Carp Feeding
Everyone… including you… wants to catch more fish. For the sake of this blog, we are going to discuss how we move from the point of trying to the point of understanding. In addition we will cover how to execute and leverage the knowledge to catch more carp. So how do we do that? We learn the little things first. Then we apply them. When is the best carp feeding times?
What About Carp Feeding Habits?
and what’re the best methods to execute?
And most importantly…
What is carp feeding triggers and how do we implement this into our fishing strategy? What do we need to get them active and ready to go?
In one of my very first blogs on carp fishing, I mentioned how my OCD carried over into my fishing hobby.
If you didn’t read that post, the moral of the story is I began keeping a journal of every little detail of my fishing adventures.
Not the fun I had but the statistics that helped me improve. I began recording and documenting various things to track my success.
So, what’s my point?
My point is, you can always go out to Barnes and Noble or find a post online to learn some of this generic information but until you act or try fishing, none of the pieces really come together.
I document the little things so I can duplicate success when possible. Items such as the baits I use each trip, the time of the bites and the location of the bites.
That’s just to mention a few. It should make sense later why I mentioned this, hopefully.
Alright, I digress, let’s cover the main things to understand about the feeding triggers, times and habits.
What’s getting the carp up and active and when are you catching the most carp?
What bait are you using?
This all adds up to, you are most likely triggering the carp to feed.
Maybe it’s a mix of the salt’s and spices you are using in a commercial paste, or perhaps it’s just night crawlers that’s getting the job done.
The point is, pay attention and either take real notes or mental notes so you can continue success and repeat the formula time and time again.
Carp Feeding Times
Carp feeding times, for the most part, are consistent if you learn key points and place emphasis on them.
I have found that carp will feed all year round if you have the correct bait and correct strategy.
You can still catch carp in winter just like you can in the summer.
The more important factor when it comes to carp feeding times would be things such as…
Weather
Sun helps, and surprisingly rain helps as well.
On a sunny day, the carp feeding time can be around the clock.
Carp frequently surface on sunny days, especially in the fall and winter months.
Rain can help as well because it gets the water stirring up and it washes particles and food around for the carp to act like savages and chase down.
The rain sets the mood a bit so to speak. so don’t neglect fishing for carp during a slight rain or after a nice downpour.
Air Pressure
High Air Pressure Days Increase the likelihood or the carp being active and ready to bite.
As far as when the best to fish for carp is?
We aren’t going to cover that too much in the post mainly because I have already covered it in depth in another blog post a few months ago.
The body of Water
The body of water you are fishing can make or break you as well. Are you fishing a lake, river or pond?
Of course, this will always impact carp feeding times as well.
Again, we won’t dive into too much depth mainly because you can read my other post about how to catch carp in a river which will break down more accurately the tactics you can use to execute catching carp during the prime feeding times.
Carp Feeding Triggers
Now it gets a little more fun. What is a carp feeding trigger anyway? Feeding triggers are very easy to explain.
The bait and carp catching tactics you use = A Feeding Trigger, Well maybe. It should be!
The chemicals that are released from your chosen methods and carp baits are what ultimately “trigger” the carp in a state of feeding.
In the winter, it might take more effort to spark a feeding trigger than other times of the year.
The Amino Acid Debate
It’s been debated over time that the strongest possibility of creating one of these triggers would be.
The answer?
The use of amino acids which we will cover later in this post.
It’s said that amino acids have the most substantial impact on the carp’s sensory system and naturally makes it tough to resist entering a feeding frenzy.
You see, the carp has very specialized cells located under its nostrils. It’s referred to as the olfactory organ.
The Carp also has unique taste abilities. The entire fish is basically a swimming taste bud.
The carp has taste buds located in the mouth, barbules, fins and on the lips. All these combined to make the carp a sensory factory so to speak and a highly capable of picking up on the scent and taste of chemicals.
Do you remember in my older post stating that I just can’t get cereal doughballs to work for me?
By the way, no one left me a comment of a better homemade recipe for cereal dough balls, so I’ll do you a favor and extend that invitation out one more time. Leave it in the comments below if you have a top end recipe.
Back to the story at hand.
Your goal needs to be to start learning the water you fish most frequently.
Known Carp Feed Trigger Igniters
Here, I just want to briefly hit on some of the most commonly known and used additives are known to work well to get the carp active and ready to rock and roll.
Carp Flavour Additives
Additives, flavours and every form of tactic is being deployed in attempts to catch more of these carp daily.
It used to be much simpler to get the job done. Take a piece of bread and rub just about anything on it and you were off to the races.
Now, the game is changing.
For the better in my opinion.
Carp additives are potent attractants.
Sure, some work better than others, but for the most part, you will probably have some luck or find some success with just about any of them.
What I find crazy is that even though these additives are being produced at scale, a large percentage of carp anglers are still just using the old school corn, bread, and pellets to get the job done.
