There is not a lot of fish in still water which could match the speed and strength of wild carp. Even though there is some genetic difference between the wild carp and the common carp, there are no apparent visual difference apart from shape. And yet a slender common carp can still be visually mistaken for a wild carp and a chubby wild can be easily confused with a common.
From the original wild carp, different strains have been produced by selective breeding throughout Europe during the past three centuries. As a result of this selective breading were produced many different carp species. Here are some of the most common species.
The king common carp is probably one of the most favourable species and is widely adored by most carp anglers and they always invest into good carp fishing tackle to catch one. King common carp is the fully-scaled modern equivalent of the original wild carp, selectively bred to be thicker across the body, deeper and much faster growing with a far greater weight potential.
Ultimate weight for a king carp is still uncertain. Monsters of 80 lb and more have been recorded so there is every reason to expect that in the right growing conditions a king carp can reach as much as 100 lb somewhere in European waters. It is therefore necessary to use good quality carp fishing tackle to catch one. For example good quality carp fishing reels and rods are a must have.
In Britain however summers do not get sufficiently hot and do not last sufficiently long meaning the target weight of 100 lb is not achievable. The top weights here remains in the lower 50 lb brackets. Although, with temperature in the UK being gradually on the rise, this can easily change.
The fully-scaled mirror is completely covered in scales of different sizes, is by far the prettiest and possibly the most desirable to catch of all species. The average weight of fully-scaled mirror is about 34 lb and they usually respond well to both carp fishing tackle and pike fishing tackle.
The scatter-scale mirror generally has a continuous line of scales on both sides of the dorsal fin from head to tail, with single or odd groups appearing almost anywhere, particularly close to the tail root or head, or both by far the most common form of mirror carp. The average weight of this carp in the UK is 36lb and just like fully-scaled mirror it responds well to both carp and pike fishing tackle.
The linear mirror is known for its straight row of uniform scales along the lateral line, plus odd groups near the tail and on both sides of the dorsal fin. The average weight is less that 30lb and linear mirror responds well to any fishing tackle.
The starburst mirror is really a scatter-scale mirror with a presence of tiny, bright scales shot all over the lower half of its body. Italian goldfish and shubunkins have very similar scaleage, reminiscent of a burst of stars – hence this particular carp's nickname. They also respond well to any fishing tackle. Some anglers using pike reels for targeting starburst mirror, but in my opinion they do not work.
The plated mirror again is really a scatter-scale fish with anything from one to several enormous plate-like scales set in an irregular-shaped group on one or both sides of its body. Not a fish that wears well in a busy fisheries, because during the fight the line can catch behind these big scales and force them out. It is therefore you are not very likely to see plated mirror in your local fishery. Some anglers using pike reels for targeting plated mirror, but in my opinion they do not work.
The leather carp is completely free of scales over the body with perhaps the odd line of small scales either side of the dorsal fin. The average weight for a leather carp is about 28lb. Some anglers say that they have managed to catch leather carp on pike fishing tackle and also on plain fishing tackle.
The colour of carp, to certain extent is governed by the colour of water in which they live. In sandy or light green water the body of fish fades to beige, grey or dull brass with a distinct warm tinge to the tail and lower fins. This applies to wild and king carp, and carp that live in clear and weedy water can differ from bronze to slate blue with scales of gold or silver.
Feeding of carp is very aggressive. In the wild they dominates the water and have more than a fare share of food. This feeding habit is why carp is one of the first fish that reaches bate and runs away with line off your carp fishing reel. Although in the dark balance swings towards others, such as cat fish and pike as they naturally become more active.
Since carp is such an aggressive feeder, so why is it so hard to catch one? Well, the answer to this would probably be the fact that carp are smart, and they learn well through association what to be careful about. An example of this would be previously used baits they have recently been cough on, thick line, insensitive terminal rigs, shadows on the water, unnatural sounds picked up through bank vibrations. Thus, once the carp learns to associate one of these factors with danger it will be enough for the carp to stay away, be more alert and stop feeding in such an aggressive way. This is one of the reasons why during carp fishing it is important to be stealthy, well camouflaged use good tackle and good quality carp fishing reels when tacking previously unfished water as those fish would rarely see humans or hear their disturbance along the banks and this would make them more alarmed.
