Cyprinus carpio, generally known as common carp, is a fish found in Asia, Europe, as well as several rivers and lakes in the United States. It is part of the Cyprinidae family and was introduced to the US in 1877 to provide food, thus allowing the country to develop. For decades it has been an under-appreciated fish by most anglers, but has recently begun to gain popularity. Carp fishing is very similar to that of many other fish, but there are specific techniques to maximize the chances of catching a specimen.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting the Right Equipment
Step 1. Choose a composite, carbon fiber or fiberglass fishing rod
Graphite rods break under pressure from larger fish, so unless you plan on catching a small carp, you should avoid these models. There are several brands on the market, but you should do your research, read buyer reviews and consider your budget if you need to buy a different rod.
- If you are fishing for a small specimen, a graphite rod with a 1.5kg test curve (the weight needed to make the rod bend 90 °) should be fine.
- The common carp can grow up to 30 kg in weight and you need a good rod if one of these takes your hook.
- A 210-360cm rod should provide you with enough flexibility to retrieve a larger fish.
Step 2. Get some sweetcorn or Boiled_Bollite_sub balls as bait
Carp love canned corn, which can be considered the best bait for these fish. While any type can work, the sweet one contains added sugar and salt, as well as special amino acids that make it irresistible to carp.
- The boiled balls are baits composed of fish, milk proteins, eggs and cereals, they represent an alternative to corn.
- The bright color of this cereal also attracts the attention of the fish.
- Other baits used for carp fishing include pellet feed, hemp seeds, bunting, normal corn, chickpeas and larvae.
Step 3. Get some strong monofilament or braided line
If there is any chance of catching a large carp, you need to make sure the line is strong enough to handle the load of the fish. Determine the average weight of the carp you are trying to fish and buy a monofilament line with adequate tensile strength accordingly. This value is usually noted on the packaging or side of the product. If you know that you will not catch a carp heavier than 0.5-1 kg, you can use a braided line.
- The monofilament models allow you to tighten secure knots, an important detail for certain types of fishing.
- A nylon monofilament line consists of a single bundle, has an almost neutral buoyancy and can be stretched to absorb the pulls of a large fish.
Step 4. Purchase hooks to keep carp from losing
Big hooks are not suitable for this breed of fish, as it is an adaptive animal and usually "nibbles" the bait before taking it completely in the mouth. Carp are able to see, smell and sense large hooks, so they won't bite if you use a large, obvious one.
Make sure the use of hooks is legal in the waters you are fishing in, as they may be prohibited in certain regions
Step 5. Wear comfortable shoes
When choosing clothes for fishing, make sure they are suitable for the climate. Carp fishing will most likely take you to deep-water pools, on the banks of which there are lots of algae and mud. For this reason, it is worth using a good pair of boots, to avoid developing the trench foot.
- It is important that the clothes are suitable for the whole day; Sometimes, temperatures change dramatically as it gets dark.
- Trench foot is a dangerous disease caused by exposure to moisture and which causes swelling, pain and tingling in the lower extremities.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare the Float Fishing Tackle
Step 1. Run the line between the rings of the rod, leaving it rather loose
The amount of free line needed depends on the depth of the water you are fishing in. For carp fishing, the bait must be on the bottom, as this is where these animals feed.
- When fishing in 1.5m deep water, you need to have at least 1.5m of free line.
- The rest is needed for the float, sinkers and hook.
Step 2. Tie a tie knot or stopper over the float
The float can rise up along the line when in the water until it is blocked by the top of the rod. For this reason, you should tie a stop knot to adjust the position of this element along the line. Leave plenty of space between the float and the knot so that the bait can be at the bottom of the lake or river. Where you decide to tie the knot depends on the depth of fishing, but as a general rule it should be about two to three fathoms above the swivel.
You can make a stop knot with a rubber tube by sliding the line through the center and then threading it back through the lumen
Step 3. Pass the line through the float
The latter should have a hole in the center. Take the free end of the line and insert it into the float; even if this device is not essential for catching carp, it allows the fisherman to understand if the fish is nibbling the bait. Since the fish bites very gently, the movements are not easily noticeable without a float.
