As anglers, we’re well programmed to analyse the options within our chosen swim before settling on which zones to target.
Islands, five metres out at the bottom of the marginal slope or down the edge are all favourite areas of mine to fish towards. All have potential, and I believe they are all good on their day, it is just deciding which is the most prolific on each session.
When the water is warm and the carp are feeding aggressively, the Method is one of the deadliest tactics to catch loads of fish, whilst also reducing foul hooking.
Swim selection
Carp love to sit in shallow water at this time of year, so this is generally the place to target for the best results. If you have an island to cast to that is a great place to start your day, if it is really good you'll end the session there too. The fish will push away from disturbance of setting up, whether you're in a match or just pleasure fishing, so an island is a natural holding place. I like to cast tight against the cover to begin with, if I am getting lots of liners and no bites, I will a little shorter until I get those rod wrenching bites we are used to.
Casting to an empty swim on the far bank that puts you in at the right depth can also be fantastic, provided the lake is quiet. The reason being the front of pegs are regularly patrolled, because a lot of unused bait is dropped in there by anglers before they go home.
It is also worth trying the margins too, as we know big carp love to feed here and dropping the method off the rod tip can be just as effective as landing it on a dinner plate every time against an island. A great tip is to feed balls the same size as the method, with whatever bait you are using, periodically before dropping in to get the fish confidently feeding.
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Build the swim
Feeder fishing has always been associated with a relaxing day’s sport, but the most successful Method anglers are always on the go. The feeder doesn’t stay in the water for more than three minutes at a time, so regular casting is vital.
This helps build the swim up, and the sound of the feeder going in acts as an attractant as fish that live in commercial venues associate noise with food being introduced, and will home in on it.
I mould an even blend of dampened micro pellets and groundbait around the feeder to try and provoke a response. As the fish feed and the water colours up, a strong fishmeal groundbait that leaks off plenty of flavour is important to help the carp locate it by scent. SonuBaits Match Method Mix is my top choice and has been since its release.
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Land every fish
How far you are casting will dictate how long your rod should be. You can use a 9ft version for swims up to 30m away, a 10ft rod for casting up to 40m and an 11ft one for distances beyond that. Mainline should either be 6lb or 8lb breaking strain, I opt for the Preston Innovations Sinking Feeder Mono.
I always favour using a short 4ins hooklength so that the fish quickly feels the resistance of the feeder once it has taken the hookbait, before then bolting and setting the hook without you needing to strike. Des’s preference is for 0.19mm mono, attached to a strong size 12 or 14 MCM-B hook.
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