Prebaiting means putting bait into a spot on visits before you intend to fish it. The aim is to encourage carp to return to that area for food. It can be useful when you can visit a lake regularly, but it is not a promise that fish will be waiting w...

When the rods have been quiet for hours, it is tempting to change your rig, open another bag of bait or cast somewhere else. Any of those might help, but first work out what problem you are trying to solve. Otherwise, you can change several things a...

Your first carp fishing trip needn’t be complicated. A manageable venue, a simple setup and a little preparation will do more for your confidence than a boot full of tackle. Here’s what to sort before you leave home. Choose a venue that suits a begi...

Carp fishing tackle can look bewildering when every shelf offers another gadget. For a first day session, keep the job simple: a setup suited to the lake, reliable bite indication and the equipment to look after a fish. Spend on those basics before ...

Ready-tied carp rigs are a useful way to get started. You can concentrate on learning to fish while building the confidence to tie your own. But ready-tied doesn’t mean ready for every lake, bait or lead system. These five checks help you choose and...

How much bait should you put in? It’s one of the first questions new carp anglers ask, and there isn’t an honest answer that fits every lake. The useful starting point is a modest, measured amount you can add to—not a bucket emptied because you brou...

A blank means you didn’t catch any carp. It happens to experienced anglers as well as beginners, and one quiet trip doesn’t prove your tackle or bait is wrong. The useful question is what you can learn before the next visit. Work through these check...