The No1 Factor That Can Ruin Your Chances 🛑 (and How to Fix It)

Here’s how I decide when to let them have it and when not to bother.
⚡ Watch next: How to save money on bait 👉 • 5 Ways to Improve Your...
A key decision when you’re out on a session is how much bait to put in because obviously you want the carp to come and eat your bait and pick up your rig. If the carp aren’t eating your bait then there’s no point in putting any more in. What I’m going to show you in this video is what I do to find out if the carp are eating and how I use the weather to work out how much I need to put in.
⏰ In this video:
0:00 Introduction
0:29 Baiting through the seasons
02:05 What to do if oxygen levels are low?
05:18 Are the carp eating my bait?
🐟 My bait recommendations:
Scopex Squid 18mm boilies 5kg: amzn.to/3CCMnRf
Scopex Squid 6mm pellets 5kg: amzn.to/3CTodSX
Scopex Squid flake 5kg: amzn.to/3q9enVr
Scopex Squid syrup 1l: amzn.to/3e0Xedw
Scopex Squid hemp 2.5l: amzn.to/3wwVXkH
Himalayan rock salt: amzn.to/3PXH6GS
Sweet tiger nuts: amzn.to/3Rb2aL2
Boilie spoon: amzn.to/3TmumN7
Bushwhacker baiting pole system: amzn.to/3ArD6J1
☎️ Connect with me:
Filmed at my lake, Beausoleil Carp and Cats: www.frenchcarpandcats.com/
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[@matthewcollinsangler]

⚡ Watch next: How to save money on bait 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJTHiqCYjseAopY I’ve done this video to share some of my knowledge as a fishery manager about how the weather and oxygen levels in water impact carp fishing and baiting. After all, no angler wants to waste money on bait when conditions aren't right. I’ve heard loads of myths over the years about oxygen levels. For example the notion that rain adds oxygen to the lake is not strictly correct. Rain is often preceded by a drop in air pressure and as the pressure falls this will have a far bigger impact on oxygen levels. Most anglers would associate a drop in air pressure as a good thing and that can often be true. However if the oxygen level is low to start with then a further drop is going to kill off any chance of a bite. Hopefully this video will shed some light on the subject.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

🙋‍♂ Additional info: Someone asked what the best oxygen levels are. Carp will feed from 4mg/l upwards, 7 mg/l is ideal. Oxygen levels vary throughout the day (lowest at dawn, highest at dusk). I find the oxygen levels are good through until mid/end of May then we have a big drop (usually after spawning due to the amount of chemicals that the fish release during spawning). In the winter, the oxygen levels are great, the trouble is temps are low and the carp can’t digest the food. The optimum time to apply bait heavily is when there is a perfect balance between oxygen and temperature and this will occur here sometime around the end of April/ early May. Don’t ignore the early season though. Some of the biggest carp actually get caught in Jan/Feb/Mar before many anglers make the effort to get out. Of course, depending on where you live, these timelines will vary.

[@goonernumone8444]

@@matthewcollinsangler very interesting information Matthew thanks again , Lee 🎣

[@darrenfowler8308]

Very informative and interesting video again Matthew. Thanks again for all you are doing for the angling community. Precise and easy to understand information neglected by many others. 👌

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Darren, thanks very much for commenting and for your fantastic support. It’s great to know that our work is being so well received, gives us a lot of motivation! All the best for 2022. Cheers, Matt.

[@markrobbins7043]

Excellent Matt. Great to know and implement. Thank you.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Mark, thanks as always for your super positive feedback. I hope it helps you put an extra carp or two on the bank this year 😉 Cheers, Matt.

[@zaccbrennan]

Another class video matt full of useful info as per usual. One of the best channels on KZbin top man thanks

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, thanks very much for your amazing feedback, it's really fantastic to hear. 😊 All the best for 2022. Cheers, Matt.

[@jerrardprins1942]

Hi mathew. Just want to thank you for sharing your knowledge. Ive mearnt tons and this has deffinately improved my fishing a ton.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

That's wonderful to hear, thank you 😊

[@stephenboyd311]

Ive learnt so much watching ur clips the last few month's , thanks for sharing ur info , keep up the good work matt 👍 😀

[@matthewcollinsangler]

That's great to hear mate, thanks very much 😊

[@honestloz]

Another great video Matt very informative, I have to admit that is something I have never really thought of so thank you for once again helping me understand another tactic which will help me catch more fish 👍 All the best & have a great 2022. Kind regards Lawrence.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Lawrence, thanks as always for commenting and I’m glad that you liked the video. Don’t beat yourself up, if it wasn't for 10 years + of fishery management experience I still wouldn't have a clue about oxygen either lol. Hope that the video gives you a bit of an edge this year. Cheers, Matt.

