Carp fishing and carp fishing equipment have gained a separate place in all forms of fishing. Carp fishing is common in European countries such as the United Kingdom, and only carp-specific fishing methods and fishing equipment have been developed. For this reason, carp fishing rods’ throws and lengths are usually shaped with British measurement units. Double-bait bait feeder (bait runner) fishing machines and powerful surf fishing machines are preferred in carp fishing from the shore. Carp fishing rods are resistant and there are telescopic carp fishing rods with pulling values in pounds available. Here’s what you need to know about carp fishing:
Types of carp fishing machine: There are fishing machines produced specially for Carp fishing as a double-bait feeder (bait runner), and machines with surf reel suitable for carp fishing. These machines are especially preferred by experienced hunters. But if you are just starting, you can also choose a 50-100 quality machine among general use fishing machines.
Carp fishing machine length: Carp fishing machines should generally have 50 and above reel length.
The low speed of the carp fishing machines gives you easier and more powerful winding. This way you can get a big carp more easily to the shore.
Carp fishing machine brands: Brands such as Shimano, Okuma, Daiwa, Spro are leading in the carp fishing machine industry.
Carp fishing rod type: Carp fishing rods can be piece or telescopic. If you do not have problems with the carriage, you can prefer the piece models with a more powerful structure.
Carp fishing rod length: 360-390cm rods are more preferred for carp hunting.
Carp fishing rod throws and pulls value: This value refers to the number of pounds the fishing rod weights at 90 degrees, while the reed is held parallel to the ground. One pound is 454 grams.
Carp fishing rod brands: You can give priority to brands such as Shimano, Okuma, Daiwa, Mitchell, Ron Thompson, Lineaeffe, Fladen, Cormoran, D.A.M, Trabucco.
But first, let’s get to know the carp better.
Detailed Information About the Carp
Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is the freshwater fish that gives its name to the family Cyprinidae. It is found in the lakes and slow-flowing streams. It is a long-bodied bottom fish fed by plants, worms, insect larvae. It can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and 35 kg in weight. The life span of the carp can reach up to 40-50 years.
Carp has an important place in artificial fishing. They can adapt to water in every heat. They are found in waters between 3-30 ° C. In extreme cold, they are buried in the mud collectively and hibernate. They can freeze before they die in winter. They can swim against the current. They squeeze their tail between their jaws and when they leave, they can jump 3-5 meters and overcome the cascades. There are many carp types with and without scales. Scaly species have large scales. Colors and shapes vary according to the environment in which they live. Generally, their back is dark green, where their sides and under their abdomen is mud-colored. They have a small mouth with thick and playful lips. Four mustaches hang from the upper jaw. They have no teeth. They grind their food with their pharynx teeth. Mustaches serve as touch organs.
They can blur the water. They are agile and active fish. They flock. They spawn from April to June. In some regions, the spawning period may last until August. A female can lay half a million eggs at a time. Most of the eggs are consumed by other fish that disrupt the ecological balance and are potentially harmful. Depending on the ambient temperature, eggs are hatched within one week at the latest. They become mature in three years. Although carp are said to have lived up to 100 years, their lifespan is normally 40-50 years. Fishermen make loud noises to lure them.
Cyprinidae family has the most species among the fish families in the world. Carp, which lives in temperate climate zones, is a species resistant to cold as well as hot. The carp has a wide heat tolerance. They require a small amount of oxygen. They develop well above 20 ° C. They may also survive exposure to water temperatures of 1 ° C and sudden changes in temperature. Carp fish grow at 5% salinity and pH 5-9. It quickly adapts to water temperature changes between 4-30 ° C during aquaculture.
Carp is an omnivorous fish fed from the bottom. Their nutrients are benthic aquatic animals, plankton, plant parts, and plant residues. They swallow the small water creatures along with the mud and throw the mud back. It has also been observed that large carp eat some small fish. The best feeding environment of carp is at water temperatures of 16-25 ° C and especially at 23-24 ° C. Culture carp, also called mirror carp, is the cultured form of natural carp.
As it is known, there are 3 hooks in carp fishing lines. Since carp fishing is done with different materials, the number of hooks in sunflower seed and cornmeal is limited to 1. Carp can be hunted using worms, mussels, dough, live bait, and ground bait. Various ornamental fish have been derived from the carp, which has been cultivated by humans for a thousand years. The most well-known of these is the goldfish, an aquarium fish, and Koi Carp, which has been derived from the colorful varieties in Japan for centuries.
The Fishing Line for Carp: Bottom Fishing Rig
The materials we need to use when preparing a bottom fishing rig are triple swivel, normal swivel, hooks according to the type of fish we want to hunt, and three types of fishing lines that have required strength for the fish to be hunted. Our first line should be thicker than the others. This line is the line on the body of the fishing rod. With the second type of fishing line, we create the frame part and with the thinner fishing line, we create the shackle.
