Tricks & Tips
What I want to do is to try and get a few little tips and tricks that have helped people in the past all in one place. They say it's the little things in life, well sometimes it's the little things in fishing that have a massive effect.
There will be some stuff on here that will seem regular, normal and very simples to some but remember, everyone is still learning and that's what this site is about, learning and helping each other. So if you have any tips or little tricks you want to share please contact me and I'll put them on this page.
There will be some stuff on here that will seem regular, normal and very simples to some but remember, everyone is still learning and that's what this site is about, learning and helping each other. So if you have any tips or little tricks you want to share please contact me and I'll put them on this page.
Scouting Mission
This may be simple to most people but not all. Try and find out as much info about the lake you're fishing as possible. I am trying to make that possible with this site but it's going to take time to get that many lakes on.
Search the Net. Just Google the lake you're fishing. There is always the odd forum about that has your chosen lake. You need to be looking how it fish's in different weather, what bait seems to be the flavour of the month? The latest catch report, has there been any problems on the lake? Is there toilets? Disabled facilities? The normal things we all look for. I normally do this a week before I go and check each day. Remember lakes change day by day.
Ooooo Friend's
Having a fishing partner can be a god send, not only for ease of things like helping you net a fish or helping you out when it's on the bank (if they're close) but a good fishing partner will improve yours and their fishing. How so I hear you ask? Well (and this is important), if you work as a team then you can crack a lake a lot quicker. My "oooo friend" is Liam. Now if me and Liam go fishing we're not competing against each other we're both there to catch fish, we're also both there to learn and adapt to a lake.
We will both use different tactics. I may go on pop-up, normal hook link on one rod and a zig on the other. He may go pop-up on a Chod and a bottom bait. The chances are one of us will get a knock or at least one of us will get some sort of signs, if we don't then we switch and change again.
It's all about adapting and working as a team once we've found the formula or think we have then we will both switch.
Where am i fishing again?
This little tip has helped me out a few times, im forever casting out, sinking line sorting my rod out on the rests then thinking where the hell am i? ermm about there..i think.
If your using a pva bag with your fishing put a bright pop up in, when it breaks down the pop will rise above your bait on the surface which then gives you a reference point off where your fishing
Day Tickets
With day ticket waters everywhere these days remember they are very regularly fished and just because your swim is empty doesn't mean someone wasn't there the day before, so don't go chucking in kilo's of bait the chances are the area has already been baited.
Try and get a good vantage point. If it's a lake you've not fished before try and get the middle of the lake, this way at least you can see a lot of the lake and see what others are doing i.e. whether they are catching or not and also you'll be able to see where fish show on a regular basis.
Remember, day ticket waters (most of the time) is a days fishing or maybe a 24 hr. Try not to waste time, have your rigs pre-tied for every eventuality and have your PVA bags already tied up.
Water Craft
Water who? Water craft is another way of saying make the effort and put the time in. It's very important, as I said above, to learn and to adapt and by doing your water craft i.e. finding clear spots with marker floats, scouting the lake, looking for clear areas, even getting on the back of the wind can improve your fishing 10 fold. Angling isn't about chucking a line out and hoping for the best.
Best Bait for a Lake
People will always have their bait or the bait company they use all the time but take the time to go into the lakes shop? Do they have their own bait company associated with the lake? If they do, the chances are that's the bait that these fish are being fed up on in the colder months when us lot are not there. More and more lakes are starting to use their own companies bait so keep a look out.
Tackle Tarts
A lot of people have heard the term "tackle tarts". Most know what it means, some don't.
This is a term that has come out of carp fishing, basically why go and buy a perfectly good bite alarm for a tenner when you can go and buy the same technology and science for £400? It's purely vanity. Pair of boxers for £2 from Primark (Primarni) or a pair of Calvins for £12 they do the same thing, in fact they are probably made in the same factory, name and vanity that's all it is, doesn't make it better and certainly doesn't make you catch more fish.
Did you know?
