UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

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I’m back at Airfield Lake, determined to have a more successful outing than my last trip. While I did manage to land one carp on my previous visit, it felt somewhat underwhelming compared to the impressive results some of the other anglers achieved. I understand the importance of not constantly comparing oneself to others, as I’ve previously discussed. However, during our last trip, we were all on a level playing field, and I only had a single bite. As I set out on this trip, I’m hoping for a change of fortune, as there was a moment when I contemplated not coming at all. But considering that I won’t catch anything sitting at home, and time is running out both here and in the grand scheme of things, I knew I had to give it another shot.

I began my day bright and early, waking up before 7 am to load my car and ensure I had a substantial breakfast. Skipping breakfast is never advisable, especially when setting up can be physically demanding and time-consuming. Your body needs that fuel.

Upon arriving at the lake, I opted to head through the gate and turn left this time, parking my car in the Tower car park. I brought along my trusty bucket and binoculars to save time while scouting the area. Interestingly, as I was closing the gate and gazing toward the tower and the end of Tower Point, I caught sight of a carp crashing out. It seemed to be somewhere in front of the Double Gravel Swim, although it was a bit challenging to pinpoint from my current vantage point.

I climbed up to the elevated area near the tower to get a better view. I then spotted two more telltale signs of carp activity, this time at a distance in front of the swim Ian had fished the previous weekend. This definitely looked promising. I continued my walk, passing the Double Gravel Swim and heading all the way to the end of the lake. Along the way, I noticed yet another show in front of the first Badger Island swim, a spot I had fished a couple of trips ago. When I stood at the end, I had a sweeping view of a significant portion of the water. I was fairly certain I saw a couple of smaller shows in front of Ian’s swim or between that and the tower. As for the Middle Lake, it appeared devoid of fish activity. I even ventured up to the top behind Ian’s swim and spotted a couple more shows, solidifying my belief that this area held the most promise.

I dropped my trusty bucket in the swim I had chosen and then drove over to Badger Island for a closer look, but unfortunately, I couldn’t spot any signs of carp there. Returning to the Tower car park, I grabbed my T2 and headed back to where my bucket was placed. Later, I stood in both the Tower Swim and the Double Gravel Swim, but it was clear that the carp were active in front of Ian’s swim. Fortunately, he wasn’t fishing this week due to family commitments.

I have a strong sense of tradition and respect for other anglers’ swims whenever possible. I’m not particularly keen on intruding on other anglers who are doing well or baiting up an area. Sometimes, circumstances force such decisions because we can’t possibly know everything, and there might not always be enough space when we arrive.

Having spotted the carp, I decided to cast a single bait into the area where I had seen them and simply left the rod on the ground. Afterward, I set up the T2 and organized all my equipment. I chose to go back to using my Fox Warrior rods and TFG big pit reels. I plan to have my other reels serviced by Rob after my West Stow trip this year, a task I had intended to complete last year but had forgotten due to illness. This precaution is a good idea because I haven’t fished for quite some time, and now I have a backup water for the winter in case Meadow Lake isn’t productive. I can use three rods, but not braid, and since my Fox Horizon XT rods are paired with my Shimano Ultegra reels and braid, it will be more convenient to switch to the other set of rods when needed. Plus, a change in equipment once in a while can be refreshing.

I baited up both spots that I intended to fish, with a plan to use three rods later if necessary. However, just as I was getting set up, I couldn’t believe my eyes – a couple of carp started showing close in. Unfortunately, the lake has a two-rod limit, which can be a bit challenging when the carp are showing in three different areas, and you can only fish one.

This situation left me scratching my head.

To make the most of the opportunity, I spooled up my Cork Handle rods with new line, created fresh hooklinks, and cast them out onto the baited spot. I contemplated focusing on the close-range option during daylight hours tomorrow. For now, I felt that exercising patience was the right course of action.

I had already reeled in the single hook bait rod that I had hoped would produce some action. Instead, I picked up the marker rod to check the spots and assess the weed and the start of the silty area. It turned out that the weed was more extensive than I had initially thought. After marking the spot, I used a few spombs to distribute bait over the area before reeling in the other rod, which seemed perfectly fine. My plan was to leave the left-hand rod until around 2:00 PM and then spomb out and put on a fresh bait.

By 4:00 p.m., I decided it was time for a cup of tea. I enjoy eating during daylight hours, and if the weather allows, I prefer to dine outside the bivvy. I realize that it won’t be long before such outdoor dining becomes less comfortable, and I long for the classic winter days with sunshine, cold temperatures, and a heavy frost to start the day.

It’s 10:15 in the morning, and apart from some pike and perch activity in the margins, there have been a few carp crashing about between dawn and 9:00 AM. However, they have since disappeared, which is somewhat puzzling. It could be related to the unexpected sunshine today. I’m still considering dropping a rod short later in the day. Additionally, I plan on searching the areas where I spotted the carp showing earlier. There’s also an area known for producing massive pike strikes, and I’d love to flick a bait there. Unfortunately, we don’t have the option of a third rod.