- The float also lets you know if something has taken the bite and offers the possibility to check the depth of the hook.
- Usually, waggler (or oscillating) models are used.
Step 4. Add a sinker under the float
These weights hold the line underwater, so that the bait can reach the bottom where the carp eat; they also ensure that the line does not follow the current. The sinker should be right above the swivel, 12-22cm from the hook.
If you notice that the line is moving too far away from where you cast, add more weight to the end of the line
Step 5. Tie the swivel to the line
This element allows the hook to move 180 °, preventing the line from twisting on itself and breaking if the fish bites. This detail is particularly important, because carp tend to turn around in order to escape.
- There are three different models of swivels: ball bearing, barrel and hook bearing.
- Those with ball bearings are of the best quality, because they are able to withstand heavy weights.
Step 6. Cut a long piece of fishing line and secure the hook
The goal is to ensure that the line and hook are at the bottom of the lake. Since carp are bottom predators, you need to make sure this extra piece of line is long enough for the hook to stay on the bottom with 18cm of line free.
- To proceed with the calculation you need to evaluate the depth of the water and then add 18 cm of free line under the stop knot.
- Some carp anglers use small hooks that dangle from the main one to create a diversion; in this way, if the fish tries to nibble the bait around the bigger hook, it still remains attached.
Part 3 of 3: Catching the Fish
Step 1. Find an area full of plants and greenery
The carp feeds near plants, right where there are other insects and animals that eat; these are the ideal areas to prepare for fishing for this fish. Carp prefer shallow waters during the warm months and deeper ones when it is cold.
- Check that the place you have chosen is comfortable for sitting in it for a couple of hours.
- Carp are known to be very "touchy", so you need to arm yourself with patience.
Step 2. Cast the line into the water
If you see a school of carp eating, don't throw your hook right over them, as they get scared easily. The best thing to do is to drop the hook above where they are eating.
The closer the sinkers are to the float, the easier it is to cast
Step 3. Sit down and watch the float to see if any carp bite
These fish are intelligent and will eat the bait around the hook; in some cases, they are able to gnaw it all before you know they are there. Look closely at the float, if it begins to sway up and down, it is possible that a carp is nibbling on the bait.
- It is quite easy to confuse the movement induced by the current with that of the bite; you should therefore be sure that the fish is attached to the hook before you retrieve with the reel.
- If the float suddenly goes under water, it means that a carp has taken the bite.
Step 4. Lift the hook if the carp eats the bait without biting
Sometimes, the float will rise to the surface of the water instead of going to the bottom, this means that the fish are nibbling on the bait. You have to wait for the float to rise, yank the line back and start recovering with the reel. In this way, any fish that has the hook in its mouth without eating the bait will remain hooked.
This method involves some empty retrieves, especially if you are not used to float fishing
Step 5. Retrieve the line with the reel when the carp has taken the bite
Once the fish is attached to the hook, keep the line taut and pull the rod steadily upwards.
- Operate the reel evenly and continuously, gradually bringing the fish closer.
- Let the carp get tired before you take it out of the water.
Step 6. Use a fill pattern for the last step of recovery
The best way to get a carp out of the water is to use a net. Make sure the fish is really tired and put the net in the water underneath it. Hold the carp by placing one hand under its belly while gripping its tail firmly with the other. To avoid cutting yourself with fins, wear gloves. Once you have caught the carp, remove the hook from its mouth.
- If she struggles a lot after catching her, put a dark cloth over her eyes to remove the hook.
- Do not lift it by your mouth, as you would a sea bass, as this area is easily damaged.
Advice
- Fiberglass rods are usually bought for the most demanding fishing trips, but if you can afford it you should buy one, as these are the best quality tackle.
- If you don't have sweetcorn, you can add salt to whatever bait you are using to attract more carp.
- You can buy the gear online or in a fishing shop.
- Consider throwing bait in the water to attract more fish.
- If you are having trouble finding carp, try to figure out where they feed.