[@markR6.76]

I’ll second that , 👍

[@joshplays3494]

hey mat, you don't understand how much I appreciate your vids. I think your one of the best carp anglers who make sure to show the realistic side to fishing. Please do a vid on the best sturgeon baits and rigs? I'm not sure if you do sturgeon fishing.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks very much for your amazing feedback! It’s fantastic to hear. I’m no expert on sturgeon fishing but I’ll do my best to help you out. We have one sturgeon here but there is another lake near me I’ve fished that has many more sturgeon. Personally I don’t find them very difficult to catch. They like good oxygen levels for sure and won’t feed if conditions aren't right. They absolutely love pellets and I’ve caught loads when using pellets en masse. They also love a solid PVA bags of pellets with a little popup on top. They are very catcheable during daylight hours. They fight very hard and can take a long time to recover after a battle. It’s best to hold them upright in a sling for a while until they are strong enough to swim by themselves. They love to run through other lines so they can be a bit of a pain! They are remarkable species for sure. I hope that helps. All the best for 2022. Cheers, Matt.

[@Argento261]

thanks for the video and a happy new year to you and your family

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, thanks for commenting. Glad that you like the video and a very happy new year to you too 😊

[@Drumdanimal360]

Great video as usually Matt, a subject no one seems to ever talk about, cheers

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Danny, thanks as always for commenting. It’s something that I only know about thanks to my 10 years fishery management experience. I soon began to realise that oxygen levels have a far greater effect over whether we catch or blank than anything else. All the best with your fishing this year. Cheers, Matt.

[@Spolonic]

Great video Matt! Thanks for sharing!

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi there, thanks very much for commenting. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Don’t forget to subscribe as we’ll be releasing at least one new video every month this year. Cheers, Matt.

[@Chris-on3el]

Another great informative video well done Matthew 👍😎

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks very much Chris 😊

[@bradhorner1358]

Another Great Of Information Again At Times Its Very Important Thanks Again Fella

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Brad, thanks again for your super positive feedback! Cheers, Matt.

[@bradhorner1358]

@@matthewcollinsangler No Worries Matt Take Care

[@leosumner9317]

Hi Matt, love your videos so much. I think you are the best provider of knowledge on carp fishing out there. Never seen anyone like you before. My question is, is it worth investing in an oxygen meter so you can judge when to put bait in?

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Leo, thanks as always for your super positive comments, we really do appreciate them. Great question! The trouble is that oxygen meters (good ones) are very expensive (£762 for the latest version of mine). If you are a member of an angling club or a syndicate then it would be a great idea to club together and get one for the water but you might have a very hard time convincing people it’s a good idea. Personally, the idea of running/managing a water without an oxygen meter is inconceivable but unless you’ve seen the harsh reality of what can go wrong on a water then you are not going to understand the value of such an instrument. For the individual angler, unless you own a water or have a fish pond that contains specimens of some value then it would be difficult to justify IMO. You need regular access to the water and take reading multiple times per week in order to build up a picture of what’s going on over time. All mine go into a spreadsheet and you need to take the readings at the same time each day. Just taking a spot reading when you go fishing isn't really going to cut it unless the oxy is obviously low. Hope that helps. If you’d like to learn more there’s plenty of information available on the net. Cheers, Matt.

[@jdrury57]

I am relatively new to your videos but have previously watched lots of what would be considered more main stream carp videos over the years (where I was falling for the marketing ) where I am taking on perceived advice and adjusting rigs, setup, what I am purchasing etc accordingly because I think it will improve my results, as they are better anglers than I, which they are, but they are also largely trying to promote products etc. I would consider myself an amateur + carp angler on skill but up there with the best in terms of passion so I always take on board what is out there as always trying to improve obviously. However, I have been using basic hair rigs for a while recently and having a lot of success but I came across your new twist on the classic hair rig video and I now do just that as it just all makes so much sense (as per your video) and is so simple as you say. The one question I have, as I think I have seen all you videos over the last two years is would you now advocate the shock and run rig over the running lead set up with a tight clutch? Any response would be greatly appreciated as I think I am now in the situation of only ever using one rig (bottom or pop-up), one chod claw or chod twister hook, again keeping it simple and again thanks to your vids, but unsure which lead set up you would use with those? I only have one syndicate membership and the other venues I fish are all available on day ticket and at those venues weed is not a consideration. I know both will work well because they would not be on your vids otherwise but would really appreciate your opinion. Apologies I only commented on the most unrelated recent vid as I assumed my response was more likely to get seen on the most recent video as assumed it would be more closely monitored. I won't be offended if I don't get a reply and pls keep up the good work for the simple angler. These are just great and why I ended up here :): kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqupmqGXbpeVqK8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3PZi6x-d6isd6c kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKmqnZ-MZ7-Wa9E