That the formal British record holder had only been carp fishing for a couple of months on basic gear and a basic hair rig?
Float Fishing for Carp
Very underrated and doesn't get used as much as it should do and I'm sorry to say carp boys, the match guys have battered you time after time on catching carp in competitions and on the TV so shhh (grin).
It's simple really. The carp boys use zig-rigs (in laymen's) this is exactly the same as float fishing except they go from the bottom up not the top down. The difference is, if your zig isn't right bring it in, snip off an inch, retie it, chuck it back out, big splash. Float, you bring it in, move ya float up, chuck it back out, no big splash.
It's been prolific! It's a lot lighter tackle which means you're more mobile. You can actually feel the fight a lot more and it does give you greater control and you don't have to bully a fish.
Even the big boys of carp fishing like Jezza Hammond love fishing on the float for Carp.
So give it a try or adapt the two.
Did you know?
Coating your hook link in Vaseline enables it to float on the surface.
Up and Down
Well, Carp spend most of their time in the water column. There's every chance they will pass through your swim but unless you see them on the surface or they drop down and pick up your bait you may not realise it. To increase your catch rate you need to grab their attention and give them a reason to drop to the lake bed and pick up your hook bait. An up and down mix creates a column of particles from the lake bed to the surface that's almost impossible for carp to ignore. As particles rise and fall a Carp's inquisitive nature encourages it to investigate the source of the activity, where hopefully it will come across your hook bait. You can use bright mixes neat for a visual column or combine one with boilie crumb or stick mix for a subtle approach.
Always look for bubbles, this is clear evidence of fish feeding.
Be Prepared!
Always have a look at the weather in the area that you are going. We all know the weather isn't that predictable but sometimes they get it right, if it's 12 hrs of raining and you're doing an over nighter then take a change of clothes. There is nothing worse than being wet through for the trip and the chances are you'll catch yourself a nasty cold.
You'll be surprised by the amount of people that don't know about polarised glasses. These cut through the water and enable you to see things you wouldn't normally be able to see, such as features and fish themselves so for me they are a must.
Recording your Findings
My memory is useless so writing down what is where on a lake is a must for me. If you're fishing a lake for a period of time you notice things in your swim, other peoples swims, what's around you, where the fish seem to be caught from the most, features, draw yourself a little picture of the lake and get as much info as you can, the next time you go back you will be better prepared and start to understand how the lake works a little better.
Keep it Simple
Peter Blanks recently broke Linear Fisheries Oxlease lake record with a 46lb 12oz Common and what was it caught on? Sweetcorn! Sometimes you don't need fandangled bait, you already have a perfectly good bait sitting in your cupboard.
Did you know?
Carp can detect one teaspoon of flavour in a water the size of an Olympic swimming pool so less is more.
Get your Zigs out for the Lads
Zig-rigs (please see rig videos) have taken Carp fishing by storm the last couple of years but are normally only used in Summer BUT in Winter? Don't be daft I hear you say! When the Sun does come out in the Winter it's always the upper layers of waters that warm up the quickest for this reason Carp can often be found up in the water column a few feet below the surface so next time the Sun comes out on a cold day try a zig-rig you might get a surprise.
Keep Warm
A recent study showed that anglers that are warmer in the winter catch more carp. You're less likely to move on to showing carp and fish to your full potential. So for this reason it's imperative that you keep warm for the duration of your session. Make sure you have decent clothing, extra if needed, make sure you have a nice supply of warm drinks (take ya kettle), make sure you've always got extra gas and make sure you have a decent sleeping bag.
I know some of this gear can be expensive but you'll be surprised what you can pick up if you look around.
Casting Practice
Practice, practice, practice! Do you have a big lake near you? Maybe even a playing field? Yes to one of the above? Then get ya rods out. You'll be surprised by the amount of people that can't cast or can but are not casting to the best of their ability. Again, it's not just a chuck out and hope for the best. Look for features on the other side of the bank, a tree line or something that's a permanent feature and line yourself up. It doesn't happen overnight but you will feel a lot more confident in hitting those spots with practice.
