When the leaves start to fall, particle fishing for carp really comes into its own – and when done right, it can be absolutely devastating. Here at Jurassic Particles, we know autumn is all about keeping those carp grubbing confidently on the spot. 🎯 Topping up is key – Getting the fish feeding is one thing, but keeping them there is another. As a general rule, fire out 8–10 spods after each fish. Always get a fresh rig positioned first, then top up afterwards – you’ll keep that feeding rhythm going nicely.
🌽 Keep it tight – Unlike boilie fishing, don’t go spreading bait all over the place. Carp feeding on particles stick close together, so focus on a tight 4–6ft wide area, with rigs side by side over the top. You can always drop one just off the edge too – that can nick you an extra bite!
💛 Blend in smartly – A classic autumn spod mix often includes maize or yellow baits – carp absolutely love them. If your spot’s full of yellow flecks, your yellow hookbait will blend in perfectly for those cautious feeders.
🥜 Mix it up – Carp can get totally locked onto the small seeds in a mix, so don’t forget to add some bigger food items like chopped nuts, maize, or crushed boilies. This helps keep them guessing – and gives you better hookbait options.
🧂 Add a pinch of rock salt – Carp can’t find salt naturally, but they crave it. Adding some to your prepped mix gives them what they’re after and keeps them coming back.
💧 Don’t forget the oil – A bit of oil in your mix helps create those lovely slicks when fish feed. Hemp is naturally oily, but an extra splash lets you read the water – when the surface flattens off, you’ll know they’re on the bait!
This autumn, keep your mix tight, your bait rich, and your feeding consistent – and the results will speak for themselves. 🎣
#JurassicParticles #TeamJurassic #CarpFishing #UKCarp #FishingLife #CarpOnTheBank 📍 Check out our full range here: jurassicparticles.co.uk
This trip didn’t get off to the best start. Before I’d even wet a line, one of the back wheels on my barrow had a puncture. Then, as I started unloading, I realised my bank sticks were still at home in the fishing cupboard — the very cupboard I’m meant to empty completely before every trip to avoid this exact situation. Clearly, a bit of fine-tuning is still needed in my system.
Thankfully, things soon took a turn for the better. Ian, ever the legend, brought down his pike pod to save the day, and to my relief, the swim I’d been baiting up all month was free. You guessed it — the same one as last week. History tells me this swim produces well at this time of year, and I’d have been daft not to fish it again.
The recent clock change threw me off slightly, though. Arriving an hour later than usual meant I’d missed my preferred baiting window — something I’ve found to be crucial in autumn when those early evening bites are often the difference between a quiet night and a memorable one. So, I wasted no time getting some bait in.
By the time darkness fell, rods were positioned perfectly, and I finally began to relax, music playing quietly as I lay back on the bedchair. Then, at 21:40, a single bleep from the left-hand rod turned into an absolute screamer. After a lively scrap, another beautiful common rolled into the net — my first fish of the trip. A cracking 22lb 14oz fish, and fittingly, it came to the Boilie Bites rod.
Just before midnight, at 23:31, the same rod tore off again. This one fought hard under the tip before slipping over the cord — a lovely 14lb 9oz common.
Then, in the early hours, 01:58, that rod was away yet again. This fish was far stronger, determined to bury itself in the snags to my left. I had to sink the tip and really lean into it, convinced a few times it had nicked a branch, but eventually I turned it and guided it over the net cord. Another solid 23lb 8oz common — a proper battle.
By 03:43, the left-hand rod was away again — another common, 18lb 1oz, safely landed after yet another tussle. Then, at 05:10, I was in again! Sleep was looking unlikely at this point, but I wasn’t complaining. Another muscular 21lb 14oz common made it five carp for the night.
By sunrise, I’d managed maybe two hours’ sleep between takes. I even had a small 12lb common around 07:40 before deciding to bait up early. I was shattered, but I wanted to see whether feeding at dawn would make a difference to the daytime activity. Ian arrived around nine, just as drizzle turned into a steady downpour. He pitched his brolly next to mine, and when the wind swung northerly, we were both grateful for the extra cover — it was bitterly cold. The carp had clearly moved off to the back of the wind, showing occasionally out in the calmer water.