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi James, wow, thanks so much for taking the time to comment in such detail about your experiences and it’s so great to know that our channel is helping you along your journey. Actually it is very similar to my own as I was lost in the carping maze myself for quite a few years. You ask a very good question which reminds us that we need to make a video about lead setups. In your case I’d recommend sticking with the shock and run rig with the mono hair. It works with tubing or leadless leader, you can incorporate a tell tale indicator and as long as you push the ring tight onto the Nash HD lead clip you can use small mesh bags or stringers (even if you sometimes miss the clip) with it so it covers a lot of possibilities. Please make sure you use the exact components recommended. I’ve seen guys try and bodge something similar together on their own and the results can only be described as dangerous. I would still use a tight clutch with the shock and run system as you get a double hit effect and they won’t drop off! The mono D-rig is a fantastic little rig and I like to use it when using wafters and popups so don’t forget about that as an option. If you need to use solid PVA bags then I’d go with my original inline system: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3WYaYece6qWp68 We’ve filmed an updated version of this but it’s not been published yet so keep an eye out for it. I’m always working on new tricks and edges but I only create something that actually solves a problem for me or our guests that makes things easier or simpler. I certainly don’t make anything up for the sake of it or to please a sponsor. There are some new rigs in the pipeline but please don’t get confused into thinking that they will out fish any of my other basic rigs. They are just different ways of achieving the same results (catching carp) that may or may not suit you as an angler and the waters you fish better. Please feel free to comment or ask a question on any video, old or new, we get an automatic notification and I’m always happy to help. We receive comments every day and (so far!) I’ve been able to respond to everyone. Feel free to share the channel/videos with anyone interested 😊 Very best regards, Matt

[@jdrury57]

Thanks so much or the reply Matt, hugely appreciated, especially the detail.

[@danw1073]

In other words stop throwing a load of bait in my lake😂

[@thetippingpoint2832]

Learn so much from this channel and I've been fishing years

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, thanks again for the amazing feedback. You never stop learning in fishing, that’s why I love this sport so much 😊

[@PhilipBrown1967]

This was a great video with sine fantastic information. Sometimes we anglers forget the odd thing and films like this remind us to consider the weather and oxygen levels et cetera.saying that I use little bait anyway as I’m tight

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Glad you enjoyed it Phil, I fish a lot of small traps myself 👍

[@blackcountryfisherman9341]

Fantastic video once again. How does depth alter the oxygen levels as I frequently fish a gravel pit that is 50ft deep with prolific weed growth. I don't fish in those depths but wondered if oxygen has layers like a thermocline. Best wishes for the new year to yourself and family.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, thanks for commenting and I’m glad you liked it. That’s an excellent question! Oxygen levels decrease as water depths increase. If there is no aeration and no wind then deep water can hold little or no oxygen which of course is a problem. Carp can spend short periods at depths in a low oxygen environment but they don’t like it and if there’s a better option then that’s where they’ll be. To give you some idea of what I’ve found, the top couple of feet of any lake will hold the best oxygen levels. When levels are low at the top you only have to go down to 6ft and the levels will be extremely low. 50ft is very deep and way beyond what I’ve fished. If there’s plenty of wind then this will mix the oxygen into the deeper water but I guarantee there'll be times of year when oxygen levels will be very low down there. This is one of the reasons why zigs are so effective when bites are hard to find off the bottom. Hope that helps and all the best for 2022. Cheers, Matt.

[@dispatchteam729]

Hi Mathew, always enjoy your videos find them interesting and thought provoking. What is your opinion of big summer storms on large waters where a strong wind agitates the water the waters surface creating large waves and imparting oxygen into the water column? I've personally found these conditions to respond well to heavy baiting and only this weekend had a hit of fish after applying 8 kilos to a spot in these conditions.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, thanks for commenting. Great to know that you enjoy our videos 😊 Great question! Big waters are different to smaller waters for sure. We’ve just gone through a period of high temperatures followed by a massive drop in pressure, high winds, rain etc. and we lost 8 mg/l of oxygen in one night! If it wasn't for our aeration system, we would be in real trouble. On large waters, yes, the surface area increases which will increase the rate at which oxygen can be transferred into the water and the wind will create an undertow current which will improve mixing but these oxygen pluses will be wiped out by the drop in air pressure which will suck all the oxygen out of the lake. So what you are fishing through in this situation is an oxygen drop, rather than an oxygen increase. The reason why you caught well IMO is that as oxygen drops, the bloodworm and other natural carp food will rise up in the silt looking for oxygen and as they rise, the carp drop down to gorge themselves on them. This is all well and good as long as there is enough oxygen for the carp to be able to metabolise their food. The cut-off point is around 4mg/l. If you were fishing a small lake during the summer and applied the same amount of bait, the result would be poor fishing or blanking rather than good fishing. I normally cover those details in my IRL tuition sessions as it’s a bit too much for a video but I hope that makes sense and explains what you experienced. Cheers, Matt.

[@alanmeasures8337]

Great information on the water colour Cheers Matt

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks Alan 👍

[@Sixx2099]

Amazing video as always. These informations are of immense value for any angler. Could by any chance do a video on river carp fishing in 2022? It would be greatly appreciated.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, thanks again for commenting and for the amazing feedback. I do intend to do some more river carping this year (if we have a more normal year lol.) We definitely have plans for more filming projects along those lines. I’m very keen to start exploring the many small rivers that hold carp around where I live. All the best for 2022. Cheers, Matt.

