The transistion from autumn into winter is often the most difficult phase of the carp angler’s calendar. Lots of important decisions and changes need to be made to ensure you are mentally prepared for those ‘oh so short days’ and long cold nights ahead.

My own personal angling has taken many different forms over the 30 odd winters I have fished for carp. In years gone by, I have very often pulled off the more challenging waters in the knowledge that the chances of bagging my target fish have been so incredibly slim the time would be better spent elsewhere, and this is particularly true of the venues that were a long way from home. Winter fishing is not a game of chance, and keeping in regular touch with the lake in the cold months is so very important in terms of location and baiting etc. It really does all depend on the lake and the challenge. In more recent years, if I have invested my time fishing for a real special one, come the colder months there is no greater inspiration to get out there than the thought of a winter capture of a big, scaly stunner in cold water colors, and generally that’s all the motivation I need! I have tried moving onto the more heavily stocked waters that have the reputation of good winter form, and although these can be good fun and great to get a bend in the rod, they never really capture my attention for too long, and for me, I prefer the quieter banks of the lower stocked pits with the chance of that one really special capture to keep my spirits high!

Tactics wise, once the weather gets really cold I am looking to maximize my chances of a bite by incorporating large amounts of attraction into the swim, keeping the carp interested in food without really filling them up. Metabolism is at an all-time low so it’s important to reflect the baiting to the stock levels and weather conditions. Small food items of a highly digestible nature and plenty of liquid will keep them interested and I mix the naturals such as maggot, caster and worm with boilie crumb, pellet, seed and either corn or maize with a good helping of groats. This mix will give them plenty to go at and gives you a variety of hookbait choices as well as keeping the birds busy without clearing you out in five minutes!

Rig wise, I don’t really change anything. Small pop ups work well fished low over the top of the mix or a small dumbbell wafter, tipped with a bunch of maggot is perfect for a winter bite! I usually fish two rods onto a baited area like this and use a third rod as a roamer, on a bright single high attract pop up and will always be ready to reel this in and cast at shows or subtle signs such as bubbling etc. I have caught fish on the zigs through the winter but it’s not been a tactic I have much experience with, something I ought to rectify from seeing the results of some of my friends!

So, to conclude, my advice to anyone wanting to fish regularly through the winters for carp… venue choice has to be right for the type of angling you are comfortable with. For example, if you like a bite or two every trip then a high stock venue with a good winter track record should be your priority. Preferably a shallow venue, open to the warming effects of mild winter winds and no weed should tick a lot of the boxes.

If you want to keep going on your main chosen water for a biggun or a particular special one, it’s going to be all about mindset, drive and motivation. To this end, my advice would be to get the best kit possible to keep you dry, warm and focused and be a bit more flexible when it comes to the angling. An overnighter on the right weather system can be a better use of time than a weekend session when its high pressure and frost on the ground!

When all is said and done, winter can be grueling but also so rewarding, the stripped back nature of the countryside and big winter skies full of drama are just one element to enjoy… and of course nothing is better or harder earned than a big winter carp, fuel for the soul!