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We ask marcus howarth - With winter upon us, how does your fishing change? Do you take full advantage of the quieter banks and stick it out for those target fish or maybe you opt for a change in venue and/or species to keep the bites coming.
How do your tactics differ from warmer times and what would your advice be for those braving the colder months?
Looking back, my winters vary with no real rhyme or reason. I’ve had some great winters staying on and fishing for target fish but more often than not I’ll mix it up. There’s nothing worse than fishing all winter with very little to go then being burnt out when spring arrives. Venue choice is a big factor and more often than not, I’ll choose a lake which has a larger stock and some winter form, venues such as Sandhurst or Somerley in Ringwood are great for a winter bite.
In terms of winter carp fishing tactics, these vary depending on venue – for example, I like to fish with maggots, but on Somerley, where there’s a large population of bream, maggots and smaller hookbaits are not really an option. In this case I’ll just stick with a boilie approach and bigger
hookbaits like snowmans etc. Despite what some people say, I’m happy to use a fishmeal bait such as the Krill, just in smaller quantities, and have done really well in the past but have been using Manilla in more recent years. Single bright pop-ups can often nick a bite on those really cold days and If we have a spell of sunny weather and high pressures zigs are another great tactic. When I can get away with using maggots I don’t think there’s a better winter bait – the carp have been getting caught on conventional bait and maggots offer something that mimics their natural food, and I believe they feel safer eating them and become much easier to catch. In regard to rigs, I rarely change anything – sometimes I might drop a hook size but that’s about it really. There’s so much that works. It’s just a case of finding what you’re confident in and letting what you see help guide you.
Looking back, my winters vary with no real rhyme or reason. I’ve had some great winters staying on and fishing for target fish but more often than not I’ll mix it up. There’s nothing worse than fishing all winter with very little to go then being burnt out when spring arrives. Venue choice is a big factor and more often than not, I’ll choose a lake which has a larger stock and some winter form, venues such as Sandhurst or Somerley in Ringwood are great for a winter bite.
In terms of winter carp fishing tactics, these vary depending on venue – for example, I like to fish with maggots, but on Somerley, where there’s a large population of bream, maggots and smaller hookbaits are not really an option. In this case I’ll just stick with a boilie approach and bigger hookbaits like snowmans etc. Despite what some people say, I’m happy to use a fishmeal bait such as the Krill, just in smaller quantities, and have done really well in the past but have been using Manilla in more recent years. Single bright pop-ups can often nick a bite on those really cold days and If we have a spell of sunny weather and high pressures zigs are another great tactic. When I can get away with using maggots I don’t think there’s a better winter bait – the carp have been getting caught on conventional bait and maggots offer something that mimics their natural food, and I believe they feel safer eating them and become much easier to catch. In regard to rigs, I rarely change anything – sometimes I might drop a hook size but that’s about it really. There’s so much that works. It’s just a case of finding what you’re confident in and letting what you see help guide you.
"SINGLE BRIGHT POP-UPS CAN OFTEN NICK A BITE ON THOSE REALLY COLD DAYS"
I’ve always enjoyed fishing for other species too and growing up around some great stretches of rivers, it’s where my love for fishing started. There’s always something to go at on the rivers during the winter months. if it’s wet and mild, I’ll fish for barbel, but if it’s a frosty January morning, then I’ll be happy chucking dead baits for pike or trotting for grayling or chub. You really can’t beat watching your stick float disappear at the end of the run and playing a big old chub on a crisp winter’s morning.
Come mid-February, I’ll often be gearing up for whatever I’m doing that spring; if it’s a new venue and I’m allowed access to the lake, I’ll be thinking about doing the odd recce. I’ll make sure all my gear has had a good tidy, respool my reels if needs be and make sure my hookbaits and other bits and bobs are prepared.
Hopefully this has offered some help to a few of you. Whatever you choose to do this winter just enjoy it. If nothing more, it can be a great time to be out and is just as enjoyable as any other season.
Best of luck M
I’ve always enjoyed fishing for other species too and growing up around some great stretches of rivers, it’s where my love for fishing started. There’s always something to go at on the rivers during the winter months. if it’s wet and mild, I’ll fish for barbel, but if it’s a frosty January morning, then I’ll be happy chucking dead baits for pike or trotting for grayling or chub. You really can’t beat watching your stick float disappear at the end of the run and playing a big old chub on a crisp winter’s morning.
Come mid-February, I’ll often be gearing up for whatever I’m doing that spring; if it’s a new venue and I’m allowed access to the lake, I’ll be thinking about doing the odd recce. I’ll make sure all my gear has had a good tidy, respool my reels if needs be and make sure my hookbaits and other bits and bobs are prepared.
Hopefully this has offered some help to a few of you. Whatever you choose to do this winter just enjoy it. If nothing more, it can be a great time to be out and is just as enjoyable as any other season.
Best of luck M
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