What is the best way to catch carp: proven tactics

Below we will look at both approaches in detail, plus I will try to highlight other important aspects of baiting tactics and rig placement.

Whether you're chasing big carp or trying to get just a few bites, baiting tactics are one of the key pieces to the puzzle of your success. The entire fishing trip can go according to an unfavorable scenario if you feed too much or, conversely, too little. The realization of the wrong choice of tactics usually comes at the moment of reeling in the rods, when nothing can be corrected.

Obviously, there is no single right answer that will determine all aspects of the best approach to complementary feeding. There are many variables, such as the number and average size of fish, the nature of the reservoir, the level of fishing pressure, and the fishing season. However, over the years of practice, I have tried all sorts of strategies to catch the largest representatives of various bodies of water.

You can immediately highlight single nozzles or their combinations with PVA sticks and stringers. They really work when you know for sure that there are fish in a certain area of the reservoir. Usually this is a snag, a coastal zone or a secluded part of the water area in which you visually recorded the presence of carp. There is no point in bombarding a carp with bait, and a small trap with a minimum of noise will not scare away a potential trophy. The main thing is to have the necessary patience, because anglers often think that the more bait, the better.

However, in most situations I do not have accurate information about the sites of large carp, so I rely on other factors in the location of the fish and feeding tactics. My approach can be divided into two directions. The first is pre-feeding, where I visit the pond on a regular basis over a long period of time and feed my point without putting pressure on the fish. The second is concentrated feeding, which includes a dense abundance of bait in one area of the bottom.

Below we will look at both approaches in detail, plus I will try to highlight other important aspects of baiting tactics and rig placement.

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Having baited the place and prepared the gear for catching bait, you can attach the bait to the hook and throw the equipment into the water. Note that for carp fishing, baits are again selected taking into account the time of year and weather conditions. You can catch carp using various types of vegetable baits (bread crumb, pearl barley, corn, peas, wheat, boiled potatoes, dough). And also using bait of animal origin (maggots, worms).

Carp fishing: fishing basics

Finding the right place to catch carp is half the battle. It is also important to properly prepare the gear and the fishing area. Therefore, for fishing to be effective, you will first need to feed the chosen place. Any bait is suitable for this, the main composition of which will contain coarsely fractionated feed.

If there is a current at the fishing site, then the bait is mixed with a small amount of clay, after which balls the size of a tennis ball are formed (they must be dense so that they do not break when hitting the water) and sent into the water.

It is recommended to start feeding the area at least a day in advance, but if it doesn’t work out, it’s okay, carp will be suitable for bait for a maximum of an hour. During fishing, bait is used depending on the activity of the carp. If the bite is weak or absent, then it would not be a bad idea to send 2-3 balls of bait to the fishing points.

Now that the place has been baited, you can begin setting up the camp and preparing gear. You can catch carp using: a donkey, a feeder, a fly rod, a spring, a float rod. The listed gear differs in its features and advantages. The choice of a certain option should be based on the conditions in the fishing area, as well as the time of year.

Having baited the place and prepared the gear for catching bait, you can attach the bait to the hook and throw the equipment into the water. Note that for carp fishing, baits are again selected taking into account the time of year and weather conditions. You can catch carp using various types of vegetable baits (bread crumb, pearl barley, corn, peas, wheat, boiled potatoes, dough). And also using bait of animal origin (maggots, worms).

Experienced carp anglers, when going carp fishing, take with them at least 5-7 bait options, since it is difficult to predict in advance what the carp will bite well on today. In addition, boilies are suitable for fishing, which today are offered in a large assortment in fishing stores.

Then, with a locking ring, all the resulting components are tied to the main fishing line. A sliding sinker is also placed there, and above it is a cambric for the purpose of fixation.

Carp baits. Where to start carp fishing?

In the vast majority of articles about carp fishing, and just about fishing, there is such an expression as “pick up the key to the fish.” But rarely does anyone describe the process of this selection itself. We will try to use our own example from the Carptoday team to tell and explain in detail how we act at the very beginning of fishing and what baits we use for catching carp. As an example, we will consider the most common case when we found a flat section of the bottom. Of course, it is impossible to come up with an ironclad rule for all bodies of water, or sections of these bodies of water, but we will consider the average option.

So, what is mounted in our sacred altar of baits - the shelter, which stands on the bridge a couple of meters from the fish, and how we act at the very start of fishing. Namely fishing, both sporting and ordinary. So come on, we invite everyone, sit down next to the table, now let’s start preparing for the first cast.

What does it mean to pick up the key to a fish?

