Autumn is looked at as 'The Big Feed Up' before the winter hits where the carp are looking to get their energy reserves up. A big factor in Autumn in my mind is without a doubt a good high quality bait. Fishmeal based boilies are what I stick to right up till winter hits us.
As for a baiting strategy I tend to 'Spread it out', Autumn time I'm not worried about a nice tight bed of bait, what I want is a scattering of bait fairly well spread out. I need those fish to dip down grab a boilie or two then up, moving and looking for the next one. The way I look at it is I'm keeping them occupied and interested and when they finally suck that one boilie that has your hook attached to it, the fact they have that instinct to get up, keep moving and searching then that's what is going to send that hook home to the bottom lip.
When the big feed up does begin you're going to wanna be at the lake, Keep an eye for those low pressures coming through along with those South Westerly. If you see these on the weather forecast then you might wanna book a few days off work.
Rig Choice
Personally this is when I move away from the High vis pop ups etc and I get on the 'Match The Hatch' or Washed out hookbaits. My rig choice changes, I want my hook lying flat to the the deck so I put away the Ronnie rigs and get out the more balanced rigs like an IQ-D rig, That enables me to have a balanced bait, the hook is lying flat to the bottom. It's just personal preference I believe as 'The |Big Feed' begins they become more cautious so a less obvious rig just makes sense to me.
Location
Location will always be the most important no matter what time of year it is, The truth is if the fish ain't there then you ain't catching them and its as simple as that. The big South Westerly winds will be coming in stronger and colder! I always make sure to spend time on the front of the wind and also a few thundered yards from the head of the wind, why? Well this is where the last of the natural food will be settling.
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