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