Autumn can be one of the most productive times of the year to catch big carp. As the nights draw in and the leaves begin to change from green to brown the nations big carp know that this is the last chance for them to feed heavily to insure they have enough stored fat to see them through the lean winter months.
Many of the countries top anglers choose the autumn months to target some of the harder waters knowing that it is at this time of the year that the big carp really get their heads down, Indeed that is why we often see many of the biggest carp hitting the bank at this time of year.With the abundance of natural food diminishing with the passing of the summer, it is the anglers baits that now become the easiest meal.
Here are ten top tips that will help you to get on the fish.
1.Keep your ear out for any information about recent captures. Carp feed at very distinct times as autumn takes over from summer. Knowing their patterns can help you to predetermine when the most active feeding spells will occur. Not only can this put you in the area where the fish are but it can also help you to be there at the optimum time.
2.As the autumn progresses and the weather begins to be less hospitable you will find less anglers out on the bank, this is also the time when natural food becomes less prolific. That makes it the perfect time to pre-bait the areas you intend to fish. By simply introducing a few freebies over a period of time you will greatly improve your chances of success. Carp are quick to home in on an area where they can find a regular supply of food and will keep returning to the spot improving your chances of intercepting them on your visit.
3.From September onwards particle baits such as hemp, maize and corn come into their own. The small particles can keep big carp feeding for long periods. It is a good idea to make up a mix of particles to spod out during the colder months rather than use heaps of pellets which can quickly fill the fish especially on colder days when they are feeding for shorter periods.
4.Autumn nights can be very cold while the days are still fairly warm, during these warm days you will find Carp basking in areas that receive the sun. They do this to absorb the suns energy which helps speed up their metabolism allowing them to process more food. By locating and targeting these sunny areas you can greatly improve your chances of tempting a bite.
5.During the autumn the lake-bed can be covered with fallen leaves. To avoid your hook bait sinking amongst them never to be seen it can pay to fish with balanced pop-up rig, also with so many dead leaves floating in the lower levels of the water it is also a good idea to protect your hook with a piece of dissolving foam so you can be confident that you don't pick up any rubbish as your rig sinks that would impede your strike.
6.Watch the weather for any periods where the wind is blowing in from the south west, These warmer winds often bring with them low pressure systems that can drive the carp into a feeding frenzy. But whereas a south-westerly wind can be good, a north-easterly wind is usually bad. These cold winds can often mean an early frost and usually cause the fish to switch off. You can save yourself many blanks by avoiding fishing on days when the wind comes from the north east.
7.As water temperatures begin to fall it takes longer for PVA bags to break down. Infact on cold days it can take up to 10 minutes or more for the bag to disintegrate fully, so it is a good idea to switch to a fine PVA mesh that will break down in a fraction of the time and works just as well.
8.As autumn progresses there is less and less weed in the water, this will often enable you to use a lower diameter line which will improve your presentation. It is always a good idea to scale down your terminal tackle to the lowest strength you feel comfortable with.
9.As the weed beds die and breakdown they can provide a banquet of natural food for hungry carp. It is always worth fishing close to these decaying beds in the autumn as they can often prove to be a real hotspots. Keep your eye out for fish activity such as fizzing and tail swirls as these are often caused by large carp digging around amongst the exposed roots looking for an easy meal.
10.The autumn weather is notorious for being unpredictable so it is important to be prepared. When planning your session take into consideration that you may be inactive for many hours and that you want to remain comfortable. The last thing you want is to miss a bite because you were too cold and wet to act fast. Even if the weather is mild when you set out take some warm wet-weather clothing in-case the weather changes for the worst.
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