I must admit that I contemplated packing up this morning and heading over to Meadow Lake. I haven’t been quite in tune with this lake this year. I intend to complete my last two trips here since Ian and I have a social trip planned. He’ll likely be putting away his carp rods soon, with winter days and cold nights drawing nearer.

Around 11:00 AM, the clouds returned, and I felt it was best to move my right-hand rod to the area where I had seen the carp showing. I cast out the marker rod to pinpoint the weed and the start of the silty patch, which turned out to be larger than I had expected. After setting up the marker rod, I used some spombs to distribute bait over the area and then reeled in the other rod, which seemed perfectly fine. My plan was to leave the left-hand rod in place until around 2:00 PM, at which point I would spomb out more bait and switch to a fresh hook bait.

Then, from about 11:30 onwards until just before 2:30 PM, all hell broke loose. I had the pleasure of landing four carp, the largest weighing in at 15 pounds and 9 ounces. All of them were commons, two on each rod. However, the right-hand rod posed a challenge as the carp kited hard to the right and passed dangerously close to overhanging trees. Fortunately, it was quite deep under the trees, but I had to keep the rod tip underwater to guide the carp past them. It got the adrenaline pumping, and I felt like I had found my rhythm again. It’s amazing how things turned around without making significant changes; I simply needed to persevere. Initially, it was discouraging, especially after witnessing everyone else’s success last weekend. However, I had to remind myself that not every night results in a catch. With the morning’s sunshine, I feared the worst, but the success of this afternoon washed away those doubts. In such conditions, the size of the carp doesn’t matter. It was a morale boost, confirming that I was on the right track. Let’s hope this streak continues over the next 48 hours.

By 4:45 PM, I had returned the fifth fish of the afternoon. I was running out of words to describe my excitement after all these catches. I decided to have dinner and take a moment to relax, allowing the events of the afternoon to sink in. It had been an incredible day.

While I was eating my dinner and watching the sunset on this fantastic day of fishing, I was content with catching just one or two fish. Catching five was beyond my expectations. You can’t choose the size of the carp that takes your bait, and I was incredibly happy to be catching again.

The night passed without any bleeps on the rods. However, I had anticipated this after the previous night. With a forecast of cloudy and windy weather for the day ahead, I was quite confident that the carp would become active again at some point today, resulting in a few more bites. Part of me questioned whether it was worth fishing the final night, given my recent lack of success. Nevertheless, I knew that the carp would start feeding at night eventually, and perhaps it would be the larger ones that initiated the winter feeding frenzy. It’s a pity that we can’t fish in November on this lake.

Today, I’ve decided to be patient, as there’s still plenty of bait in the swim after topping it up twice yesterday. If nothing happens by 2:00 PM, I’ll prepare the swim for the night and the late afternoon feeding.

I held out until 12:45 p.m. without any action. The weather was improving, with more wind and increased cloud cover, making it feel more like a carpy day than it had been in the morning. I hoped this would lead to some action in the afternoon and evening. Hopefully, the carp would switch on for nighttime bites, and maybe I’d even catch my target of a 30-pounder.

As of now, it’s a murky morning with overcast skies and a touch of mist. Unfortunately, there have been no additional signs of carp. It appears that these carp are primarily feeding during daylight hours. The conditions this morning seemed ideal for a bite, but I have other tasks and places to be today. The forecast indicates it will be around 20 degrees C, and I’d like to stick around, but my time is limited, and I need to head home. Fortunately, I can manage to do three nights a week, but once my time is up, I prioritize spending time with my family. On the bright side, the fishing has been productive, with five carp caught. This boosts my confidence for the upcoming weeks, as I aim to catch my 30-pounder target before the lake closes, along with the elusive monster known as “The Juggernaut.” It’s a name that fits, considering how these giants can disappear into the depths, seemingly unstoppable. Two unfortunate anglers have lost it at the net, and the pain of that loss must be immense. One of them has yet to return for another attempt, which shows how much it must hurt. I’ve experienced a few takes that felt like battling a Juggernaut, although I can’t be certain. These mid-twenties carp can certainly make you believe you’ve hooked the monster.

Until next time,

Richard

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If you are planning on fishing over the winter months, choose your venue to suit your needs, once you’ve started your campaign, you will only make it a lot harder on yourself by moving waters.

