Carp Fishing Calendar: Tips for Every Month of the Year
Carp fishing is a year-round pursuit, with each season bringing unique challenges and opportunities. Whether you’re braving the winter chill or enjoying summer sunshine, understanding carp behaviour throughout the year will significantly improve your catch rate. Here’s my monthly guide to help you land more carp, no matter the season!
January – Cold Water Tactics
Winter carp fishing can be tough, as carp become sluggish in cold temperatures. During this time, I rely on single-hookbait fishing with high-attract 12mm pop-ups glugged in Intense Booster liquids. This method helps trigger bites from otherwise inactive fish.
Single boosted pop-ups are my go-to tactic in January
February – Location is Key
Finding carp in winter is half the battle. Once located, they can be easier to catch than expected. Small PVA bags with minimal bait often work best. On sunnier days, zig rigs can be incredibly effective, as carp may rise to the upper layers of the water.
A small PVA bag is great for nicking a bite in February
March – The Awakening Begins
As temperatures rise slightly, carp become more active and move into shallower areas that warm up faster. Fishing near margins, snags, and reed beds can be productive as carp start exploring their surroundings.
April – Pre-Spawning Feed-Up
Carp begin feeding aggressively to build energy for spawning. This is when I increase my baiting, using high-protein boilies like SLK, along with plenty of liquid attractants, pellets, hemp and corn. Carp are easier to locate as they emerge from their winter slumber.
April is the month when I start getting on the SLK
May – Spawning Season
May can be hit or miss, depending on whether carp are spawning. Before they start, they’ll be actively feeding, making it a great time to capitalise. However, once spawning begins, I prefer to leave them undisturbed and let them complete their natural cycle.
June – Post-Spawning Recovery
After spawning, carp are hungry and looking to regain lost weight. This is a great time to increase baiting with a mixture of SLK boilies, pellets and particles to keep them feeding for extended periods.
I start stepping up the bait after spawning
July – High Summer Tactics
Warmer water means more carp activity. Big beds of bait, surface fishing and depth-zigs all have their time and place. Night fishing can be particularly productive as carp feed more actively when temperatures drop. Keep an eye on pressure drops, as they can trigger aggressive feeding sprees.
Look out for pressure drops in summer
August – Surface Fishing Magic
In peak summer, surface fishing can be incredibly effective. Floating BetaStim pellets and dog biscuits, paired with trimmed-down pop-ups, have produced great results for me over the years. This is one of the most thrilling ways to catch carp!
Fish safety tip: Always keep them wet and minimise out-of-water time in the summer heat.
September – Harvest Moon & Heavy Feeds
As temperatures cool, carp begin bulking up for winter, making this an excellent time for heavy baiting. SLK boilies are my go-to, and fishing around the full moon has delivered some of my best results.
Bait is a particularly big edge at this time of year
October – Prime Big Carp Season
October has consistently been my best month for landing new PBs. Large beds of bait work wonders, and I shift my focus to deeper areas as nights get colder, where carp seek stable water temperatures.
Large beds of bait often work brilliantly in October
November – Slower Metabolism, Smarter Baiting
As water temperatures drop further, carp slow down, making bites harder to come by. I switch to more digestible baits, using The Bug, maggots, and corn in small quantities to keep the bites coming.
December – Winter Carp Tactics
Winter fishing demands a more tactical approach. Small bait presentations, such as stringers or high-attract single hookbaits like PBs, Fruitylicious and Pink Perils, work best, in my opinion. Maggots can also be a game-changer as water temperatures stabilise in deeper areas.
A fluoro pop-up works wonders in winter
Final Thoughts: Carp Can Be Caught Year-Round!
No matter the season, with the right approach and bait selection, you can successfully catch carp all year round. Stay adaptable, pay attention to conditions, and always prioritise fish safety.
Tight lines and happy fishing!
The beauty of carp fishing is that carp can be caught all year round!
Three more features from the DNA Baits team:
Tips For Catching Carp on Small Waters
