SPECIES ID GUIDE

Scientific name: Cyprinus carpio Identification: Carp come in three main varieties – common, mirror and leather – but you can also find brightly-coloured, ornamental koi and pale, whitish-coloured commontype fish known as ghosties.

All carp have four barbules and the mouth extends downwards, perfect for filtering through silt and stones on the bottom of lakes. Where to find them: Everywhere! Most stillwater fisheries hold carp and you’ll aways find a wily common among the mirrors and F1s, making this target one of the easiest in the Catch 22 Challenge.

Prime spots on lakes include the margins, close to near-bank vegetation, and at the bottom of the near shelf where they patrol the deeperwater for food that has fallen down the slope. At the start of the day fishing further out towards islands or the far bank of smaller lakes can be productive.

In the warmer weather carp cruise on the surface, and the pole shallow, pellet waggler, and controller float fishing or freelining with floating baits can be very productive.

One bigger lakes, spend time seeking out underwater features such as gravel bars and any deviations in depth as these can be carp magnets.

Owing to flooding, ‘escapee’ carp from stillwater fisheries thrive in most rivers and canals – and some of them grow very big. Favourite baits: Maggots, casters, worms, pellets, boilies, corn, meat, dog biscuits – you name it, carp have been caught on it. Best time to catch: All year round, but carp tend to feed best in late spring, through the warmer months, and in early autumn, when they get their heads down to pack on the weight for winter. Record weight: An incredible fish of 68lb 1oz known as ‘The Parrot’, caught in January 2016 by Dean Fletcher from Cranwells Lake on the Wasing Estate in Berkshire.