Gaining an understanding
To continue on from the moon-phase phenomena that I wrote about last year, where I touched upon barometric pressure, I thought it might be good to take a look at that in a bit more depth and also in conjunction with the affects of water temperature.
Pressure. The effect of even a small change in B.P. on the swim bladder of a carp is immense. Picture this scenario: Its winter, a shoal
of carp sitting over deep water has just endured two weeks of inactivity due to a sustained high pressure which has meant that it has been uncomfortable for them to visit the depths to feed. Suddenly, a rapid fall in air pressure allows
them to descend and rummage around on the bottom. It may only be a short window of opportunity, but even a short term drop in barometric pressure is enough to make it possible for them to feed and they will gorge themselves before any increase in pressure makes it uncomfortable for them to continue. As the pressure rises so must the fish. Once again, a semi dormant state is enforced until the next significant fall in pressure. It is remarkably distinct and precise; and a great time to employ tactics which capitalise on these changes. In summer, the affect of barometric
pressure on the water is exactly the same as it is in winter, but as carp will be fully energised and able to take advantage of natural food gluts, and replacing spent energy should at this point be a very simple matter. Despite this fact, during high barometric pressure, they will often sulk in the surface layers, cruising around in search of fly hatches and other drifting food items that may be rising or dropping through the water column. I’m sure that you will recognise this behaviour, and that you will know that on those summer days of high pressure, it can become almost impossible to catch a carp at depth. but apart from indirect side effects water
temperature does not have a direct effect on feeding. Water is an extremely volatile substance that is directly and significantly affected instantly by several factors. Apart from moon-phase, barometric pressure, temperature, wind and oxygen levels play a significant role, as do thermoclines in deeper waters, and at times they will combine
and interlink in one way or another. For the purpose of this article, I have tried to isolate just these two factors but there are many other factors and influences to consider. As the years of my carp angling journey
mount, I look back and realise that although I have come a very long way, the more I learn, the more it teaches me how far I still have to go. However, I really wouldn’t have it any other way. Carp are amazing creatures, I enjoy studying and writing about them but, more than anything, I love to cradle them in my arms in the belief that each one is perhaps a reward for my efforts to understand more about them. I hope that you have found my thoughts
and theories interesting and if any of the above provokes a thought or helps you to put just one carp on the bank, I would consider that to be a personal triumph.
STEVE HOWARD
Pressure situation.. Moody skies signalling a huge drop in Barometric Pressure (main image). A weather front that produced several fish during a significant pressure drop from 1000mb to 930mb (top left).
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