This helpful tips article has contributions from some top names to boost your catches.
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SUMMER CARP FISHING
Angling pressure has had a major effect on the habits and routines of the fish.
Those anglers that seem to be doing things slightly differently from the crowds catch the most fish and the bigger ones too.
Weedy margins that receive plenty of direct sunlight always seem to be crawling with natural food during the warmer months so as you would expect carp are drawn to them like a magnet. I’m mainly fishing zigs and surface baits at close range which allows me to really sharpen up my tactics.
All our guys are top anglers and it’s no surprise that they seem to be focussing on the margins.
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Don’t overlook the margins on your summer carp fishing sessions.
JULIAN CUNDIFF’s right carp baiting approach
At this time of year I get plenty of questions on social media and letters on what is the right ‘baiting approach’
Being totally honest, all waters are different. But what I can say with a degree of certainty from watching others is that it seems that too much bait is put in on arrival and not enough when actually fishing.
Having spent my formative years as a coarse and match angler I know that little and often and fishing for a bite at a time is far more consistent than an ‘all or nothing’ approach.
So let me give you some pointers on my summer carp fishing approach which may help you on your next summer carp fishing trip…
1. Research is everything! Although I do trust my own judgement I do keep my ear to the ground when it comes to how a water is fishing and most importantly what is and isn’t working.
No point turning up and finding that maggots, particles, zigs etc. are working and not having them with you. So keep tuned in on the water so you are prepared even if you decide to do something different on the day…
2.Whatever swim you decide to set up in the golden rule is to fish for one bite at a time, one fish at a time.
The temptation can be to put in bait but to what effect? Is that going to make them feed? Or will it mean your chances of them locating the hookbait are even less?
If I find fish I tend to fish a single bait be it on the bottom, a pop up or maybe a zig.
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Sometimes zigs or floaters will be the best bet, when fish are up in the water.
3. If I have had a fish AND believe it’s an area the carp will return to I will top up the swim with some bait.
However I keep it light rather than heavy…Occasionally I will wind in and go looking for signs of fish (clouded water etc.) and repeat step 2….
4. If I am doing the night or a similar time period and I am satisfied that I am not baiting up on top of fish and that they will come across the area when I am fishing I will put a larger amount of feed out.
At this time of year I tend to use 50% boilie crumb and chops-30% hemp, 10% pellets to match my feed bait and 10% boilies ( usually 10mm or boilie pellet ) and either Spomb or spod it out.
Different breakdown rates and lots of attraction during the whole of the session can work wonders.
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Haydn Hoskins with a huge 36lb+ carp
HAYDN HOSKINS’ top summer carp fishing advice on stalking
Stalking carp is without a doubt my favourite method of angling.
This is what summer carp fishing is all about for me.
I love the long days spent chasing carp around the lake trying to outwit them and the thrill of watching a carp pick up your hookbait and hook itself is quite exhilarating!!
One of my first tips for catching carp at close quarters is to use a good quality boilie that the carp will readily accept.
Simply walking around the margins of a lake dropping a few handfuls of whole and chopped boilie crumb will often be met with a positive response.
The key is to keep priming and checking several areas of the lake.
And it goes without saying that this should not interfere with other anglers. If you’ve chosen your spots wisely, you may even find the carp prior to even giving them any bait.
In fact, this is the method I employ most in the summer months. Find the carp first and if they move, move with them.
Why PAUL MARTIN stays mobile for his summer carp fishing success too
With daytime temperatures much higher the window of opportunity when fishing over a bed of bait normally only lasts from first light until 8am.
Not being blessed with much fishing time I can’t sit around and wait for things to happen so I need to try my hardest to get something else going, which leads us nicely towards my favourite style of angling; stalking!
You will probably have noticed that carp are starting to use the margins more than they have been and this really can work in your favour.
Firstly you need to be quiet and stealthy. Dress in drab colours and wear a hat or hood to cover/obscure your face and hands.
You’ll also need polarising sunglasses so you can see what’s going on down there – once you’ve used them you’ll never go fishing without them again!
Some good margin spots really stand out and have obvious features like snaggy trees or reedbeds.
Others are less obvious with little in the way of marginal cover and often you’ll find fish using un-assuming bits of margin to get from one snag/holding area to another.
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Paul Martin’s catching in the margins.
Much of the time my rigs will simply be lowered into place so there is no need for anything too fancy.
Shorter rods can be helpful in cramped swims and I’ll often use my 9ft 2.75lb Scope rods.
On that I’d fish 15lb mono straight through to a Weed Clip without the tail rubber and a 3oz flat pear attached. I’d then add a short 5” 20 lb hook link with a simple knotless knot rig and hookbait.
I would also add a few lumps of heavy putty to the line directly behind the rig to ensure the line stays pinned down whilst the fish browse around the spot.
Start by putting a handful of bait in the edge of 4 or 5 swims and keep checking them in rotation, topping up each spot with bait and then watching for ten minutes at a time.
You’ll normally find that one or two spots will get some interest and you can then concentrate solely on those.
Generally speaking you can get away with smaller baits when fishing in the edge.
Stay mobile just like the carp and you will enjoy huge success!
This carp fishing tips article was put together for Angler’s Mail by Keith Jones. Be sure to read the posts below for more hints and tips.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Report it to Angler’s Mail magazine by email to: anglersmail@ti-media.com
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