The carp is a popular sport fish, and that's not surprising as it is one of the strongest and largest freshwater fish in the low countries. You can fish for carp in various ways, such as ledgering, with a float, or with surface bait.
Fishing with fixed lead systems is a more passive way of fishing; you choose a spot that you might pre-bait a few days in advance to increase your chances of success. A nice aspect of this method of fishing is the camping element: you're outdoors 24/7, sleeping in a tent, and cooking your food outside on a burner, which adds a kind of extra charm to this type of fishing.
If you prefer more active fishing, it's best to use a lighter rod to target active fish with a float or floating bait. This type of fishing is very accessible because you can go out with minimal gear.
In this blog, I will highlight some techniques and the necessary materials.
FIXED LEAD
Fixed lead in carp fishing is a system where the lead is attached directly to the mainline and cannot move. It is a technique that works optimally with heavy lead, often from 70 grams or more, and is suitable for various water conditions. The fish hooks itself when it picks up the bait (often boilies).
Why fixed lead?
Self-hooking effect: The heavy lead ensures that the carp hooks itself when taking the bait.
Suitable for various bottom types: Fixed lead can be used on various bottom types, but on soft bottoms, it can affect bait presentation as the lead sinks into the mud, which can be remedied with adapted rigs or other tricks.
When to use fixed lead?
Harder bottoms: On sand or gravel bottoms, fixed lead often works well because the lead sinks less easily. On softer bottoms, it can also be used very effectively, but with the necessary adjustments to your rig and/or leader system.
Distance fishing: For longer distances, fixed lead fishing with heavy lead is a good option to keep the line taut and thus improve bite indication, especially if the lines are deployed with a boat or bait boat. For long-distance fishing, a braided line is recommended as it significantly improves bite indication.
Tips for carp fishing with fixed lead
Lead weight: Start with a weight of 70 grams or more. Adjust the lead weight to conditions such as bottom composition, water type, fishing distance, etc.
Leader: Optionally use a leader to protect the mainline from obstacles or sharp objects on the bottom, ensuring that you use a fish-safe leader.
Bottom composition: Try to determine the bottom composition to see if fixed lead is the best option. A prodding stick or lowering the lead can help with this.
Bait: Combine fixed lead with suitable bait; boilies and particles such as tiger nuts are both very good to use, partly because they are quite resistant to silver fish.
An average rod for fixed lead fishing starts at around 10ft and has a test curve of 2 to 3 lb. This is perfectly suitable for most waters. If you need to cast long distances or fish in flowing water with groynes/rocky areas, then it's best to use a long and heavier rod.
As for reels, you can choose a so-called baitrunner; however, nowadays, many standard reels are also used. The baitrunner's major advantage over a standard reel was its free-spool system, allowing a hooked carp to take line during the run. By turning your handle, you engage the fighting drag. Most standard carp fishing reels are now equipped with the so-called quick drag, allowing you to engage the fighting drag very quickly by turning the drag knob a single turn.
Obstacles: With many obstacles in the water, fixed lead can get snagged more easily during the run or fight with the fish. In such cases, consider a different lead system. In any case, it is very important to use so-called fish-friendly systems so that a carp can shed both the lead and the main line in case of a line break.
Soft bottoms: On soft bottoms, fixed lead can sink into the mud, which can affect bait presentation. However, this can be effectively managed with, for example, a helicopter system where you can slide the hooklink on a leadcore leader.
FLOAT FISHING
Float fishing for carp is an active form of carp fishing where a float (pen) is used to present the bait on the bottom. It is a popular technique, especially in the warmer months, and does not require much equipment.
How does float fishing for carp work?
Rig: The float is attached to the mainline with a snap swivel, and the depth is set with a float stop.
Plumbing: The float is plumbed so that it slowly sinks on the bottom shot, and the antenna just protrudes above the water when the lead is on the bottom.
Bait: The bait is presented on the bottom, often with a short hooklink (15-20 cm).
Bite: When a fish bites, the float will react in various ways: it can go under, move away, or give a 'lift' (come up).
