Autumn. The air gets colder, daylight hours decrease, and the carp become more wary.
Longtime anglers know this: this season, "finding the fish" is more important than any miraculous boilie. This is the time when technique and focus really matter. Oli Davies explained it well in his video shot at Barum Lakes, where he shares his strategy for tackling autumn.
And it's not just about luck. It's about method.
How does fishing change in autumn?
When temperatures drop, carp change their behavior. They move less, feed more cautiously, and frequent deeper, more stable areas.
Davies observes that “just one carp showing up” can be the key to understanding the entire lake. And that's where the right tackle comes into play, because when opportunities are few, the presentation must be perfect.
To summarize:
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Carp become more static and selective.
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The signs to look for are subtle: fizzing , small bubbles, light ripples.
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Patience and precision are required when placing the primer.
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The technical setup makes the difference: every mistake costs a carp.
Where are carp hiding this season?
When the summer algae begin to die, isolated banks of vegetation remain, "cabbage" areas as Davies calls them. Here, the seabed alternates between clean and muddy areas.
He uses the baiting pole for a stealth approach: dropping the bait exactly where he sees the bubbles moving, without disturbing them.
A concrete example?
If you fish similar waters, a multi-rig with 15mm match the hatch pop-ups ( match the hatch : when two baits put together, for example a bottom bait and a pop-up, have more or less the same colour) is a winning solution.
It allows you to work the bait over debris, keeping the hookbait visible even on dirty bottoms. In our small parts department, you'll find all the components you need to create it with surgical precision: QC swivels, curved shank hooks, anti-tangle sleeves, and ready-made leadcore.
What is the most effective strategy according to Oli Davies?
Davies takes a “hybrid” approach:
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A couple of rods on safe spots, already baited with precision.
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A third mobile barrel , ready to be moved to new areas of activity.
In practice, it always keeps an alternative open.
Anyone who fishes in autumn with only one idea in mind is bound to fail. Carp are on the move, and the only way to catch them is to read the water and act quickly.
And to do that, you need a rig that won't let you down. A multi-rig fitted with a coated rigid hooklink allows you to "feel" the bottom when casting and ensure the leader is set correctly.
When to change your advert and how to understand it?
Davies says that often, after seeing movement, he has “nicked a bite” – that is, managed to provoke an almost immediate bite – by moving to a secondary area, in this case “Breen Bay”.
But moving doesn't mean abandoning his strategy: he always leaves a little groundbait in old spots to "keep them alive." It's like keeping two pots on the stove: one can go out, but the other can suddenly boil.
In carp fishing this translates into:
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feed little but often;
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alternate visual boilies and match the hatch;
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use PVA sticks or bags to concentrate the attraction on the precise spot.
If you want to improve this phase, visit the PVA Carpela section: you will find Micromesh nets for deep bottoms and Hexmesh for cold waters, perfect for adapting to temperature changes.
What can we learn from this video for our sessions?
Oli Davies didn't reinvent the wheel. He simply applied discipline and logic to every move. The message is clear: in autumn, you don't win with bait, you win with precision .
In summary:
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Find the fish first, then think about the rest.
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Pay attention to the details of the rig: an incorrect presentation in this season is fatal.
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Alternate fixed and mobile spots.
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Adapt your hardware to the conditions: seabed, depth and temperature matter more than you think.
In conclusion
Many carp anglers give up after a single coat in autumn, thinking that "carp don't eat anymore." In reality, as Davies demonstrates, they do eat , just at a different pace and according to a different logic. And those who don't adapt are left to watch.
If you want to be ready for your next sessions, do as Oli does: study the lake, prepare your rigs carefully, and stock up on hardware designed for real-world situations. In our store, you'll find everything you need to build reliable setups even when the water gets cold.
Valentino (multirig) by Carpela
