[Tips for old leafy lake]

7 minutes ago, salokcinnodrog said:

You've picked a tough time to start fishing a lake.

 

The big question is are you sure you have found the fish?

Sounds obvious I know but no point fishing the margins if they are in the middle of the lake.

Spots to look for the fish, near snags, tree roots, maybe any rushes, dead or dying weedbeds, possibly natural food beds (bloodworm), which can be found by casting out and dragging a lead along, the grippa leads are good for this as 

@ouchthathurt mentioned.

Over leaf litter is when I pretty much stick exclusively to pop-ups, making sure I have my bait above it, although in silt I try to get my bait to the level the fish are feeding at. 

That doesn't sound like it makes sense, but carp might not feed on top of the silt, but dig into it, picking up mouthfuls of natural food. On other lakes they might feed on top of the silt, especially if its horrible stinky stuff.

Talking of stinky stuff, leaf litter I've heard can make the area more acidic, and put the fish off feeding for a while.

On my syndicate lake, the lake is a pretty consistent depth, no drop-offs other than the old stream bed, however there are some softer holes in the silt where carp have dug them out. Imagine the lake is 4feet deep, and then you suddenly drop to 5feet deep. These holes gradually fill back up, but the bottom is softer.

 

 

Those pop-ups, about the only time that I have a bait off the lake bed, normally I fish close to the lakebed, the counter weight directly below the hook, but in leaf litter I will fish with the weight a thumb or even forefinger length below the hook. 

Are you able to attract smaller silver fish and get them feeding? Their feeding might actually get the carp investigating.

For that a groundbait with very little solid food content, maybe fine ground breadcrumb, liquidised or creamed sweetcorn. 

Hookbaits, obviously try sweetcorn, maybe maggots or boilies.

Boilies: you might find in winter certain flavours work better than others. I used to do very well on Dynamite Green Zing, Solar and Nutrabaits Pineapple and N-butyric pop-ups, along with my own recipe Garlic and Spice ones.

The occasional fish in winter on my syndicate comes out on pink pop-ups.

 

I have to keep going back to it, years ago, I did a  session between Christmas and New Year. For 2 days I caught on the high attract pop-ups mentioned above (my original garlic spice) then after feeding a few of my normal food bait boilies every day, I started catching on them, ordinary bottom baits. In that week I think I ended up with 10fish, nothing massive, but any fish in freezing winds and temperatures near 2 or 3⁰ Celsius is a good fish.

The yellow and green pop-ups on the second lake worked on day trips when we hadn't got a bait established.

 

On those two waters Other pop-ups just didn't cut it! 

 

 

Braid definitely gives a better sense of feel than mono. 

 

7 minutes ago, salokcinnodrog said:

You've picked a tough time to start fishing a lake.

 

The big question is are you sure you have found the fish?

Sounds obvious I know but no point fishing the margins if they are in the middle of the lake.

Spots to look for the fish, near snags, tree roots, maybe any rushes, dead or dying weedbeds, possibly natural food beds (bloodworm), which can be found by casting out and dragging a lead along, the grippa leads are good for this as 

@ouchthathurt mentioned.

Over leaf litter is when I pretty much stick exclusively to pop-ups, making sure I have my bait above it, although in silt I try to get my bait to the level the fish are feeding at. 

That doesn't sound like it makes sense, but carp might not feed on top of the silt, but dig into it, picking up mouthfuls of natural food. On other lakes they might feed on top of the silt, especially if its horrible stinky stuff.

Talking of stinky stuff, leaf litter I've heard can make the area more acidic, and put the fish off feeding for a while.

On my syndicate lake, the lake is a pretty consistent depth, no drop-offs other than the old stream bed, however there are some softer holes in the silt where carp have dug them out. Imagine the lake is 4feet deep, and then you suddenly drop to 5feet deep. These holes gradually fill back up, but the bottom is softer.

 

 

Those pop-ups, about the only time that I have a bait off the lake bed, normally I fish close to the lakebed, the counter weight directly below the hook, but in leaf litter I will fish with the weight a thumb or even forefinger length below the hook. 

Are you able to attract smaller silver fish and get them feeding? Their feeding might actually get the carp investigating.

For that a groundbait with very little solid food content, maybe fine ground breadcrumb, liquidised or creamed sweetcorn. 

Hookbaits, obviously try sweetcorn, maybe maggots or boilies.

Boilies: you might find in winter certain flavours work better than others. I used to do very well on Dynamite Green Zing, Solar and Nutrabaits Pineapple and N-butyric pop-ups, along with my own recipe Garlic and Spice ones.

The occasional fish in winter on my syndicate comes out on pink pop-ups.

 

I have to keep going back to it, years ago, I did a  session between Christmas and New Year. For 2 days I caught on the high attract pop-ups mentioned above (my original garlic spice) then after feeding a few of my normal food bait boilies every day, I started catching on them, ordinary bottom baits. In that week I think I ended up with 10fish, nothing massive, but any fish in freezing winds and temperatures near 2 or 3⁰ Celsius is a good fish.

The yellow and green pop-ups on the second lake worked on day trips when we hadn't got a bait established.

 

On those two waters Other pop-ups just didn't cut it! 

 

 

Braid definitely gives a better sense of feel than mono. 

i’m not sure at all if i’ve found the fish. it’s not a highly stocked lake to be fair. i’ve not seen any fish roll or and signs of fizzing but i expect it to be quite dormant at this time of year. I’ve tried a high vis pop up but no joy, but i suppose if i’m not on the fish i’m not going to catch! i think i need to put some more work in maybe go down and spend the day and not fish, watching the water and walking around. Thanks for your reply it’s all very very helpful and has got me thinking. Anymore information you think of will be greatly appreciated.

[Tips for old leafy lake]

This is all very helpful thank you so much!

[Tips for old leafy lake]

4 hours ago, greekskii said:

It's probably the slowest time of year for bites anywhere, maybe dont be too worried about a lack of action. Unless its rammed full of carp! 

Could just fish solid bags so you know you're presented, or rake a spot. If there is leaf litter it's unlikely the carp are feeding there, as they'd clear a spot off. Look for clear areas instead of casting on the leaf litter. 

i’ve had a lead about but find it hard telling the difference between a clear spot and a leafy spot. maybe i should get braid on my marker rod for maximum sensitivity and feel. 

[Tips for old leafy lake]

Recently joined a syndicate and the lake is about 300 years old. it’s tree lined all the way around the lake with the trees predominantly being old oaks. There is lots of leaf litter on the lake bed and quite silty to. I’ve done 3 sessions and not a single run/bite. Any bait or rig tips or just any advice would be great and really helpful.