|
The Weather Changes in the UK
and How it Potentially Affects Carp Behaviour and Feeding
Evidence suggests that European monks introduced carp into the UK around the
turn of the 17th century. Since then, anglers have been studying the carp
and its environment as a means of locating and catching the fish. In the
1990s, much work was done to determine the impact of the moon, wind
direction, air pressure changes, oxygen content and water temperature on
carp behaviour.
The Moon
Questions have arisen as to
whether the moon phases affect carp fishing. Many saltwater fishermen use
solunar tables to calculate prime fishing times. The tables are based on a
combination of moon phases and sun/moon rise/set times and rate the various
time periods each day. There is some computer software available that can do
solunar calculations, but these are usually only suited to North America. It
is uncertain how moon phases would affect freshwater fishing as there is no
tidal factor to consider.
Wind Direction
The direction of the wind has
a direct impact on the feeding habits of carp. Anglers know that nutrients
in the water change direction to match that of the surface winds. Carp
follow the nutrients because they can taste and smell items in the water.
They have a highly sensitive olfactory system that allows them to sense any
dissolved substance in the water and determine whether or not it is a good
food source. In addition, the lining of the carp’s mouth contains chemically
sensitive cells that allow it to determine whether that food is good or bad.
As the wind driven water hits a shoreline, the under-current stirs up food
from the bottom, attracting the fish. When the food becomes scarce, the carp
will move further from the bank and gradually disperse across the lake. A
change in the wind to a new direction will encourage the fish to move into
the windward shore again.
It has also been suggested that the wind blows on the fisherman’s line and
sends the vibrations down it and that attracts the fish to the bait. When
the fish picks up the bait, it feels the vibrations and runs with the line.
When the wind stops blowing, the bite doesn't stop but the runs do. When the
wind picks back up the runs soon follow.
Air Pressure Changes
Research has been done into
whether barometric pressure has any effect on carp. When the barometer
drops, carp tend to stop moving and start feeding on dead materials. When it
rises, carp become more active and feed on living things.
Weather
Today, most anglers know that
weather affects the quality of fishing. Poor weather conditions, such as
clouds and rain, increase the probability of catching a carp. Rain in warm
weather cools the water and increases oxygen levels. This freshens up the
water and makes the carp more sensitive to the smell of the bait. Cold
weather appears to have the reverse effect. Carp become less excited and
more difficult to catch. In clear water under sunny conditions, the carp’s
ability to see is excellent, depending on its depth in the water. Cloudy
conditions, on the other hand, reduce the amount of light in the water and
have the side effect of hiding the angler’s presence.
Oxygen Content
Carp can survive in low
oxygen water (0.3-0.5 mg/litre), stagnant pools or waterways or in rivers
heavily contaminated by human sewage, industrial and agricultural toxins and
wastes. Carp are capable of absorbing large amounts of Mercury, PCB and
heavy metals in their tissue. Because of this, they should not be eaten if
they are taken from contaminated waters. Carp can also thrive in oxygen rich
waters.
Water Temperatures
Changes in water temperature
alter the feeding habits of carp. Increases in temperature can significantly
reduce the number of fish caught. Where the weather is warmer for longer
periods, the feeding patterns gradually return to normal. In such areas, a
change of bait is helpful. Boilies made with less casein and more
carbohydrate, such as semolina, seem more effective. Smaller and/or softer
baits have also been found to get better response.
It was once thought that carp could not be caught in water above 21c or in
water below 16c. Research indicates that they can survive inside a block of
ice with only a small amount of free water in the centre. They can do this
because of their ability to modify their muscle properties and swimming
performance following several weeks of temperature adaptation. In the cold
winter months, carp generally stay near the bottom. A good rule of thumb for
winter is to fish at the peak temperature times when the water warms
slightly. Carps’ feeding periods will be shorter and less intense than in
warmer months. The angler should realize that the fish are far more
selective in where and on what they'll feed during the winter.
Spawning
Changes in water temperature
have an affect on carp’s spawning habits. Carp spawn in the spring and early
summer when the water temperature is around 16-26C. It may take place over
several days. The embryonic development of carp takes about 3 days at
20-23C. If hatching comes too close to winter the young carp fry do not have
enough time to build up reserves of fat before winter sets in and they
perish. Growth is rapid where the water is warm and rich in food. Carp can
reach 0.9kg and 15cm in length in a year. They continue to grow at that
rate, but not in waters that are too cold (below 10C) to encourage maximum
size. The ideal temperature for maximum growth is 20-28C.
References for the above Crap Article:
Al-Hamed,
MI. Carp Culture in the Republic Of Iraq. Found in Proceedings of the FAO
World Symposium on Warm Water Pond Fish Culture.
URL:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/61036T/61036T10.htm. [Accessed Feb 23 2007].
Dawson, Peter. 1996. Carp-l FAQ. URL: Weather.
URL:
http://www.carp.net/faq/cfaq_6.htm. [Accessed Feb 23 2007].
Grattidge, Julian. Oct 24, 2005. Beginners Guide to Carp Fishing – Part 2:
Watercraft. URL:
http://www.northwestcarp.co.uk/Carp-Articles/Beginners-Carp-Guide/Guide_Carp_Fishing2_Watercraft.html.
[Accessed Feb 23 2007].
Hayes, Matt. No date given. Ask Matt Hayes,
URL:
http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/authors/matt13.htm [Accessed Feb 23 2007].
Herkel. 2007. Wind and Carp? Carp Anglers Group. URL:
http://www.carpanglersgroup.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=19926&pid=275480&st=15&#entry275480.
[Accessed Feb 23 2007].
Peteri, A. January 31, 2007. Cultured Aquatic Species Information Programme
- Cyprinus carpio. FAO Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Service (FIRI).
c2004- . URL:
http://www.fao.org/figis/servlet/static?dom=culturespecies&xml=Cyprinus_carpio.xml
[Accessed Feb 23 2007].
Related Carping Articles
Weather Influences on Carp Movement
Do Carp
Have Good taste, smell & Sight?
Carp Digestion & assimilation of Food Sources & Bait
Carp Spawning Do they still eat our baits?
Different Carp Bait for Catching Big Carp
Catch the Biggest Carp from the Margin Shallows
List
of all our Carp Fishing Articles & Information
|
