one of my favorite cold water baits.
Bread and Sweet corn are best fished straight on the hook with a sliding sinker set up. Bites need to be hit to set the hook, because of the long periods between bites I like to use the Delkim bite alarms set very sensitive. These will alert me to the slightest touch, then I quickly pick up the rod and feel for the fish, striking as the line moves off.
The Boilies , Chicks and Tigers should all be fished on the hair rig. These baits can be dipped in neat (read Strong) flavoring for added attraction.
If I was to lay bets on when to catch the most carp in cold conditions, I would go for about one hour after it got totally dark. I will quite often plan my winter outings around this time frame arriving at the water late afternoon to get the bait going, but not getting too excited for a take until after dark.
The reward for your time spent cold water carping is fish that are in tip top condition.
Winter fish look lovely and clean, in fact immaculate!
You will not catch any carp from the recliner so get out and have some chilly fun.
Nigel Griffin
