Catching That First Carp

[Elton]

Posted on behalf of Jamie. Please add all replies to this thread:

 

im' 13 years old and ive been fishing for carp for nearly a year now and ive never caught one

please give me tips to catch one

thanks.

[Rigg'd]

Posted on behalf of Jamie. Please add all replies to this thread:

 

It is annoying i know, but what you gotta do is start on a lake where the fishing isn't too hard and it is stocked well. Use a spod, cast it to a feature or wherever you want and then clip it up and you can keep accurately spodding bait to that area but don't over do it.

Fish your rods over it with whatever baits, i prefer small bright baits or fake corn, also hook on a small PVA mesh bag.

It all depends on the lake really and what size your looking for. You could also just start at a small commercial fishery fishing the float or feeder for smaller carp to 5lb.

[total blanker]

Posted on behalf of Jamie. Please add all replies to this thread:

 

 

Keep the set up simple ie: slide a lead on mainline followed by 2 beads and a swivle tied with a palomar knot .

Next attach a hook link finished with a knotless knot and hair for bait.

 

look up free running ledger rigs on google to get a look at what it looks like.

 

As for bait i prefere a bright colour that stands out like sweetcorn, flouro pop ups, maize, Or a paste.

 

It worked for me last week in the freezing cold 3 carp 1 tench and a nice roach

[Rigg'd]

Keep the set up simple ie: slide a lead on mainline followed by 2 beads and a swivle tied with a palomar knot .

Next attach a hook link finished with a knotless knot and hair for bait.

 

look up free running ledger rigs on google to get a look at what it looks like.

 

As for bait i prefere a bright colour that stands out like sweetcorn, flouro pop ups, maize, Or a paste.

 

It worked for me last week in the freezing cold 3 carp 1 tench and a nice roach

 

Yeah you can't go wrong with a pot of tutti fruiti pop ups, or fake corn as said.

 

Total Blanker where are you fishing because it's considerably hotter where i am?

[Janet]

Jamie,

 

I know you haven't caught a carp yet, but have you had anything else? Carp aren't the be-all and end-all of fishing you know! It can be much more satisfying to catch a large roach or even better, a large perch!

 

Find yourself a place with a good stock of carp and you can't go wrong with something simple like maggots. Do you have a local fishery you can go to? If so, chat to the other anglers and find out what works for them then use the same methods. Most anglers are willing to share their knowledge, if you ask nicely!

 

I'd suggest you ignore most of the comments regarding spodding/popups/boilies...even though the comments were excellent and meant with the very best of intentions...it can get awfully complicated, but it doesn't need to be!

 

I'm not an expert by any means, but I caught my best carp in the margins on a single maggot, intended for roach. Don't think you need to cast huge distances for carp...they're forever patrolling the margins, which is where I've caught all mine! The guys tease me for fishing so close in, but I always thrash them!

 

Most of all, enjoy your fishing, and don't get too caught up in the technicalities..

 

Janet

[Rigg'd]

Jamie,

 

I know you haven't caught a carp yet, but have you had anything else? Carp aren't the be-all and end-all of fishing you know! It can be much more satisfying to catch a large roach or even better, a large perch!

 

Find yourself a place with a good stock of carp and you can't go wrong with something simple like maggots. Do you have a local fishery you can go to? If so, chat to the other anglers and find out what works for them then use the same methods. Most anglers are willing to share their knowledge, if you ask nicely!

 

I'd suggest you ignore most of the comments regarding spodding/popups/boilies...even though the comments were excellent and meant with the very best of intentions...it can get awfully complicated, but it doesn't need to be!

 

I'm not an expert by any means, but I caught my best carp in the margins on a single maggot, intended for roach. Don't think you need to cast huge distances for carp...they're forever patrolling the margins, which is where I've caught all mine! The guys tease me for fishing so close in, but I always thrash them!

 

Most of all, enjoy your fishing, and don't get too caught up in the technicalities..

 

Janet

 

sounds better then me and total good old single maggot on a waggler in the margins with a sprinkling of pellet, ah sounds fishy

[Janet]

Never underestimate the power of the maggot! They will catch just about anything that swims! I've never used a boilie...although I see my fellow anglers using them. Yes, they're the ones who are casting out into the middle of the lake and waiting for bites and the big one....I'm the one catching the fish! I'd rather be catching something than sitting all day waiting for bites!

 

I normally use a very small waggler with a 12/14 hook, loaded with as many maggots as I can fit on it...it works for me! I fish very close in (more or less under my feet at times!) but it works, really it does! Sit quietly, be patient and they will come...

 

Honestly, if you were a fish, what would you prefer? A bunch of wriggling creatures screaming "eat me!" or a fluorescent pink artificial looking blob?

 

Janet

[Dales]

I suggest you follow Janets advice. Keep things simple worm, maggit and corn will all catch Carp. If you are catching other fish at the moment and the venue you fish has a good number of Carp, it should only be a matter of time before you hook one.

 

Janets advice of fishing the margins is spot on, most anglers fish far out and end up casting over plenty of fish. It's also easier to bait accuratly close in and some times the fish give themselves away be stirring up mud or silt or by moving lily pads or rushes as they move in and out of them.

 

You cant beat catching a Carp close in, it's so much more exciting then catching a fish at distance.

 

Well good luck, I look forward to seeing your post about your first Carp.

[Dick Dastardly]

Best way to catch a carp is to spend a few years catching smaller species.Once your competent at that its not such a big step up.

[RobStubbs]

Best way to catch a carp is to spend a few years catching smaller species.Once your competent at that its not such a big step up.

 

Couldn't agree more. I certainly did my 'apprenticeship' general coarse fishing for a couple of years before switching, and I still do a little bit of general coarse fishing every now and again.

 

Rob.