It wasn’t until 15:31 that the right-hand rod finally burst into life, producing a lively 15lb 15oz common. After Ian headed home and darkness settled in, I crawled into the sleeping bag, thinking I might actually get some rest. No such luck — at 19:35, the right-hand rod screamed off. Another 21lb 14oz common, swiftly followed at 20:39 by a 19lb 1oz fish from the same spot. The carp were clearly on the feed again, despite the clear skies and dropping temperatures. Between bites, I took a moment to look up — the stars were dazzling, satellites sliding silently overhead, and I couldn’t help but smile.
At first light, around 06:30, a few bleeps turned out to be a small tench. As the sky glowed pink and gold over the tower and forest, I started to think about whether to stay another night or call it a trip. The barrow tyre needed fixing before next week, and with heavy rain and 40mph winds forecast, the idea of another sleepless, stormy night wasn’t exactly tempting.
Then, at 07:50, the left-hand rod was away again, only for the hook to pull in the margins — frustratingly close to double figures for the trip. Still, I stayed optimistic, and sure enough, at 08:53, another run began. This time I landed a solid 22lb 4oz common — my ninth carp and the perfect fish for a final water shot on Airfield Lake.
The results spoke for themselves. Across the session, I’d compared Boilie Bites to pellets in my solid PVA bags — the final tally was eleven takes (including the tench and lost fish), with nine of them coming to the Boilie Bites. A clear edge for the colder months ahead.
By mid-morning, I’d decided to call it a day. Time to say farewell to Airfield Lake until next March. The barrow issue meant a few extra trips to the car, but at 11:48, just as I was halfway through packing up, the left-hand rod tore off once more. After a strong fight in the calm water behind the wind, another pristine 23lb 10oz common slipped into the net — the perfect ending to an unforgettable session.
My original plan was to spend a few nights up in Suffolk with my oldest friend, Rob, but unfortunately, things didn’t quite line up. Instead, I found myself with four nights on Airfield Lake. The conditions weren’t looking great, with heavy rain forecast — though apparently, we still need it. As far as I know, there’s still a hosepipe ban in place.
I’d been up in Rutland last week, visiting family, staying in one of the lodges at the Rutland Hotel — absolutely fabulous spot. The water levels there were low, but not quite as bad as I expected.
Regardless of the weather, I decided to get set up today. Getting the rods out early gives me an extra chance of nicking a carp or two.
I had a couple of swims in mind, but in truth, when I arrived, it was easiest to set up near the car park. As luck would have it, that spot turned out to be one of my planned options — the double gravel swim I fished last time. The other option was the swim I’d used previously when the wind was pushing hard onto that bank.
Lately, I’ve been thinking more about fishing on the back of the wind. With a strong south-westerly due to blow through all week, the double gravel swim felt like the better choice. The low pressure, however, had me slightly concerned — I’m convinced it’s been putting the carp off feeding. Oddly enough, the so-called perfect carp-catching conditions don’t always seem to be the best ones.
15:52 hrs — Out of the blue, the right-hand buzzer burst into life. The carp tore off to the left, and I had to keep it away from the snags along the margins. It quickly became clear I’d need to get back into the swim and sink the tip to avoid any issues. After a tense few minutes, I had it under control and spent the next ten minutes in the rain, waiting for the fish to tire. These carp don’t give up easily — those large tails keep them powering on. Eventually, I slipped the net under it.
21lb 11oz Common
The perfect start to what I hoped would turn into a cracking session.
05:07 hrs — I was already awake when the rod went off. It’s rutting season in the nearby forest, and the noise they make all night long is unreal — I wish they’d stick to daylight hours! I was deep into the fight and close to netting the fish when the other rod screamed off. I had to apply a little more pressure than usual to get the first one in the net, but I managed it safely and secured the net on the stand.
16lb 9oz Common
05:19 hrs — I picked up the second rod; the carp was heading left toward the snags. I moved down to the right-hand side of the swim to guide it away, and soon it was in the net too.