Striking: With a clear bite, such as a moving float, you strike to set the hook. A feeding carp will regularly bump into the line, making you think it's a bite and wanting to set the hook, which can lead to foul hooking the carp, and that's not desirable. After some practice, you'll recognize these 'line swimmers' and won't strike at them anymore.
Why float fish?
Active fishing: Float fishing is a very enjoyable and active way of fishing, where you are constantly observing the water. If you suddenly see a patch of bubbles or a tail coming up 20 meters away, you can quickly drop your bait in that spot.
Versatility: It can be applied in many different waters, such as ponds, ditches, lakes, and canals.
Less equipment: You don't need much equipment, which makes it accessible for beginner carp anglers.
Important aspects:
The rod and reel combination. A “classic” float rod is typically a parabolic rod and has a length of about 12ft to 13ft with a test curve of around 1.5 lbs. A reel in size 3000 to 4000 is sufficient; Shimano has some very nice models for this type of fishing. Of course, you can also adapt this to your own fishing, for example, under bridges or in tight spots, you are better off with a shorter rod, e.g., 10ft, the same applies if you are fishing from heavily overgrown banks.
This setup is also very suitable for fishing with floating bait.
Line: A supple nylon line with a diameter of 0.22 to 0.30 mm is suitable for float fishing. You adjust this to the water type; for example, if it's heavily overgrown or you plan to fish against bridge piers, you should choose a thicker line.
Floats: For fishing in smaller, still waters, floats of 0.5 to 1 gram are sufficient. If there is more chop and/or current, it's best to use slightly heavier floats.
Bait: Corn, potato, maggots, worms, or pellets are popular baits for float fishing. Dough is a somewhat forgotten bait that I personally enjoy fishing with. Especially the Sonubaits paste is highly recommended.
Spots: Look for places where carp are found, such as under overhanging branches, near lily pads, aquatic plants, bridges, and culverts.
Create several small, compact bait spots beforehand (5 to 10) and fish them one by one. I usually give a bait spot about half an hour. No activity? Move on to the next spot.
SURFACE FISHING
Surface fishing for carp is an exciting and active way to catch carp, where you present your bait on the surface. This is often done with floating bait, such as cat food, dog food, or bread. It's a tactic that can be very effective, especially in the summer.
Why surface fish?
Exciting: Seeing a carp take your bait from the surface is an adrenaline rush.
Active: Unlike static fishing, surface fishing requires more activity and observation.
Effective: Especially in the summer months, when carp often forage on the surface or mid-water, it can be a very successful method.
How to start surface fishing?
Location: Look for places where carp can be found on the surface, such as in shallow water, near reed beds, or near obstacles.
Bait: Use floating bait, such as bread, cat food, dog food, pop-ups, or wafters.
Rig: You can tie a hook directly to the line, or use a controller (a type of float that allows for longer casts).
Bait presentation: Ensure your bait is presented as naturally as possible and that the hook is hidden as well as possible.
Feeding: Scatter some loose bait near your hook bait to attract carp and build confidence.
Casting: Try to cast over the fish and gently retrieve your bait so as not to disturb them.
Wind and current: Account for wind and current when feeding and casting your bait.
Tips for successful surface fishing:
Be quiet and inconspicuous: Don't wear brightly coloured clothing and try to make as little noise as possible.
Choose the right bait: Use buoyant baits such as bread, cat food, dog food, etc.
Experiment with flavours: Try different dips and flavours to make your bait extra attractive.
Wear sunglasses: Sunglasses with polarized lenses protect your eyes from UV radiation and allow you to see fish, feeding spots, and underwater obstacles better. This not only increases your comfort but also your chances of a successful catch.
Build confidence: Give carp time to get acquainted with your bait; for example, if they don't recognize floating pellets as bait, it might take a while to get them used to it. Regularly feeding near located fish is the way to go then. Often, smaller fish are the most eager; give it time. The smaller fish will eventually draw the larger fish into their feeding behaviour. Also, there will always be fish that won't start feeding; try to fish for these fish with a slow-sinking bait, which could be a dog biscuit or a bread flake, but also a cluster of maggots or earthworms.
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