Nube Posted February 25, 2021 Report Share Posted February 25, 2021 Hi, as I'm a newcomer to carp fishing and going to have my first go this year, when do carp usually start waking up/feeding? Is it more linked to daylight hours or is it temperature? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salokcinnodrog Posted February 25, 2021 Report Share Posted February 25, 2021 Every water is different. Deeper waters may take longer for the fish to start moving, or waters with low food stocks. No point in wasting energy looking for food if there is little about.... Or conversely the fish might be looking for food and constantly moving. Some waters will fish all the way through. Pretty much any water above 4degrees and somewhere a take is possible, be it on a zig, (hurgh, spit) or on a float fished or ledgered bait. Lengthening days might get them moving, but on some waters there is another factor. As the water warms up, the bottom 'turns over'. A layer of algae silty stuff floats up from the lakebed, hits the surface. You will see what looks like little patches of a thin layer of floating lichen covered in tiny bubbles. This can be the time carp start moving. The best way to find out, is to spend time watching and fishing. crusian, buzzbomb and yonny 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouchthathurt Posted February 25, 2021 Report Share Posted February 25, 2021 I find that down here in the south east, they usually start waking up about now. Personally, I look for signs from nature to know when the “right time” is, I look for the first buds on trees, when the days start to lengthen out, snow drops starting to bud, spring lambs etc. It might seem daft, but I find that when the trees first start budding, that’s a good natural sign. Waters that are shallower (hopefully with good sunlight to warm it up) usually wake up sooner, they seem to react to rising temps quicker. I’ve got 3 waters that I keep tabs on, the lake that’s got max depths of 6ft is already producing fish, I had 5 out in 4hrs on Monday. The 2nd lake is only 2 acres, with depths of up to 9ft, but it’s very sheltered and doesn’t get much sun this time of year, it’s quite dark and dingy and hasn’t produced a fish in months. The last water has depths of 18-20ft and usually doesn’t regularly produce fish until mid March - beginning of April. It’s slower to warm up. Yet this year, after a stocking of 15 carp, it’s done half a dozen bites over the last few weeks, which is against the norm, we think the new fish have spurred the old stock into having a munch. Simple way to know if your lake has woken up is to fish it really, but when I see the hours lengthening out, blossom buds on trees and bushes starting to open out, I feel more confident. I think the increasing light hours wake them up, although cold deep water can keep them more sluggish longer then carp in shallower water. crusian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusian Posted February 25, 2021 Report Share Posted February 25, 2021 Well that's an interesting question , Nube , I'm looking forward to the replies . Personally I like the water temp. to be over 7C . It's getting lighter in the mornings , and staying lighter longer in the evenings , so if we can have some sun to wake up the aquatic insect life for the fish to feed on ? . yonny 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusian Posted February 25, 2021 Report Share Posted February 25, 2021 " As the water warms up, the bottom 'turns over'. A layer of algae silty stuff floats up from the lakebed, hits the surface. You will see what looks like little patches of a thin layer of floating lichen covered in tiny bubbles. " Ooh , thanks for that reminder , Nick . 😃 salokcinnodrog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelabel Posted February 25, 2021 Report Share Posted February 25, 2021 Well one of my local lakes has done 4x20's already.... I had one in January so you can catch them all year round, but as for targeting them, I'd start on mild, low pressure days preferably with a south-westerly wind about now... crusian, Its-grim-up-north and emmcee 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nube Posted February 25, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2021 Yes, I work outside and here in the South West I can definitely see nature on the move. Birds calling to stake their territory and even saw bees today. In sure after the recent cold snap this weeks warm temperatures will move things along at a pace salokcinnodrog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpmaster Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 8 hours ago, Nube said: Hi, as I'm a newcomer to carp fishing and going to have my first go this year, when do carp usually start waking up/feeding? Is it more linked to daylight hours or is it temperature? My own personal findings are every lake is different I’m on the bank of a lake most days the local match lake they move all yr the parc lake will be about now to coincide with spring the buds are starting on the trees the days are lengthening the birds are starting to sing find an prepare a few spots you can keep an eye on mr an mrs carp will soon let you know butty crusian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmoputney Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 They must be waking up round here, I've already been savaged by a mosquito on my ankle whilst sleeping its proper swollen 😭😭😭😭😭 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpmaster Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 4 minutes ago, elmoputney said: They must be waking up round here, I've already been savaged by a mosquito on my ankle whilst sleeping its proper swollen 😭😭😭😭😭 Put vinegar on it elmo neutralise what they inject into