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The effect of barometric pressure upon carp is one which, as far as I’m aware, no scientific study has been conducted and we are therefore left to speculate. As I am sure many others will have done,


I have developed my own theories on this aspect and, from my experience I have deduced that during sustained spells of high pressure, carp are very reluctant to spend any great length of time at depth. The irresistible evidence, determined


by my observations, results and research, brought me to a conclusion that carp find it at best uncomfortable at depth during these periods. It’s my observation that during periods of sustained high pressure, carp tend to sit in mid water or above, even during the cold, winter months. It is very noticeable that once the first frosts arrive, fish will very quickly vacate the shallow areas of a lake to position themselves over deeper water. However,


‘There is no doubt that both water temperature and barometric pressure play a huge role in regards to comfort zones’


although at one time it was generally thought that the change in their feeding habits was entirely down to low temperatures, in my opinion, water temperature alone has very little bearing on when or where carp will feed. There is perhaps some science that


provides a pointer in this matter. In deeper lakes the hypolimnion (the bottom layer of water in a lake) remains at 4C, no matter what the air temperature or upper layers of water is. Summer or winter the hypolimnion remains constant, so there isn’t a link to carps feeding habits there because there is both food and a more agreeable temperature available to them and yet, until the influence of barometric pressure arrives


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in the equation, they do not feed. Although low water temperature alters their metabolism and causes them to conserve energy by entering a semi-dormant state, it doesn’t in itself prevent them from feeding. In deeper water during winter, a


comfort zone exists where carp can spend considerable time without expending too much energy… whilst shallow water warms up more quickly in the warm rays of winter sunshine, it also it cools off quickly and, as such, it constantly fluctuates, holding only short term interest to carp. If a fish stays in the shallow areas it will mean that, to remain comfortable, it will be required to be constantly on the move from shallow to deep, to and fro. As we all know, movement uses energy and spent energy needs replacing. In the depths of winter, food which was bountiful in the months of summer becomes scarce, and a delicate natural balance is created. It is also worth noting that a very large proportion


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of natural food is to be found in the shallow and marginal areas of all waters and because this food source diminishes drastically when winter arrives, it becomes a far less beneficial area for carp to visit.


At the other end of the scale, deeper water possesses more consistent temperatures and an incremental range of temperatures exists throughout the water column.


The need for constant lateral movement


is not required over deeper water because, to reach a food source on the lakebed, it’s a simple matter of adjusting their swim bladders to enable them to move vertically, up and down. Whereas in summer, when carp can more easily replenish spent energy (utilising stored energy to search for more food), the dearth of winter demands a complete reverse of that process. Now, another factor comes in to the


equation, and possibly the most import factor where we are concerned, that of Barometric


Steve Howard: Food for thought


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