Natural diet of carp mostly consists of miniature life forms, although carp will generally eat anything humans give them. With its two pairs of barbules the carp is a past master at seeking out midge larvae and annelid worms the deepest silt. Occasionally a carp may come up to the surface to catch floaters.
In prolifically stocked waters, especially where competition for the natural aquatic food is high, carp consume far more fish that most anglers could imagine. It is therefore you can use pretty much any tackle with can fit into your seat boxes and fishing boxes. During the spawning season it is natural for them to munch away on both the spawn and newly hatched flies. And this does not stop them from enjoying larger small fish either dead or alive at any time of the year.
During the hot month carp are regularly caught on spinners, spoons and jigs, which would suggest that carp are becoming a more aggressive predator the warmer the water. Other favourite natural foods are all aquatic insects and beetles, shrimps, assellus and a certain amount of algae from silt and mud on the bottom.
Friday, 30 March 2012
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Norfolk's Greatest Carp Fisheries
I've been wanting to go carp fishing for a while now. I just had to wait for the weather to break into sunshine and the lakes to come to life again after what seemed like a never-ending winter. So the plans were made, carp fishing tackle purchased, and the place and holidays booked for beginning of March. The choice of place this time fell on my mate Adam, and he decided to go to Taverham Mill.
Taverham Mill Fishery is a quite little place set on the outskirts of Norwich in approximately 100 acres of countryside and boasts 4 lakes and 3/4 mile of the river Wensum. We have not been back here since spring last year. At first glance it appears that some things have changed. A new boardwalk has been installed by the fishery management accross the meadow making it a flat and even surface. This newly installed boardwalk will certainly help us later on to push through our fishing trolleys. Other than that, the lake looks cracking as always and there are plenty of carp anglers about.
In terms of stock, over the last couple of years the lake has gone from strength to strength. Last years record was set at just over 34lb mirror carp.
In the summer, the lake is covered by expansive patches of lilies, which always hold lots of carp, along with beds of Canadian pondweed, gravel bars and plateaux, depths range from a few inches to 10 feet. What I also like about Taverham Mill Fishery is that they is a carp fishing tackle shop on site where you can get everything from fishing clothes to cheap carp rods and carp fishing reels. Based on past experience we have booked two swims for three nights. Our swims were in the centre of the lake which usually delivers well in colder months of the year. This time round we did not get a chance to prebate our swims so we are just going to set up our carp rods and reels and get the swims sorted. Then, hopefully we can bag a carp or two in the first night.
As I unpacked my fishing trolley, got out my carp rods and loaded my carp fishing reels, Adam came over from his swim to say that he had just seen a couple of very big carp rolling out in font of him, including a mirror and a common, both at least 30lb each. I went over to his swim to have a look and had also seen quite a few turn over in the waves in front of us, although there had not been a sign of anything on my side of the swim.
By dust both of us were completely sorted. The promised cold and wet weather was still long way off and we were both enjoying the early spring evening sun. As soon as it got dark, the indicators on Adam's carp rods in his swim came alive, but not with carp. It seemed that the feast of red maggots we had put into our swims was attracting everything that swam past.
By midnight Adam had caught a trench, bream and a couple of ells. By this time I started to wonder if I was doing something wrong as I was having no luck.
Later on, as we had been promised the weather began to turn colder and with it came rain. In this weather good fishing clothes are absolutely essential. Adam's swim still seemed alive, through, and after seeing a few shows and getting several liners, he was suddenly into not one, but two more carp. Seeing the second, a big wide-backed common, go into the net was such a buzz. We knew that it was one of Taverham's big ones and so it proved, weighing in at over 35lb. Adam's swim was mayhem with rods and nets everywhere. Before doing anything, though, he spodded out a few rockets of fresh maggots to keep the swim ticking over while everything was sorted out.
Compared to Adam's side of the swim, mine was pretty lifeless. A very welcome mid-twenty common saved me from what was looking like a blank and I decided to change my baiting tactics and add in a water a bag of Nash top rod frozen boilies and half a bag of Dynamite carp fishing tackle pellets.
My rigs were light and refined – there were no weed or snags to contend with and the water was clear, so I elected for hook link tied from 10lb Guru Drag Line, whipped to a size 10 Wide Grag Line. The hair was made from Supernatural braid, held tightly under the hook whipping. This gives the bait more natural movement and helps the hook end of the rig to sit flat on the bottom. The hook bait was made from a tiny match hook on which I impaled about five maggots and then pulled down into a piece of white night-glow plastic corn.
