Carp Newbie - Advice Required

Hi

I intend to finally give Carp fishing a go but looking on fishing websites there is a wealth of tackle available all of which is pretty confusing for a complete novice.

I already have rods and reels which will cope with the job but it is the terminal tackle end of things where I am struggling to make a decision on where to begin.

I have a few venues in mind where I want to try surface fishing as well as off the bottom.

I want to begin by keeping my rigs simple but what should I be looking to buy to initially get me started from the list below?

Line
Hooks
Weights
Floats
Bait

Any pointers welcome

raf could you be a little more specific about the type of water you will be fishing size of fish etc.

Hi Raf

Like the Blanker says, a little more info would help... but for what it's worth...

Line: Depends on your definition of "carp fishing"... assuming you mean the specimen sized side of things, I think 10 - 12 pounds breaking strain is where most people start. Up that to 15lb or more if you're fishing in very weedy or snaggy waters (which personally I would not reccomend if you're just stating out). I use 12lb Daiwa sensor in brown, because it's cheap, reliable and sinks well.

Hooks: The choice is endless and it is also linked to bait size. So for example, if you were hair rigging two pieces of sweetcorn, you might go with a size 10 hook.... whereas a 15mm boilie might be better suited to a size 8 or 6. Also, you mentioned surface fishing - some like to reduce the hooksize whilst surface fishing as it has a bigger effect on presentation. Personally, I can reccomend ESP Raptors for bottom fishing and Kamasan Animals for surface fishing. Size 6 - 8 for bottom fishing, size 10 - 12 for surface fishing. Others will dissagree I'm sure!

Weights: The list really is endless. To begin with, I would try to stick with one or two different patterns and get your head round the more basic apsects before worrying too much about the lead you use. Also, don't over do it. I've seen people fishing on commercial lakes where a cast of less than 30 yards is required using 3oz leads. A half ounce bomb would have got them the distance just as effectively. One other thing to consider is the rods you're using. If they're standard 2.5lb test curve, then a 1 or 2 ounce lead will cover most aspects.

Floats. I assume you mean for the surface fishing? There's dozens to choose from and they'll mostly all do the job. Have a think sometimes if you actually need that float? I've had some great fun surface fishing with no float whatsover, just freelining a bait to the fish. Remember, most food that ends up on the surface has entered the water from the bank. By being stealthy and keeping disturbance to an absolute minimum, carp will take surface baits inches from the bank.

Bait. Biggest choice of all!! Howeer, try not to get too caught up in the marketing campaigns and instead concentrate of what works - and also, what's convenient. Sweetcorn, luncheon meat, bread.... these baits still catch a hell of a lot of carp. I'd also consider decent pellets (dynamite's halibut pellets are an excellent loose feed) and one or two boilies if you feel the need. Most of the top anglers (and believe me, I don't claim to be one!)would tell you that the location and presentation of your bait are far more important than the actual choice of bait. Also I personally think that the way you use loosefeed is also very important. Get to learn some water craft and presentation skills and the carp will take what you give them.

Good luck!!

Line

Stick to cheap bulk spools for mainline to start with, it means you can change the line regularly. Dawia sensor is good as is berkley big game, 12lb or 10lb should be fine.

For hooklinks, well there is nothing wrong with using your reel line. If you wanted a braid hooklink then ESP sink-link or Krystons supa nova are very good, I would say that although both claim to sink a bit of tungsten putty does help. For coated braids then Suffixs range is worth looking at and for Flouro then ESP ghost or Korda's IQ are both very good.

Hooks

I use ESP Raptor and Korda hooks, mainly as 6's. I use Korda widegapes over gravel as the inturned point helps prevent the hook from blunting and over everything else I use ESP Big T's as they have a straight point they'll catch quickly in the mouth. In carp fishing the lead sets the hook not the strike so remember to check for sharpness, not all hooks are sharp enough out of the packet. To check the hook, touch it to a fingernail and if the hook slides it's not sharp enough.


Weights

I use mainly 2oz and up. I use the bullet shaped leads for fishing at range as they cast the best and at close range I use flat pears. If I'm using lead clips then I buy the fox ones as they're cheap, come with swivels and I like the fact you can fix them to the swivel with a peg.

