Carp are easy to find and catch fish. As beginners, you may need a few carp fishing tips. A rod and reel you have are likely good enough to start. There are special rods and reels for carp fishing. Those are for serious carp anglers. What you need is basic setup and bait to start. Afterward, you can buy carp specific tackle.
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Carp Fishing Tackle Tips
Carp fishing is becoming specialized the same as bass or walleye. Anglers fall into the belief they need the perfect rod and reel. In some cases, it is justified but not with carp. A medium or medium-heavy rod with the right size reel is good enough.
If you plan on carp as a specialized style of fishing. Then the specific rods will work better for you. The average angler does fine with an all-around rod.
If you have a rod in the right power use that rod. It is not likely an ideal set-up but will work to catch carp. Carp rods tend to be longer, often being 8-12 feet in length. This allows longer casting to reach areas away from shore. Carp fishing is usually a shore fishing activity. If you can reach suitable waters with carp present, your current rod is fine.
As a beginner, these are tips to get a start fishing for carp. They let you know what it is like carp fishing before investing in a specific type of tackle.
Rod and Reel
The reels for carp fishing are spinning reels, but a casting reel will work. The spinning reel is easy to cast and with enough weight will go far. A size 3000 is common for medium power rods. A reel from 2500 to 4000 size is in the range many anglers use for carp.
Spool on an 8-10 lbs test line and the set-up is ready. A line too heavy will result in fewer bites. Carp have sensitive mouths and can feel the line. This line size handles fish over fifteen pounds. You have to fight the fish longer.
Choosing a Bait
The carp is a vegetarian of the fish world. They do eat insects but prefer grains and plants. The commercial baits are dough balls and boilies. Anglers prefer to make their own bait. You make pack bait using corn, grains, and flavoring. This is a simple bait that is most effective.
Also, a dough ball is another option in simple to make baits. I recommend either for beginners since they are easy to make and work. Both baits are common for carp fishing.
The dough ball is flour, cornmeal, water, and flavoring. You can make a dough ball in fifteen to twenty minutes.
Dough Ball Recipe
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 cup of cornmeal
- 1-2 Tbsp of sugar
- A dash of salt
- Flavor
- 1 cup of water
Bring the water to a boil with the salt and sugar added. The sugar helps it stay together. Once it boils add the flavoring then the cornmeal and flour and mix. After it cools some, you will need to knead the dough for thorough mixing. Refrigerate until ready to use. You can freeze the dough ball to store longer.
Pack bait is easy also. It does use a different method.
Pack Bait Recipe
- 16 ounces of Panko breadcrumbs
- 7 ounces of creamed corn
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp of flavoring or jello packet
Mix all the ingredients together and let sit a few hours. If it is too dry add some water. Use only a little at a time. If it is too wet add more bread crumbs to stiffen the mix. This bait is tricky to get the right consistency at first but after 2-3 times, it is easy.
A few kernels of corn will work. Many anglers place it on the hook inside the packed bait.
Caution: The corn must be cooked. Use canned or cook the corn before use. Uncooked corn will kill fish.
Tips for Beginners Fishing to Catch a Carp
Step one is finding a place with carp. Talk to other anglers in your region. Carp are present in many waterways. In many instances, carp will be in certain places in the waterways. Carp prefer calm waters. Having weeds present is a plus. They use weeds as the primary cover.
Some states allow chumming or pre-baiting an area. You throw corn or the bait you are using in the area a few days prior. Go for 3 days in a row and throw in some bait. It will have the fish become accustomed to the bait. This will keep the carp in the area. Carp roam in search of food. They will take advantage of easy meals, the chumming helps. Some states do not allow you to chum. Check the state laws concerning chumming.
Hooks and Rigs
The dough ball rig is the easiest. The hook and sinker are tied however you feel comfortable. There are specific rigs. The slip rig is used by many anglers. Although the typical sinker at the end with hooks hanging above works also. Using a size 6 hook place a grape size piece on the hook.
Cast the bait to where the carp feed. Try not to make a loud thump with sinker and bait. Carp will spook easily. It is time to wait for a bite.
Anglers choosing to go with packed bait need a different rig. A hair rig with a piece of corn is placed in the packed clump of bait. The packed bait is a chum to draw in the fish. It is common to use this method if you are in a state forbidding chumming before fishing the spot. Check to see if this is legal.
A method feeder can be used but is not always needed. But it does work better for holding the bait on the line for casting. Look up the hair rig on youtube on how to tie a hair rig.
Another option is float fishing for carp. Using a small stick float with the hook a small distance below the surface. This works when carp on at the surface. This technique is popular in the United Kingdom and parts of the USA. It is a simple rig using bread or corn for bait.
Summary
Carp fishing does not need specific tackle but it will help. Finding a place where carp are present is the first step. Choose and make good bait for carp fishing. Each bait uses a different rig to work best. If you enjoy carp fishing as a beginner then buy specialized tackle. These tips are beginners fishing for carp.
John McIntyre