As October approached, I found myself facing a persistent challenge in connecting with the carp. There seemed to be various factors preventing me from positioning myself in the right area. However, my confidence in my bait and tackle remained unwavering, and I knew that the solution was within reach – a matter of refining my location and bait presentation. While other anglers had been encountering their own struggles, some starting to see progress, I still grappled with the situation. What I needed was patience and the resolve not to make impulsive decisions, a common pitfall in challenging times. It was a matter of keeping the faith, knowing that things would eventually fall into place.
This year, an unexpected issue arose in the form of abundant weed growth of various types, a phenomenon previously unseen in this lake. This had a noticeable impact on the behavior and feeding patterns of the carp. I hoped that as the weed naturally receded, a positive change would sweep over the lake.
In addition to this challenge, several swims had become densely overgrown, partly due to the unusual weather patterns we experienced. Maintenance responsibilities rested with the estate, performed whenever time allowed. Typically, the anglers played a role in keeping things under control to some extent. However, this year, with fewer anglers, the paths and swims grew increasingly unwelcoming, making fishing almost impossible. As October arrived, time was dedicated to rectifying this issue. A diligent individual equipped with a strimmer was dispatched to tackle the problem, and a few trees extending over the lake, rendering certain swims unmanageable, were also removed.
This marked a turning point for me. I now had access to the area I was eager to revisit, especially during this month. My first breakthrough occurred early in October, resulting in the capture of five carp. While none were monstrous in size, my spirits were rekindled, along with my enthusiasm. On my subsequent outing, I achieved a remarkable catch of 12 fish, including three 20-pounders and a couple of 19-pounders.
My baiting strategy involved a mix of 20mm, 15mm, and 12mm Catalyst and Classic Corn, complemented by Smokey Jack. I’ve learned that during challenging times, using boilies of various sizes and flavors can attract carp more quickly. The key is to determine the most effective hookbait for the situation. I decided to alternate between all three options but exclusively used the larger 20mm Wafters. I added only a few of these to my bait bucket to ensure there were only a limited number of similarly sized freebies alongside my hook baits.
These carp remained elusive, and I found myself changing hookbait flavors regularly to maintain my catch rate. I also started enhancing my hook baits with Super Sweet Booster Spray, Betaine, and Brocacel to give them an edge over my free offerings.
My next trip was planned as a two-nighter in a swim where significant maintenance work had been done. A large tree had been removed from the lake, making this spot my favorite on the lake. Few anglers ventured there due to the need for waders and long casts into the lake. With the tree gone, I could now land carp from the bank, providing greater access to the margins, which I hoped would yield carp next spring. This trip resulted in three carp successfully landed.
The final outing at Airfield Lake presented challenges due to adverse weather conditions and weather warnings. The timing was crucial to avoid getting drenched! The journey was smooth, despite crossing a flooded ford on the way, possibly bringing in cold water to the lake. Fortunately, carp are drawn to fresh water, so I hoped this would work in my favor. This trip was highly successful, resulting in the capture of five carp, with the largest weighing an impressive 26lb 10oz Common.
Regrettably, my time on this lake for the year has come to a close, as it shuts down for five months. I eagerly await the arrival of spring, not only for the scenic beauty, the tranquil surroundings, and the diverse wildlife but also for the prospect of encountering an elusive trophy fish that occasionally makes an appearance.
Until next time!
Richard
Understanding Winter Carp Behavior: Carp are known for their resilience, and winter is no exception. As temperatures drop, these freshwater giants exhibit changes in behavior that demand a nuanced approach from anglers. Understanding their habits during the colder months is key to a successful winter fishing outing.
As the final opportunity for angling in 2023 presented itself, my initial aspirations centered around spending it on the tranquil private lake. Regrettably, this plan was thwarted due to the unanticipated closure of the lake owing to a water level issue.