Fish at a comfortable distance if you're casting to your max out and there's heavy weather which pushes the fish 10ft forward they are now out of your range for your hook bait and your spodded area, so always cast to a comfortable distance just in case.
Casting Regularly
Carp fisherman are now looking at me in disgust! (grins good!) The days of sitting behind your rods for 5 hrs just spodding or pinging over the top have gone! Recent studies have shown as water temperatures drop Carp tend to shoal up in groups and can be localised for weeks at a time THEREFORE it's a very good idea to cast on a regular basis. Especially if bites are hard to come by. If you keep repositioning your rods every hour or so trying to cover as much water as possible you should eventually drop onto the fish.
Keep Tweaking
Tweaking your approach can get you a twitch on the bobbin if your struggling for bites don't just sit there start tweaking. Change the colour of your hook bait, change from bottom bait to pop up or a different type of rig. Sitting there for 48 hrs without a beep on the same bait and then complaining you didn't catch is not being an angler. A good angler will always tweak..and that's tweak not twerk!
Fish for a Bite
When the temperatures drop and the carp start feeding less, there's really no point in chucking out kilos of bait. Instead it's often a very good idea to let out little parcels of bait in an attempt to tempt the odd fish.
Method feeders are ideal for this and so are PVA bags.
To Wash Out or Not?
The premise is bait straight out of the bag looks new and the fish won't touch it. If its been sitting in water for a hour or so it looks more like its been on the lake bed longer and its safe for the fish to take as it offers no threat.
There's actually no evidence to support that washed out baits catch more fish BUT that doesn't mean certain fish don't like it. Why not try both washed out on one rod and new on the other and see what the results are.
Fish Safety
The fish should always be your first priority. Do you have the relevant mats, cradles, care kits etc. No? Then don't fish it's simple. It's imperative that we pass as much info down to youngsters so they can understand this and learn the right way.
You'll be surprised the amount of people that can't hold a Carp correctly or catch a Carp, have it on the mat then wander off to get cameras, make a call "look what I caught" etc. You can do all that after you've cared for this animal. First of all make sure you have everything to hand just in case you do catch. Water for starters, you should be putting water on the fish every 30 seconds. They have a mucus on them to protect them. When this dries out they are no longer protected so keep them moist (that includes your hands when handling).
Make sure you're holding the Carp properly. Crouch down, take it slow, don't rush it and never hold the Carp over waist height just in case it flips. At least if it does you can lean forward and allow him to go back on the mat. Always support under the fishes head and support its anal fin.
I'm not telling anyone how to suck eggs but you'll be surprised how many people I've seen that can't do this. Be careful please.
Tight Lines
We have all heard the term "tight lines". You'll be surprised by the amount of people that don't fish tight lines but actually "slack lines". This comes back to tweaking, I was fishing a local lake and I have always done reasonably well but for whatever reason at the end of my session I packed everything away apart from my rods/net/unhooking mat.
My rods were laying on the ground with slack lines and one ripped off. It was a nice little 14lb Mirror. Like an idiot I didn't evolve and went back to the same lake fished as normal, packed away again doing the same thing slack lines, ripped off.
My next session I was only going for a couple of hours and decided to go slack lines, I had eleven Carp and I missed two.
That little tweak helped me massively and I always start slack lines now at every lake I fish. It may not be for you but try it, it helped me.
Red is Invisible to Fish
With the increasing number of companies doing underwater filming it was shown that in clear water, fish actually are attracted to warmer colours. Also, there have been tests carried out in large tanks with all colours of bait and the conclusions totally conflict with this myth that fish can't see red. Granted, these tests were done on Carp but as this myth came out from Carp fishing I thought I'd clear things up (grin).
Prepare to Move
Granted this isn't always possible on some lakes but if you can, don't be afraid to move. Being mobile and getting on your toes and moving swims in response to changing conditions, a change in wind direction or even fish showing elsewhere, is vital if you're to maximise your catch rate. How many times have we been sitting there and seen a fish show itself just to sit back and go, "Oh well, they aren't in my swim". Well, if you have the option, don't be scared to move.