12lb Common
By the time I was sorted and back in the bivvy, the heavy rain had returned. Maybe that’s why I was awake in the first place. It was perfect timing to call the wife — she was off to Ireland for a few days — and I was hoping to catch up on the USA Grand Prix later, though I can’t watch it live from the lake. No social media for me until I’ve seen it.
Come on, Max — even if it finished 12 hours ago!
08:29 hrs — The left-hand rod was away. As the carp belted out into open water, the other rod screamed off too. With the first fish fighting hard, I focused on landing it, hoping the second would stay on. After some effort, I safely netted the first, ran back, and picked up the other rod — it was still on! Unfortunately, halfway in, the hook pulled. It must’ve found something out there while I was busy.
23lb 9oz Common
That’ll do nicely — and I even avoided the rain.
14:05 hrs — I was halfway through catching up on some much-needed sleep when a drop-back woke me. Nothing at that time, but the next take was definitely a carp. Another powerhouse with a big tail that just wouldn’t come off the bottom.
16lb 12oz Common
Lovely fish — those tails really do give them that extra punch.
15:06 hrs — The right-hand rod was away again, the carp kiting hard left. I moved up the bank trying to turn it, but it wasn’t having any of it, heading straight for the snags. It went under or over my other lines — chaos — but I stayed focused on keeping it out of trouble. After a tense battle right under the branches, it finally turned and came up.
21lb 3oz Common
Another chunky one, all tail and power.
After sorting everything out, I made up a few fresh PVA bags. Around 17:00 hrs, after a few phone calls, the sun finally made an appearance — just long enough to start drying things before the next downpour arrived.
21:42 hrs — The right-hand rod screamed off again. I was deep in a dream and woke up completely confused. This carp fought almost identically to the last one, and although it felt huge, I think that’s down to the half-tail — it’s not one I’ll name, but I’ll definitely remember it!
20lb 6oz Common
Both rods were reset with fresh bags.
00:51 hrs — The same rod again. I was sure I’d dropped the big one earlier, as I’d had to tighten the line quite a bit, but once these carp move into the area, they keep mooching around in the silt for food.
23lb 12oz Common
Another solid fish — time for a fresh bag and some much-needed sleep.
08:43 hrs — Woke to a calm, glassy lake and patchy clouds. It looked like I might finally get a chance to dry everything out — the rod and bivvy bags were still soaked after setup. I decided to rebait around 10:30 hrs, as it had been a while since the last bite.
09:21 hrs — Midway through my first coffee, the buzzer screamed again. A powerful fish that almost gained the upper hand, heading straight for the snags on my right. I held firm and eventually turned it. After a few more lunges, it slipped over the cord.
22lb 13oz Common
These fish fight like demons — once they’re over 25lb, they seem calmer, but these twenties are relentless.
At 10:30 hrs, I baited up as planned — the best window on this lake, I reckon. The rest of the day was a mix of drying gear between showers.
15:17 hrs — As the drizzle returned, the rod was away again. Then the heavens opened. Despite the soaking, I wasn’t complaining — another solid twenty graced the net.
20lb 13oz Common
Once everything was sorted, I freshened up the other rod and finally got some sunshine around
15:57 hrs. Hoping for another fruitful night’s fishing, I started thinking about my next move. With another windy, wet front due Wednesday night, I wasn’t sure the extra night would be worth it. I’d review the forecast in the morning before making a decision.
I got my head down early but was woken again by the deer — they’re unbelievably loud during rutting season.
After checking the latest weather, I decided I’d probably head home tomorrow. I don’t fancy sitting through another 12 hours of rain, and the chances of more carp in those conditions are slim. I’ll confirm in the morning after the forecasts update.
I woke to a misty morning. By 09:00 hrs, the sun broke through, lighting up the far-bank trees and drying the bivvy fast. I was pretty sure that was my cue to wrap up — a heavy band of rain was due overnight, and the carp here don’t seem to like it. I reckon the shallow water and noise of the rain just put them off.
It’s been an enjoyable three nights out here on my own, surrounded by wildlife. This place really is special.
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 