Find the optimal nozzle option that shows stable results. Determine options for changing these baits, for example day/night, when the fish can change their taste preferences or choose a different form of presentation of the bait. In other words, you must understand what the fish prefers, and how its preferences change if they change, in order to offer it what it wants most at any given time.

How to choose a key for a fish?

If you are going to a pond for the first time, try to study the preferences of the fish from reports or films. For example, about the reservoir in Kemerovo, where the Russian Championship 2021 was held, we learned from various sources that fish respond well to the yellow color. Therefore, the basis of our bait and the first baits at the start consisted of 75% yellow boilies.

If there is no information, then use your most effective bait and baits, which have brought you fish more than once on other bodies of water. It is imperative to keep statistics of each cast, indicating the casting time, information about installation and the reaction of the fish (a separate article will be published about this in the near future). This information will greatly help you calculate the exact working version of the nozzle and determine options based on the nozzle estimate.

Is there always a key to fish?

If there is a body of water, there is fish in it, you can always catch it!

Selecting the first nozzles for casting:

First, let's simulate a feeding program. Here is a good example of such bait. This is an excellent option for sweet fruit bait to quickly attract fish.

Boilies Dynamite Baits Tutti Frutti

Dynamite Baits Strawberry boilies

Tiger nut

Liquid attractant for bait Fish Gutz

Cereals (Corn and Hemp)

So, we have 4 leashes and we need to come up with an attachment for them.

Sinking bait. We don’t stop at the type of bottom that we are looking for and until we find it – this is one of the most advantageous options. A sinking boilie is a sinking boilie. It works like a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Of course, situations are different, but a sinking boilie is the basis. One sinking boilie or two, decide for yourself. We catch both ways, but we put one at the beginning. By the way, I remember well the case when we had already guaranteed ourselves victory at the Russian Championship in 2021; we really wanted to catch big fish. So, on two 24mm boilies, we had completely average carp, even by Russian standards... It is far from a fact that only huge fish will bite on a huge bait.

Double option:

Got it!

This is very good, you are doing everything right. But the biggest mistake you can make now is to switch the combination that worked on all the rods. In fact, you need to not stop and keep catching. One fish means nothing. Maybe I was just lucky. And don’t forget that fish’s taste preferences often change. This is why we take as wide a range of boilies with us to competitions as possible. After the bite, simply add the triggered combination to another rod.

What about the nozzle sizes?

We always start with diameters of 12-14mm. In the beginning, while the picture is not yet clear and it is unclear what the bite will be, it is better to start with delicate baits. We have already mentioned above how we used two 24mm boilies to bite ordinary carp weighing 5-7kg, so the dependence of the fish on the size of the bait is sometimes exaggerated. But it’s a fact that a small bait gets into the fish’s mouth better and easier.

To dip or not to dip? That is the question!

Don't do anything the same on your four rods. Deep-deep one bait, just wet the other before casting, don’t deep-dip the third, and soak the fourth in water from the lake. The fact of dipping into the dip is not so important as the degree of dip. If we take the normal nozzle as 0, then you need to check the options “+2” “+1” “-1”. So experiment with this too.

How often should you recast your rods?

At the beginning of fishing, we recast every hour and a half. What is it for? First of all, in order to eliminate the situation when one of the rigs simply overlapped during the casting process, and in fact does not give you any information on the response of the fish. This really happens quite often. Therefore, for the first three casts it is better not to change the nozzles, but to change the casting locations. After all, there are always better places to bite. This way you can check all the options in each of the promising locations.

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Carp fishing gear

To this day, float tackle remains popular, but fishermen often use:

feeder;
carp forms;
boilies;
springs.

Float fishing rod

It is also called a match fishing rod. Its use is a win-win option for long casts. Rods for carp fishing have a special mark, and are preferably equipped with a feeder when the bite is weak.

Feeder tackle

This is the most acceptable due to more accurate casting and high sensitivity compared to a standard floating fishing rod. Typically, feeder tackle is used for two or three-piece spinning rods. The selected reel can be inertial or non-inertial, and a braided cord should be preferred for fishing line.

Fishing for carp on a fishing rod

For this, makukha is used. Methods of attaching bait depend on the type of bottom of the reservoir. If it is hard, the top of the head is pressed as hard as possible against a lead sinker so that it becomes spherical in shape.

Spring fishing

The spiral spring is made of thick wire. At the same time, the leashes of the fishing line are separated from it by 15 cm. The spring is great for fishing in places with strong currents.

Complementary food with pronounced aromatic properties, which serves as bait, is placed in the feeder, hooks are placed inside it, and only after that the bottom is cast.