Within a couple of hours my carp fishing reels had finally seen some movement. I had caught a brace of thirties from two different spots and both on the same bait mix. Not long after, both of Adam's rods gone off at once. The first fish was safely netted and then the second one. Both fish were commons between 23lb and 27lb. It is safe to say that we had an excellent fishing session.
Taverham Mill Fishery is a quite little place set on the outskirts of Norwich in approximately 100 acres of countryside and boasts 4 lakes and 3/4 mile of the river Wensum. We have not been back here since spring last year. At first glance it appears that some things have changed. A new boardwalk has been installed by the fishery management accross the meadow making it a flat and even surface. This newly installed boardwalk will certainly help us later on to push through our fishing trolleys. Other than that, the lake looks cracking as always and there are plenty of carp anglers about.
In terms of stock, over the last couple of years the lake has gone from strength to strength. Last years record was set at just over 34lb mirror carp.
In the summer, the lake is covered by expansive patches of lilies, which always hold lots of carp, along with beds of Canadian pondweed, gravel bars and plateaux, depths range from a few inches to 10 feet. What I also like about Taverham Mill Fishery is that they is a carp fishing tackle shop on site where you can get everything from fishing clothes to cheap carp rods and carp fishing reels. Based on past experience we have booked two swims for three nights. Our swims were in the centre of the lake which usually delivers well in colder months of the year. This time round we did not get a chance to prebate our swims so we are just going to set up our carp rods and reels and get the swims sorted. Then, hopefully we can bag a carp or two in the first night.
As I unpacked my fishing trolley, got out my carp rods and loaded my carp fishing reels, Adam came over from his swim to say that he had just seen a couple of very big carp rolling out in font of him, including a mirror and a common, both at least 30lb each. I went over to his swim to have a look and had also seen quite a few turn over in the waves in front of us, although there had not been a sign of anything on my side of the swim.
By dust both of us were completely sorted. The promised cold and wet weather was still long way off and we were both enjoying the early spring evening sun. As soon as it got dark, the indicators on Adam's carp rods in his swim came alive, but not with carp. It seemed that the feast of red maggots we had put into our swims was attracting everything that swam past.
By midnight Adam had caught a trench, bream and a couple of ells. By this time I started to wonder if I was doing something wrong as I was having no luck.
Later on, as we had been promised the weather began to turn colder and with it came rain. In this weather good fishing clothes are absolutely essential. Adam's swim still seemed alive, through, and after seeing a few shows and getting several liners, he was suddenly into not one, but two more carp. Seeing the second, a big wide-backed common, go into the net was such a buzz. We knew that it was one of Taverham's big ones and so it proved, weighing in at over 35lb. Adam's swim was mayhem with rods and nets everywhere. Before doing anything, though, he spodded out a few rockets of fresh maggots to keep the swim ticking over while everything was sorted out.
Compared to Adam's side of the swim, mine was pretty lifeless. A very welcome mid-twenty common saved me from what was looking like a blank and I decided to change my baiting tactics and add in a water a bag of Nash top rod frozen boilies and half a bag of Dynamite carp fishing tackle pellets.
My rigs were light and refined – there were no weed or snags to contend with and the water was clear, so I elected for hook link tied from 10lb Guru Drag Line, whipped to a size 10 Wide Grag Line. The hair was made from Supernatural braid, held tightly under the hook whipping. This gives the bait more natural movement and helps the hook end of the rig to sit flat on the bottom. The hook bait was made from a tiny match hook on which I impaled about five maggots and then pulled down into a piece of white night-glow plastic corn.
Within a couple of hours my carp fishing reels had finally seen some movement. I had caught a brace of thirties from two different spots and both on the same bait mix. Not long after, both of Adam's rods gone off at once. The first fish was safely netted and then the second one. Both fish were commons between 23lb and 27lb. It is safe to say that we had an excellent fishing session.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
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Predator Fishing on the coast of Norfolk
Last month I was on one of my weekly trips to the coast of Norfolk, well equipped, on the mission to catch cod. On the day of my arrival, the sea of Cromer was flat and calm, the tide was nearing low water and the time was shortly after midday. I like coming here mid week as at this time you are far less likely to find yourself surrounded by locals and holidaymakers. This trip was no different. The beach was almost destitute with the exception of a couple of sea anglers well spaced out alongside the rocky shoreline.
