Wild carp fishing in the UK
With the popularity of Carp fishing at an all time high around the UK, wild Carp fishing brings with it a different aspect.
We can all sit around a well stocked fishery hoping to catch our new PB or be kept busy for hours on end. Sometimes you just can’t fail to catch, there are so many in some lakes / fisheries. By wild Carp fishing I mean moving away from these fisheries and targeting carp in smaller hidden ponds, lakes, rivers and even your local canals. You may be surprised by the stamp of fish some of these hold, secondly it can be more fulfilling to have to wok for your catch. Checking out an area and finding likely spots in search of your quarry are all part of the fun.
Stepping away from comfortable fisheries generates its own challenges for Carp anglers. The first being, well, are there any carp to be caught in the first place? This can deter a lot of people from targeting unknown waters. Investing time and money into a fruitless exercise is the last thing anyone wants, we all hate blanking. However wild carp fishing can be more fulfilling, especially knowing you may be the only person to have caught a particular fish or just to prove someone else wrong… Petty I know but, homework and hard work paying off is the best aspect.
There are several steps you can take wanting to try local wild carp fishing which involves minimal legwork. Don’t be put off if you don’t catch first time, try using different methods, baits etc.
Checking out future potential venues in summer is a good way to scope out a place. We all know Carp will quite happily sit on the surface during sunny days. If you see any milling on top of the water then you know the venue is a go.
Taking along a few biscuits when exploring an area, throwing a few in and waiting to see what potential reaction you get is a good method.
Taking the dog (your dog, a dog or just yourself for that matter) out along your local canal in summer can be good too. I have often seen the odd Carp on top basking in the sun, that said you often seen dead fish at anytime of the year. Seeing dead fish does not mean the waters are in poor health and can be the clearest indicator of what species a venue holds, Carp being no different.
Rumours often have an element of truth when it comes to fishing, best kept secrets and all that. An example I can think of straight away would be of a pond in the local (back then) woods. Nothing big at all, far from it. However it did turn out to hold a head of Common, Crucian and a few Mirror Carp. Surprising given its small size and location. These were not big fish with the exception of a nice mirror Carp. The biggest rumor about the place, it had a catfish in its murky depths. Yup, turns out I got to see my first catfish in the middle of a wood with no roads close by and just a rough path through woodland as access.
Wild Carp are often found in rivers too, you will be surprised how many can be caught in city centres.
One you have a least a bit of confidence a water hold carps you can try throwing in a few boilies or other baits. Getting fish used to feeding on a bait or baits prior to fishing can work wonders. Especially when targeting unknown or under fished venues. Carp will soon associate the scent with their new food source and more readily eat it. Anything you can do to increase your catch and make your hard work pay off.
You may even have to clear an area of the bank so you can actually get your gear setup, its all part of the experience. Perseverance will pay of and you will be happy wen it does. It really is worth the effort finding new rarely fished venues or canals when targeting wild Carp. A good wholesome and ultimately soul filling journey of discovery, you may learn a few things along the way. Wild Carp fishing in the UK is something every angler should at least try.
Tight Lines