Fishing with boilies

Boilies are dough balls. Prepared at home or purchased in a store, they serve as both bait and bait at the same time.

The main advantages of boilies:

low price;
ease of preparation;
products with a diameter of 10 mm. give the best result for cutting off small fish;
securely attached to the tackle;
has an attractive composition for this type of fish;
retains smell, shape and color for a long time;
Store-bought bait (especially one with a fruit or cinnamon scent) can be great for fishing in an unfamiliar area.

Feeder for carp fishing

Its main task is to hold the bait in any current. When choosing a feeder, take into account the type of reservoir.

What other requirements should it meet:

dissolving in the water, the bait should form a cloud that attracts fish;
The bait mixture itself should not completely dissolve in water; therefore, its consistency should be viscous and viscous;
It is ideal to mix live ingredients into the feed.

Avoid places where there are a lot of anglers, the chance of catching will be minimal.

Vegetable baits

For catching freshwater fish, baits of plant origin are actively used:

bread balls;
peas;
pearl barley porridge;
dough;
corn;
wheat;

The most important rule in any proposed plant bait is proper preparation with full preservation of taste.

Corn is the most common carp bait. In recent years, fishermen are increasingly using a canned version of the product, which has a sweet taste and enticing aroma. Canned corn is very easy to give any desired flavor or color.

You only need to add a few drops of flavoring or a little specialized dye to the container with the product.

Place the bait on hooks or hair type equipment.

Despite the popularity of using a canned variety of bait, experienced fishermen often prefer to cook corn with their own hands the old fashioned way. However, it is worth remembering that this process will require a certain amount of time.

You will need to soak the corn and leave it for 24 hours, and then heat it for 1-2 hours. After this, the grains are left to mature for 1-2 days. By preparing the grains with your own hands, you can prepare a large amount of bait and leave it in the refrigerator for storage.

Peas are an affordable bait for every fisherman. In addition, it attracts freshwater fish well. Bait the pea directly onto the hooks. The product can be used either canned or prepared with your own hands.

To prepare your own bait, you will need to soak the peas for 8-10 hours, then boil them for an hour and dry them outside for 30-40 minutes. The process is quite easy, but it will take a little time.

At all times, carp went well on bread balls. Both rye and wheat varieties of bread can be used for bait. It all depends on the body of water and the taste preferences of the fish. You can place bread pulp formed into a ball on the hook or a small piece of crust. The bait is used for fishing both in the upper layer of the reservoir and at the bottom surface.

Barley and wheat for fishing should be pre-soaked for 3-4 hours and boiled until the grains are soft.

To prepare dough for bait, you can take 1 or several types of flour (cereals) and, according to the recipe for hominy or mastyrka, bring it to the desired state. It is very important that the dough does not stick to your hands and that flour does not fall out of it.

All baits of plant origin work great only in the summer months.

Carp fishing during the daytime

If you decide not to resort to the first advice, to go carp fishing during the daytime, then other factors come to the fore. First of all, the transparency of the reservoir. Based on this, the type of bait and gear is selected. The only effective advice for catching carp during the day is to take a variety of baits with you. This is due to the fact that the behavior of cyprinids is not the same. What was ineffective yesterday will become effective today.

Otherwise, there are many options and it is impossible to give definite advice. Considering that in daylight it can, as many fishermen say, walk on the surface, it is much easier to fish for it than at night. There is no need to use complementary foods with a strong odor, since there is no need to pull the carp from the bottom. Use a float rod, but not a spinning rod, and success will be on your side.

On warm days, fish like to bask in the sun and swim along the warm current. This is due to the fact that these days he especially needs oxygen. During the day, look for crappies:

— The banks of rivers and streams, over which trees hang;

— Bays with dense vegetation;

— On large reservoirs with islands.

Avoid places where there are a lot of anglers, the chance of catching will be minimal.

3) “For several decades now, I have been constantly focusing on one rather interesting natural phenomenon,” says Kevin Nash (the same founder of the legendary one) in many of his films. Which I swear 100% wakes up the carp! And this is the blackthorn blossom on my neighbors' hedges. As a rule, it always happens by the 20th of March. But sometimes it’s later, if it’s too long, it’s too cold.”

Advantages of spring carp fishing

Of course, it's still winter outside. But the time has come to slowly think about spring. When we finally find ourselves on the lake again! Although, perhaps one of the fans tried fishing the other day and was probably able to achieve a New Record. After all, as you know, both in winter and in March, carp can have a record weight!

