Part 2 Pre-baiting Tactics

The St. Lawrence River poses many baiting challenges that can differ significantly from other international waters.  The presence of backwater eddies, underwater artesian spring fields, thermoclines and current fluctuations, both natural and man made, can wreak havoc on ground bait presentations.  This can equate to not only frustration on the part of the angler, but also great expense in the form of wasted bait.  The ability to “read” the St. Lawrence is not an easy task, even for the most experienced angler.  There are, however, certain telltale signs that may help you determine how and where to positions your baits to effectively produce larger fish.  To comprehend and decipher these signs, an angler must first understand the seasonal behavioral patterns of the carp relative to these conditions and how to exclude nonproductive areas regardless of how “carpy” they may appear.

Late May into early June is perhaps the least difficult time to affect proper prebaiting tactics.  During this prespawn time carp are gathered in large pods in most of the shallower bays in the river.  Wind direction is a big factor at this time of the year.  Stratification of the water column or ‘thermocline’ is limited to two levels.  The warmer surface water heated by the spring sun and the colder base underneath it.  Carp will seek out the warmer surface water blown into these bays in an attempt to boost their metabolism and feign off the effects of winter dormancy.   As their metabolism increases, so does their propensity to actively feed in anticipation of the upcoming spawn. 

Broadcast ground-baiting by either boat or spod is very effective in these situations.  Tempered whole maize alone works very well and the addition of attractants, flavoring or supplemental boilie presence is not necessary.  If you read the November issue of CarpWorld, Tim Paisley and John Lilley wrote a splendid article on the use of “glacons” while fishing in France.  We have been using this tactic on the St. Lawrence for a while now with exceptional results in the prespawn season.  We have affectionately Americanized them by calling them “Bubbabombs”.  They work wonderfully in long range situations or when utilizing wet bait where PVA bags prove useless. 

Maize, 11% mix of honey or molasses are used for the major composition.  The more water added the faster the bomb will disintegrate.  While I believe the use of film canisters is a great idea for convenience sake, we also use Popsicle molds for presentation.  Because the molds are restricted at the bottom, the hook bait and hook are exposed prior to freezing.  This allows for a proper hookset on the “instant biters”.  We also utilize this tactic for ground baiting.  A large milk container of frozen ground bait with a weight and marker float will act as a target and produce a perfect presentation within the desired swim.

The second and third week of June brings with it the major spawning activity.  I have found that most overseas anglers believe that with the spawn comes a major lack of feeding activity.  Nothing could further from the truth.  First of all, unlike smaller bodies of water, the St. Lawrence does not achieve the same water temperatures in all areas at the same time.  Bays used by carp for spawning purposes may contain underwater artesian spring fields that can delay this activity for weeks.  Identifying these cold water spring fields is quite simple with the use of depth finders that have a temperature display.  If searching for them from shore, look for clear water stains on the water surface accompanied by flat smooth water amidst surrounding ripples.  Larger carp seem to migrate to these areas while more immature fish are actively spawning in the warmer bays.  Also, locating bays that have a deep entrance channel and fishing the deep spot where the carp are visibly chasing and spawning in the shallows will produce larger fish, not yet ready to spawn, that are gorging themselves on the protein rich roe being washed out of the bays.

Utilizing the current effects of the lock systems of the river as water is being diverted to fill the locks brings fast and constant action.  The use of back-leads may be required because of the amount of surface debris created by spawning fish inside the bay.  Larger amounts of ground bait and frequent baiting may be required as the fluctuation of the current may disperse the bait quickly.

The summer dog-days of July and August present a more difficult task.  Larger carp tend to spend a great amount of time in or around moving water.  “Back eddies” or reversing currents can hold sizable pods of larger fish at this time of the year.  To identify these areas, look for swift moving surface water that reverses direction on itself.  To bait these currents you must think of it as an underwater cyclone.  Bait should be positioned in the center of the “eye” of the eddy so it will disperse evenly on the bottom where the fish are holding.  Baiting too far above or below the back eddy will result in the bait being washed hundreds of feet away from your hookbait.

Highly flavored groundbaits are preferred this time of year, and activators are essential.  Scopex, pineapple, banana, maple, and honey flavors seem to work best.  Ground baiting should be limited t small areas in very warm weather as the fish may need to be coaxed into biting and the presence of too much bait may put them off after a very short feeding spell.

Late summer and fall ground baiting tactics may require a bit more consideration.  Thermo cline levels are very distinct and it is imperative to introduce the bait into the level that the carp are comfortable feeding in.  Almost as important is the fact that these comfort zones will contain the most highly oxygenated water at this time of year, allowing the feeding fish to remain active for longer periods of time.  These areas are easily recognized by the presence of clear, flat surface waters within bays containing choppy surrounding waters.  These areas should be ground baited heavily as they may contain large numbers of actively feeding fish.  Regular tempered maize should be used with very little added flavorings.  Most activators contain PH levels that are not conducive to the basewater PH levels in the fall season.  This can adversely effect the carps desire to feed.  I will discuss the effect of PH levels on carp and carp feeding trends in part 3 of the article in next months issue.