The key factor in successfully catching carp over the winter months is definitely motivation, without that, you will find the long winter nights and cold weather hard going. It’s extremely hard work setting up in the dark and cold – consider this when picking your venue, along with how many nights you plan on doing each week. A single night and then head off to work in the morning, I’ve spent many winters doing two or three single nights each week. Believe me, you certainly need the motivation to set up and pack up in the dark, don’t forget you could be blanking a lot. If you choose to do a couple of nights in a row, you still may need to set up in the dark on the first night, and carrying extra kit for winter can make this a lot harder. A tip I’ve learned is only to take the basic kit you need to your swim on the first night and then collect the rest the following morning. If this isn’t an option just take less kit, it’s amazing how much you don’t really need.

Pick your venue with the above in mind, a long walk to set up in the dark came to be very hard going and you will be doing this all winter long. Oddly, a walk back in the dark was less of an issue for me, as long as I’d set up in the daylight. A trick I discovered, once you were all sorted, had a bite to eat and the last drink of the day, pack it all away. It simplifies the job in the dark/the following morning and is less of a bind.

The ideal solution is to find a venue with parking around the lake or even the luxury of parking behind your swim. The car park swim is always a favorite and over the winter months, especially on weeknights, is generally empty, fishing out of your car is a real bonus over the winter. Being organized helps. Getting into the same routine every time you set up and pack away, it’ll become second nature to you. One winter, I would do a ninety-mile round trip for a single night, set up, and pack away in the dark. My reward was a spectacular mirror at the end of February.

Setting up in the dark is easy, you’re not really in a rush, it’s already dark. If you’ve done your homework or even been fishing the venue all summer long. You know the swims and the layout of the water. You may, if you’re lucky, know where the carp are and get a head start on other people. If you’re new to the water, pick a swim which gives you the opportunity to watch large areas of water. Don’t forget to lean out in the early hours, I often will have a brew at 1 am and just listen for carp. They love sticking their heads out in the long dark hours of winter. If you’re in the swim with a good vista you can find them and then go catch them the next time. Winter fishing can be very wet cold and damp, with lots of mud, higher water levels and can be extremely hard going when you push your barrow up and down long muddy tracks in the dark.

Baiting up and casting out is simple, make note of all the horizon makers before winter sets in and look out for the shadows on the water. The beauty of winter is all those crystal clear sky’s, with a little bit of light pollution in the mix, it can be amazing how easy it is to pick out the spots. As long as your casting skills are good, you will build up your confidence so that you can arrive in the dark hours, cast out, bait up with great success and you will catch carp. Comfort is the key. I’ve written about this plenty of times before, if you’re not enjoying your winter fishing, you will not last. I spent many a year under an umbrella doing single nights and after a fair few years, I realized that a full-on bivvy was so much more comfortable. Forget about the hardcore anglers, just use a bivvy. It completely changed everything and with the simplicity of modern bivvy, it’s a lot easier than it was ten or more years ago. Take a hot water bottle if you get cold in your sleeping bag, the modern ones should do you well. Forget the days when I would get two sleeping bags and put one inside the other. Use a bivvy heater for the hours you are sitting in your bivvy, you can’t be laying there in the bag for hours. Just make sure you don’t fall asleep with it on and definitely make sure you have some ventilation. If you really want comfort, then use a piece of carpet or a thick picnic rug. I also place my rod bag and bivvy bag around the inside of the bivvy, this reduces the drafts and keeps you a lot warmer. An overwrap is a must for me these days – must be an age thing, but it keeps me going these winter months. Using a letterbox door opening is perfect, it keeps you warm, but lets the gas fumes out, if you have your heater on. You can also use your stove, if you need to keep the amount of kit down to a minimum. You also can’t be stuck in your bivvy 24/7, you need good footwear and warm clothing. Remember base layers are the key, more thin layers work better than one or two, as it traps the air in and keeps you a lot warmer. I sleep in a very thin pair of soft trousers and in the day stick a fleece pair over the top in the extremely cold winter days. My feet get terribly cold these days, I blame pike fishing in the winter when I was a kid in wellies. I’ve found that if I’m stuck in the bivvy, you need something thing between you and the floor and an old unhooking mat is perfect for this.

Once I would read for hours, now I watch Netflix, Disney, or Amazon Prime for hours on end. This oddly does help me stay up more and listen out for those carp in the middle of the night. It goes without saying eat well, drink hot drinking and there’s plenty of good warm clothing on the market these days, unlike the ’80s and ’90s, it was hard going then.

My knowledge of winter fishing has been gained over the past 40 year’s of fishing and some years have been harder than others. Simply because of the amount of effort needed to get to the lake; from walking up and down a mile-long track in the dark three night’s a week, to simply fishing out of the boot of my car. You have to do what’s right for you and not others. As I said at the begining, motivation is the starting point and it all builds from there. You will still have to work hard at finding the carp and using the correct bait application. Simply put, if you’re not enjoying it, you certainly will not be fishing at your best and no doubt not catch to your full potential. Winter is one of the best times in the year to fish, fewer anglers on the bank for me makes it just perfect

Hope this helps you catch some good lumps and inspire you to get out on the bank. Until next time Richard