We're in mid fall and heading toward cold weather. It's just about time to start developing a cold weather strategy for carp fishing here in RI. Time to THINK SMALLER!
I especially like to fish small ponds in the cold. Small ponds are far easier to find carp and offer more consistent fishing. In large ponds carp tend to congregate in certain spots in the cold and those spots are often difficult to find because of the size of these big waters.
It's also a time to go smaller at the terminal end of your line. November carp are not the voracious feeders that they were back in June and July. They will pick at your bait, bump it and move it around, tactics that will drive a sane fishermen nuts. Screaming runs are not the norm. I will go with smaller hooks at this time, replacing my #6's with #8's. Cut down on your hair length to accomodate smaller baits. I might go with one or two kernels of sweet corn on the hair rig or maybe a small doughball. Hooklinks should also be shorter. I also tend to use smaller egg sinkers in the quarter ounce range. Finally, cut down on the size of your method ball. Instead of that tennis ball size method that worked so well in the summer, cut it down to the size of a ping pong ball. Consider eliminating the method. Using two rods, I might use one with method, one without.
Timing is also important in cold weather. In late fall and winter, I tend to fish the warmest part of the day. That time period from early afternoon until dark has produced well in the past.
Until last year, I was on a 24 month roll, catching a carp every month of the year in open water for two years straight. Yes, carp will continue hitting in cold weather and water, but it is time to adjust your strategies to a cold water approach.
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