UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

Conditions have improved from last week, but it’s not spring yet. That east wind is killing it. #nutrabaits #deepersonar #deeperheroes #scruffsleads #Talkingcarpmagazine #wallopclothing #fishanglerapp #Nutraofficial  #Castawaypva

Read my latest article free online in this month’s Talking Carp Magazine. 

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I’ve just spent the last four days in Ireland visiting family. Over that time, the weather has finally taken a turn for the better after months of tough conditions. A mild southwesterly wind, double-digit temperatures even overnight, and reasonably low pressure—things were shaping up nicely. The only downside? Heavy rain expected this afternoon and again on Sunday morning. Hopefully, the forecast shifts, but with strong winds in play, I’m optimistic the carp will be on the feed. Fingers crossed this session brings me my first Meadow carp of the winter.

I was up early and on the water by 08:30—perfect timing as the overnight anglers packed up and headed home, giving me the chance to set up before the rain arrived between 12:00 and 13:00.

I spent nearly an hour watching the water from different spots around the lake, hoping for any sign of movement. But the carp weren’t giving much away, so I opted for a swim I fished most of last winter while chasing the Scattered Lin. It felt like my best shot at a bite, offering both marginal spots and plenty of open water over gravel. With so many options, I could have easily doubled up and fished three rods per angler—but with only two at my disposal, choosing the perfect spots was tricky.

Eventually, I placed both rods along the margins, slightly further into open water than usual. I baited each spot with six small Dot Spomb, a mix of Co-De and The Big Fish Mix, with matching hook baits. If needed, I’d switch to Plum & N-Butyric Acid pop-ups tomorrow.

The rain persisted through the night, though lighter than expected. By morning, I was greeted by mist and light cloud, hopefully clearing to sunshine to get the carp moving. So far, I hadn’t seen or heard a thing, but I was hoping for a change—something to give me a clue, some inspiration.

After an entire day of scanning the water with no signs of fish, I wasn’t convinced that changing baits would help. Luckily, I had a tub of boilie crumb mix in the car. I decided to put four large Spombs over each rod, hoping the small food particles would draw fish in and get them searching for something more substantial.

The day turned into a stunning afternoon, plenty of sunshine—ideal conditions to spark some feeding activity. As evening fell, it felt perfect, but the carp didn’t seem to get the memo. A single bleep overnight gave me some hope, but nothing materialized. With about an hour left before packing up, I was clinging to the hope of a last-minute bite to avoid another Meadow Lake blank.

Fingers crossed…

But it wasn’t to be. As promised, I was home by 10:00, my family kindly letting me head straight to the bank after returning from Ireland. Now, my suitcase still needs unpacking.

Until next time.

Richard

 

 

 

 

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Meadow Lake Session – A Tough Winter Challenge

After last week’s success in kicking off 2025 with my first carp, I was eager to keep the momentum going. With family time scheduled for next week, I took the opportunity to spend a few nights at Meadow Lake, hoping to build on that early-season achievement. The lake has been fishing hard, with only three carp coming out in the last week, but that slight upturn in activity suggested that conditions might be starting to shift.

I understand that open water isn’t the best approach here—it’s almost a waste of time. The carp are holding up near the snags, making it clear that fishing close to cover is the most strategic option. With that in mind, I set up in one of the small backwater areas, securing one of the only three-night swims available.

For bait, I opted for solid bags filled with a mix of Nutrabaits pellets in various sizes, which I had been soaking in hemp oil for a few days to maximize attraction. Around the snags, I scattered about 20 boilies, hoping to spark some curiosity and encourage the carp to move out of their safe zones in search of food. To add a visual edge, I selected standout hookbaits: a 12mm Plum & N-Butyric Acid pop-up on one rod and an 11mm Pineapple & N-Butyric Acid pop-up on the other.

I planned to remain flexible throughout the session, adjusting tactics if needed to provoke a reaction from the fish. The goal was simple—get one in the net.

The First Morning

I hadn’t set an early alarm, deciding to wake naturally when my body was ready. That turned out to be just before 8:45 AM. Unfortunately, the night had been completely silent—no bleeps, no signs of activity. Stepping out of the bivvy, I was greeted by a classic grey winter’s day. The first order of business? Kettle on, tea brewed, and a warm bowl of porridge with blueberries to start the day.

Despite the lack of fishy action, the birdlife was in full swing, filling the air with song. There was a definite sense that spring wasn’t too far away. With that in mind, I decided to reel in around 10:30 AM and spend the next hour walking the lake, searching for any signs of movement.

Unfortunately, I saw nothing. However, conditions were improving—the sky was brightening, and I noticed my glasses had darkened, meaning the UV levels had increased. That was a good sign, suggesting the air temperature might start climbing. If the forecasted wind arrived, there was a chance the carp might begin moving.

The Decision to Call It

Another bleep-free night passed, and by morning, the reality of another cold, motionless session set in. With temperatures barely creeping above 4°C and little sign of feeding activity, I had to be honest with myself—was it worth another day huddled in the bivvy, waiting for something that likely wasn’t going to happen?

The answer was clear. Sometimes, it’s best to know when to pack up and call it a day. With that, I decided to head home, regroup, and come back stronger next time.

Until next time,

Richard

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