Winter tips

Has anyone got any i as i think im gonna find it hard this winter and still want to catch a few. How do i know where the fish are holding up in a lake?

fish a well stocked lake as maybe slightly easier to have a few carp in the cold

How do i know where the fish are holding up in a lake?

Follow southerly winds is always a good start mate. Watching the water while your fishing for any signs of carp and travel light and be prepared to move around the lake to get on the carp. If the carp arent in your swim then you cant catch them.
Another idea is walk round the lake when not fishing and talk to anglers that are to see if their catching to get an idea of where the carp are in different weather conditions and wind directions.
Small pva bags and slightly smaller baits are also an idea. <!-- s:idea: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_idea.gif" alt="" title="Idea" /><!-- s:idea: -->

Fish 2 rods and fish singles or small bags on both. Cast them out to random spots and if nothing after 1/2-3/4 hours reel in and try somewhere else. Once you get a run or sign of carp then get both your baits into that area.
Another tip is fish very slack lines. If the carp are between you and your bait they may give themselves away by swimming across the slack line giving you liners and a better idea where the carp are.

Keeping warm is proberly the most important thing in winter fishing. Make sure you take plently of clothes. Better to have too many and take a few layers off than too few and being uncomfortable and cold.

Jonnyrotten wrote: fish a well stocked lake as maybe slightly easier to have a few carp in the cold

i fished boilies that hav been glugged for at least 12 months. gives it an extra boost for any closeby carp to home in on your boilie. location got to be the most important part for winter carp fishin on the fishin aspect but agree you hav to start warm.

Gavfish wrote: Another tip is fish very slack lines. If the carp are between you and your bait they may give themselves away by swimming across the slack line giving you liners and a better idea where the carp are.

If the line is slack it will be on the lake bed, better to fish them semi tight then they will be in mid water and there will be more chance of a fish swimming into them and giving you liners.

Cold water sinks so unless there has been a lot of wind and tow to stir it up then the coldest bit will be on the bottom, Carp (and other fish) will prefer to be in the warmer layers, I like to fish a zig on at least one of my rods to cover this eventuality.

I have never thought about fishing zigs in the winter. Maybe I should give it a try.

[i:eebxsbsg]If the line is slack it will be on the lake bed, better to fish them semi tight then they will be in mid water and there will be more chance of a fish swimming into them and giving you liners.[/i:eebxsbsg]

True, hadnt even thought of that but now will be doing it this winter.

[i:eebxsbsg]Maybe I should give it a try.[/i:eebxsbsg]

Definatly worth your while mate.

I always go back to my trusty pineapple pop-up's

had a good think and i got an awesome winter tip but you may hav heard it before...

dont eat yellow snow! <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt="" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->