Here are my top five go to baits in the colder months, these baits and/ or applications have served me so well in the past whether that be home or abroad!
1. It is no secret that every carp loves a boilie even in the colder months, fishmeal or not. Both work just as good as each other, however i do tend to find myself using the ‘Vita-lac’ range in the winter months as the carp metabolism begins to slows down, the ‘Vita-lac’ range is easier for the carp to digest whatever the weather. Smaller baits such as 12mms, chops and crumb are my go too as I prefer to fill the swim with attraction not food items as I find less is more in when cold water carping
2. Naturals, we all know how much carp love bloodworm, maggots, casters and worms. Sometimes in the warmer months using naturals you are just asking for trouble from the nuisance fish. However in the winter sometimes you are able to get away with it. Adding RG’s liquid extracts or even maggots/casters or worms to your mix, might just be the encouragement the carp need to feed on your spot. On the right water this tactic can be an absolute devastating!
3. Boosted hookbaits, them bright boosted hookbaits really come into their own in the colder months, boosted up with their dedicated bait sprays or Flavour Enhancers are perfect to cast to showing fish, a tactic that might just get you that extra bite. Pumping maximum attraction into a single hookbait is definitely something i do not go without in the winter!
4. There isn’t a single carp out there what doesn’t love sweetcorn, a perfect way to give your mix a bit off visual fleck to catch the carps eye, once again small food items which means the carp will find it easy to eat when there not very active!
5. Last but not least, liquid foods! Using less bait, smaller food items and naturals is a perfect winter mix. However you still need maximum attraction, if not more than what you need for the rest of the year. With the carp not moving around a great deal, or maybe sat up in the warmer layers. You need plenty of liquid working the water column to pull the fish down on to the bait. The crumb is the perfect bait to soak up all the liquids and to ensure the liquids get to the bottom and can do their job!
Be lucky! Keep the faith….
Olly