It's Good to Talk
I'm fed up with the modern day angler. Angling has always been a social event for friends, family and to meet new people, so why on earth are people so arrogant as not to give anyone pointers? If you're having a storming session then share your good fortune help someone out, let them know what's good what's not. I see too many anglers covering up their bait as if its a national secret. No, no it's not mate and it's people like you we don't want in our sport.
By having people give me a couple of pointers on bait or location I have landed a couple of cracking fish. At Beaver Farm Fishery I was fishing it for the first time and the lad next to me was having a great session and was a regular on the lake. He advised me and a friend on what areas and what bait. I had a 20lb Catfish (my first) and my friend had a 13lb Catfish (his first) because of this I went back to Beaver Farm Fisheries time after time.
Another instance, I was fishing Linear in Oxford and we had a really bad set of swims. We only had a single stretch of water and was really hard going. Again, as our first time we had to learn from scratch. For 48 hours I tried everything apart from one thing. The lad next door said black foam, which I tried and an hour before I packed up I had a 25lb+ Common and made the trip all worth while. These are the type of people that should be in fishing. We are all here to help people. You might actually make someones day, week or even year so don't be arrogant, help!
Easy Does It
Always start off by baiting fairly lightly and see how much action you get in your swim and then top the swim up accordingly. Match fisherman have been doing this for years. They put a little bit in and top the swim up every 10 mins. A little sprinkle over the top. This isn't a new concept but recently it seems people chuck in a kilo of bait and then just sit on it and wonder why they're not getting any action, softly softly catchy monkey!
Cold Water Treats
A fishes metabolism is such that they digest food slowly in low water temperatures so, as well as ensuring you attract without feeding it is also important to ensure you present feed that will be easily digested.
Stay well clear of baits such as high oil pellets and ground baits and concentrate instead upon maggots, casters, worm and sweetcorn, all of which have excellent track records in more challenging conditions.
Padded Mats
Every angler should have one of these. No fish should be rested on a hard bank when un-hooking them. There's no excuse even on price as these are a relatively cheap bit of kit. If you do see anyone fishing without one please advise the bailiff of your lake.
Floats in Fast Water
With faster flow rates you need some bigger floats to combat the current. Chubbers and loafers carry large bulk weights that allow you to slow float tackle down enough to gain bites in fast water. Lighter designs scoot through too quickly for fish to intercept your hook bait.
Sink or Float?
Did you know?
There is a spray you can buy if you spray on your line it will make your line float.
Plumb the Depth
One of the most important parts of your tackle is a plummet or equivalent, to let you fish at the correct depth. This was or still is a massive match fishing technique but the Carp boys are catching up also by doing this.
One Carp at a Time
Fish for one Carp at a time. A one bite tactic such as a single pop-up, stringer or cobweb bag is enough to catch Carp in the right place. One of angling's golden rules is, "You can put more in, but you can't take it out".
Hook more Carp
To improve the hooking performance of rigs, add a small sleeve of tubing to trap the hair. It helps turn the hook point down when a Carp tightens your hook length. Set it so that the anchor point is on the bend or above the point.
Tangle Free
A single piece of dissolving foam helps to prevent tangles when fishing single hook baits without a PVA bag.
Spot on Casting
It seems people can't cast anymore. They can't? Well why use a bait boat then? This art is a massive part of angling and what makes a good angler. Being able to cast accurately time after time is important to catch consistency. Dropping a yard short of a canopy of trees means no bites; clipping the leaves or firing a lead underneath the cover gets bites. Learn to use the spool clips and line markers and stop using bloody bait boats!
Find your Fish
Look for Carp before you set up, have a walk about, learn the signs, bubbling, bow waves, birds being spooked by Carp underneath.