I know because I was one of them for nearly 2 years before expanding my horizons a bit.
I’m still learning as well so feel free to chime in on the comments below if you have anything to add.
Carp Liquid Additives
Liquid additives are unique and work like a charm for many reasons. One important thing to remember is your goal is to appease the senses of the carp.
In deeper waters such as lakes and rivers and depending on where you are targeting carp, the liquid additives can help penetrate and rise through the water levels putting off your scents.
Consider your liquid additives as the “call” to the dinner table or the signal that’s it’s time to find some grub in the carp’s mind.
The same way we may, and you may magically be ready to eat after smelling a fresh pizza cooking in the oven.
Again, your activating the carp feeding triggers when doing this.
Using Carp Liquid Additives in Moderation
Have you ever ruined a recipe at home going a bit overboard trying to impress yourself or maybe the spouse or family?
Same applies here to carp.
Overkill will produce no results so don’t go overly nuts when adding the liquids.
If it becomes too overpowering or overly bitter, they won’t be interested.
If one is proving a success, stick with it. If you had other baits completely outside of this category that works just fine, then stick with it.
What the carp get used to enjoying and feeding on in your given spot for fishing, they tend to stick with.
You don’t want to continue giving random scent signals and throwing the carp off what already makes them comfortable.
Are you already catching them?
Why fix what’s not broken?
Best liquid additives you can use to catch more carp?
I’m honestly not 100% sure what the best liquid additives are yet due to not having hundreds under my belt tested yet.
So far, the first additive I have used is the GOO by Korda. It’s worked well.
I’ve tried the…
Perfect Peach
Corn Twist
Raspberry Plume
The Perfect peach option I haven’t even opened yet either.
Corn Twist worked well by placing on old dried out boilies.
I’ve also used it for my bread bait before in the past. I’ll be sure to continue to update this post as I try all the different options and scents along the way.
Powdered Bait Additives
If you’re using a single hook bait set up, you can add some powdered bait.
All you really need to do to make a powdered bait work efficiently is gloss over your hook bait with the liquid additive we discussed previously and add a small amount of the powdered additive.
If you allow it time to sit and settle over the course of 72 hours or so, you will be all set and have that extra bang for your buck ready to go the next time you cast out.
Natural Additives and Extracts
Adding natural additives or even essential amino acids to bait can be a real secret bait when targeting carp.
Carp according to several research studies performed by universities have shown to be highly attracted to amino acids and extracts.
These are available to purchase just about anywhere online.
Adding them to your bait can be a breeze as well. You can add them to boilies or even get them mixed into any of your homemade baits that you have mastered over the years to see if you can get some added punch for your next fishing trip.
DMPT For Carp Fishing
Dimethyl Propopthetin (DMPT) is a algae metabolite. It’s fully natural and contains sulfur.
Over time, it’s been regarded the best carp bait or feed lure.
DMPT helps tickle the carp taste buds so to speak.
It’s an excellent feeding trigger to get the carp up and active.
For the DMPT to be effective, all you would need to do is dissolve the DMPT in your liquids and process it with the rest of your bait mix.
In some areas and countries, DMPT is not a permitted additive for carp fishing, so you need to check your local carp fishing rules for your given area.
2 Grams Per KG of the mix will be plenty to get the job done.
When’s your best chance of making this happen?
When Are Carp Most Active?
I think this depends on so many factors that no-good answer really exist. It’s possible to catch carp all year round it just depends on your skill level and baits choices.
Overall, I would say summer is the best time and when carp are the most active.
They are easier to spot in the summer on clear waters, and you can catch them nearly any time of the day but for me early afternoon- early evening has always netted the best results.
How to Get Carp Feeding? What’s next to get started?
This blog post was designed more to inform you of carp feeding habits, carp feeding triggers and the most common carp feeding times.
All you need to do to get carp actively feeding is actively scout your area, formulate your game plan regarding bait, location and time of day you plan on targeting and get on the water.
They will come to you. Just be patient.
An Additional Carp Fishing Tip
If you haven’t already done so and you are new to carp fishing, be sure to check out how to catch carp first.
It will give you some more early-stage fundamentals to get the ball rolling. Carp is a patience game, and it does take a little effort, luck, and skill.
So, what are you going to do strike and activate those Carp Feeding Habits and triggers?
What’s your game plan on your next carp fishing trip?
How are going to be sure to execute effectively and choose the correct bait?
Understanding the carp feeding habits is just step 1.
Once you know how to activate those carp feeding triggers, it’s an entirely new ball game for you and the fun begins.
Do you have any stories related to some of the bait options we mentioned? I’d love to hear your feedback or see a nice trophy carp picture if anyone has any of recent.
Thanks for reading.
Originally posted 2020-08-03 10:47:04.
