Carp Fishing - A New Approach
By Ron Simonds

Within this article I will describe the methodology behind approaching a new venue abroad, and that same methodology can be applied to any venue.

Carp fishing can be over-complicated, with all of the successful methods and advice available. Many of the newcomers to our beloved sport must suffer that acute illness, 'paralysis by analysis', otherwise known as confusion brought about by the many variations of successful advice. The majority of the information is useful; however what you must not get away from, is the fundamental key to success on any venue - finding the fish!

Many blanks are a result of a laid back approach; i.e. choosing the most comfortable swim nearest to the car park. Locating carp is a large piece of the success jigsaw and I don't believe that the angler's car park or most accessible swim is an attractive feature. Researching your venue prior to arrival can be beneficial, as the information you gather may aid in location, baits, methods and past captures. So how do I recommend you carry out the initial approach? Quick answer - search for information prior to arrival, then spend as much time as is necessary looking for signs of carp. Once carp are located, search for features where they are likely to pick up a hook bait, subsequently use baits and methods that will give you the best chance of catching. If, after that, you are struggling to catch and notice numbers of carp in a different area, or think your chances will increase by moving - then move! Simple enough, but I will expand on these areas.

Research prior to fishing

Information can be gathered from many sources, including the Internet, magazine features and word of mouth. If possible, make contact with those that have been there before you. There are few lakes on the continent where you cannot source information; after all, how did you hear about it in the first place? Once you have chosen your venue, build up a mental or written picture, including, size, stock and features. From this, you can make an assumption of possible approaches; for example I would probably think of long range tactics to reach the spots on the bigger lakes. On smaller lakes that are weed and snag-free the approach would be more delicate and geared toward highly pressured fish. Both large and small venues can be difficult in a different manner , in that carp in smaller lakes tend to be rig and bait shy and equipment and tactics should be chosen to suit. This is not to say big lakes are easier to catch from, only that a different approach is needed. Longer-range tactics can be productive on larger expanses as more water can be covered to reach the fish.

The Internet is a good source of information but also one you should be apprehensive of. Use the information super-highway for information gathering but also confirm the validity of that information. I recall reading an article on the Internet and as a result decided the lake warranted some time and effort, but unbeknown to me the information was out of date. The article was based upon a lake of 400 acres near Rotterdam which held some rather large commons. On the first two nights I slept under the stars, only to be informed on the third day that the lake had been drained the previous year and all the carp removed. The moral of the story; be wary of the validity of Internet information, it can be crap and out of date! Unfortunately, I told a few friends about the session on No-Carp Lake and have not heard the last of it. They extract the urine on a regular basis - lesson learned.

Catch reports are very good sources of information, especially within Carp Talk magazine and often, rigs, baits, and methods are detailed. The methods described to catch are worth remembering. A number of anglers retain scrapbook cuttings of particular fish. A series of captures of the same fish not only gives us an idea of its size but maybe the captor gives away other details without being aware of it.

Location

On the initial visit adopt a basic common sense approach, applying the main principle of success - location. Get this wrong and you will struggle anywhere, regardless of bait, methods and rig efficiency. Yeah, yeah, heard it all before? Yes you have heard it before, location, location, location; it should be foremost in your mind when approaching any water.

From onset, watch and listen for signs of carp before unloading the gear. There is no point setting up in the first available swim if the majority of the carp are at the other end of the lake. The only piece of equipment I carry whilst searching for signs of carp, are a bait bucket, binoculars and Polaroids. Once the fish are located the bucket is left reserving the swim and the fishing tackle is collected from the car. During the stroll round look for fish movement, and normally the best time of day is morning and evening. During hot summer days they may be seen cruising in the upper levels. Tree climbing presents a much better view and allows the angler to view deeper into the water as the reflection is reduced. As we know, carp love weed, reeds and snags, and these are obvious spots to look, but do tread carefully or risk spooking them. Remember, good quality Polaroids reduce the amount of surface glare thus allowing us to see further into the depths, an indispensable aid.

Fizzing is an obvious giveaway, normally created by tench or carp. I have heard anglers say that they can tell the difference between carp and tench fizzing! I find that difficult to believe, as the size of the fizzing bubbles is dependant upon the type of bottom and its gaseous content rather than a different feeding manner of the species.

On some lakes carp will give away their presence a lot easier than on others, I know of lakes where they very rarely show themselves and are difficult to spot due to the colour of the water. When no fish can be seen, previous experience must be used to aid location. We know that they like to follow the wind; we also know that they are frequent visitors to lake features, especially bars and plateaus. A simple process of elimination may guide you to their whereabouts. During a warm wind there is a good chance the carp will be in the windy half of the lake, and if so the area in which they are likely to be has narrowed. The search is then concentrated to likely areas.

If features are found in the windy half then I would probably fish to spots along those features. It's not a rule of thumb but a guide if you fail to visually locate carp. After a few days on a venue you should be able to build upon your knowledge of fish habits and routes. Speaking with other anglers can assist even if they have blanked, it may rule out a particular area or method. I would be reluctant to move into a swim where others have blanked unless I know of a prime spot that the vacating angler was unaware of.

If however, the weather forecast predicted a change to a strong, warm wind blowing into the swim, then a swim takeover is worth considering. Anglers that are catching is an obvious giveaway, and the swim close by with reasonable features may place you in the general vicinity. On the larger continental lakes I use a fishfinder on a regular basis, however they are a guide and guide only, as any species will appear on the screen not just carp. I prefer to turn the fish signal/alarm off and use it for feature finding.

Once carp are located, you have achieved the prime principle of success. I know you have heard it again and again; get location wrong and the best rigs, baits or methods will not work. On second thoughts, please do plonk your bivvy in the first available swim as it leaves the better swims free for me!

Smaller lakes tend to respond better to the lighter, tighter approach. In general, carp tend to be more rig-wise than their counterparts in larger lakes. Consequently, I would opt for a finer, more delicate approach and adopt small water tactics. On larger lakes, say over 30 acres, I would probably opt for my long range set up and stiff rigs to reduce the chances of tangles.

Features

Bigger lakes are often difficult in a different manner. Finding carp is important on any lake, but more so on large expanses of water. Heavily weeded lakes may require an increase in line strength, while fishing over sharp bars or range casting may require a shock or abrasion resistant leader. Silt rigs may be beneficial on soft-bottomed venues. Fishing in the vicinity of snags will require an increase in line breaking strain, as more pressure will be applied to prevent the carp from finding a snag.

Your chances of a pick-up will increase if the rig is placed in the right spot, not necessarily on their heads. During a recent trip to a large lake of 800 acres, carp were found within a few hours of looking. However, they were in the surface layers in 45 feet of water. In order to entice a pick up, baits were placed on a plateau, 80 yards from where they were seen crashing. I was aware that they were unlikely to feed on the bottom in that depth at that time of year. The plateau was 16 feet deep on its pinnacle and the producing spot. What is my point? Once you have found the fish, find the spot or level where they are likely to feed.

Rules

Be sure to find out the rules prior to a trip. There is little point in tackling-up with big rods and shock leaders or lead core, only to find out that they are not allowed. Particles are not allowed on all lakes, so it's pointless boiling up a load if they have been banned. Remember the seven 'P's - prior preparation and planning prevents p... poor performance!

Conclusion

To be successful on an initial visit to a European venue requires a little research and work to locate the carp. There are many venues that are so well stocked that all swims would produce during a week-long session. However, don't get complacent by jumping in the first available swim. Instead, carry out some research, keep a beady eye on the water and you will soon get a feel for what's happening.

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