Neutral Buoyancy
One quick and easy way to do this is to simply cut a standard boilie and a pop up in half and sandwich the two together. You can even use a tiny bit of super glue if you want to be pedantic. make sure the pop-up section is on the top.
Cheesy Palms
Boost a bread flake hook bait by simply rubbing a few drops of blue cheese flavouring onto your hands before starting a session. Yes you will stink but it's a great bait booster that attracts all types of fish.
This may be simple to most people but not all. Try and find out as much info about the lake you're fishing as possible. I am trying to make that possible with this site but it's going to take time to get that many lakes on.
Search the Net. Just Google the lake you're fishing. There is always the odd forum about that has your chosen lake. You need to be looking how it fish's in different weather, what bait seems to be the flavour of the month? The latest catch report, has there been any problems on the lake? Is there toilets? Disabled facilities? The normal things we all look for. I normally do this a week before I go and check each day. Remember lakes change day by day.
Ooooo Friend's
Having a fishing partner can be a god send, not only for ease of things like helping you net a fish or helping you out when it's on the bank (if they're close) but a good fishing partner will improve yours and their fishing. How so I hear you ask? Well (and this is important), if you work as a team then you can crack a lake a lot quicker. My "oooo friend" is Liam. Now if me and Liam go fishing we're not competing against each other we're both there to catch fish, we're also both there to learn and adapt to a lake.
We will both use different tactics. I may go on pop-up, normal hook link on one rod and a zig on the other. He may go pop-up on a Chod and a bottom bait. The chances are one of us will get a knock or at least one of us will get some sort of signs, if we don't then we switch and change again.
It's all about adapting and working as a team once we've found the formula or think we have then we will both switch.
Where am i fishing again?
This little tip has helped me out a few times, im forever casting out, sinking line sorting my rod out on the rests then thinking where the hell am i? ermm about there..i think.
If your using a pva bag with your fishing put a bright pop up in, when it breaks down the pop will rise above your bait on the surface which then gives you a reference point off where your fishing
Day Tickets
With day ticket waters everywhere these days remember they are very regularly fished and just because your swim is empty doesn't mean someone wasn't there the day before, so don't go chucking in kilo's of bait the chances are the area has already been baited.
Try and get a good vantage point. If it's a lake you've not fished before try and get the middle of the lake, this way at least you can see a lot of the lake and see what others are doing i.e. whether they are catching or not and also you'll be able to see where fish show on a regular basis.
Remember, day ticket waters (most of the time) is a days fishing or maybe a 24 hr. Try not to waste time, have your rigs pre-tied for every eventuality and have your PVA bags already tied up.
Water Craft
Water who? Water craft is another way of saying make the effort and put the time in. It's very important, as I said above, to learn and to adapt and by doing your water craft i.e. finding clear spots with marker floats, scouting the lake, looking for clear areas, even getting on the back of the wind can improve your fishing 10 fold. Angling isn't about chucking a line out and hoping for the best.
Best Bait for a Lake
People will always have their bait or the bait company they use all the time but take the time to go into the lakes shop? Do they have their own bait company associated with the lake? If they do, the chances are that's the bait that these fish are being fed up on in the colder months when us lot are not there. More and more lakes are starting to use their own companies bait so keep a look out.
Tackle Tarts
A lot of people have heard the term "tackle tarts". Most know what it means, some don't.
This is a term that has come out of carp fishing, basically why go and buy a perfectly good bite alarm for a tenner when you can go and buy the same technology and science for £400? It's purely vanity. Pair of boxers for £2 from Primark (Primarni) or a pair of Calvins for £12 they do the same thing, in fact they are probably made in the same factory, name and vanity that's all it is, doesn't make it better and certainly doesn't make you catch more fish.
Did you know?
That the formal British record holder had only been carp fishing for a couple of months on basic gear and a basic hair rig?
Float Fishing for Carp
Very underrated and doesn't get used as much as it should do and I'm sorry to say carp boys, the match guys have battered you time after time on catching carp in competitions and on the TV so shhh (grin).