That is why the most famous “Monster Hunters”, whose main task is the targeted catching of the most famous and largest carp in the world, never miss early spring! We may not be as cool as these people, but why not try to catch a real/huge fish?!

However, many questions immediately arise. And the first of them: when to start “hunting” for your records? Besides, it wouldn't hurt us to know what happens to the fish at this time of year? Is she still “sleeping” there or has she been “getting high” for a long time? As long as we don't risk catching a cold near the water? What will be right in the harsh era of Covid-19.

So, to get answers to these 2 questions and many others, just read to the end. Gradually you will learn the MISTAKES of beginners and the best TIPS of carp fishing masters. Get recommendations on where to LOOK for carp in early spring, as well as HOW, WHAT and WHAT to catch it with? Well, friends, let's get started?

Therefore, while still at home, I try to prepare everything as best as possible. I pre-mount the equipment (up to the nozzles), and feed it the night before. When fishing, everything has to go very quickly. Remove the gear from the car that was loaded the day before and head to the fishing spot. If it's too far away for me to carry everything in one go, I load the gear onto a cart.

Animal feed

Most often, carp react to earthworms or dung (the latter is preferable) worms. They need to be stored in a container with soil. The container is closed with any suitable lid in which ventilation holes are made. Large individuals bite best on long worms. In addition to worms, it is also wise to use maggots. You can buy them at a fishing store, or you can prepare them yourself. But not everyone is ready for this, since maggots are bred on pieces of meat or fish, which is why the smell, to put it mildly, can be specific. The larvae are stored in a container with sawdust.

The caddisfly, or rather its larvae, is the most attractive bait. True, catching a caddisfly is not so easy - you need to look for places in reservoirs with a sandy bottom and in shallow water near the shore. The carp feeds on these larvae on their own, so you definitely won’t be left without a catch. Heavily overgrown lakes and other bodies of water can be fished using bark beetles. This beetle fully lives up to its name, because it lives under the bark of trees. You can also use dragonflies, which are caught in the summer. Larvae are also suitable for catching carp.

Remove fish carefully

In conclusion, one more piece of advice from my many years of experience. If you managed to get a beautiful fish through the landing net frame, try, if possible, to remove it from the hook while still in the water without any difficulties. But before you tackle the carp, which is swimming in a secure net, throw the rig back to the fishing spot or simply along the nearest shore. When the equipment with the nozzle is again in cool water, there is every chance of further bite.

Of course, this type of carp fishing is not always the most convenient. And there are no guarantees of success, since ultimately everything depends on the fish itself. But with preliminary preparation, the right tactics and a proven fishing spot, our catch prospects will be very good.

Even experienced carp anglers are sometimes overcome by the question: how to catch carp. It turns out that cautious carp change their spring habitat and take up new positions in the summer! Consider that you have done half the job if you come across a path along which carp move. It's not easy, but it's possible. The recommendations below will significantly narrow your search area.

When does carp bite in summer?

The matter does not end with choosing a place for carp. The finicky fish are too wary to become easy prey. But, knowing the characteristics of preferences and temperament, the fisherman gets a significant “head start”.

Carp don't like warm water - that's the most important clue. As soon as its temperature exceeds +20ºС, the predator immediately moves to depth. Get ready that he will need to be fished out of there.

Carp fishing will be successful if you know about its nuances:

It is best to fish in the morning or evening, with cool water and a dim sun, which has not had time to frighten the fish with its rays;
give preference to night fishing or at least hunting at dusk (modern fishing accessories will make carp fishing in the dark convenient and effective);
choose cloudy days, ideally with cold temperatures or rain. A good condition in this case is a slight breeze, which creates waves and ripples that enrich the water with oxygen.

If the recommendations do not work, it is better to switch to long-distance casting by purchasing a feeder rod and feeders.

Re: Hair rigs for fishing in currents

absolute teapot

Re: Hair rigs for fishing in currents

Last season was disappointing with a large number of retirements. Please share your equipment and rigs for fishing in the current. I am interested in rigs for fishing on edges covered with shell rock, silted areas, and snags. I also ask you to share the name and manufacturers of equipment materials, and the manufacturing process.

I myself mainly use a helicopter and its variations. More likely because of simplicity than because of any ideological considerations.

Azyrynga

Re: Hair rigs for fishing in currents

It could also be a hook. When I first started catching carp with boilies, I encountered the same problem. I tried everything, all without any tangible results. Until I installed Kamasan. Gatherings have been reduced to a minimum. Now I only use ago. And the helicopter is well equipped. At least there were no problems with Kamasan.

absolute teapot

Re: Hair rigs for fishing in currents