Luke Stevenson - Late Winter Into Early Spring

At the beginning of last year (2024), I embarked on a little campaign. For me, it’s crucial during the winter months to choose your venue wisely i.e. somewhere that has a bit of winter form, somewhere that offers areas of shallow water with a reasonable stock of carp. My angling during the warmer months can be pretty intense, so I like to enjoy my winter fishing, making the most of the quieter banks whilst trying to incorporate a few bites.

Such a water presented itself to me and when a winter ticket came up, it seemed a good option for the weeks and months after Christmas.

Location is critical at this time of year, as the carp will likely be bunched up in areas – If you can find one, often others won’t be far away and they’ll tend to hold in these areas for longer periods, meaning regular bites can be on the cards.

After a few trips and speaking with other members, I built a picture of what zones were the most popular with other anglers and what areas had previous winter form (important).

I was soon drawn to a fairly neglected area, typically the furthest walk from the carp park, at the far end of the lake through a wet and sludgy path, where the electric Carp Porter came into its own! I’m not ashamed to admit, I’ll often take a few more bits during the winter (more clothes, more food, thicker bag and the groundsheet) so a good barrow is essential. Long gone are the days of trying to be carpy and fishing in the mud to be cool – I’m there to be as comfortable as possible, and want to enjoy my time on the bank, so I’ll look after myself when it comes to warmth and eating well. Doing big batches of stew, casserole or soup at home and then taking them with me can be a lovely treat on a cold winter’s day on the bank, especially with a nice crusty roll!

Back to the fishing – The swim I had chosen was in the far corner of the lake, where a large tree had almost fallen on its side, leaning over the lake creating a mega looking overhang, with a nice depth of water underneath. It also gave me a good view of the rest of the lake, meaning I could work the little corner yet not miss vital shows out in the pond.

I only felt like I needed one rod, less lines to spook fish and it just made life easier playing them and getting the rod out quietly. I rigged up with my old favourite, the hinge rig – Fishing near overhangs in the winter, I expected the bottom could have the odd leaf or twig on it, so a pop up was essential to guarantee I’d be presented. I set up with my trusted components; size 4 Kamakura Choddys, 20lb MouthTrap and 20lb N Trap Semi Stiff in silt. A hand rolled Krill cork ball pop up was my chosen hookbait, which had been soaked in Buttercorn Goo (a real favourite of mine). Usual bits up top; Heli Safe, 2oz Heli Lead and Kable Leadcore, all fished to a super slack Kontour mainline.

I kept the bait trickling in, using the catapult to pepper the treeline and then quietly ‘plop’ the rig over the top, nice and tight to the branches of the overhang. It made for some mega exciting fishing, with bites coming out the blue. Over the course of a month or so, I managed plenty of fish from this spot, all taken in this way, with the highlight one of the lake’s big commons, an ancient old thing.

When things quietened off or I felt the chance of a bite was gone, I’d often move a few swims to my right and fish around the islands. The carp used these and would patrol along the island margins as the sun would warm their margins. Again, fishing hinges over small spreads of boilie would often result in quick bites.

Often, I could catch one or two from the snaggy corner, and then move between the islands for the day, get a few more bites, then head back to the corner swim for the night. Angling in this way made for some enjoyable fishing at a time of year that’s often unfancied and most carp anglers are sat at home. Make the effort, choose wisely with your venue and results are there.