Carp Not Biting? 5 Things You Might Be Doing Wrong!
Every angler has been there – you’re confident in your bait, rigs and spots, but the carp just aren’t biting. Before you start doubting everything, take a step back. Sometimes, the problem isn’t your tactics at all. Here are five things to think about next time the bites dry up.
1. Nothing at All!
Yes, really – sometimes you’re not doing anything wrong.
Ask yourself: When was the last time a carp was caught from your lake? If nothing has come out recently – or for several days or even weeks, depending on the venue – the carp might simply not be in a feeding mood.
They could be held up in weed, sitting mid-water, or suffering from low oxygen levels that reduce their appetite. In these cases, there’s little you can do except stay alert and make the most of the opportunities when they come.
That said, there are always small adjustments that can swing the odds in your favour…
2. Are You Actually on the Fish?
The old saying couldn’t be truer:
“Five minutes in the right place is worth more than three days in the wrong one.”
Finding the fish – especially feeding fish – is the single most important part of carp fishing. Yet, in today’s world of busy banks and constant distractions, fewer anglers take the time to properly watch the water.
Spend a solid hour just observing the lake at key times like dawn or dusk. Position yourself somewhere with the best possible view and use a good pair of binoculars (a proper set will transform your fishing).
Look for any sign of activity: rolling or showing fish, fizzing bubbles, moving reeds or lilies – even spooked coots can give away a carp’s presence. Learn these signals and your watercraft will skyrocket.
If you can’t pinpoint where they are, try baiting multiple spots around the lake and monitor them closely using your polarised glasses – a must-have for any serious angler.
Binoculars are a vital piece of kit – mine are 8 x 42s
Fish fizzing up in open water led to a couple of rods being dropped into the zone – and a short while later this lovely common was in the net
3. Stealth Is Everything
Once you’ve located the carp, the next step is to approach quietly. There’s nothing worse than spending hours finding fish, only to spook them with a heavy lead splash.
Use a bait boat or baiting spoon to place rigs and feed with minimal disturbance. A mix of small food items – like DNA’s Crayfish Mini Mix, Omega-XTR Pellets, hemp, or crumbed Bug boilies – can trigger that first feeding response. Mix in a few whole boilies to keep your hookbait looking natural.
If you’re casting, go as light as possible and feather the cast before impact to reduce noise. One precise, quiet cast is worth 10 rushed ones.
Slight knocking of the reeds alerted me to the location of this mid-thirty mirror
4. Fine-Tune Your Presentation
You’ve found the fish, introduced bait quietly, but still no action? Time to look at your rig presentation.
If you’re unsure about the lakebed, use versatile setups like a chod rig, stiff hinge rig, or PVA bag. These options ensure your bait is always fishing effectively.
Once you’ve had a feel around with a lead, record what you learn – bottom type, distance, direction and conditions. A quick phone note or photo can be invaluable for future sessions.
As a general rule:
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Clean, hard bottoms: use a bottom-bait rig.
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Light debris or low weed: go with a spinner or stiff hinge rig.
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Weedy or messy bottoms: a chod rig is your best bet.
Confidence in your presentation is key. Fish a rig you trust, one you know allows a carp to pick up the bait naturally.
Detailed notes with pictures can be kept on your phone for future reference
Fizzers!
5. Try Zigs
If nothing’s being caught and it feels like the fish aren’t on the deck, it’s time to go all-in on zigs. Don’t just chuck one out as an afterthought – commit all rods.
As one seasoned angler once said,
“If no one’s catching, the carp are probably not on the bottom.”
Experiment with different depths and colours until you find where they’re sitting. When the fish do drop back down and others start catching on the deck, you can always switch back to your standard bottom-bait tactics – but in the meantime, those zig bites could save your session.
An early-season zig capture, well before they started feeding on the deck with regularity
Final Thoughts
Carp fishing can be a game of fine margins. Whether it’s location, presentation, or timing, small changes often make the biggest difference. Next time the carp stop biting, run through these five points – and you might just turn a blank into a result.
Remember, having total confidence in your bait helps too. Whether it’s The Bug, Secret 7, SLK, or The Switch, DNA Baits has you covered with proven carp-catching options for every season.