It's simple really. The carp boys use zig-rigs (in laymen's) this is exactly the same as float fishing except they go from the bottom up not the top down. The difference is, if your zig isn't right bring it in, snip off an inch, retie it, chuck it back out, big splash. Float, you bring it in, move ya float up, chuck it back out, no big splash.
It's been prolific! It's a lot lighter tackle which means you're more mobile. You can actually feel the fight a lot more and it does give you greater control and you don't have to bully a fish.
Even the big boys of carp fishing like Jezza Hammond love fishing on the float for Carp.
So give it a try or adapt the two.
Did you know?
Coating your hook link in Vaseline enables it to float on the surface.
Up and Down
Well, Carp spend most of their time in the water column. There's every chance they will pass through your swim but unless you see them on the surface or they drop down and pick up your bait you may not realise it. To increase your catch rate you need to grab their attention and give them a reason to drop to the lake bed and pick up your hook bait. An up and down mix creates a column of particles from the lake bed to the surface that's almost impossible for carp to ignore. As particles rise and fall a Carp's inquisitive nature encourages it to investigate the source of the activity, where hopefully it will come across your hook bait. You can use bright mixes neat for a visual column or combine one with boilie crumb or stick mix for a subtle approach.
Always look for bubbles, this is clear evidence of fish feeding.
Be Prepared!
Always have a look at the weather in the area that you are going. We all know the weather isn't that predictable but sometimes they get it right, if it's 12 hrs of raining and you're doing an over nighter then take a change of clothes. There is nothing worse than being wet through for the trip and the chances are you'll catch yourself a nasty cold.
You'll be surprised by the amount of people that don't know about polarised glasses. These cut through the water and enable you to see things you wouldn't normally be able to see, such as features and fish themselves so for me they are a must.
Recording your Findings
My memory is useless so writing down what is where on a lake is a must for me. If you're fishing a lake for a period of time you notice things in your swim, other peoples swims, what's around you, where the fish seem to be caught from the most, features, draw yourself a little picture of the lake and get as much info as you can, the next time you go back you will be better prepared and start to understand how the lake works a little better.
Keep it Simple
Peter Blanks recently broke Linear Fisheries Oxlease lake record with a 46lb 12oz Common and what was it caught on? Sweetcorn! Sometimes you don't need fandangled bait, you already have a perfectly good bait sitting in your cupboard.
Did you know?
Carp can detect one teaspoon of flavour in a water the size of an Olympic swimming pool so less is more.
Get your Zigs out for the Lads
Zig-rigs (please see rig videos) have taken Carp fishing by storm the last couple of years but are normally only used in Summer BUT in Winter? Don't be daft I hear you say! When the Sun does come out in the Winter it's always the upper layers of waters that warm up the quickest for this reason Carp can often be found up in the water column a few feet below the surface so next time the Sun comes out on a cold day try a zig-rig you might get a surprise.
Keep Warm
A recent study showed that anglers that are warmer in the winter catch more carp. You're less likely to move on to showing carp and fish to your full potential. So for this reason it's imperative that you keep warm for the duration of your session. Make sure you have decent clothing, extra if needed, make sure you have a nice supply of warm drinks (take ya kettle), make sure you've always got extra gas and make sure you have a decent sleeping bag.
I know some of this gear can be expensive but you'll be surprised what you can pick up if you look around.
Casting Practice
Practice, practice, practice! Do you have a big lake near you? Maybe even a playing field? Yes to one of the above? Then get ya rods out. You'll be surprised by the amount of people that can't cast or can but are not casting to the best of their ability. Again, it's not just a chuck out and hope for the best. Look for features on the other side of the bank, a tree line or something that's a permanent feature and line yourself up. It doesn't happen overnight but you will feel a lot more confident in hitting those spots with practice.
Fish at a comfortable distance if you're casting to your max out and there's heavy weather which pushes the fish 10ft forward they are now out of your range for your hook bait and your spodded area, so always cast to a comfortable distance just in case.
