We have found in our lake that you need to bait two areas of you swim, one for the greedy silver fish and one that is 1 - 2 feet away for the carp.
Also groundbait a spot in the margins and leave it until you see signs off life, keep topping up during your session. when you see the signs.... gently drop in your you bait and hold on
do not leave unattended you might lose your tackle
Some scoff at margin fishing but it works for me.... whether using margin poles or feeder rod. Admittedly those pesky silver fish still bite, but not as much.
Boilies can be a waste of money too, pellets 6 - 8 mm, we have caught on unusual bait too including Maltesers, Pineapple chunks, and they went absolutley berserk over chocolate and orange snack o jacks, the snack o jacks were floating and did not last long but the carp came steaming from over 50 yards away for them !
Good Luck and Tight Lines