Fishing for carp in the spring - in March, April, May - has certain specifics depending on how warm the water is. For this reason, carp fishing in early spring in March-early April and in late spring in May has a big difference, both in the baits and gear used, and in its success.
Most people, especially beginner fishermen, incorrectly believe that if it’s already warm outside, then this means the same situation in the pond. Absolutely not. The water in ponds and especially rivers warms up much more slowly than water. It is often still cold like winter, so when fishing in the spring you need to follow certain rules in order to catch trophy carp.
Spring carp is a desirable trophy, but very difficult
What are the specifics of carp fishing in spring?
Catching carp and crucian carp in the spring is difficult, since the behavior of the fish at this time is changeable, so it is usually difficult to predict what the bite will be. In addition, in many regions of the country, water bodies are just becoming free of 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 melts the reservoir becomes cloudy, then the fish show minimal activity. At the same time, catching carp in spring in ponds allows you to notice these changes in the condition of the reservoir, which must be taken into account when choosing a place for fishing.
Attention: The less the angler knows a certain body of water, the more difficult it is to catch carp. If an experienced carp angler goes fishing and has had time to carefully study the body of water in which the fishing will be done, then the chances of success increase significantly. In the summer, carp fishing is more predictable. Therefore, it probably makes sense to wait for this time, but most fishermen still do not want to waste time (they, as they say, are twisting their arms) and go fishing in early spring in order to quickly open the season.
Fish behavior in spring
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, so with the onset of spring you need to wait until it melts and then the reservoir clears up. However, in the southern regions there is no ice, and in this case, carp bite well even in early spring in mid-March to early April.
It is impossible to say exactly when carp begin to bite in the spring. This moment varies from year to year and from body of water to body of water. The most optimal temperature for starting the bite is 16 degrees above zero. When the water warms up to this level, the fish actively feed, and in this case the chances of an excellent result increase significantly. 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 have excellent fishing.
In early spring in March, you should look for carp in the shallows formed as a result of spills - it is in such places that the water warms up the fastest.
By and large, there are exceptions - in certain ponds the fish bite well even at low temperatures, in particular throughout the winter period. However, as a rule, it is necessary to focus on the indicators described above - at least 11 degrees, and preferably 16.
In shallow bodies of water, water heats up faster. Naturally, the fish also bite earlier in this place. On large rivers the temperature rises much more slowly. Therefore, in the spring, out of 2 reservoirs that are nearby, one sometimes shows excellent results, and the second is “silent”.
The time it takes for the pond to warm up, and, accordingly, the activity of the fish, will depend on the presence of underground springs. The water here is colder, which means they slow down the heating of the water in the river they flow into.
Fishing by month
Fishing for carp in spring differs depending on the month:
- March . Early spring carp fishing in March is usually unsuccessful. The reservoir is still cool and the fish feed not actively or reluctantly. On some ponds there is still a crust of ice, on others it has just melted away, 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 between 16-20 C. In this case, the carp leaves their wintering pits in search of food and feeds quite actively. The end of the month is much more favorable for fishing, unlike the beginning of April.
- May . The fish is very active and actively accepts various baits. If we consider what is best for catching carp in May, then in this case you can use both plant baits and animal baits. This is the most favorable season of the year for catching this fish. All conditions for fishing most often develop quite successfully: carp fish at this time have already “moved away” from wintering, the reservoirs are sufficiently warmed up, spawning is approaching, and, accordingly, the fish are actively and intensively feeding.
In May you can catch a trophy carp or carp.
Naturally, when exactly the carp on the pond begins to bite will depend on the degree of warming of the water, its activity and the time of year. Moreover, spring can be early and late, however, the annual bite on a particular body of water remains almost unchanged.
Taking into account all of the above, the best way to find out exactly when carp start biting in the spring is to focus on the increase in temperature 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 capabilities make it possible to determine the dynamics of warming up a 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 clear up, warm up and become enriched with oxygen. The best carp fishing is in early spring on warm and sunny days.
What to feed carp in May - which bait is more effective
You can prepare bait for carp from boiled potatoes. Only natural ingredients should be used in bait.
The pungent smell in May can scare off carp. The basis of the bait mixture is usually boiled potatoes, porridge or cake.
It is worth making easily digestible bait for fish. But it is important that it does not become oversaturated.