Casting Regularly
Carp fisherman are now looking at me in disgust! (grins good!) The days of sitting behind your rods for 5 hrs just spodding or pinging over the top have gone! Recent studies have shown as water temperatures drop Carp tend to shoal up in groups and can be localised for weeks at a time THEREFORE it's a very good idea to cast on a regular basis. Especially if bites are hard to come by. If you keep repositioning your rods every hour or so trying to cover as much water as possible you should eventually drop onto the fish.
Keep Tweaking
Tweaking your approach can get you a twitch on the bobbin if your struggling for bites don't just sit there start tweaking. Change the colour of your hook bait, change from bottom bait to pop up or a different type of rig. Sitting there for 48 hrs without a beep on the same bait and then complaining you didn't catch is not being an angler. A good angler will always tweak..and that's tweak not twerk!
Fish for a Bite
When the temperatures drop and the carp start feeding less, there's really no point in chucking out kilos of bait. Instead it's often a very good idea to let out little parcels of bait in an attempt to tempt the odd fish.
Method feeders are ideal for this and so are PVA bags.
To Wash Out or Not?
The premise is bait straight out of the bag looks new and the fish won't touch it. If its been sitting in water for a hour or so it looks more like its been on the lake bed longer and its safe for the fish to take as it offers no threat.
There's actually no evidence to support that washed out baits catch more fish BUT that doesn't mean certain fish don't like it. Why not try both washed out on one rod and new on the other and see what the results are.
Fish Safety
The fish should always be your first priority. Do you have the relevant mats, cradles, care kits etc. No? Then don't fish it's simple. It's imperative that we pass as much info down to youngsters so they can understand this and learn the right way.
You'll be surprised the amount of people that can't hold a Carp correctly or catch a Carp, have it on the mat then wander off to get cameras, make a call "look what I caught" etc. You can do all that after you've cared for this animal. First of all make sure you have everything to hand just in case you do catch. Water for starters, you should be putting water on the fish every 30 seconds. They have a mucus on them to protect them. When this dries out they are no longer protected so keep them moist (that includes your hands when handling).
Make sure you're holding the Carp properly. Crouch down, take it slow, don't rush it and never hold the Carp over waist height just in case it flips. At least if it does you can lean forward and allow him to go back on the mat. Always support under the fishes head and support its anal fin.
I'm not telling anyone how to suck eggs but you'll be surprised how many people I've seen that can't do this. Be careful please.
Tight Lines
We have all heard the term "tight lines". You'll be surprised by the amount of people that don't fish tight lines but actually "slack lines". This comes back to tweaking, I was fishing a local lake and I have always done reasonably well but for whatever reason at the end of my session I packed everything away apart from my rods/net/unhooking mat.
My rods were laying on the ground with slack lines and one ripped off. It was a nice little 14lb Mirror. Like an idiot I didn't evolve and went back to the same lake fished as normal, packed away again doing the same thing slack lines, ripped off.
My next session I was only going for a couple of hours and decided to go slack lines, I had eleven Carp and I missed two.
That little tweak helped me massively and I always start slack lines now at every lake I fish. It may not be for you but try it, it helped me.
Red is Invisible to Fish
With the increasing number of companies doing underwater filming it was shown that in clear water, fish actually are attracted to warmer colours. Also, there have been tests carried out in large tanks with all colours of bait and the conclusions totally conflict with this myth that fish can't see red. Granted, these tests were done on Carp but as this myth came out from Carp fishing I thought I'd clear things up (grin).
Prepare to Move
Granted this isn't always possible on some lakes but if you can, don't be afraid to move. Being mobile and getting on your toes and moving swims in response to changing conditions, a change in wind direction or even fish showing elsewhere, is vital if you're to maximise your catch rate. How many times have we been sitting there and seen a fish show itself just to sit back and go, "Oh well, they aren't in my swim". Well, if you have the option, don't be scared to move.
