How to keep catching

Ian Poole: 'Surface fishing is the one'

“One method that really comes into its own around now will be the surface fishing and there will be a couple of venues this summer where the floaters will be my main line of attack. Surface tactics are so often treated like a ‘chuck it and chance it method’ and something to do on a warm afternoon to fill in the hours that the bottom rods are quiet. Most who apply these tactics generally get what they deserve and that’s absolutely nothing. However, put a bit more faith in what in my opinion is the most exciting form of carp fishing out there and like me you’ll discover that carp feed on the surface at all times including the hours of darkness. All it takes is some confidence in the method and a willingness to look for opportunities in all conditions rather than waiting for them to be handed to you on a plate.”

Lewis Read: 'Get up at dawn'

“Irrespective of the tackle or bait you use, the one thing that will catch you more fish in May and June is getting your head off that pillow and watching the water during the prime feeding period at dawn. The problem is, dawn is around 4 o’clock so you may have to curtail the lager marathon the night before to ensure that you’re up with the lark!

“Careful observation at this time of the day will enable you to either bust a move or get hookbaits in amongst active feeding fish or plan a move into the area that you spotted the most activity for the following morning. It’s called watercraft; without that you’re just camping, not carping! If you’re moving onto fish, a careful and quiet approach (forget the mallet!) will often pick you up a bite if you’re able to present a hookbait without scaring them. That means the lightest lead for the range and the least number of casts. Don’t be tempted to chuck bait all over the place either: small bags, PVA stringers or even singles are normally the best approach, with a view to applying bait later after the feeding activity has subsided (normally late morning).”

Kev Hewitt: 'Fill the lake in'

“Once the weather has warmed up and the fish have got their spawning rituals out of the way, they can become very hungry and more than well up for big beds of particles. It is this time of year that I tend to up the ante and start to pile the bait in. Even on overnighters I will put a full bucket of particles out. It really doesn’t take long for them to get on it and be more than willing to throw caution to the wind and feed in numbers. Action can come think and fast once you get them competing and by fishing three rods over one baited area you can maximise your chances of getting a couple of bites in quick succession.”

Mark Pitchers: 'Take your floater kit'

“During periods of warm weather the carp will spend a large percentage of their time in the upper layers and when they are visibly cruising near the surface it’s time to reach for my floater kit. This approach lends itself perfectly to roving tactics and travelling light with just one rod, a net, unhooking mat and various tackle items will enable me to move swims quickly and cover more ground as I go in search of any cruising carp.

“Having located them it would then be a case of introducing a mixture of dog biscuits and floating trout pellets until the carp were feeding with enough enthusiasm and confidence to warrant making a cast. Floater fishing will play a fundamental role in my fishing at this time of year and while others are sat behind motionless rods during the height of the midday sun I’ll still be confident of winkling out a fish or two!”

Ed Betteridge: 'Look for opportunities'

“The added day light hours in May and June, along with the quieter banks after the spring rush of anglers often means that the fish visit the margins a lot more, which opens the door to stalking opportunities. The chance of a bite in deeper open water situations often passes after midmorning on the hot sunny days of June. So instead of wasting time with the rods out or nipping to the local cafe, I often grab my stalking rod and wrap enough bits of kit in my unhooking mat to last me a few hours wandering the lake looking for stalking opportunities. I will often climb several trees around the lake looking for signs of fish and bait a few areas that I can keep an eye on in the hope that I might get a few fish feeding.”

Shaun Harrison: 'I like a big bed of bait'

“The end of May and beginning of June, there is always a bit of an awkward time to predict because traditionally the carp tend to be spawning around this time of the year. After spawning I would rather rest the fish to recover well and feed them plenty. This is a difficult one to answer as I would rather not fish for them for a couple or three weeks after they have spawned when they are at their most vulnerable but totally understand that many will. After spawning they are usually up for a good munch, so a decent bed of bait and sit and wait tactics will bring results. If they are still to spawn then you will start finding the fish gathering regularly in the margins and the shallower areas of the lake where a small PVA bag of bait should be more than enough to attract the attention of one of these already ‘full fish’.”

Jack Brown: 'Surface fishing it's awesome'

“With the increase in water and air temperature and longer hours of daylight, the fish will most definitely be making the most of this by spending a lot of their time in the upper layers, cruising about just under the surface. The best and probably the most enjoyable way of catching them would be the method of surface fishing. Having my surface fishing kit on me at all times is something I always do during the warmer months to gain extra bites, a true blank-saver in my eyes. Even being able to grab a couple of hours in the evening after work could secure you a bite when nothing else can. Being prepared and having the floater gear at your disposal at all times will certainly gain you extra bites during this month.”