Cold fronts, and carp fishing Options

[swiss]

For all the years I fished for bass, the fishing was worst right when a cold front came through.

Is it the same way for carp?

[Brewboy]

For all the years I fished for bass, the fishing was worst right when a cold front came through.

Is it the same way for carp?

That is not necessairly true, Bass fishing is most often very good right when a cold front is passing. It's the high pressure after a cold front passes that put the fish off and make them less agressive. The strike zone will be down to a couple of inches and you have to present a bait in that strike zone to get bit.

Fish are always more agressive when there is wind blowing, oxygen levels increase and light penetration is decreased, plankton is concentrated on the windward shore along with baitfish and the predators that follow.

Now I've had tough fishing for carp on still, high pressure days but I've caught too. So If the wind's blowing, fish the windward shore. If it's flat calm, I'd fish cover, they'll still eat if you present it to them just like a bass will eat during high pressure.

This post has been edited by Brewboy: Oct 22 2006, 12:34 PM

[swiss]

Thanks Scott.

Just for clarity I do mean the cold windy bluebird sky days after a cold front.

[Rouster]

Thanks Scott.

Just for clarity I do mean the cold windy bluebird sky days after a cold front.

Well...I have been in two state fish in within thge past 6 months...fish were being caught immediately before each event; cold front came threw right before each event; both times it was the kiss of death...In Alabama over the weekend we had both veteran euro and paylake fishermen that said little if anything would be caught due to the front...They were right..

[K-1]

A cold front will certainly clamp their mouths shut for awhile ... when this happens I instantly switch to deeper water ... I try to fish in 20 feet of water and out of the strongest current.

Go deep ... they are there -Wayne-

[phonebush]

Swiss,

This is an often pondered question. It is not as easy to answer for omnorvious fish as it is for predators like bass. Let me give some of my non-scientific thoughts (I don't believe there is any scientific data on wild carp and frontal weather).

First and formost, carp have both characteristics of predators and prey fish. In the fall a cold front (the kind you talk about) is a benefit for carp anglers in deep water but not until after the settling down period. Carp are voracious protein feeders in the fall and cold fronts (bad weather) intensifies the feeding instincts with the onset of cooler air and water. All the instinctive requirements for carp are quite different in pre-spawn spring and post-spawn late spring and summer. For example, in the summer when waters are warmest and days are longest carp conserve energy by "laying low" and practice conserving oxygen during cold fronts.

In shallower water I'm not sure if you can ever tell. In shallow water I am inclined to believe weather stability overshadows any kind of change the weather may cause - good or bad.

Because carp requirements differ throughout the year this is the reason you will get different storys from different areas. It is also one of the main reasons the "perfect" bait will never be prefected. Carp definately have different instinctive requirements during different times of the year and different requirements depending on the natural food source availability.

Bass always eat bass stuff - carp eat anything (a much greater variaty), but prefer those sources that satisfy instinctive requirements.

Phone

[K-1]

Swiss,

This is an often pondered question. It is not as easy to answer for omnorvious fish as it is for predators like bass. Let me give some of my non-scientific thoughts (I don't believe there is any scientific data on wild carp and frontal weather).

First and formost, carp have both characteristics of predators and prey fish. In the fall a cold front (the kind you talk about) is a benefit for carp anglers in deep water but not until after the settling down period. Carp are voracious protein feeders in the fall and cold fronts (bad weather) intensifies the feeding instincts with the onset of cooler air and water. All the instinctive requirements for carp are quite different in pre-spawn spring and post-spawn late spring and summer. For example, in the summer when waters are warmest and days are longest carp conserve energy by "laying low" and practice conserving oxygen during cold fronts.

In shallower water I'm not sure if you can ever tell. In shallow water I am inclined to believe weather stability overshadows any kind of change the weather may cause - good or bad.

Because carp requirements differ throughout the year this is the reason you will get different storys from different areas. It is also one of the main reasons the "perfect" bait will never be prefected. Carp definately have different instinctive requirements during different times of the year and different requirements depending on the natural food source availability.

Bass always eat bass stuff - carp eat anything (a much greater variaty), but prefer those sources that satisfy instinctive requirements.

Phone

If I read that 12 more times I might figure it out

[swiss]

So apparently I still won't be breaking my streak tomorrow...



Freeze my butt off too... f'in thirties out...



I have no idea why I fish for carp.

This post has been edited by swiss: Oct 22 2006, 07:13 PM

[AnthonyR]

Not with that attitude. I say forget about the cold front and just fish. You might catch something, you might not.

[phonebush]

K-1,

Yeah, What Ant said, that's what I said.

Phone

Swiss, fish deep with high protein (maybe even a nightcrawler if the cats aren't too bad).

[chesapeakecarper]

Go deep ... they are there

Yes...follow the carp.

Swiss, fish deep with high protein (maybe even a nightcrawler if the cats aren't too bad).

I try minnows (hard to turn up one's nose at that) but yes, high protien.

This post has been edited by chesapeakecarper: Oct 23 2006, 06:05 AM

[Big Carphuna]

Or, you could hitch hike to MA and catch some fish..LOL

I think it depends on the time of year. Seems in the fall, it might actually help fish at times. Summer, after the heavy rain, the fish may go through a feeding binge. Most times though, it hurts.

[Justin]

small dead minnows (1inch) make a great carp bait in the winter just my experience :)heres one from 2 years back in December the day after Christmas (had to play with the new poles lol) air temp was a very chilly 24 degrees caught 2 that day on dead minnows .

[Mr Big]

All this HUBUB about the high or low pressure is really not as hard to get a handle on as most might believe. The answere is simple (( if the cows are on their feet and grazing, go fishing, if the cows are lying on the ground chewing the cud, stay home )). and you can write that down.
Tom.

[GEFILTA FISHER]

All this HUBUB about the high or low pressure is really not as hard to get a handle on as most might believe. The answere is simple (( if the cows are on their feet and grazing, go fishing, if the cows are lying on the ground chewing the cud, stay home )). and you can write that down.
Tom.

LOL tom im gonna drive around town here and see if i can find me some bovines


Fact is i blank when they are standing , lying down or all ground up into little patties!!!!