[@crazycarp5045]

Absolutely love this guy , I've learned almost everything I now know just from listening to his videos really underrated content this guys deserves way more views and subs I'd even pay for 1on 1 coaching 💙

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Wow, love that feedback mate, thank you very much 👍

[@captainchillco1025]

Great insight. Now the penny has dropped why I don't catch in low pressure in certain conditions. Thanks Matt...

[@davidbrown9129]

Absolutely bang on 👍 100 bang on info love it. I generally find them and fish for a bite and go from there, unfortunately modern day angling would lead you to believe you have to fill a lake in to catch.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks very much David 👍

[@henrywilliams8980]

Awesome top quality information 👌

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Henry, thanks as always for commenting 😊 All the best, cheers, Matt.

[@tt.craftycarp.asseenfishin5838]

Well done Matty. A Man with a Brain ! TT.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks very much 😊

[@liamwebb9638]

I can’t wait to get my rigs perfect like you mate 👍

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Liam, it’s just practice mate really. I’d just focus on tying one simple rig well (like the mono D or the mono hair). Because they are mono rigs you can tie up loads for very little cost and if you make a mistake then all you’ve lost is a bit of time. Get yourself organised with some decent rig tools. I always prefer to tie rigs in daylight (a well lit dining room table or desk works well). Hope that helps, Cheers, Matt.

[@ryanarmstrong6367]

Great knowledge

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks very much Ryan 😊

[@CarpyChris1964]

Great common sense video matt , let's hope everybody takes this top information on board , and use it to there advantage 👍

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks very much Chris, I hope this can help as many anglers as possible 👍

[@marcanthony9891]

I'm new to this im loving it , what it the best bait for big carp?

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Marc, there’s no bait that’s specifically good for big carp. Big carp need a good source of protein, that’s how they got big and what I look for in a bait is the protein % in the list of ingredients. I like the Nash Scopex Squid because it's got a very good protein level (30%) which means that the carp actually benefit from eating it and it’s got big carp pedigree over many years. There are many high profile baits which are sub 20% protein and that is not what our carp need. Hope you enjoy browsing the channel and pick up a few tips to help you on your journey 😊 Cheers, Matt

[@davelebeer6551]

Another great informative video Matthew! Just one question, what are by your experience the best oxygen levels (mg/l) and untill when you can apply bait?Thanks!🎣👍🏻💪🏻🐟

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Dave, thanks very much for commenting and glad that you enjoyed it. Carp will feed from 4mg/l upwards, 7 mg/l is ideal. Oxygen levels vary throughout the day (lowest at dawn, highest at dusk). I find the oxygen levels are good through until mid/end of May, then we have a big drop (usually after spawning due to the amount of chemicals that the fish release during spawning). The oxygen levels are great at the moment, the trouble is temps are low and the carp can’t digest the food. The optimum time is when there is a perfect balance between oxygen and temperature and this will occur usually mid-April to mid-May. That’s the time you need to go into max attack mode to make the best of the fishing that’s available. Don’t ignore the early season mind. Some of the biggest carp actually get caught in Jan/Feb/Mar before many anglers make the effort to get out. Of course, depending on where you live, these timelines will vary. All the best for 2022. Cheers, Matt.

[@davelebeer6551]

@@matthewcollinsangler Thanks so much for your answer! This is really fantastic information. I will definitely use this in the future. All the best! Cheers Dave (Belgium)

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@davelebeer6551 No worries mate. It’s a complicated subject and these parameters usually have far more of an affect on our results than anything else. All the best, Matt.

[@lieschenmultikill5038]

@@matthewcollinsangler Why is there less O2 in the morning than in the evening? I thought over night the temp is dropping and thus more O2 is absorbed into the water.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@lieschenmultikill5038 Hi, oxygen levels are affected by many things, not just temperature. There is less O2 in the morning because the algae or weed needs oxygen and will draw that from the water after the sun sets. After dawn, the O2 level will rise as the sun hits the water. O2 max is in the late afternoon/evening before it drops again overnight. That’s the theory and it’s also what I’ve observed monitoring the O2 levels here for years. Hope that helps. Cheers, Matt.

[@markgoody4944]

Great info again Matt…I wish some ‘anglers’ would educate themselves on feeding because I still see over feeding time and time again which isn’t just unsuccessful for catching but also detrimental to causing further problems with already struggling water quality!

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Mark, thanks again for commenting. You're right, on some waters this can be a big problem and there’s nothing worse when the water quality is on the edge than loads more bait going in because anglers are struggling for a bite. Anything you can do to share this videos among your friends would be great 👍Cheers, Matt.

[@ItsNickP]

Moral of the story. Always fish at max distance from your swim so you can regularly go out in the boat and disturb the fish. Doesnt matter if they were feeding there because they arent now.

