A lot of things have changed in this world. Our memories of how they once were are quite different to the stark reality of today.
In angling terms, that is definitely applicable to carp fishing in late summer/early autumn. In decades gone by it was the most bountiful season of the year – the carp were fat and looking to get even fatter as they went on a pre-winter feeding spree.
Now it seems that every season is arguably the hardest when it comes to pressured, busy lakes. This must principally be the result of pressure because, on venues that have limited footfall and much less sustained angling, the autumn months can still be very productive.
CHECK OUT OUR CHOICE OF THE BEST CARP FISHING RODS IN THIS BUYERS GUIDE.
Dont overcomplicate or overbait
September is one of the finest months to be outside. But, in order to get good results, we need to consider our angling carefully. One of my most stark conclusions is that – contrary to angling styles of eras gone by – autumn is the time to use less bait, not more.
Carp anglers are a strange breed. When the fishing is hard, they decide to add things to the rig – a shot on the hook, an extra swivelly thing somewhere, or a myriad other complications, while the hookbait is further pimped to make it even more obvious to the fish. On top of that, in order to really ring the bell, they bait heavily too.
DON'T OVERCOMPLICATE THINGS, THESE ARE THE ONLY CARP RIGS YOU WILL EVER NEED!
Learn from the match anglers
Consider for a moment a successful and experienced match angler. When the fishing is hard, they will reduce the amount of bait they are using and fine down the rig too – the complete opposite of what most carp anglers tend to do!
One thing I have considered at length of late is the size of the standard modern carp hook.Most anglers use a size 4, and these are actually bigger than they used to be, similar to how a size 2 was a decade or two ago.
These massive hooks may work well when the carp are feeding heavily – clumsy and greedy, they make silly mistakes. But mark my words, if a carp is in the mood to make ‘silly mistakes’ then the fishing is not generally hard. The point is that these fashionably ‘agricultural’ presentations might work well when the carp are feeding with gusto, but what next – what do you have in your locker to try when the hard times arrive?
Most would not even consider dropping down in hook size like the match angler. And if you think that hook size makes no difference, you have never done any floater fishing!
Not only that, but trout and sea anglers will tell you it makes a difference when times are hard, and they are fishing for fish that have never been caught before.
FOLLOW THIS ADVICE TO CATCH CARP ON EVERY TRIP!
Small hook, strong hookhold
For the last few years, a lot of my fishing has been done with a size 8, and the hookholds I get are phenomenal. Even with really short rigs I often have a job extracting the hook without forceps. And don't let them tell you that you need a great big hook for big fish – I’ve taken many carp to well over 50lb on a little size 8, even in weedy lakes.
The reason they are so reliable is actually down to the size – most of it is embedded, which means it is impossible to open out, and it doesn't slip or tear anything like a big hook.
But then a size 8 isn't really a small hook, it’s just ‘small’ in today’s terms. Going into autumn I will be dropping to a size 10 in conjunction with tigers or 12mm/16mm baits.
_CAST FURTHER AND LAND CARP EASIER WITH THE BEST CARP FISHING REELS._
Frugal baiting
In terms of bait, there are two key options in my locker. If allowed, few things will beat a tiger nut this time of year. You don't need a lot, and you don't need a complicated rig. A single nut on the hair is perfect, and you don't even need to balance it. If it is a boilie situation, then it’s either Krill Active or the new Legacy, which we are testing with great results.
The key is frugality – a dozen baits is more than enough. In fact, my best results come to just a stringer – the three-bait combo and matching hookbait that I call ‘The Bermuda Triangle’.
This seems to work best with no freebies at all, and is the perfect approach for late summer. Remember, it’s an overused cliché but entirely pertinent to the autumn – less really is more!
THE BEST FISHING SLEEPING BAGS WILL KEEP YOU WARM AS THE NIGHTS GET COLDER.
