Carping In The Cold!

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Andy Findlay's top 10 tips for catching carp in winter.

 
1- Look For Features
 
In winter, the smallest of features in a lake can hold fish. With cold water temperatures, the fish are going to congregate where they feel most comfortable. Look for features such as islands which offer the fish cover, or water inlets which sometimes pump in slightly warmer water.
 
Fish live in and around features, find a feature and you'll find some fish!
 
2- Feeder Choice
 
Your choice of feeder can be essential in winter. Too little bait and you may not get a bite, use a big feeder and the fish may back off because they don’t want to eat. I carry a choice of feeders with me to cover myself for any eventuality. If the lake is not on form or there has been ice on the water, I can leave the bigger method feeders and pellet feeders in my van. As a rule, the fish won’t want much bait. I start with a Micro Pellet Feeder and feel my way in. If I start catching fish I may increase the feeder size, but if i’m struggling to get a bite, I can switch to a bomb, giving me the option to fish with a single hook bait or the Pellet Cone if I need to introduce a small amount of bait.
 
Your feeder choice is vitally important in winter!
 
3- Pellet Perfection
 
When the sun is up and the temperature rises by a couple of degrees the fish are more active. I like to use an S-Pellet hook bait in mild winter weather. S-Pellets are packed full of oils that leak out easily into the water and attract the fish. I use them in a wide variety of my feeder fishing, their perfect as an individual hook bait, or even with a Pellet Cone, Pellet Feeder. They can be kept for long periods of time in your bag, so should the opportunity arise you can quickly grab them and put one on!

Andy Findlay; 'Leaving the rod in the water for up to 20 minutes will give you the best chance of a bite from these lethargic winter carp'.