[@Enpassantful]

I wouldn’t have any time left for fishing if done all that. 😂

[@scottpeters5624]

More little gems, cheers matt. I didn't realise low air pressure in summer, sucks the oxygen out of the water,, is that the same in winter?. Does high pressure push oxygen back into the water,? It's all about balance as you know,, Would a good down pour in summer increase the 02 levels,? And would it follow suit that waves introduce 02,, and that would get pushed to windward end of a lake , concentrating fish there, or would the under current (back flow) disperse oxygen rich water back towards the Lee end? , geez, sorry matt,, that turned into an essay 😂 Great to see you back on your channel

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Scott, thanks as always for commenting and for your most excellent questions. Yes, summer or winter low pressure will allow oxygen to pass from the water into the air. During the winter this isn't much of a problem because the cold water means that the oxygen levels are high. The trouble is that during really hot spells, the oxygen can already be on the limit and a big low pressure system (summer storm) will send the levels even lower with potential disastrous consequences for the fish and the fishing. Yes high pressure raises the O2 level. That’s good but as a consequence the carp will feel more comfortable in shallow water or in the upper layers. That’s why zigs work well at certain times. Many anglers believe that rain will raise the oxygen level but the degree of this effect is absolutely minimal and will be completely eradicated by the subsequent drop in air pressure. Waves raise O2 levels by increasing the surface area of the lake and by moving water from the upper layers to the lower layers. With enough continuous wind O2 will become distributed fairly evenly through the water body so although I have found slight differences from one end of the lake to the other this is more to do with the lake depth rather than wind direction. With no wind, no aeration and no movement of the water the low layers quickly become deoxygenated as only the very top surface layer will hold any oxygen. The deeper the lake and the more sheltered it is the worse this problem becomes. We maintain wind channels across the lake surface by managing the surrounding trees to ensure that there’s always some air that can pass over the lake surface. We also run a diffused aeration system all year round with additional aeration in the summer should levels drop out of the safe window. Cheers, Matt.

[@scottpeters5624]

@@matthewcollinsangler hi Matt, thanks for taking the time to reply with such a concise answer., That all makes total sense, so the prevailing weather effects on 02 levels, will more or less dictate the carps appetite and the depth they feel comfortable at,, Fish at low 02 levels at wrong depth, and you might as well have no bait on,,,, ,,,,,, but , tbh,, that's still better than having to sit through 2 hours of TV soaps 😂😂 Cheers scott

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@scottpeters5624 Basically yes! It’s a really complex relationship between oxygen level, water temperature, air pressure, wind speed and direction, time of year, light levels and the stability of all of these parameters 😊 If the weather is all over the place the fishing will be hard and there’s not much you can do about it. Then of course you have lake size, stocking density, amount of natural food available and the level of angling pressure. These all have a big role to play. As an engineer, carp fishing is just a massive equation lol. The trap that many anglers fall into is that they chop and change the wrong things and the wrong times for the wrong reasons and it basically leaves them powerless as to what’s actually going on. I’ll be doing some more videos on this subject at some point so thanks for the questions. Cheers, Matt.

[@scottpeters5624]

@@matthewcollinsangler thanks matt,, chop and change the wrong things, at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons, leaving them powerless,, and may I add,, " and clueless" That paragraph basically sums up my carping ! Lol I'm looking forward to that video,, I learn so much from your no nonsense, precise delivery of subject matter Thank you

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@scottpeters5624 I was just as clueless lol. Thanks again for your support mate and we promise to continue to do what we do ;) Cheers, Matt.

[@louislunterbusch5571]

Another great video Matthew, it’s not all about water temperature or air pressure. Oxygen is at least as important as the other two imo. I fish a deep but also very clear water and last year and even at 10m (30ft) there was weed grows all over. I did a lot of night fishing over there but 90% of the carp I caught came in daylight hours. The few carp I caught at night came most of the time in windy or rainy conditions which compensated the loss of oxygen absorbed by the weed I assume. Looking forward to your next video 👍.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Louis, thanks very much for commenting again and I’m glad that you liked the video. In a heavily weeded venue there will be massive swings in oxygen levels from day to night (worse at night of course) so this would explain why you caught so well during daylight hours. I’ve always found zigs to be killer effective on gin clear waters. I used to fish with a single bit of black foam with a little yellow topper. No spod cloud, no nothing. I’d fish them right through the night and catch. I’d have never believed it if I hadn't seen it work with my own eyes. The thing is that the weed will be sucking the oxygen out of the water at night but in the upper layers the oxygen levels will be okay so the carp will often spend the night in the upper layers on these types of venue. I’m sure that the fish were seeing the black foam in silhouette against the sky. I didn't even flavour it lol. All the best with your 2022 campaign.

[@louislunterbusch5571]

@@matthewcollinsangler hi Matthew, thanks for your reply. I’ve tried zigs but the pit is very weedy. Low stock too. I’m not sure I can land them on small hooks and light hooklinks. But in early spring I might give them a try again. I wish you all the best too!