It is recommended to use mixtures that contain a minimum of fat. For example, a bloodworm or a worm. Milk, egg and cottage cheese are often added to the bait mixture. These products contain sufficient amounts of protein.
The bait will be effective if, after throwing it into the water, a kind of cloud appears that attracts fish.
Honey, hemp oil and garlic juice are suitable as flavoring agents for fish. But you should not use too many attractants that have a specific odor. They are effective to use in the summer.
You can attract carp in May by adding hemp oil to your bait.
Since fish do not have enough protein in the spring, it is worth adding animal baits to the bait mixture.
But you cannot completely abandon plant baits. In most cases, carp in May are caught using bloodworms, maggots, worms, boilies, corn, pearl barley, and peas.
Fishing for carp will be more effective if you re-cast every half hour. In this case, it is worth doing them in places located near the feeding point. After all, this fish is very careful.
I advise you to look: 4 recipes for homemade bait for bream, which strongly lures the fish to the fishing point!
Spawning period
Carp spawn for about 10-14 days. As a rule, spawning begins in early April and ends at the end of May. The carp's diet before spawning takes approximately 7 days; 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 so that the carp can safely spawn. If fishing takes place on 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 fish, weighing about 1.5 kg, then larger fish.
Where does carp live in May?
Much depends on the behavior of the carp. In early May, it actively searches for food and stays at a depth of no more than three meters. Carp rarely swim in shallow water.
The optimal depth for catching it is medium depth. In May, carp often look for food near snags and edges, as well as in places where there are differences in depth.
In addition, it is important to know that in May carp do not stand still, but move throughout the entire reservoir.
What time do spring carp bite?
Fishing for carp in April and May is best done in the middle of the day - approximately 11:00-17:00. As warmer weather approaches, fish activity changes - peaks are more pronounced in the evening. Moreover, with the beginning of June, carp are more comfortable getting food for themselves under the coastline. That is, fishing at night is an ideal option 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.
When is the best time for carp to bite?
Carp is a fish that loves warmth. Therefore, carp fishing is best at the end of May, beginning of June, when the sun is at its zenith and the water is warm. Therefore, professionals begin carp fishing closer to June. At this time of year you can notice an excellent bite.
The fish come out to feed and replenish their food supplies. This happens mainly in warm weather, since carp do not like the cold. However, this fish does not like heat. Therefore, in June it is necessary to catch carp in the dark or early in the morning.
If there is a possibility of a thunderstorm approaching, the carp are also not averse to feasting on the bait. The temperature when fishing for such fish should be between 24 and 27°. It is at this temperature that carp bite best. Carp can bite in the reservoir from May to September. It all depends on the water temperature, weather conditions and time of day.
Spring carp sites
Where to look for carp in spring:
- eyebrows;
- pits;
- the boundary between aquatic vegetation and clear areas;
- shallow water;
- driftwood.
Carp parking in the spring
Moreover, the places for carp fishing change depending on the month of spring. In March, fish, as a rule, are still in wintering pits. In this case, she does not bite well, since she is still “resting”.
As the temperature in the reservoir increases, fish more often approach the shoreline. At the same time, carp likes to be in shallow waters, since in these places the sun's rays warm up the water better, and you can also throw gear to the water thickets. At this time, the fish bite best at a depth of 2-3 meters.
In these areas, various invertebrates begin to “come to life”, constituting the main food for white fish. Moreover, in these places aquatic vegetation is rapidly developing.
Catching carp in spring on ponds - video of fishing in cold water in April:
What month is best to catch carp?
To understand the best time to go fishing, you need to understand all the seasons:
Summer
The most unpredictable time of the year for fishing. Although this is the greenest time of the year, and carp are herbivorous fish, summer is also a favorite time for many fishermen. Therefore, it is endowed with many different types of baits and baits, and because of this, instability appears in its bite.
To ensure a good bite in the summer, you need to look for a place where your bait will be new to the fish and will attract its interest. If you have found the ideal place, then good fishing is guaranteed.
Autumn
Since carp is a cold-blooded fish, which means it is very sensitive to temperature changes. At the beginning of autumn, when it is still warm outside, the fish will be active, but with the onset of cold weather, the metabolism slows down, the fish becomes sluggish and less interested in various foods. But the carp senses cold snaps, so it tries to stock up on useful substances in front of them, sweeping away everything in its path.