you works on horsefly bites too crusian and elmoputney 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmoputney Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 15 minutes ago, Carpmaster said: Put vinegar on it elmo neutralise what they inject into you works on horsefly bites too I've put some bite cream on it that usually works, but might try that if it's still bad later Carpmaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nube Posted February 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 "Afterbite" is the best I've used. It's an ammonia type dab on pen, the key is not to rub/ scratch the bite if you can help it crusian and elmoputney 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouchthathurt Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 29 minutes ago, Nube said: "Afterbite" is the best I've used. It's an ammonia type dab on pen, the key is not to rub/ scratch the bite if you can help it Easier said than done! Lol! After bite is good, I tend to use piriton (chloremphenamine) if the topical stuff doesn’t calm it, it’s an antihistamine that can make you drowsy though at times. Its-grim-up-north and crusian 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmoputney Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 36 minutes ago, Nube said: "Afterbite" is the best I've used. It's an ammonia type dab on pen, the key is not to rub/ scratch the bite if you can help it I ve already scratched it lol, it's swollen up like a good un I've put some bite cream and taken an antihistamine so hopefully will settle, I'm gonna get my bug zapper out tonight 😁 Carpmaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Its-grim-up-north Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 18 hours ago, bluelabel said: I'd start on mild, low pressure days preferably with a south-westerly wind about now... This... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B B Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 6 hours ago, elmoputney said: I've put some bite cream on it that usually works, but might try that if it's still bad later Pee on the bite .... or is it pee on a sting 🤔 crusian and Carpmaster 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmoputney Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 44 minutes ago, Big Bass said: Pee on the bite .... or is it pee on a sting 🤔 It works if you pee on a jellyfish sting 😁 probably though it's ammonia innit, will probably do it by accident anyway the aim isn't what it used to be 😁😁😁 Carpmaster and crusian 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpmaster Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 1 minute ago, elmoputney said: It works if you pee on a jellyfish sting 😁 probably though it's ammonia innit, will probably do it by accident anyway the aim isn't what it used to be 😁😁😁 The old boy needs glasses wonder what specsavers would say😂😂😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmoputney Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 16 minutes ago, Carpmaster said: The old boy needs glasses wonder what specsavers would say😂😂😂 He's a bit like Glenn hoddle this one Lots of ball control but a bit of a dribbler ⚽ 😂😂😂😂😂 crusian and Carpmaster 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpmaster Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 4 minutes ago, elmoputney said: He's a bit like Glenn hoddle this one Lots of ball control but a bit of a dribbler ⚽ 😂😂😂😂😂 😂😂😂😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpmaster Posted February 27, 2021 Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 On 26/02/2021 at 16:21, Carpmaster said: 😂😂😂😂 Carp are awake at my local bluelabel and Pete Springate's Guns 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpmaster Posted February 28, 2021 Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 12 hours ago, Carpmaster said: Carp are awake at my local I was quite shocked how much stock was in this small pond nothing of great size but the fight like stink an it’s ok for a bite or two through winter salokcinnodrog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yonny Posted March 1, 2021 Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 On 25/02/2021 at 19:38, crusian said: Personally I like the water temp. to be over 7C . I agree. Water temps have climbed from 4 degrees to 9.2 degrees in 9 days on the water I fish (crazy, crazy increase). Just like that it's done its first fish since December. Carpmaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmoputney Posted March 1, 2021 Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 10 minutes ago, yonny said: I agree. Water temps have climbed from 4 degrees to 9.2 degrees in 9 days on the water I fish (crazy, crazy increase). Just like that it's done its first fish since December. I spoke to someone who has been keeping an eye on the lake I fish yesterday, he said it seems to be going up a degree a week at the moment, he said up to 10 degrees in places, I said thanks and vowed to start trickling some bait in 😂 Carpmaster and yonny 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yonny Posted March 1, 2021 Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 3 minutes ago, elmoputney said: it seems to be going up a degree a week at the moment And the rest buddy. Last weekend ours climbed 2 degrees as air temps stabilised at double figures. Then the big winds and 16 degree air temps on Wednesday sent it up another 2 degrees. Then that amazing sunshine this weekend bought it up to 9!! It has to be the most rapid increase I've ever seen. I have no doubt we'll see more cold weather at some point in March but defo a promising sign. Carpmaster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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