| It is possible for both amateurs and seasoned | | | | more than sufficient. A good float is a vital part of |
| fishermen to enjoy carp fishing with only the vary | | | | your carp fishing tackle. Buy the best one you |
| basics of tackle, bait and of course plenty of | | | | can afford, because this will help you no end. It |
| patience. The first thing you will need to know | | | | doesn't take much for the carp to be frightened |
| though, is where to find the fish. | | | | away, so you should avoid excessive pulling in and |
| The great thing about carp is that they prefer | | | | re-casting. |
| slow moving or still water. This is great news for | | | | As carp are omnivorous and will try almost |
| your blood pressure, as the environment in which | | | | anything which comes their way, there is a huge |
| you'll be fishing is likely to be very calm and | | | | range of carp fishing bait on the market. "I usually |
| tranquil. Even if you don't catch anything, it's a | | | | use a ground bait, lowered gently into the water," |
| lovely way to spend a few hours. Many | | | | says Barnes. "Boilies or pellets or lobworm paste |
| enthusiasts have found so great a pleasure in this | | | | all work well. Once the fish are used to the |
| pastime, that there is a niche market in carp | | | | introduction of these, they will be more inclined to |
| fishing holidays which will cater for the professional | | | | take them from the hook". |
| or novice's every need. | | | | "You must have patience for carp fishing. One |
| As an all-round sociable species, carp are usually | | | | day, you may have no luck with one type of bait, |
| found in groups of six or more. A quiet and shady | | | | so it is essential to have as many different types |
| place with lots of plant life around is the type of | | | | of carp fishing bait in your bag as you can. Fruit |
| environment preferred by carp. Being bed | | | | flavour boilies or pellets can sometimes bring |
| feeders, they are usually not easy to see from | | | | instant catches: on other days, you have to keep |
| the surface. You will, however, be able to tell if | | | | changing the variety of carp fishing baits before |
| they are indeed there. | | | | you get results." |
| There are many seasoned fishermen who have | | | | There are certain things to remember to pack in |
| been seeking out the best spots for decades, | | | | your bag, along with a flask of tea and some |
| such as George Barnes. "They love the dark and | | | | sarnies. Depending on the time of year, you may |
| the quiet," he says. "If disturbed from their | | | | need to bring a variety of hooks. This is where an |
| habitat, they may disappear and not return to the | | | | extra rod can help. Sometimes it's best just to go |
| bed for days. They are easily scared, and a spot | | | | with the simplest set-up rather than load up your |
| where four or five were landed on one day may | | | | best hook with the fanciest boilie bait or lug paste. |
| be barren the next." | | | | There are many people, like George, who have |
| Whilst a fifty-odd pound specimen has been | | | | been carp fishing for many years - even decades |
| recorded from time to time, it is not likely that | | | | - who will attest to the fact that no matter how |
| your average carp fisherman would ever be that | | | | much carp fishing tackle you accumulate or bait |
| lucky. The average carp landing tends to be | | | | you try out, it really just depends on what the |
| around the three to five pound mark, meaning a | | | | fish feel like doing. In conclusion then, the most |
| huge degree of sophistication in carp fishing tackle | | | | important thing to remember when going carp |
| is unnecessary, particularly for the novice. In the | | | | fishing is to take along your patience! |
| beginning, a simple 10lb-line rod and reel set-up is | | | | |