Winter
There is practically no food at this time. He is always in the pits and practically does not move. Therefore, the chance of catching this fish in winter is reduced to almost zero.
Spring
Time to emerge from hibernation. Now there is little food, the carp are actively looking for something to profit from. This is the ideal time for fishing. The fish agrees to almost any bait, the chances of catching a large specimen increase significantly. It is worth feeding several areas at once so that you can quickly change places if necessary.
Since carp usually feed in schools, with a good approach, you can feed a good place where they will bite one after another, but it is still better to have several places in reserve. At the beginning of summer there is a sharp decline when the fish practically do not bite.
Fishing in May
May is excellent for catching this type of fish. This is the time when the bite is approaching a decline, but the chances of catching a large specimen are still high. At the beginning of summer, you shouldn’t hope for a good bite. At this time, you can still find large individuals in shallow places.
Carp fishing in August
Fishing in August is very difficult. This will be a real test for the fisherman. The fish is very shy and takes the bait carefully. Therefore, before going fishing, you need to carefully select your gear and prepare the right bait. Note:
To increase your chance of catching a large fish in August, you can use one trick. Accustom the flock to a specific fishing spot. To do this, you need to feed one place for several days in a row, at the same time, thus accustoming the carp
Fishing in September
This time is good for catching this type of fish. Because the cold weather is approaching, and the carp senses it. Therefore, he sets himself the task of gaining as many useful substances as possible before hibernation. The fish becomes very active and accepts almost any bait.
What to use to catch carp in spring
In early spring, the favorites are, of course, animal baits. In this case you can use:
- worm;
- maggot;
- “meat” boilies;
- shellfish
However, you can also use bait of plant origin:
- canned corn;
- peas;
- “sweet” boilies;
- potato.
It is best to use plant baits closer to June, taking into account the warming up of the reservoir. Although they are often used in mid-spring. That is, there must be several of these attachments in the assortment.
Don’t forget about “sandwiches” – different combinations of bait on the hook. For example, a worm and corn work great.
Fishing for carp in early spring - fishing points, bait and other details in the video lesson:
Carp fishing in May: bait tricks
The dough for preparing May boilies should include only fresh natural products. Chemical flavors and artificial additives are best left aside and used at another time. For carp to like food, it must be sufficiently high in calories, digestible and healthy.
A bait with a natural taste that carp will definitely like. It is possible to accustom “wild” carp to boilies containing “chemicals,” but it will take a lot of time. Therefore, when going fishing in an unfamiliar body of water, bet on bait that has a familiar taste to carp.
Lure
When catching carp in the spring with a fishing rod or feeder, you must not forget about bait. As a rule, store-bought or homemade formulations are used.
This bait must be:
- without a strong aroma - it is recommended to add natural attractants (dill, cinnamon, garlic) or animal odors (clam, shrimp);
- fine fraction;
- in early spring, carp need protein;
- in small volumes - if you throw in a lot, the fish will quickly become full, even if you use fine-grained bait.
To catch trophies, boilies are often added to the bait, which perfectly attract large fish without collecting small things along with it.
Gear used
You can catch carp in early spring using a float, feeder or carp rig.
Float tackle
A swing or plug is an excellent choice for carp fishing in shallow water or near the shoreline in April. The Bolognese rod and match are selected for long casting. So, these rigs are suitable for fishing at depth, when the carp are still in wintering pits.
The Bolognese rod is convenient for fishing in the current, this is where the “carp trails” are located and you can simply bring the bait “under the fish’s nose.”
Feeder tackle
The best equipment for carp fishing in the spring, especially for small fish. However, by and large, feeder equipment is universal - it is used both for fishing for small carp and for other white fish.
This is an ideal rod for fishing at medium distances.
Carp equipment
The best choice for catching trophy fish. A powerful fishing rod, which is equipped with a bait runner reel, ideal for fishing for large carp.
Boilies are usually used as bait. You can also use other attachments - for example, sweet corn, which is also attached to the “hair”.
Fishing for carp in early spring:
In spring, you need to prepare for the fact that the fish may not approach the bait spot for a long time. This is especially true for the beginning of spring; closer to summer, the situation changes significantly for the better.