When creating our tackle, we need to make sure how many hooks we need to attach in the first place. Depending on the number of hooks, the number of swivels we will attach to the body will change. Here I will give the description of preparing a 3-hook bottom fishing rig for carp hunting. By connecting the finest line to the hooks, we form the shackle of the tackle. The shackle line should also have an average length of 15 to 30 cm. We pass through the hook ring and tie our line with a beautiful and solid knot and our shackles are ready.
When creating the body part of the tackle, the first step should be to determine the length of the line according to the length of the shackle. For example, if the length of the shackle is 20 cm, the length of the body line should be at least 45 cm. The reason for this is to prevent the two hooks from entangling each other. Taking into consideration the knot and swivel distances, we connect the triple swivel to both ends of the line which is cut in 55-60 cm and check the robustness and remove the excess part. If we make the swivel as the letter “T”, it would be better to connect the body to the horizontal ends of the swivel. At the end of the process, the body line will tend to move like a single line. Then we prepare our second size line. The difference between the second body line and the first is that it only has 3 swivels on 1 side. The length of the line should be at least 45 cm.
We connect the shackles to the vertical leg of the triple swivel (T) which we have prepared before and we check the strength of it. Then, our tackle is ready.
Important Factors to be Considered in Preparing A Bottom Fishing Rig
- We have 3 general line categories including monofilament, rope and fluorocarbon line. Although there are new line styles such as copolymer, fluorocarbon coated mono and nanofilament in the market, these 3 categories meet the general need. Monofilament fishing lines are preferred due to their 10% to 35% stretching and cheapness, but they do not compete with the sensitivity of the rope lines due to their thinness, strength, and flexibility. This equipment is ideal for carp hunting since it ensures to feel the stroke of the fish, but has disadvantages during the fight against fish. Although fluorocarbon is a more brittle material, it is generally preferred because it provides invisibility.
- While preparing the bottom rigs, make sure that the distance between the two shackles is a little longer than a shackle neck so that they do not entangle during landing. The longer the length of the shackle, the more natural the movement is provided. However, this length is a disadvantage in terms of feeling the strokes of the fish. The shackles we will make without disturbing the natural movement are not the same for all line thicknesses. There is a proportion of the line thickness. Example: 15-20 cm shackle for 0.35 mm fluorocarbon fishing line and 20-25 cm shackle for 0.40 mm fluorocarbon fishing line.
- Some use only one swivel, one sinker and hooks to make their tackle as simple as possible, while some use triple swivels, beads, mushrooms, shiny scales, hoses to hold the body upright, and even stainless steel wire assemblies. The shackles should be perpendicular to the body both to provide natural movement and to prevent them from entangling the body. Accessories such as steel wire and plastic parts used to keep the shackles perpendicular to the body do not have a positive or negative effect on the hunting.
- Hook selections are made either by experience or by recommendations. In hook size selection, it should be considered that the hook should not be smaller than 1/6 or bigger than 1/3 of the mouth of the fish. The smaller the hook, the higher the chances of catching, but the greater the chance of losing it during the fight with the fish. Large needles should be preferred for carp fishing.
- When it comes to the bottom fishing rig, there are different fishing gear for fishing from the shore and from the boat. While the tackle should be at the end of the fishing line perpendicular to the water on the boat, it is at different angles according to the depth for the shore fishing. The action of the hooks will be different as a result of the reaction given when the fish hit the tackle prepared naturally. Hook position should be different according to the situation on the boat and on the shore. Example: In the boat, the hook blade should point to the tip of the fishing line, as the tip of the hook should show the tip of the fishing line on the shore.
Further Information on Carp Fishing with a Bottom Rig
There are many techniques for catching carp. Hunting with a bottom fishing rig is the most commonly used method. The bottom fishing method is the method of putting the fishing line underwater with triple or quadruple hooks attached to a body with shackles and a weight (sinker) attached to the tip of the fishing line. The baits we have attached to the hooks stay underwater and allow us to catch carp. Since carp are generally fed at the bottom of the water, they are caught in the trap by jumping the bait we have attached to our hooks.
Bobber hunting is a method that requires more patience and attention. It is a method of hunting with one or two hooks on a body hanging down from a bobber above the water. For carp fishing, this method usually leads to the capture of small fish. It is the method used in small ponds in parks.
Which Bait Is Used for Carp Fishing?
To be successful in carp fishing, we first need to know the eating habits of the fish in the hunting grounds. Physical characteristics and eating habits of the hunting ground should be examined in advance. Because eating habits may change according to physical characteristics. Boiled corn is the most preferred bait for carp fishing. The smell and color of the corn are very attractive for the carp. It is very easy to use at the tip of the hook as it is not easily dispersed in water. It is mostly preferred because it is very practical to use.
Special blended fake fish baits can be prepared. Every hunter has a unique recipe for dough mixture. You can personalize it by experience over time. Another bait option is pulp. The pulp is prepared by compressing the plates that are sold in many hunting stores. With the smell of pulp, you can easily attract carp.
Where to Find Carp?
