Setting Up The Rods

The choice of your rod set-up really depends on the type of lake bed your fishing on but for now as this blog is aimed at beginners I'll keep it simple.
The most common set up ide say is the running rig which is a weight threaded on to your main line then a bead and then your rig, like I said simple and very affective.


A pic of a bog standard running rig setup

You will see on the end of the weight a black plastic run rig clip,these allow the line to pass threw the weight much easy er but they ain't necessary.Then we have the shock bead , this stops the weight crashing into your knot then it's the simple hair rig attached via the knot of your choice.We will look further in this blog on knots and different choices of rigs to use but for now we are keeping it simple.

Now back to the running rig, I always use a mainline that is greater in breaking strain then the rig so if anything was going to snap whilst playing a fish it should be the rig and not the mainline that goes (ie i use 15lb mainline with 12lb hair rigs). This way the fish aint left with X amount of line dangleing from it's mouth and instead only a few inches of rig line, but if the mainline were to break because your weight ain't tyed on only threaded on the weight will also fall from the line meaning the fish aint dragging a weight around which can cause death!!!

So thats it the most simple carp rod set-up out today and a fish freindly one at that.

See my next post on how to make your own hair rigs.

Finding Your Swim

OK your all packed up you've arrived at the lake now we need to decide what peg/swim we are going to fish from.
If your new to the lake it's always best to ask others for advice and to get some tips from them on the lake, most anglers are all to happy to help out so dont be shy just ask.
If however your not it a talking mood or simply your the only on there then try to find a point where you can look down over the lake this is where sun glasses helps to.
On a nice sunny day you will often see the fish cruising around the top and it's always best to have a walk around to, swirls in the water even fish lumping out the water will give you the headstart you need to catching a carp.

Ok you have now found the swim /peg your going to fish from all we need to do is set up are gear get some bait on and cast out but do that quitley as poss ok' the amount of anglers I see and hear on the sides of bank making a loud noise shocks me, Remember the fish hear you to and once there spooked it can ruin you swim for a while untill they feel safe again to return there so be QUITE!!

My next post will show you how to set up your rods ready to catch a carp.

What Do I Need To Take

Well somethings you must take and others are up to you, I will give a list of things that you must take with you on every fishing trip and most will properly be a rule at the place your fishing

A good decent size landing net is a must along with a padded landing mat.

Carp care ointment, it may sound silly but the only med check a fish will normally get is when it's caught, cuts and grazes ain't uncommon on carp so if you see one apply the correct ointment to either it's mouth or body.

Alcohol rub, wells disease is talked about all over the net so before you go biting in to the sarnies you made prior give you hands a clean OK.

These 4 things are a must for me OK!

After the 4 main ones it's all down to you and how you want to your fishing trip to be so things like
A bivvy,waterproofs,radio, refreshments,sunglasses, cooker and snacks all help but not essential.

Introduction

Hi my name is Shaun and I love to catch carp and this Blog is to help those of you that don't know how to catch carp safely and correctly.I'm 32 years young and have been fishing since my father first took me at the age of 11 and I'm still hooked.

This blog will take you from the very beginning to the very end of how to carp fish even tho there is no end to fishing as I and others will say you learn something new on every trip to the bank.

The one most important thing for me is to fish safely!! theres no point catching a carp if you cant safely play the fish, land the fish and handle the fish and finaly return the fish alive and well for the next angler so Carp saftey is rule number 1.

Carp fishing is a waiting game, hours of boardem for a moment of maddness!!

Buy your rod licence from here

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/default.aspx

In the Uk to fish you must have a licence or your could get fined and lose your gear so don't take a chance!