Your normal rigs and methods will catch in winter, as at any other time of year but there are certain points to remember. Dropping temperatures at the end of the summer will trigger the carp to feed quite heavily. The once plentiful natural food will slowly start to disappear.

The carp will try to gain as much weight as possible to help them survive the harsh British winter. As with any cold blooded animal, low temperatures will slow them down a great deal.

There are a few different schools of thought regarding the movement of carp in cold conditions. From my own experience, I suspect that the fish will move around as little as possible.

Once you feel you have located the fish, baiting should be kept to a minimum. Start off adopting a little and often approach, offering about 15-30 baits over a session. Loose feed these a couple at a time at regular intervals of about 30 mins. Try to keep the baits in as tight an area as possible. Using a marker float will help acheive this.

Choice of bait is really down to you. The biolie isn't the only bait but it is my first choice because it works so well with carp rigs, and it gives me added confidence over soft baits.

The flavour I choose will be the one that is nearest to what I know or suspect that the carp are finding in the winter. Swan mussel and crayfish are still active at this time of year so if your venue contains these, try similar flavours.