Winter Wonder

Consistent big - fish angler Jim Wilson looks to smaller , higher - stocked venues for a bite in winter . We scrutinise his approach , which he fines down to keep the bobbins moving.

- Jim Wilson

Why are small waters so great in winter? Simple; they provide an ideal solution to fishing on limited time and, more often than not, a good chance of getting a bite or two when doing short days during the coldest time of the year. When most of the larger lakes switch off and the carp become nomadic, small lakes are ideal places to target and keep the bites coming.

When I say small waters, I mean no bigger than six acres. A small expanse of water that you can comfortably walk round in 20 to 30 minutes while looking in each nook and cranny for signs of fish. You will never be too far from where the carp are patrolling or moving, providing you with ample chance if you put the effort in and get your location right.

Finding fish and areas where they are visiting can become a much easier task after a few laps, when larger expanses would require hours to try and track down your quarry! This feature takes a closer look at my tactics and ways of getting the most from your fishing. I have found that the carp behave much differently from those that reside in larger waters, so let’s take a look at how I tackle the challenges of these types of venue.

WINTER FISH LOCATION

Location no doubt becomes a more difficult task than in the warmer months, but putting in the extra legwork can often lead to a single sign that can give their presence away. Most anglers would say that carp group up in the deepest areas of the lake but I have found that this is not always necessarily true. In small, shallower lakes, the fish tend to stay more active, moving about in the day and following similar routines to what they may have done in summer.