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@louislunterbusch5571 Hi Louis, I totally understand your concern but it’s totally possible with the right setup. I used 10ft long 8lb zig hooklinks fished into 14ft of gin clear water with 6 - 8ft deep canadian pond weed and banked plenty of carp to 20kg +. The secret was to drop the lead on the take. If this didn't happen the carp was lost. I used an outline-inline setup but nowadays I’d probably use the Nash weed lead clip which is designed exactly for this kind of situation. Hope that helps. Cheers, Matt.

[@louislunterbusch5571]

@@matthewcollinsangler Hi Matt, thanks for your advice. Dropping the lead is not something we do a lot in the Netherlands. So I didn’t really came to mind. But I’ll certainly give it a try. Using adjustable zigs is a no no too I imagine? Cheers Louis.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@louislunterbusch5571 Yeah adjustable zigs are a nightmare in weed unless it's sparse. As you know I don't like to drop leads normally but I have done so and would do so again if it was the right thing to do for a particular situation. I’d definitely give fixed zigs a proper go on the water in question. Depth is key and I’d set each rod at slightly different depth until I found the key. Lots of guys play at zig fishing, and have just one rod on the method and then even change that at night. Having seen how devastating the method can be on clear weedy waters I would recommend that you fully commit with 3 rods and fish them like that 24/7. Keep the hair really short and the bait tight to the hook. Hope that helps. Cheers, Matt.

[@Retired-Tom]

I'm a recent subscriber, I love the fact that you're teaching common sense and watercraft. So lacking in so many these days. We used to look at the bottom through a clean jam jar, you can learn a lot that way including the water temp

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Andy, thanks for subscribing and for the support. This channel is a reflection of what I see in my day job as a fishery owner and there is a lot of confusion out there. I hope it gets anglers to think a bit more about their fishing. Cheers, Matt

[@ollyjackson8733]

Does this oxygen stuff still apply to rivers as much especially tidal/brackish? So confusing some days baking hot but still really active even catching big tench when it's 25-28c but then days like today it's warm and fish every where but high in the water bream tench 7 or 8 carp all just swimming up and down but not taking any bait atall so end up having to spin fir a few pike to save the blank.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Olly, yes this applies to rivers too. The best oxygen levels will always be immediately downstream of a weir. Catching carp in the daytime in these temperatures is extremely hard. They won’t drop down to feed until night time. I've caught all my river carp this year around 9pm. (pike are a delicate species so not sure about fishing for them in hot weather) Cheers, Matt.

[@jdn482]

Great video Matt 👍🏻 i have a question. Is the reason carp spend a lot of time high in the water column during the hot summer months because of a lack of oxygen at lower depths ? I have always been told carp like to bask in the sun but now I’m thinking its more to do with water parameters.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, thanks for commenting and thanks for a very interesting question! Carp are cold blooded so temperature is very important to them. The higher the water temperature the higher the speed at which they can digest food so it’s my understanding that what carp are doing when they are just hanging around in the upper layers is raising body temperature to digest food they’ve already eaten. It’s an added bonus that oxygen levels are good too. Carp can eat a tremendous amount when the oxygen levels are good during the summer. The problem is these levels can vary dramatically. Obviously if things are really dicey then carp will actually sup air from the surface but if you see that then things are really bad. Hope that helps give you some insights. Cheers, Matt.

[@mcfcarpetsstokeontrent1109]

Hi Matthew. Just wanted to say thanks. I've watched quite a few of your videos and must say they make a lot of sense. The trouble I find when watching fishing videos is I always think 'yes, I could try that' and end up spending yet more money on kit. I've got a garage full now, but a lot of your videos are more instructional rather than trying to sell things. They give me ideas what to try without spending endless amounts of money so much appreciated. Thanks, Mark

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Mark, that's really great to hear, thank you. Learning how to sort the wood from the chaff when it comes to carp fishing is very very hard. My day job is helping a holiday carp angler put fish on the bank. I’ve learnt an awful lot doing it and I’m very lucky that I have the chance to share what I’ve learnt and pass it on. Thanks for choosing us to be your guide. You’ll only ever get well researched and honest opinions here. All the best with your 2022 season. Cheers, Matt.

[@goonernumone8444]

Went 3 days the week before Xmas, oh was chilly I regret not taking my bivvy wrap but I had 3 very very nice fish , 28 -33 & 36 LB, I love it simply as you dint have the HUGE amount of bait getting stoved in by others !

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Lee, wow! That's awesome fishing man. The fishing here has been rock hard but I did manage one 35lb mirror for my efforts. All the best for 2022. Cheers, Matt.

