CARP TACTICS

These nomadic and powerful giants aren’t as challenging as you might think... here’s how River Trent expert Richard Easom goes about catching them

Simple steps to help you track down and catch your first river carp

RIVER carp offer an entirely different challenge to the enthusiast looking for a true piece of wild angling, well away from crowded commercials. So, if you are yet to catch a carp from running water, here’s how you can bag your first…

Location

River carp tend to frequent the same hotspots, moving from one to the next in search of a meal. To locate these areas, walk the bank at first or last light, as this is when fish will give you clues as to where to start.

Slow-moving areas with cover, the inside of bends and the margins are all possible haunts. Carp will usually patrol the same routes time and time again, so pick your spot wisely…then bait!

Free feed

Carp expend energy on their numerous trips up and downstream, so they are always on the lookout for food.

Stopping fish on their patrol routes, before they move on, is the best approach. Eventually they will begin to frequent baited areas more often and bites will come in windows as they pass – evenings and early mornings in particular.

Carp love boilies, so I use these in prebaiting campaigns up to two weeks before I actually fish. Continuity is important, so over time the carp learn where regular food is to be found.

The ability of carp to locate nutritious food sources easily is learned behaviour – something that’s introduced over time becomes acceptable to them and it’s then second nature for them to feed on it.

I find boilies far more selective than particles, but it’s no bad thing bringing everything to the party. However, if you have time on your side and you want to bring carp specifically into your swim, big boilies rule.

I tend not to go smaller than 18mm and will easily spread 2kg into my designated swim every other day over two weeks. Running a bait company, it’s easy for me to do this: the outlay for others may not be so viable.

If you’re limited to the number of boilies you can throw out, use bait that doesn’t break down easily such as large pellets (20mm-24mm halibuts) or maples, red rapeseed and pumpkin seeds. I find these seeds tend to avoid nuisance species such as bream.

If you’re unable to bait up so regularly, or at all, then fish by spotting, stalking and being alert. Some carp will even take floating crust on the river, if you can find them sunning themselves.

A show of strength

There’s nothing complicated about fishing for river carp. They’ll respond to the simplest of tactics, and there’s no need for the fancy Choddies or Ronnie rigs so beloved of stillwater carp anglers.

Your rig does, though, need to be strong – a simple lead clip system with 20lb reel line and a rubbing leader of 60lb to combat the rocks and boulders that make up the bottom of most rivers is perfect. I use around 13ft of Amnesia to make up the leader.

Big hooks in sizes 6-2 are a must to hold these powerful fish. I use J Precision Euro XT’s tied to 12ins of Kryston Magma or Super Mantis in around 25lb breaking strain. A simple hair rig, tied knotless-knot style, will suffice in most river situations.

Remember, river carp are not ‘riggy’, nor are they difficult to catch in the main – but first you need to find them!

WIld and free, a stunning river mirror carp.

River fish tend to show at dusk and dawn.

THE LEAD A large gripper-style lead between 2oz-5oz will hold your rig in position. HOOKLINK A strong 12ins coated braid hooklink of at least 25lb breaking strain is essential. Strip the last inch of coating back for extra movement. BAITS Boilies are the most selective bait on the river. I use baits of at least 18mm and will go as big as 24mm with pellets.