Winter carp fishing on small waters.....is it worth it

[Rutland Rod]

I'm thinking of spending a few hours on two local pool's, one is a 2 acre semi commercial pool which hardly anyone fishes once September comes, its supposed to have a 34lb fish as its pb, the other pool is very rarely fished but the farmer has given me permission and says there are carp up to mid teen's.

My question is what tactics and bait should I try........in the winter months ? I intend to fish sessions from mid day till dusk.

Tight lines Dave

[Bumble]

Dave I fish something similar in the New Forrest I always fish the margins with light gear and float with maggots and prawns had Carp to 20lb with ice on the lake
Bumble

[Loop Erimder]

Carp will still take a floating bait in colder months

[MaggotDrowner]

I still fish for carp in the winter. My catch rate drops, rather dramatically, but if I get one it makes my day. I stick to smaller baits, maggots and sweetcorn. I quite like a bit of bread too, especially if the water is mucky after rain. I'm new to prawns and will be giving them a go over winter. Something tells me they will make a good cold water bait.

And anyway, a few hours by the water has got to be better than a few hours doing work.

If you get bored because the action is slow, just carp fish on a sleeper rod and float fish for something else.

[MaggotDrowner]

Carp will still take a floating bait in colder months

One of my favourite small pools has banned floating baits.

[Hovis]

I my experience its all about finding the fish as the weather cools as they may only feed for a very short period of time during the day. My advice would be to look for signs of feeding fish and concentrate your efforts there. Like Bumble says the margins are a good starting place and always warm up quicker in the weak winter sun. I have been lucky enough to catch carp off the top with ice in the margins but the window of opportunity is often very small.

[Loop Erimder]

Carp will still take a floating bait in colder months

One of my favourite small pools has banned floating baits.

Ridiculous! hey ho life goes on

[Hovis]

Carp will still take a floating bait in colder months

One of my favourite small pools has banned floating baits.

Ridiculous! hey ho life goes on

Did they give an explanation as to why?

[Wallys-Cast]

Yes bread crust in the margins still works in winter.
I had a few off the top in January this year. Similar type small farm ponds well fished in summer but deserted in winter, great.

Wal.

[MaggotDrowner]

Carp will still take a floating bait in colder months

One of my favourite small pools has banned floating baits.

Ridiculous! hey ho life goes on

Did they give an explanation as to why?

It "attracts herons and they eat fish".

Never even seen a heron there!