[@goonernumone8444]

@@matthewcollinsangler Thank you, it was a session I'll not forget as this lake has plenty of mid 20s but 3 known 40s that are rarely banked, I want them, ive had sessions when I've caught more this year but never had 3 this big from this water....all the very best for 2022 🎣

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@goonernumone8444 Sounds like a really interesting water you’ve got access too. I’ve found the early season a great time for forcing the big girls into a mistake. As carp are cold blooded their systems do not reach optimum “working efficiency” until 27 degrees C. This means that somewhere around 10 degrees they start to fancy a snack but haven't quite woken up enough to be able to spit your rig quite so easily 😉 All the best with the challenge and keep us posted! Cheers, Matt.

[@nobbs67]

Matthew quick question if you wanted to feed the carp to help grow them on, what would you feed them as bait?

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, I’d feed them aquaculture grade feed pellets. There are a few companies in the UK supplying them. Cereal based pellets are very popular, the one we use is 24%, and can be used all year round. Fishmeal pellets contain more protein and should only be used during the spring/summer when the carp can digest the higher levels of protein. Cheers, Matt

[@user-dt3qx1lt4y]

Hello, I am a fan from China. I've also recently become obsessed with carp fishing. We have a lot of carp here, but there are also a lot of small carp. Of course, there are not a few large carp, so every time I catch 2-4 pounds of small carp, I would like to ask you what I should do. Adjustment, how to change the line group or nest material, thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer, thank you very much!

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi! It's fantastic to hear from you, it’s the first time someone from China has commented. My first advice would be (if you can) to look for waters with less small carp and more large carp. Large carp live in larger lakes as large lakes are able to support their nutritional needs. I would also increase the size of the bait you are using. If you are using small boilies then try 24mm boilies. If you are still catching small carp, use 2 x 24mm baits. I’ve used baits as large as 30mm. Increasing the length of the hair can also help avoid small carp. Leave a gap of 30mm between the hook bend and the bait, that should help. Large carp have harder mouths so make sure your hooks are razor sharp. I hope that this helps you. Best Regards, Matt.

[@user-dt3qx1lt4y]

@@matthewcollinsangler Thank you very much for your guidance Matt, I am using Google Translate to translate my language, and I hope you can forgive me for some inaccuracies. This is my first contact with European carp fishing. According to my previous fishing experience, the carp on our side likes sweet foods, such as sweet potatoes, fermented corn, milk-flavored cereals, etc. So I would like to ask how to make bait, is it just a mix of common foods and cooked, or do I need to add something else. Generally, what is the final state of the bait we make, such as softness and hardness, how should I mix the ingredients such as animal protein and vegetable protein in it, and whether it is necessary to let the bait slowly dissolve its flavor in water. Finally, thank you again for your guidance Matt, I am a carp fishing enthusiast from Suzhou, China, you can call me Jiaxin😄

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@user-dt3qx1lt4y Hi Jiaxin! I can understand the translation very well so no problem! European carp anglers use boilies. Boilies are round shaped and they are made with a mix of various dry flours and finely ground ingredients. We then add raw eggs, strong flavours and mix it all together to make a stiff dough or paste. The paste is made into sausages and then rolled into round balls. The boilies are then cooked for a brief time in very hot water to create a hard skin. After cooking the baits are air dried, for at least 24hrs. They are then frozen and stored for use. This process makes them harder for smaller fish to eat and they can be thrown much further because they are hard round balls. I made a video showing this process, it’s very old so don’t laugh too much! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqjYoYydgqiXi6c Now I buy all my bait from a company called Nash but I don’t think they sell into China… yet! There are lots of different recipes and anglers over here are obsessed with the flavours. Personally I don’t think it matters that much. Carp will eat anything! Here’s a page with lots of basic recipes that look good: carpe-passion51.com/EN/recettes.php If the bait tastes good then the carp will love it! You can roll the baits by hand to start with. They won’t be very round but the carp won’t mind! Good luck 😊 Matt.

[@user-dt3qx1lt4y]

@@matthewcollinsangler Thank you so much for sharing Matt, I looked at your site and thought it was awesome! This gave me a lot of confidence in fishing for big carp. My hometown is a huge plain with almost no mountains, so the lake water does not flow very much, resulting in more algae in the water than other places. So I would like to ask you what adjustments we need to make in the bait formula to attract more carp. There are a lot of carp in the water because of the algae, but they seem to be very picky about their food, which has always bothered me. Finally, thank you for your reply Matt. I have learned a lot from these exchanges. Thank you for your selfless sharing.😄

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@user-dt3qx1lt4y Hi Jiaxin, our lake has very little flow and is dominated by algae growth. I’m no bait expert so I’m the wrong person to ask but I don’t believe there are any adjustments to be made. Carp can eat a tremendous amount of food. On average during a year they eat 1.5% of their body mass per day in supplementary feed alone. That does not include their natural diet. You may believe that carp are picky feeders but they aren't. They just don’t like getting caught and they know when they are being fished for! For me the secret to successful angling is simple. Razor sharp hooks and simple rigs. That’s it! You may think your hooks are sharp but they can be a lot sharper. Carp find it very difficult to eject a well tied rig with a very sharp hook. It’s that simple basically. Build their confidence by prebaiting, then introduce and rig and it’s job done! Oh and I only use a hook once. My hooks are that sharp they are only good enough for one carp. Best of luck, Matt.

