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Features >> TIM CHILDS - 10 tips for more bites in the cold

TIM CHILDS - 10 tips for more bites in the cold

10 Tips for more bites in the cold.

Well we’ve certainly had our share of winter weather so far in 2010. With one of the coldest Novembers on record the freezing weather came early in and like most I was caught out, plans had to be put on hold whilst the freeze took a grip of all my local waters.

With that in mind and with an eye on any chance of a thaw I’d like to share a few pointers and tips for anyone looking to brave the elements and get out on the bank in search of a winter whacker.

So here are my top ten tips for getting more bites in winter in no particular order as there all important and have helped me bank some lovely cold water carp. Hopefully with a little thought and a little luck you’ll soon be holding a cold water carp up for the camera.

TIP 1. Maggots, there’s little doubt that at any time of year maggots are a fantastic carp catching bait. Unfortunately during the summer and on a lot of waters smaller fish like roach, tench and bream can make maggot fishing extremely frustrating. Luckily during the winter things can be completely different though. Maggots can stimulate even the most lethargic carp into feeding and whilst these feeding spells maybe short, if there willing to eat they can be caught. Whether used on there own or as part of a mixture of baits maggots play an important role in my winter bait choice. Colour wise either reds or whites work well, the important part is getting them to the fish by which ever way is practical.

PVA bags, catapults, spodding or the new in vogue and very effective Spombing whatever the method of introduction just get them out there.

TIP 2. White pop ups. I don’t know for sure why white baits are so effective in the winter but for me they just seem to keep working. Low light levels and the fishes’ Lack of visual eyesight could be just two of the reasons why white baits work so well. Whatever the reason I’ve found this colour better than others during the winter. Rolling your own hookbaits with any of the ready prepared pop up mixes gives you the option of producing bright white baits in whatever flavour/attractor combination you wish. My current winter specials are flavoured with a combination of those superb winter flavours, Richworth Tutti Frutti, Citrus Fruits and Pineapple Hawaiian.

TIP 3. Be sensitive. Bite indication may need a little thought at this time of year and both visual and audible indicators may need a closer look. It still surprises me when I see some anglers fishing their heavy swinger type bobbins in the winter. These are usually fished tight to the rod with the line running straight back to the reel. A less sensitive set up would be hard to imagine! Light weight bobbins on relatively long drops will show both line bites as

well as the real thing. Clipping the line in a line clip at the reel handle will increase the sensitivity as the line angle is much better to show lifts and drops of the bobbin. If your alarms have sensitivity controls that allow vibration and run options then use them. One venue I’ve fished in the winter is renowned for the fish’s ability to kite without showing any form of indication. A few short bleeps are all you might receive yet sometimes the fish on this water have moved 20 or even 30 yards!

TIP 4. Dips and glugs. An excellent way of drawing attention to your hook baits is with the use of dips and glugs. Over the years I’ve gone from dipping hookbaits in neat flavour right through to some of the more complex food type dips and additives. For single hookbaits boasting attraction levels can make all the difference. Synthetic flavours, Betaine, L030, Minamino, PPC, Honey and Marmite etc the list goes on and you can create your own special dips. Even simple things like the spray type boosters that Richworth sell can give that little added kick to your hookbait and maybe worth a try.

Most bait companies sell hookbait type dips most of which are glycerine based. Whether you choose to soak your hookbaits for short periods or over a longer period, sometimes months on end the choice is down to you.

TIP 5. Get sticky. Possibly my top tip of all time, super sharp hooks, I’ve been sharpening my hooks for years now and in the winter find myself consistently checking hook points to make sure they are as sharp as possible. Thanks to those clever guys at Jag Products hook sharpening and maintenance is now easy. Not only do they produce excellent files in different grades but now you can add a magnification eye piece and a purpose designed vice to your list of essential tools. Believe me when the fish are slowly mouthing food items and gently eating a super sharp hook that can penetrate with ease can make all the difference.

TIP 6. Low viz. With the water clarity so much better in the winter, over the last couple of winters I’ve used fluorocarbon leaders pretty exclusively. Try dropping 3 or 4 feet of good quality fluorocarbon next to heavy thick leadcore in the edge and see for yourself. Now I know plenty of anglers who use leadcore or tubing all year round and on the surface seem to catch well enough. For me though the use of fluorocarbon leaders adds another confidence tick to my box and in the winter confidence is something you need in buckets full.

TIP 7. Search the column. My own observations and those of friends over the years has convinced me that winter carp spend just as much time in mid water as on the bottom.

In this situation there are times when zigs or suspended baits are the only way to get bites.

Those frosty bright high pressure days are perfect conditions for trying zigs and there are a number of hookbaits to try. For me some of the pre cut foam sold by Gardner Tackle or the new zig baits from Enterprise are perfect and come in a variety of colours. Foam is both buoyant enough to hold long hooklinks up but is also the ideal carrier for flavours adding another little edge to your hookbait. Black, white and yellow are my favourite colours. If you prefer real food then there are loads of small 10-12mm pop ups around to try.

TIP 8. Tried and tested boilies. When it comes to boilies there can be little doubt they play an important role in today’s winter carp fishing. The problem lies in choice as some are certainly more effective than others in cold water condition. The important thing for me is to use a boilie that has a well proven carp catching record in the WINTER. Arm chair theories are all well and good but show me a photo album full of winter carp pictures and then I’ll listen. My Freezers got a good supply of frozen Tutti’s in there at present and if anyone knows a boilie that’s caught more winter carp than these, then please answers on a postcard...

TIP 9. The right venue. Choice of venue is in my mind the most important things to consider in the winter. Whilst I have the highest regard for anyone wanting to sit it out on waters like Wraysbury, anglers who brave very difficult waters such as these in the winter are in the minority, perhaps just 1 0r 2 %. Even though I’ve toughed it out on difficult Northern waters like Redesmere in Cheshire, a notoriously tough nut to crack in the winter I would not recommend it for most anglers. Please don’t take that last statement the wrong way as each one of us has our own goals and ambitions. The one winter fish I banked From Redesmere in early February a few years ago made me very happy, but so did catching on virtually every trip last winter on venues such as Cuttle Mill. There are loads of good winter waters out there, Cemex and Linear fisheries in the south and Cuttle Mill and Baden Hall in the midlands. Believe me catching regularly in the winter makes thing so much more enjoyable after all that is why we go fishing.

TIP 10. Keep positive. I know it’s easy to say whilst I’m sat at home in front of a nice warm fire typing away at the laptop, but keeping a positive outlook will definitely help when the going gets tough. Keep focused and try and enjoy yourself, after all winter fishing can be tough but it’s not meant to be a punishment. Be prepared, kit yourself out properly and on the right venues you can experience some excellent winter fishing.

Good luck

Tim Childs.

white hand rolled pop ups, my favourite. 

dips and glugs can be superb. 

keep them hooks super sharp. 

getting it right in the cold. 

even when its freezing, im still confident! 

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