When fishing for cod, I like deeper water with a snag free bottom, so I had carefully assessed the best place to land my rods. Finding a perfect spot is something which I like to do before setting up my sea fishing equipment. I cannot tell you how many times I had to waste time to pack my fishing tackle up not long after unpacking it in order to move some place better. But this time I did well, the spot which I found is going to be perfect for now and maybe even for later when tide is high as there is more than plenty of rocky shore left behind me. I've unpacked my fishing tackle and set up both of my sea rods so I am ready to go.
Everything around me was so peaceful, in fact I almost started to drift to sleep. Then suddenly my tranquillity was shattered by the sound of a screaming bite detector. I stood up from my fishing tackle seat boxes and stepped forward to pick up my rod. I soon realised that the line was quickly disappearing from the spool of my reel as the fish tore out to sea. I lowered the tip of my sea fishing rod, put the reel in gear, disengaged the ratchet and swept my sea rod smoothly upwards to ensure the hook was firmly set. I kept calm, allowing the fish to run against a well set clutch. Then, about 5 yards out a big dorsal fin appeared through the water and eventually revealed a good size tope.
I lured the fish to the edge and leaned forward to drab its tail. It was so strong and within seconds it thrashed for freedom and slipped from my grip. It was at least 35lb.
My second attempt to grab its tail also failed as he was just such a powerful fighter. It is only on my third attempt that I have finally managed to firmly grab the tail and lift it out of water onto the rocks. My weigh sling was already set up so I carefully lifted the top into the sling and watched as the scales settled at 42lb. Good result. I took my camera out of one of the seat boxes to take a picture of this beauty before finally releasing it back to the water.
It was starting to get dark, looks like I am not going to get this cod after all. Nevertheless, I was very pleased with the end result and will look forward to coming back here again and I strongly suggest you try the same.
If you have never tried fishing for cod or any other large size predators before, let me give you this small advise. It is important to be equipped with appropriate sea fishing equipment. You definitely need a good quality and robust beach-caster rod or any other similar sea fishing rods will suffice as long as they are capable of casting up to 9oz. Don’t forget to get a good quality tough line, shock leader, pulley rig and plenty of fish bait. Good Lack.
When fishing for cod, I like deeper water with a snag free bottom, so I had carefully assessed the best place to land my rods. Finding a perfect spot is something which I like to do before setting up my sea fishing equipment. I cannot tell you how many times I had to waste time to pack my fishing tackle up not long after unpacking it in order to move some place better. But this time I did well, the spot which I found is going to be perfect for now and maybe even for later when tide is high as there is more than plenty of rocky shore left behind me. I've unpacked my fishing tackle and set up both of my sea rods so I am ready to go.
Everything around me was so peaceful, in fact I almost started to drift to sleep. Then suddenly my tranquillity was shattered by the sound of a screaming bite detector. I stood up from my fishing tackle seat boxes and stepped forward to pick up my rod. I soon realised that the line was quickly disappearing from the spool of my reel as the fish tore out to sea. I lowered the tip of my sea fishing rod, put the reel in gear, disengaged the ratchet and swept my sea rod smoothly upwards to ensure the hook was firmly set. I kept calm, allowing the fish to run against a well set clutch. Then, about 5 yards out a big dorsal fin appeared through the water and eventually revealed a good size tope.
I lured the fish to the edge and leaned forward to drab its tail. It was so strong and within seconds it thrashed for freedom and slipped from my grip. It was at least 35lb.
My second attempt to grab its tail also failed as he was just such a powerful fighter. It is only on my third attempt that I have finally managed to firmly grab the tail and lift it out of water onto the rocks. My weigh sling was already set up so I carefully lifted the top into the sling and watched as the scales settled at 42lb. Good result. I took my camera out of one of the seat boxes to take a picture of this beauty before finally releasing it back to the water.
It was starting to get dark, looks like I am not going to get this cod after all. Nevertheless, I was very pleased with the end result and will look forward to coming back here again and I strongly suggest you try the same.
If you have never tried fishing for cod or any other large size predators before, let me give you this small advise. It is important to be equipped with appropriate sea fishing equipment. You definitely need a good quality and robust beach-caster rod or any other similar sea fishing rods will suffice as long as they are capable of casting up to 9oz. Don’t forget to get a good quality tough line, shock leader, pulley rig and plenty of fish bait. Good Lack.
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