Why We Love The Challenge Of Winter Carp Fishing | Wendy Burhenne & Stephanie Bloemendaal
For OMC's Wendy Burhenne & Stephanie Bloemendaal, carp fishing in winter is the best challenge of the four seasons. In this short article, they not only explain why you too should be out there doing it, but also how you can overcome the challenges and catch HUGE fish!
Carp fishing in winter is a challenge for many carp anglers, but also a special experience. It often conjures up images of ice-cold hands, frozen lines and fish that don't want to bite. Although carp are less active in these colder months, it is certainly possible to be successful with the right preparations and tactics.
We recently had a 4 day winter carp fishing trip to the stunning Glory Carp Lake in Oploo, Netherlands. This pay lake is 5 hectares, with fish up to 29kg and depths ranging up to 9 metres.
The conditions were not good these days; night frost, lots of rain, lots of wind and very high air pressure. All these conditions didn’t seem to get any better during the session.
In winter, the water temperature has a major influence on the behavior of the carp. The low temperature causes their metabolism to drop, causing them to use less energy and reduces their appetite. This means that they swim less actively and are often in deeper parts of the water. Do you want a successful session in winter? Then this requires a different approach than in the warmer months...
WINTER FEEDING STRATEGY
Less is more! Don't feed too much, just enough to keep them interested. An effective addition in winter is the use of live maggots. Maggots are small, wriggly (if not too cold), rich in protein and quickly conquer the carp's heart.
The two Rigs that we use during our winter fishing are our Maggot Rig and the well-known Spinner Rig. These Rigs are our guarantee of winter gold! We tie both of these presentations with the unbelievable Lock Hook and the beautiful Dazzler Inturns in various colours.
LOOK FOR THE FISH AND BE PATIENT!
If the water temperature is too low and the fish are no longer actively swimming around, it is important to look for the fish yourself. A Fish Finder can be of great value here. Finding the right spot is essential for success.
DRESS WARM TO BEAT THE COLD
Fishing in winter is different than in summer. The cold weather can quickly cause discomfort, so it is important to be prepared for it. Make sure you have enough warm, dry clothing! We wear the super comfortable Sherpa Fleeces from OMC, the Boots keep our feet nice and warm too, and our heads stay toasty thanks to the Waterproof Beanies.
Winter is not a season for quick action. But if you manage to find those carp, the more you can enjoy the process and the challenge that winter brings. So put on your warm clothes, don't be discouraged by the elements and who knows which nice carp are waiting for you in the cold depths.
Partners Wendy Burhenne & Stephanie Bloemendaal joined the OMC Family as sponsored anglers in 2024. Fishing primarily in their home country of the Netherlands, their regular carp angling adventures take them all over Europe.
