first time carp fishing

[ben (o )(]

hi,

im looking to go fishing at the weekend, targeting carp at the local canal, i want to try out ledgering. i have a rod and 18lbs line, im hoping to get a bite alarm and bobbin, a 9lbs tracer (maybe braided if i can get it, is it worth it?) and then on to the rig. i dont really know what to do for this, the bottom of the canal is very silty so the rig need to be able to cope with that, so i was looking at popup boilies so they dont sink. any sugestions interms of a rig? and any other equipment i need to take with me apart from my disgorger? also what size and type of hook do you recomend? im going to try the hair rig.

thanks very much in advance

ben

[AddictedToScopex]

hi,

im looking to go fishing at the weekend, targeting carp at the local canal, i want to try out ledgering. i have a rod and 18lbs line, im hoping to get a bite alarm and bobbin, a 9lbs tracer (maybe braided if i can get it, is it worth it?) and then on to the rig. i dont really know what to do for this, the bottom of the canal is very silty so the rig need to be able to cope with that, so i was looking at popup boilies so they dont sink. any sugestions interms of a rig? and any other equipment i need to take with me apart from my disgorger? also what size and type of hook do you recomend? im going to try the hair rig.

thanks very much in advance

ben

Well where to start with the equipment. First off you need to take all the usual equipment: bait needle, disgorgers, net, chair, bank sticks, rod rests, brolly if raining, food + drink (for you), bait, bait stops, hooks, swivels, beads, line, reels, rods, bite alarms if required with swingers, unhooking mat and all the other usual things.

 

18lb line!!! What are you hoping to catch, Moby Dick?? You shouldnt need anything higher than 10-12lbs max. 18lb line may put the fish off a little I think. Not sure what a tracer is to be honest. Never come across one.

 

As for the rig you should look into the chod rig. A fan favourite on here and very good for a silty bottom. If you are to fish a popup maybe look at the zig rig also.

 

For size and type of hook I would go with either a size 6 or 8 barbless drennan super specialist depending on the size of boilie/bait you intend to use. Always match your hook to your bait size.

 

Hope that helps.

 

P.S. If it is your first time consider taking someone who can teach you the basics.

Edited April 13, 2011 by AddictedToScopex

[davedave]

Ben,

If possible i would fish with an 8lb to 12lb mainline with a 6lb to 8 lb hooklength, this is about right for your first time because until you get a bit of practice playing in a fish and steering it away from snags the heavier line is safer. I would use a monifilament hooklength (Like i said about 6lb to 8lb) with anything from a size 16 to a size 2 hook, but probably a size 8 should cover most baits you will want to use.

Rig-wise you could always go with a zig-rig (Google it if you don't know what it is) as that will give you the ability to fish at all depths. Or as you said a pop up with either a pop up boilie, bread, marshmallow or artificial bait. If you buy pre-made hooklengths from the tackle shop that will be easier and i can recommend the 'carp bandits' in an orange packet, they come already hair rigged with a bait band. If you do decide to make your own hooklength use good quality monifilament line, make sure you are using the correct knots (lubricate them before tightening it) and use some quality hooks like drennan or kamisan.

In terms of other tackle items such as a disgorger, landing net, landing mat, camera, chair, flask of drink and then any other items you wish to take with you but disgorger, landing net and landing mat are pretty essential. You may also want to invest in some forceps which can also be used if you decide to go pike fishing.

 

Hope this helps, best of luck and let us know how you get on

[ben (o )(]

thank you both very much,i think i will try the chod rig

im going to go to a car boot sale and see what i can get, anything i cant get there il go the local tackle shop. what kind of thing should i be looking for in terms of where i fish from? i know there is an old barge that i could get to? bridges? i have no idea what im looking for :/ i guess i could also ask the baliff?

ben

[davedave]

Just the bank/towpath is best because if you are ledgering you really want your rod(s) to be level to the water, you wouldnt get this off a bridge. And you can't put a bankstick into a barge! The towpath will be fine

[ben (o )(]

i mean where im casting to..

[wunnus]

Try using a bundle of those really big lob worms

 

Either at dawn or dusk in the margin.... prebaiting does help as well.

[RUDD]

BEFORE - you do any type of fishing check that the canal is open to fish.

Some can be fished in closed season - some cant - and dont forget your licence / ticket / club book / membership etc.

[davedave]

Yeh both bridges and barges will work along with other features such as overhanging trees, inlets and outlets of water, deep holes/gullys and bushes and reeds.

 

Pre baiting is quite effective.

[ben (o )(]

ok thank you all very much, i will keep it all in mind. although im a complete novice to carp fishing i have done a bit last year on the canal, just need to renew my licence (my local canal is fishable all year round apart from a certain part but even that is open at the moment).

i think i will get everything i need for a chod rig, set that up with a bite alarm and bobbin and keep and eye on the bobbin and be ready to strike if the bite alarm sounds and then use my second rod for general fishing, line, float and hook with a maggot. see what i get in terms of a couple of roach or bream so i dont get frustrated if theres nothing from the carp rig.

thanks again

ben