Newbie

[Chrismac]

Hi all, am new to this site and to course (freshwater) fishing. I have been given a rod and reel at present plus a carp set.

Am used to sea fishing and have just started fly fishing but alas am a bit naive for a 47 yr old guy as to what i need to buy, where to go etc. Am looking for a fishing buddy and some advice. Am currently in Crowborough east sussex. Thanks for reading and any advice in advance

[Ken L]

Welcome aboard.

[Neil Smart]

Hi all, am new to this site and to course (freshwater) fishing. I have been given a rod and reel at present plus a carp set.

Am used to sea fishing and have just started fly fishing but alas am a bit naive for a 47 yr old guy as to what i need to buy, where to go etc. Am looking for a fishing buddy and some advice. Am currently in Crowborough east sussex. Thanks for reading and any advice in advance

Hi Chris,

You have a carp rod and reel!! it's a start, I only fish rivers really so cant be much help as far as carp really. I mainly fish for Barbel, although I have many years of fishing for all species. The river Rother is a great river and full of most species, would suggest you invest in a 13 foot float rod and float fish it!! Any further advice I am sure could be given, but it's not hard. I understand you have the Ouse too, certainly some good Roach I think towards the tidal reaches. Personally I think rivers are much more fun, but it's a choice...Carp fishing can be costly, and a bit specialised. Like you say a fishing buddy would be ideal, I am sure someone on here will help...good luck.

[lutra]

Have a look at Crowborough Anglers.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwigrYuX66XQAhWGLcAKHS_cBQIQFggbMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crowboroughanglers.org.uk%2F&usg=AFQjCNEG4vo8_Yn8Lf8MUanaA4JiKGmHDg&bvm=bv.138493631,d.d2s

 

Even has a buddies bit to help new comers.

 

http://www.crowboroughanglers.org.uk/page40.php

 

 

[Chrismac]

Hi Chris,

You have a carp rod and reel!! it's a start, I only fish rivers really so cant be much help as far as carp really. I mainly fish for Barbel, although I have many years of fishing for all species. The river Rother is a great river and full of most species, would suggest you invest in a 13 foot float rod and float fish it!! Any further advice I am sure could be given, but it's not hard. I understand you have the Ouse too, certainly some good Roach I think towards the tidal reaches. Personally I think rivers are much more fun, but it's a choice...Carp fishing can be costly, and a bit specialised. Like you say a fishing buddy would be ideal, I am sure someone on here will help...good luck.

Hi Neil and thanks for the reply.

Can i use the rod and reel i have to fish for other species or is it just for carp? its a 2 piece, 2.5lb, nothing else on it apart from carp, was a gift

[Chrismac]

Have a look at Crowborough Anglers.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwigrYuX66XQAhWGLcAKHS_cBQIQFggbMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crowboroughanglers.org.uk%2F&usg=AFQjCNEG4vo8_Yn8Lf8MUanaA4JiKGmHDg&bvm=bv.138493631,d.d2s

 

Even has a buddies bit to help new comers.

 

http://www.crowboroughanglers.org.uk/page40.php

 

Thank you

[Newt]

You could certainly use it but it would not be much fun. Hard to cast light rigs, hard to notice the expected light bites, and a smaller fish would give you no real play with a fairly heavy rod such as yours is. Medium (7+ kilo) carp and medium shore (sea) fishing is its niche.

 

I use a 1.75 T/C rod for fishing rivers with moderate flow when I expect carp or buffalo (US fish not found in the UK) and catfish (again, US species rather than Wels) from 10-20 kilos.

 

I agree with Neil about a good float rod being a great way to start. It would also handle any carp you might expect to catch.

[The Flying Tench]

It might be worth mentioning that lakes tend to be tricky as winter comes on. With the water temperature low the fish don't feed much so you get very few bites. In the rivers the fish have to use energy to combat the flow, so they have to feed. But you might find an 'easy' (ie heavily stocked) carp lake where you will still get bites.

 

I see you have started fly fishing, so presumably have a fly rod

 

I

[Chrismac]

It might be worth mentioning that lakes tend to be tricky as winter comes on. With the water temperature low the fish don't feed much so you get very few bites. In the rivers the fish have to use energy to combat the flow, so they have to feed. But you might find an 'easy' (ie heavily stocked) carp lake where you will still get bites.

 

I see you have started fly fishing, so presumably have a fly rod

 

I

hi, thanks for the advice, yes i do have a fly rod

[Phone]

All,

 

For both Chris and Tench let me remind you of something about CARP. In water below 50 degrees F they do not feed at

ALL. What bits and bobs they do injest they can only digest about 7%. That is why carp have a "marked natural boundry".

When I say they "don't feed at all" I mean they cannot sustain life. Carp can easily go 7 months without feeding.

 

Phone

 

As for a rod - IMO the lighter the better (within reason). Rod suggestions are a way to make a level playing field. I tend to like it tilted in favor of the fish and use learned skills to land them.

 

Phone