It's Good to Talk
I'm fed up with the modern day angler. Angling has always been a social event for friends, family and to meet new people, so why on earth are people so arrogant as not to give anyone pointers? If you're having a storming session then share your good fortune help someone out, let them know what's good what's not. I see too many anglers covering up their bait as if its a national secret. No, no it's not mate and it's people like you we don't want in our sport.
By having people give me a couple of pointers on bait or location I have landed a couple of cracking fish. At Beaver Farm Fishery I was fishing it for the first time and the lad next to me was having a great session and was a regular on the lake. He advised me and a friend on what areas and what bait. I had a 20lb Catfish (my first) and my friend had a 13lb Catfish (his first) because of this I went back to Beaver Farm Fisheries time after time.
Another instance, I was fishing Linear in Oxford and we had a really bad set of swims. We only had a single stretch of water and was really hard going. Again, as our first time we had to learn from scratch. For 48 hours I tried everything apart from one thing. The lad next door said black foam, which I tried and an hour before I packed up I had a 25lb+ Common and made the trip all worth while. These are the type of people that should be in fishing. We are all here to help people. You might actually make someones day, week or even year so don't be arrogant, help!
Easy Does It
Always start off by baiting fairly lightly and see how much action you get in your swim and then top the swim up accordingly. Match fisherman have been doing this for years. They put a little bit in and top the swim up every 10 mins. A little sprinkle over the top. This isn't a new concept but recently it seems people chuck in a kilo of bait and then just sit on it and wonder why they're not getting any action, softly softly catchy monkey!
Cold Water Treats
A fishes metabolism is such that they digest food slowly in low water temperatures so, as well as ensuring you attract without feeding it is also important to ensure you present feed that will be easily digested.
Stay well clear of baits such as high oil pellets and ground baits and concentrate instead upon maggots, casters, worm and sweetcorn, all of which have excellent track records in more challenging conditions.
Padded Mats
Every angler should have one of these. No fish should be rested on a hard bank when un-hooking them. There's no excuse even on price as these are a relatively cheap bit of kit. If you do see anyone fishing without one please advise the bailiff of your lake.
Floats in Fast Water
With faster flow rates you need some bigger floats to combat the current. Chubbers and loafers carry large bulk weights that allow you to slow float tackle down enough to gain bites in fast water. Lighter designs scoot through too quickly for fish to intercept your hook bait.
Sink or Float?
Did you know?
There is a spray you can buy if you spray on your line it will make your line float.
Plumb the Depth
One of the most important parts of your tackle is a plummet or equivalent, to let you fish at the correct depth. This was or still is a massive match fishing technique but the Carp boys are catching up also by doing this.
One Carp at a Time
Fish for one Carp at a time. A one bite tactic such as a single pop-up, stringer or cobweb bag is enough to catch Carp in the right place. One of angling's golden rules is, "You can put more in, but you can't take it out".
Hook more Carp
To improve the hooking performance of rigs, add a small sleeve of tubing to trap the hair. It helps turn the hook point down when a Carp tightens your hook length. Set it so that the anchor point is on the bend or above the point.
Tangle Free
A single piece of dissolving foam helps to prevent tangles when fishing single hook baits without a PVA bag.
Spot on Casting
It seems people can't cast anymore. They can't? Well why use a bait boat then? This art is a massive part of angling and what makes a good angler. Being able to cast accurately time after time is important to catch consistency. Dropping a yard short of a canopy of trees means no bites; clipping the leaves or firing a lead underneath the cover gets bites. Learn to use the spool clips and line markers and stop using bloody bait boats!
Find your Fish
Look for Carp before you set up, have a walk about, learn the signs, bubbling, bow waves, birds being spooked by Carp underneath.
Neutral Buoyancy
One quick and easy way to do this is to simply cut a standard boilie and a pop up in half and sandwich the two together. You can even use a tiny bit of super glue if you want to be pedantic. make sure the pop-up section is on the top.
Cheesy Palms
Boost a bread flake hook bait by simply rubbing a few drops of blue cheese flavouring onto your hands before starting a session. Yes you will stink but it's a great bait booster that attracts all types of fish.
