There are really only three things you need to enjoy carp fishing – basic tackle, bait and lots of patience. Where to find the carp is clearly the first thing you need to consider. 

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. 

A gregarious creature, the carp is most often to be found grouping with six or more other individuals . 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. Elaborate and sophisticated carp fishing tackle is not necessary, however, as your average specimen tends to be in the range of three to five pounds. A simple rod and reel with 10 lb line should easily suffice when beginning carp fishing. An essential part of your carp fishing tackle is the float. Buy the best one you can afford, because this will help you no end. It doesn't take much for the carp to be frightened away, so you should avoid excessive pulling in and re-casting.

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 other essentials to bring in your bag, as well as the Thermos and sandwiches. A variety of hooks may be needed, of differing sizes and types, depending on the time of the year. This is where an extra rod can help. Keeping the set-up simple rather than using the fanciest tackle and latest variety of bolies can sometimes yield better results when carp fishing. 

There are many people, like George, who have been carp fishing for many years - even decades – who will attest to the fact that no matter how much carp fishing tackle you accumulate or bait you try out, it really just depends on what the fish feel like doing. Patience is the one thing which you cannot forget - without it you will not have a particularly rewarding carp fishing experience!

 

Tags: carp fishing, carp fishing bait, carp fishing holidays, carp fishing tackle

There are really only three things you need to enjoy carp fishing – basic tackle, bait and lots of patience. Where to find the carp is clearly the first thing you need to consider. 

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. 

A gregarious creature, the carp is most often to be found grouping with six or more other individuals . 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. Elaborate and sophisticated carp fishing tackle is not necessary, however, as your average specimen tends to be in the range of three to five pounds. A simple rod and reel with 10 lb line should easily suffice when beginning carp fishing. An essential part of your carp fishing tackle is the float. Buy the best one you can afford, because this will help you no end. It doesn't take much for the carp to be frightened away, so you should avoid excessive pulling in and re-casting.

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 other essentials to bring in your bag, as well as the Thermos and sandwiches. A variety of hooks may be needed, of differing sizes and types, depending on the time of the year. This is where an extra rod can help. Keeping the set-up simple rather than using the fanciest tackle and latest variety of bolies can sometimes yield better results when carp fishing. 

There are many people, like George, who have been carp fishing for many years - even decades – who will attest to the fact that no matter how much carp fishing tackle you accumulate or bait you try out, it really just depends on what the fish feel like doing. Patience is the one thing which you cannot forget - without it you will not have a particularly rewarding carp fishing experience!

 

Tags: carp fishing, carp fishing bait, carp fishing holidays, carp fishing tackle