Although it can adapt to a wide variety of conditions and live, it is generally very fond of slightly flowing or still lake waters. But it can also easily live in rivers. Carp is not found on steep slopes and rocks. There are more carp in slightly sloping areas covered with sand or mud and in the mouths where the streams meet with the lake. Carp also loves the trees and cavities in the streams and the parts where the water edges.
Young carp can be hunted easily in shallow waters, while older and experienced carp are usually found in deeper, distant parts of the shore. Carp loves hot water in places where the sun heats in summer and prefers deep water in winter.
What are the Most Used Carp Feeding Techniques?
- Hemp Seed Feeding
One glass of hemp is added to four glasses of water and boiled. Hemp seeds are removed from the oven when they start to open like corn pops. Some cooking soda may be added to the water to accelerate the opening of the seeds. Seeds that are ready to be attached to a hook are attached one by one. It is important to note that the tip of the hook must be exposed. This form of feeding is said to be a mind-catching flavor of carp. Of course, you should try the method and see if it works or not. Hemp seeds can be found easily in almost all herbalists.
- Feeding with Bread
It should be noted that the bread we will use in feeding should be neither too fresh nor too stale. It should be at least one day old. First, soften the bread with the steam of boiling water in the kettle. Then roll the bread by hand on a flat surface and turn it into a dough without losing its moisture. It is better to wrap it in foil to avoid losing moisture.
More Information About Carp Fishing
These fish are located near the bottom of the waters when the season is opened for the first time and come to the upper part of the water gradually. Most of the time they like to hide. If you throw your fishing line in places where there is a lot of recesses or nooks, you are more likely to catch them. The best hunting takes place from 6 am to 10 am. However, they may surf the water surface at noon and they are more likely to be easy prey.
The most important points of carp fishing are the choice of place, the season and the state of the water level. If you know them well and determine the location of the hunt correctly, it will be a much more efficient hunt for you. In addition, August-September months are the most productive periods. Once you have identified your area, you can practice feeding the carp for a period of time. So when you throw the bait, they will start looking for it. But the bait is not as important as other factors. With the proper location and temperature conditions, the carp will accept the bait, even if the bait is bad.
Carp Fishing Equipment
Contrary to popular belief, carp is a difficult and troublesome fish. There are various methods for carp hunting, which is one of the most common fish species that are frequently found in many dams and lakes in the world and mostly in stagnant waters. For the carp, which is usually a fish that lives and dives at the bottom, especially hunting between March and June, which is the breeding season of the fish, will cause the carp population to fall and put the future of this fish species at serious risk. For this reason, it is very important to comply with the hunting season in order not to get penalties and to maintain the existence of this fish.
When the average carp species in the world are considered, it is observed that there are carp having 1-1.5 meters length and 30-35 kg weight. The size of this fish can be considered quite large. That is why carp hunting is a laborious process. However, it is usually an entertaining type of hunting, when it is made with the right equipment and with sufficient knowledge and experience. As mentioned above, carp is a fish that loves to live at the bottom. For this reason, the fishing line to be used in carp fishing should be a bottom fishing rig. There are various feeding options in order to get more efficient results in carp hunting, where the most used bait is generally dough. For beginners, it may take time to learn how to use their equipment.
In addition, with the help of carp stand, you can use multiple fishing rods at the same time and make your hunt more efficient. Carp hunters know very well that carp hunt is a hunt that requires quite a patience. The hunting time can be quite prolonged in some cases, and it can be tiring to stand near the fishing rod during this entire time. You can also use carp alarms as a solution to this problem. Once you have prepared your carp tackle, all you have to do is wait for the fish to come to you and enjoy the nature. If you go to carp fishing with more than one person, you can chat with your friends, you can have a pleasant time without having to constantly check the fish. Thanks to the carp alarms, the fish will alert you when it strokes and will allow you to perform the hunt in the easiest way.
Best Fishing Lines You Can Buy Online For Carp Fishing
- North Moutain PE 4 Strands Braided Fishing S Line Carpfishing Carp Japan PE Spearfishing lead-core Hook Link R Fishing Line (Price: $11.99)
- AGOOL Carp Fishing Hair Rigs – 18pcs/36pcs Braided Thread Line Curve High Carbon Steel Fishing Hook Rolling Swivel Boilies Carp Rigs Carp Fishing Accessories (Price: $16.99)
- Piscifun Lunker Braided Fishing Line Multifilament 300yards 547yards – Improved Braided Line – Abrasion Resistance Fishing Line – Zero Stretch – Thinner Diameter 6lb-80lb (Price: $10.98 – $31.98)
- RUNCL PowerFluoro Fishing Line 1000/500/300Yds, 100% Fluorocarbon Coated Fishing Line, Fishing Leader Line – Virtually Invisible, Faster Sinking, Extra Sensitivity, Abrasion Resistance, 5-32LB (Price: $6.99 – $32.99)
- KastKing SuperPower Braided Fishing Line – Abrasion Resistant Braided Lines – Incredible Superline – Zero Stretch – Smaller Diameter – A Must-Have! (Price: $14.99 – $58.99)
