Pre-Baiting is the Best Method For Catching Big Carp

One of the most effective ways to catch large fish in a new lake is through a baiting campaign. This method involves intentionally feeding the fish over a certain period of time without putting a line into the water. Although this method can be very effective, it is important to note that you must not use the bait to fish with until it has become a food source for the fish.

Does Pre-Baiting Work?

The goal of a pre-baiting campaign is to make the fish associate the new bait with safety. If they have been caught before, they will typically feed on the bait cautiously. Some of the fish may not even touch the bait.

Feeding a cautious type of fish can be very difficult to catch due to their ability to evade capture. Some may have also learned how to test a hook bait. I have witnessed large fish swim hard into a bait bed and bounce off the bottom while taking food suspended in the water.

The type of fish that caught this particular type of bait learned how to avoid bait not bouncing off the bottom because it is tethered to a hook. Although they aren’t considered to be clever creatures, they have plenty of experience and can adapt to dangerous situations.

One of the most effective ways to catch large fish in a new lake is through a feeding frenzy. This method can be very effective because it allows the fish to forget about their potential danger and feed on the food. Another strategy that can be very effective is to encourage the fish to lower their guard. This method will allow the hook to get a better hold of the bait.

What Is the Best Way to Catch Big Carp? – Pre-Baiting

To establish a new bait, simply throw a couple of kilos or two of your bait into various areas of the lake. Since the fish like to hang out in weed-filled areas, you should also throw in plenty in these areas. Since most people don’t like fishing in these areas, you might not be able to attract the fish to these areas.

A safe area is also ideal for the fish as it allows them to quickly feed on the bait. Since the nuisance fish are less likely to eat the bait first, you should also throw in a larger portion of it in these areas. Once you have introduced the bait for a month or so, you should start scattering it around the areas that you’re most likely to target.

The last couple of weeks of the campaign will help make the fish more comfortable with the new bait. This will allow you to catch the fish when they have established the food. Before you start scattering the bait, make sure that you cover the margins around the areas where you can see it.

If the fish have eaten the bait, you should check to see if it has been active over the next couple of days. Since the carp fish associate danger in areas where they were previously caught, this method can work well if you target these areas where most people rarely fish.

Once they have become accustomed to the new food, they will start to ignore the other bait. This will allow you to capitalise on their natural desire to eat your bait.

A successful baiting campaign requires that the bait be high quality and provide the fish with enough nutrients and natural food to nourish themselves. This is because the bait has to compete with other anglers bait and other natural food sources. One of the most common types of bait that you can use is frozen boilies.

Boilies need to be unique in flavor, as they may have already been used for catching other types of fish, which may have a distinct flavor or smell that they associate with danger. You can either make them yourself or utilise a bait-rolling service.

There are so many different types of smells and flavors that you can create a unique boilie. An experienced bait roller can create a unique bait that will attract the fish.

Is Pre-baiting Worth The Cost?

The cost of a baiting campaign can be very expensive, but pay dividends if you don’t tell the other anglers what you’re planning on using once it’s established. However, if you spread the bait over a long period of time, the cost would be relatively low. You can also cut down on costs by using less expensive food items such as chicken peas. These can be bought in sacks for around £15. Although they won’t provide the fish with the nutrients and quality that they need, they can still be used as a food source.

Pre-Baiting Tips – How to Start

One of the most important factors that I recommend is having a clear plan. If you have a plan that’s realistic, it will allow you to keep it up. For instance, if you plan on going to the lake every day, then it might not be feasible.

Having a plan is the best way to start, as it will allow you to make an informed decision regarding pre-baiting. If it’s a big job, then double up with a couple of people and cover multiple areas.

Having a plan will allow you to plan ahead and make sure that you have the right time of day to get the bait in the water. This will allow you to get the fish feeding at the right times.

The lake is usually busy on weekends, so having a plan for during the week is ideal. Also, it’s important to consider the cost of pre-baiting. For instance, if you’re planning on using boilies, then it might be costly to put 5 kg of bait on a spot three times a week.

Pre-Bait Multiple Areas of The Lake

When it comes to pre-baiting, I always think about where I can fish next. I like to make sure that I have other options if the one I’m planning on using has already been taken.

I like to target areas that are unpopular, as it increases my chances of getting a good peg when I get to the lake. For instance, I usually start at the small bays that are unfished. In most cases, I just target the furthest part of the lake.

Areas that are quiet and where the fish are most likely to visit are also ideal. They will give you a better chance of getting a good fish when the time comes.

Pre-Baiting in Different Seasons

Pre-Baiting in the Spring Months

The amount of bait that I pre-fish depends on the weather patterns. During the spring, I usually increase the amount of bait that I put in when it warms up. However, if there’s a hard frost, I will usually reduce the amount of bait that I put in.

Pre-Baiting in the Summer Months

During the summer, I usually use particles as they are ideal for getting the fish to feed hard on the surface. Also, the large numbers of fish that eat during this period encourage me to visit the lake more often.

Pre-Baiting in the Autumn Months

The amount of bait that I use as the weather cools down will follow the pattern. If you want to keep the fish eating throughout the autumn, then you should increase the quantity of bait that you put in.

Pre-Baiting in the Winter Months

During the winter, I usually only put in a couple of handfuls of bait a day. This strategy allows me to target areas that I’ve seen the fish in. Pre-baiting in winter can also help you beat the other people on the lake.


Further Reading


Shane
Shane

I have made a lot of mistakes during my fishing sessions and don’t want you to make the same mistakes. I’ve learned the hard way over 20 years of fishing most weekends, testing, tweaking, and testing again and now want to help you excel with your carp fishing.

If you need any help, you can reach me at Fishing Again’s Facebook page

Last Updated on February 3, 2024 by Shane