| So many carp anglers use static setups these days | | | | save time when setting up but it means you can |
| that you could be forgiven for thinking that float | | | | swap and change easily when faced with a different |
| fishing for big carp is a lost art, amazing really as it | | | | distance rather than having to take off or apply |
| can be one of the most adrenalin filled methods for | | | | different shots to the line each time you want to |
| targeting big fish at close quarters there has ever | | | | change distance and depth. |
| been! | | | | As most of my float fishing for carp is carried out |
| I have heard of many a carp angler who is become | | | | stalking fashion I am never going to be casting huge |
| bored with the current trend for fishing static set-ups | | | | distances more likely just dropping the float out to |
| at extreme distances in some cases not even casting | | | | marginal features like weedbeds, lily pads or |
| a rod but using a bait boat to ship out a lead and | | | | reedmace in the margins. As such I only need enough |
| hookbait to some distant location - no wonder the | | | | weight to cast the float a few yards so a |
| heart has stopped pumping - that alone would be | | | | pre-weighted float is perfect for flicking out the |
| enough to make me fall asleep! All I would say to | | | | hookbait. If I want to attract carp on the drop or if I |
| such anglers is break out a float rod and have some | | | | am fishing for spooky carp I won't attach any shot |
| fun! | | | | to the line at all, but if I want to get the bait on the |
| As methods go, they do not get much simpler - all | | | | lake bed quickly I will add a small shot or a chunk of |
| you need is a float and a hook! Forget your bite | | | | rig-putty about three inches from the hookbait to |
| alarms, rod pods, swingers and suchlike - this is | | | | help it reach bottom quickly. |
| proper fishing designed to put your heart in your | | | | Hook size is critical as you need to match the hook |
| mouth every time the float twitches! My standard | | | | to the size of hookbait. Too many anglers think you |
| float fishing set up for big carp consists of a light | | | | need huge hooks to bank carp, which is simply not |
| action carp rod of around 1.5lb to 2lb test curve, | | | | the case. Most of my stalking and surface fishing for |
| which provides exciting sport when playing fish at | | | | carp is carried out using hooks between size 12 and |
| close quarters, twinned with a lightweight coarse reel | | | | 16 and rarely do I lose a fish due to the hook pulling! |
| - there is no need for big pit reels or baitrunners - so | | | | You don't really need hair-rigs, just mount your bait |
| long as it has a drag facility which allows you to | | | | on the hook and away you go! Just remember to |
| adjust the tension during the battle it will do just fine. | | | | carry an unhooking mat so you can deal with a big |
| Spool it up with a quality monofilament line, my | | | | fish safely on the bank. |
| personal choice is Daiwa Sensor. The breaking strain | | | | Try to fish to obvious features where carp might |
| will depend on the water you are fishing; if it is free | | | | visit and keep trickling in loosefeed on a "little and |
| of snags, weed and other submerged obstructions | | | | often" basis in order to grab their attention when |
| you can use a lower diameter, say between 8lb and | | | | they do come along. My personal preference for bait |
| 10lb, or increase it up towards 12lb or more if | | | | is something that moves, something that stops the |
| conditions dictate. | | | | carp in its tracks when it passes by - and as such I |
| Again, on a personal level I like to keep things light as | | | | usually favour maggots or worms. |
| this increases the enjoyment factor when playing fish | | | | It really is as simple as that, the adrenalin rush on |
| close in, so most of the time I will use 10lb or below. | | | | seeing the float slide away before having the rod |
| There are countless floats available for carp fishing, | | | | bend double just can't be beaten and I can assure |
| but to be honest I only have about five different | | | | you you'll never be bored again! I have bagged |
| types in my tackle box which I find cover me for all | | | | countless lumps recently on the methods and tactics |
| eventualities. To fish a standard float set up I like to | | | | described above. So why don't you get out there |
| use a self weighted carp float, not only does this | | | | and do the same. |