The proliferation
of commercial stillwater fisheries that are stocked with small carp knows no
bounds. They are springing up everywhere. They are also incredibly popular with
both the
pleasure angler and the match fisherman.
Every angler likes
their 'string pulled', it's why we go fishing isn't it. On these waters there
is every chance that we will have the best days fishing of our life. I know
that the tickets are
expensive (anything between £5 and £10 around these parts), but
we've been spoilt for so long that we don't realise what good value we are getting.
A whole days enjoyment for much less
than the cost of a ticket to a football or cricket match, or a round of golf,
or a day at the 'Dome'. I know what I prefer !!.
A commercial carp
fishery is the PERFECT place to take a beginner fishing. Let them use your gear,
you just sit and help them. If they're not hooked by the end of the day there's
no hope, give up because they will never be an angler. On the other hand there
is every chance that you will have just recruited a new member to the fishing
guild, well done and keep up the good work.
The following notes comprise our suggestions for fishing rods, reels and equipment for beginners who are mainly going to fish commercial carp lakes. These fisheries vary a tremendous amount, depending on the length of time that they have been established. Carp are a fast growing fish, and in a few short years those 1 and 2 pound fish will be 'doubles', and before you know it, the fishery record will be over 20 lbs. If your local fishery holds only fish up to 3 or 4 pounds, then our recommendations for lake fishing will be entirely adequate. If, however, your fishery holds bigger fish with an average size in the 3 to 6 lbs range, and with the chance of a 'double', then we would recommend that you consider something a little beefier, so read on.
All of the items are available from the discount fishing tackle shop on our site, and the staff at the shops will be pleased to help. Just explain that you've been reading the beginners pages on the web site, and that you need a bit of help.
Rods - all of the leading manufacturers have recognised the need for carp float rods, and there is a good selection available. Both of our shops have a variety of makes, with rods from £40 upwards. Bear in mind that you are looking for a powerful rod, 12 or 13 feet long, with a through action, capable of handling lines in the 3lb to 5lb range. They might be labelled Carp Waggler rods or Power Match or Carp Match, but if they match our criteria above, then they will do the job just fine.
Reels - you will need a slightly more powerful reel than we've recommended for general lake or river fishing. There is such a huge range of budget priced fixed spool reels suitable for this type of fishing that I'd advise you to phone one of our shops and get their ideas on what's needed, and what's on special offer. Expect to pay between £20 and £35 for the reel. Once again our old friend Maxima will be perfect as a reel line, I'd go for a selection between 4lb and 8lb breaking strain this time.
Landing Nets - I don't think that we need to go to the extreme of a specimen landing net capable of holding a young whale, but make sure that the head is large enough, and that the landing net pole is sturdy enough to cope with our intended quarry.
Keep Nets - I don't know any commercial carp fisheries that allow pleasure anglers to use a keep net, but if you intend to fish any club matches on this type of water make sure that you have carp fishery approved nets. Most of the net manufacturers produce this type of net, it has a very fine mesh that cannot snare the spiky dorsal and anal fins of the carp. Many of the commercial fisheries also insist that you use two keep nets, one for the carp, and one for any other fish. This is very understandable since a delicate roach or bream would have little chance of survival when buried under 100 lbs of hefty carp.
Floats - a mixture of wagglers and small strong pole floats will be ideal. I know that we're not talking about pole fishing here, but one of the deadliest methods for catching those very large carp, especially as evening approaches, is to fish a pole float on a running line right down the edge. The fish have got so used to anglers throwing their unused bait away at the end of the day that they tend to drift in very close to the bank as the day wears on, and they are suckers for a small piece of luncheon meat, a grain of corn, or a worm presented beneath a little float, often only inches from the bank. If you are ever offered an old centre pin reel take it, because the combination of a centre pin reel and a pole float down the edge is the most deadly of methods, and playing a carp on a centre pin is a joy to behold.
Hooks - every commercial carp fishery in this area insists on the use of barbless hooks. We should be looking for a strong hook, in sizes 10 to 20 to cover the various baits that are used on these fisheries. I've always found the Drennan Team England Barbless to be reliable. Others swear by similar patterns from Kamasan or Mustad. As in so many fields of our sport, it's all down to what you have confidence in. You have to learn the behaviour of your tackle, you can then push it to the limit, you'll know just how hard you dare pull to keep
Finally,
once more I would urge you to make sure that you are aware of all of the fishery
rules, and of course abide by each and every one. Be aware that methods and
baits on this type of fishery change frequently. A killing method one month
will be dead in the water the next. Baits and methods switch on and off throughout
the year. The successful angler is the one who keeps abreast of these changes,
so look around you and see what other anglers are doing. If you creep up quietly,
and keep down so as not to frighten any fish, most anglers will be only too
pleased to tell you or show you how they are fishing.