If you are looking to catch the popular carp on your next fishing trip, the following five useful tips for carp fishing could help you land a sizable fish.
What is a carp?
A carp is a fish from the Cyprinidae family. There are several types of carp including the mirror carp and the common carp. They are generally fresh water fish and therefore can be found in dams and rivers throughout the country. They are considered a ‘rough’ or ‘coarse’ sport fish and are usually quite hard to catch, offering anglers a challenge.
There are many carp fishing contests run throughout the world and many carp are bred purely for sport. The fish can grow quite large offering a good prize for an angler who manages to land an adult carp.
Five useful tips for carp fishing
If you want to catch a good sized carp on your next fishing trip, the following tips will help you to make sure that you are thoroughly prepared and give you the best possible chance.
- Using the right bait
There are differing opinions on the right sort of bait that should be used to fish for carp. Almost every kind of bait has been used to some degree of success but the most popular form of bait for carp fishing is the boilie method. Visit a reputable tack shop for advice on which boilie is best to use. You can also catch carp using very simple bait.
Some anglers go for a grounbait with a cage rig set up. You can buy the rig already set up from any good tack shop, taking the hassle out of your fishing preparations. It is better to buy the largest possible can on a ready made rig. Also, always opt for a braid rig rather than one made up of fishing line as the braid holds better and prevents the loss of hooks.
- Fish at the right time
It is always a good idea to find the right time to fish for carp. In all dams and rivers the best carp fishing time is generally early in the morning or during the evening. However, there have been some very successful carp fishing trips which have taken place during the late morning or afternoon.
- Find the right spot
The best spot to catch carp is generally an area of water that has very little movement and light. If you are fishing in a river, try to find a slow flowing area near a bank or under a tree. In a dam, look for a shaded area.
- Make sure your equipment is strong enough
Carp will usually grow quite large and are often very strong. Although they do not put up as much of a fight on the line as other sport fish do, they can still put a lot of pressure on your line. It is always good to ensure that your breaking line is strong enough to bring a large carp in so that you do not run the risk of losing your fish at the last minute. You should also invest in a strong landing net to bring the fish to land.
- Ask for advice from the locals
It is a good idea, wherever you choose to fish for carp, to visit a nearby tackle shop and ask the staff for some information about good and bad fishing spots, about experiences they have had and recommendations and advice they may be able to give.
It is also a good idea to do thorough research before your fishing trip to ensure that you cover all your bases and that you are properly prepared. Having the right equipment, making sure that it is good quality and durable, knowing how to operate your equipment and fishing in the right river or dam is a good start.