Fishing for carp in spring – in March, April, May has a certain specificity, depending on how warm the water is. For this reason, fishing for carp in early spring in March-early April and in late spring in May has a big difference, both in terms of the baits and tackle used, and in its success. Most, especially novice karpolov, incorrectly believe that if it is already warm outside, this means the same situation in the reservoir. Absolutely not. Water in ponds and especially rivers warms up much more slowly than water. Often, it is still cold in winter, therefore, during fishing in the spring, certain rules must be observed in order to catch trophy carp.
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What are the specifics of carp fishing in spring
It is difficult to catch carp and crucian carp in the spring, since the behavior of the fish at this time is changeable, therefore it is usually difficult to predict what the bite will be. In addition, in many regions of the country, water bodies are only freed from ice. These significant changes in the state of the water area can significantly affect the behavior of underwater inhabitants. For example, if after the ice melted, the reservoir became cloudy, then the fish shows minimal activity. At the same time, fishing for carp in the spring on ponds allows you to notice these changes in the state of the reservoir, which must be taken into account when choosing a place for fishing.
Note: The less well the angler knows a particular body of water, the more difficult it is to catch carp. If an experienced carp angler is fishing, who has managed to carefully study the reservoir in which fishing will be carried out, then the chances of success are significantly increased. During the summer months, carp fishing is more predictable. Therefore, it probably makes sense to wait for this time, but most anglers still do not want to waste time (they, as they say, twist their arms) and go fishing in early spring in order to quickly open the season.
Spring behavior of fish
The time of fish activity differs significantly depending on the region: the further north the reservoir is, the later the carp manifests itself. Ice forms on many ponds and reservoirs in winter, therefore, with the onset of spring, it is necessary to wait for it to melt, and then the reservoir will brighten. However, there is no ice in the southern regions, and in this case carp bite perfectly even in early spring in mid-March-early April.
It is impossible to say exactly when exactly the carp begins to peck in the spring. This moment is individual and from year to year and from reservoir to reservoir. The most optimal temperature to start biting is 16 degrees above zero. When the water warms up to this indicator, the fish actively feed, and in this case, the chances of an excellent result are significantly increased. However, you can go fishing for carp earlier – when the reservoir has warmed up to 11-15 degrees. At the same time, the fish are already interested in food, and you can also fish well.
Fishing by months
Fishing for carp in spring differs depending on the month:
- March . Fishing for carp in early spring in March is usually unsuccessful. The body of water is still cool and the fish feeds inactive or reluctantly. On certain ponds there is still an ice crust, on others it has just disappeared, and the reservoir is still muddy. For many regions, it is advisable to postpone fishing to a later date.
- April . At this time, the fish are already much more active. In most regions, the water temperature is in the range of 16-20 C. In this case, the carp comes out of the wintering pits in search of food and feeds quite actively. The end of the month is much more favorable for fishing than the beginning of April.
- May . The fish is in full activity and actively accepts various baits. If we consider what is better to catch carp in May, then in this case you can use both vegetable baits and animal baits. This is the most favorable season of the year for this fish. All conditions for fishing are often quite successful: carp fish at this time have already “moved” from wintering, the reservoirs are warm enough, spawning is approaching, and, accordingly, the fish are actively and intensively fed.
Taking into account all of the above, the best way to find out exactly when carp starts to bite in the spring is to focus on the temperature rise in the reservoir. It is necessary to wait until the water heats up to 11, and preferably to 16 degrees.
In this case, you can take into account the air temperature, it should increase to 17-20 degrees. Although, if the possibilities allow us to determine the dynamics of the heating of the reservoir, then this method is preferable, since it is more accurate. When the ice has melted, it is usually necessary to wait about 1 month for the fish to become active. During this period of time, the reservoir will brighten, heat up and be enriched with oxygen. The best carp fishing in early spring is warm and sunny days.
Spawning period
Carp spawn for about 10-14 days. As a rule, spawning begins in early April and ends in late May. It takes about 7 days for carp to eat before spawning, it is during this period that trophy specimens can be caught. It must be remembered that at the legislative level prohibitions are established that are required for the carp to be able to calmly perform spawning. If you are fishing in an unfamiliar pond, it is best to learn more about these laws. Another important point to remember is that carp spawn in batches. First, young growth, weighing about 1.5 kg, after a larger fish.
What time does spring carp bite?
Carp fishing in April and May is best done in the middle of the day – approximately 11: 00-17: 00. As the heat approaches, the activity of the fish changes – the peaks are more observed in the evening time of the day. Moreover, from the beginning of June, it is more comfortable for carp to get food for themselves under the coastline. That is, fishing at night is ideal for May. At this time, it is advised to go fishing for several days. Also, this fishing is often practiced in July and August, but in May it is quite appropriate and effective.
Spring carp stopping places
Where to look for carp in spring:
- eyebrows;
- pits;
- the boundary between aquatic vegetation and clean areas;
- shallow water;
- driftwood.
What to catch carp in the spring
In early spring, the favorites are definitely animal baits. In this case, you can use:
- worm;
- maggot;
- “Meat” boilies;
- shellfish.
However, plant-based baits can also be used:
- canned corn ;
- peas;
- “Sweet” boilies ;
- potatoes.
Lure
When fishing for carp in the spring
with a fishing rod or feeder, you should not forget about bait. As a rule, store-bought formulations or do-it-yourself ones are used. This groundbait must be:
- without a strong aroma – it is recommended to add natural attractants (dill, cinnamon, garlic) or animal smells (shellfish, shrimp);
- fine fraction;
- in early spring, carp need protein;
- in small volumes – if you throw in a lot, then the fish will quickly be saturated, even if you use small fraction bait.
For catching trophies, boilies are often added to the bait, which perfectly attract large fish, without collecting small things with it.
Tackle used
You can catch carp in early spring using a float, feeder or carp rig.
Float tackle
Swing or plug is a great choice for shallow water or near shoreline carp fishing in April.
Bologna rod and match selected for long distance casting. So, these rigs are suitable when fishing at depth, when the carp is still in the wintering pits. It is convenient to fish with a Bologna rod on the current, it is here that the “carp trails” are located, and you can simply bring the bait to the fish “under the nose”.
Feeder tackle
The best tackle for carp fishing in the spring, especially for small fish. However, by and large, the feeder equipment is universal – it is used both for fishing small carp and other white fish. This is the ideal rod for medium range fishing.
Carp rig
The best choice for catching trophy fish. The powerful rod, which is equipped with a baitrunner reel, is ideal for fishing large carp. Boilies are usually used as bait. You can also use other attachments – for example, sweet corn, which is also planted on the ”
hair “.