ASK THE EXPERTS
Dear Panel,
In the colder months the carp’s metabolism slows down but is it also true that the carp’s digestion also changes along with the weather? If so, is it advisable to use just a fish groundbait without pellets or particles, so that it will be easier for the carp to digest?
Many thanks,
James Charlton,
Norwich.
Ah ha, now these are the questions I like. The carp’s eating habits are, for me, the most interesting aspect of carp fishing. Get this part of the equation right, and you have gone a massive way to catching one!! So, let’s start at the beginning.
Freezer baits are ideal for long-term use
When carp were ‘invented’ they were not being fished for. Come the wintertime, their natural food was somewhat thin on the ground, so the carp would go into some kind of torpor. The energy required to gather food far outweighed the benefits. So yes, the metabolism slowed. In this day and age, especially where there are plenty of carp swimming around, there will always be anglers fishing for them. This in turn means that the fish are always on the lookout for a meal. You will see the use of single hookbaits and small PVA traps advocated at this time of year, but personally I could not disagree more. If we keep the carp looking for food (and this is me, speaking as someone who has winter carp fished for more years than I care to remember) I can assure you they will keep on eating it!! If the bait is not kept available, then yes, eventually they will switch off. I have tried a similar method to that which you suggested, but never found that groundbaits were that effective in winter. The reason, I believe, is that once again the amount of effort needed to get enough sustenance from groundbait eventually led them to ignore it. To that end I have always used top quality boilie and pellet for nearly all my winter fishing. At the very least, if they do fancy a little meal, they will not have to expend too much energy getting it. The trick here is to keep them looking for it and, while they are searching, they are infinitely more catchable.
Cold water whacker.
I hope that has answered your question James. Winter is not the time for the faint-hearted, and I wish you all the best in your quest.
Chilly