Floats

I don't really floater fish anymore, but when I did the Nash bolt machine where my favourite. The cast like a missle and self hook, fantastic bit of kit.

As a little aside, the polaris floats can be very useful if you stalking.

Bait

Depends upon your budget. If money is tight then find your local animal feed shop, there is lots of things to use as bait and it's all cheap. Maize, hemp, and pigeon mix will catch you loads of fish, it will need soaking for at least 24 hours and then simmering for 20-30 mins before use.

As for boilies, I personally would stay away from bright, colourful, heavily flavoured boilies as they tend to catch more anglers than carp. I would stick to the well known brands and I prefer a fishmeal. I tend to use Baitcrafts T1 but if your starting out then shelf-life bait is more practical.

Just remember to keep things simple and don't believe all the hype, carp are simple animals with a small brain. Putting a simple rig in the right place with a sharp hook will catch more fish then the fanciest bait and rig. I tend to do 90% of my carp fishing with the same basic set up and bait, I worry about where it goes and finding the carp.

Nice one Guy's, great replys! I think Ian Gemson did an article about begining Carp angling? I tried to find it but could not, help admin-mods.....

noknot said:

Nice one Guy's, great replys! I think Ian Gemson did an article about begining Carp angling? I tried to find it but could not, help admin-mods.....

Click to expand...

if you use the search fm bar and then search articles put in start carp fishing part 1 and 2 will come up.

Thank you Sir!:w

Sorry still cant find it Any chance of a link foe Raf???

'So You Want to Start Carp Fishing' by Ian Gemson PART 1 and PART 2

My recommendations would be...

Line: Mainline- Daiwa Sensor/ Sensor Clear, or Maxima in 12lb, cheap as chips in bulk spools and virtually bomb-proof.

Hooklinks: Mono- same as mainline but in 10lb. Co-polymer- Krystonite or Terry Eustace Pro Clear. Fluoro- Kryston Incognito. Braid- lots of options for different presentations (eg. coated/ un-coated etc); I recommend anything from KRYSTON (lots of good tips/ info on this site).

Hooks: ESP Raptor, Korum SS3, Drennan Super Specialist, Drennan Continental Boilie and Gardner Mugga.

Weights: I wouldn't get too technical if you are just starting out. 1-2.5 ounce running and semi-fixed leads will cover most beginners needs.

Floats: Presuming you mean for surface fishing... I use Fox Bolt Bubbles (when I can still see the bait, but am out of free-lining range) and ESP Surface Controllers when I need to watch the float.

Bait: Unless you're on a very pressured water, anything will work; just find the fish. On pressured waters try anything the rest of the anglers aren't using; one bait I'd rather never be without is good old-fashioned luncheon meat.



Good luck with your carping mate

Thanks Noknot here is article 1


So you want to start carp fishing? Pt1


Article 2

So you want to start carp fishing? Pt2

Re rigs and terminal tackle set ups there are few here

Smart Carping Blog - Coaching Online

Thanks everyone.
Oh and a huge apology to Mol sorry I miss sent a PM to you .

Regards
Ian Gemson

Ian Gemson said:

Thanks everyone.
Oh and a huge apology to Mol sorry I miss sent a PM to you .

Regards
Ian Gemson

Click to expand...

I'd take time to check the previous post if I was in your shoes...

Some 'mischief-maker' is clearly trying to mis-direct FM folks with links to an alternate, but very similar, Ian Gemson site ... lol :j

Thanks' Guy's:w

Hey mate,

Warning NO.1 don't get sucked into branded stuff!
if you think about a company like korda tackle which stuff can be quite expensive but! their hooks aren't made by themselfs they hire japanise companies to make them, if you can get the hooks directly from them instead, it can incesingly cheaper!
NO.2 get good hooks, this is the only thing making contact with the fish. it speaks for itself.

Expect to make purchase cock-ups, like by bad/dodgy gear.
Oh and get good bait, good quality pelets, boilies and maggots.
anything else you garden worms and supermarket spam and sweet corn is sheap and reliable.

good luck and we like to say 'tight lines'.