Essentially, all you need to enjoy carp fishing are three things: basic tackle, bait, and a lot of patience (being last but by no means least!). But first, you will need to know where the carp are.
Still or slow moving water is that which carp prefer to live in, and this could be one of the best things about them. This means you will have a tranquil environment for a day’s fishing. Even if you don’t catch anything, it’s a lovely way to spend a few hours. Folk will go to enormous lengths to be photographed with a huge specimen, and carp fishing holidays in many different worldwide locations are very popular among novices and enthusiasts alike.
Carp are naturally gregarious, preferring to school in groups of at least six. They prefer a quiet, shaded environment, with plenty of floating vegetation above them. Being bed feeders, they are usually not easy to see from the surface. You will, however, be able to tell if they are indeed there.
George Barnes, who has been carp fishing for more than 30 years, knows how to find the best spots. “They love the dark and the quiet,” he says. “If disturbed from their habitat, they may disappear and not return to the bed for days. They are easily scared, and a spot where four or five were landed on one day may be barren the next.”
It has been known for fishermen to land carp of nearly fifty pounds; however, the average is not nearly this huge. Typically, you will be looking at 3-5 lbs, so carp fishing tackle need not be too sophisticated. A simple rod and reel with 10 lb line should easily suffice when beginning carp fishing. As far as carp fishing tackle goes, an essential item is at least one good float. It’s generally best to invest in a decent float if you can afford it as you will be thankful in the long run. As carp are easily frightened away, it is not a good idea to keep pulling your line in and casting again.
As for carp fishing bait, there are many choices, as these omnivores will try a taste of anything. “I usually use a ground bait, lowered gently into the water,” says Barnes. “Boilies or pellets or lobworm paste all work well. Once the fish are used to the introduction of these, they will be more inclined to take them from the hook.
“You must have patience for carp fishing. One day, you may have no luck with one type of bait, so it is essential to have as many different types of carp fishing bait in your bag as you can. Fruit flavour boilies or pellets can sometimes bring instant catches: on other days, you have to keep changing the variety of carp fishing baits before you get results.”
There are certain things to remember to pack in your bag, along with a flask of tea and some sarnies. Depending on the time of year, you may need to bring a variety of hooks. This is where an extra rod can help. Your best rod and reel with a hook loaded with lugworm paste or a fruit-flavoured boilie – specially produced carp fishing bait - can often be bettered by a simpler rod and reel set-up.
When all is said and done, and however much you spend on carp fishing tackle and fancy new bait flavours, it is up to the fish to decide whether or not they feel like taking it!. A rewarding and relaxing time when carp fishing is only possible if you remember to take along your patience!
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