[@syms85]

Good video

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Thanks mate 👍

[@jonmiller16]

More anglers need to know this as the amount of people I see throwing shed loads in at the wrong times of the year I’ve got a mate at moment catching big carp on single bottom baits in 30 acres while other people are still filling it in and blanking???? Oxygen is the holy grail imo Nice video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi Jon, thanks again for commenting and I’m glad you get where I’m coming from. Understanding oxygen levels was a revelation for me as a fishery owner and then I saw how useful this knowledge was to me as an angler. All the best for 2022. Cheers, Matt.

[@jonmiller16]

@@matthewcollinsangler happy new year mate 👍🏻😊

[@deandredunbar9618]

Well I don't gotta worry about this cuz it's illegal in the state I live in lop it's considered littering and you can get a big fine.

[@davidryley4162]

There are anglers, who promote mass baiting, like 10k of spod mix for a session, which anglers follow suit. What they, don't tell, that mass bait up will be left for a day or even 2, to give the fish time to find it and feed. But the cameras are cut off, then turned on during a feeding spell, to make these guys look good. Heavy baiting, then fishing over it, spells disaster and ends in blanks

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi David, thanks for your input. I certainly agree that mass baiting without a good understanding of the stock levels and the feeding conditions is not a good idea and can lead to blanking. In the right hands at the right time, baiting “en masse” is a powerful technique but unless I have actual proof that they are eating every scrap then I would never pile it in and hope for the best. Cheers, Matt

[@AndrewLomax80]

Not been getting notifications for your videos, not a happy guy. Will have to search from now on

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Sorry to hear that mate, the bell notification should alert you to a new video. We've only launched 2 vids this year, this one here on baiting and another one at the weekend on rig length 😊

[@AndrewLomax80]

@@matthewcollinsangler Cheers mate, was worried I have been missing some. Only just saw reply

[@aarandavidson6086]

Please show this video to korda TV the amount of bait they put in is crazy 10kilo over one rod at the start of a season haha p.s any chance of free pass on your fishery for one lucky viewer as the lake looks amazing 👏

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi mate, well opening the batting with 10kgs per rod is nuts for sure and telling anglers is even worse. Haha, we’ll have to think about that competition idea 😜

[@aarandavidson6086]

They don't mention anything about oxygen levels and how this effects feeding/baiting. And yer it would be a good idea for a competition or even lesson's on water craft. Maybe a reward for me suggesting this a chance to fish your lake 😆 🤣

[@i1bike]

Dont bait in winter, dont bait in summer, so when to bait ? hahahaha Greetings from Croatia, never fished in lake or river, but have 25 exp on the sea. From my exp, baiting always works in the sea

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi there! Yes, as you say, fishing in the sea and in lakes is very different. In lakes, in my experience, you need to be aware of how the weather affects the fish, the fishing and the quantity of bait to put in. There are times of year when I use a lot of bait, and that’s the spring months. Cheers, Matt

[@Enpassantful]

The only problem I see is knowing when oxygen levels are low. Still worth knowing though.

[@matthewcollinsangler]

Hi there, after monitoring oxygen levels in my lake for a number of years, I know that the levels drop consistently as the temperature increases, typically here in NW France, from mid May. If you go carp fishing from June onwards, it’s something to bear in mind. Cheers, Matt

[@djb3v]

Great at 1.25x speed. Can stay awake for the duration.

[@dannybartlett4225]

Number 1 using marbles loool 😆

[@imanishay]

Fish a lake for a week every year and this year hes changed his rules to hookbaits only no free bait so see how we get on

[@technomickdocumentalist2495]

The syndicate members call me a wanker but i'm just a master baiter ..

[@andrewtate8303]

Many waters don't allow you to ho out in boats .

[@horrorfreaklondon3037]

So guys stop piling 5k of shit in each and start off on pva bags....especially on prairie lake!

[@comrade-uj5iy]

Not exactly rocket science is it? Surprised there's a video for it, I've never ever mass baited or even pre baited.....I've never struggled for fish

[@matthewcollinsangler]

You're right, it's not rocket science, you’re used to a very tactical approach but I’ve seen lots of anglers get their baiting strategy wrong at my lake. When I do this ‘biology lesson’ during my tuition sessions, it’s an eye opener for anglers.

[@comrade-uj5iy]

I just use the same principals as when I was a nipper, float fishing on a canals, pond, lakes etc. Right location, little and often and k.i.s.s. Doesn't matter wether it was my first perch nearly 40 years ago or a triple digit catfish. A fish won't feed if its not there, it won't feed if its spawning, it won't feed if its not hungry and it won't feed if the weather's bad ( too hot or cold). Just my 2 pence, thanks for the reply!

[@matthewcollinsangler]

@@comrade-uj5iy Spot on mate 👍