Hello I'm starting Carp fishing and I live in Swindon Wiltshire And I'm looking for a little help on getting the correct Kit and Tackle! I wouldn't mind if there was someone who gives lessons as I don't mind paying! Or maybe someone who wouldn't mind me tagging along and watching picking there brains! Anyway hope everyone is well and stay safe! Cheers James

I am sure someone local will help you out but my advice is give an idea of the money you want to spend. Don't ignore second hand. Also a local independent tackle shop is a good place for advice. They generally won't stitch you up as they know they will have a customer for life.

In reply to Post #2
Cheers for the advice Mike! 👍

In reply to Post #1
I second Mike, finding a good local tackle shop will give younot just advice on starting out, but if you take it up can often be a good place to find out about local syndicates, how waters are fishing etc.

Feel free to ask any questions you have either on here or by pm if you prefer. I'm no expert but like to think I know a bit and I'm happy to help if I can in anyway

In reply to Post #4
Thanks mate

are you the type of person to really get in to a hobby and likes to have the nicer things in life, or just someone who wants to get out and not care what they use?

you could go to a tackle shop and get a whole set up pretty cheap to get you out there fishing, the problem being if this carp bug takes hold of you then that whole set up will be sub par for you and you will just end up replacing the lot of it. the saying buy cheap buy twice springs to mind.

thats the problem you face right now, do you buy cheap and replace it all down the line or do you buy decent and take the risk of you hating the sport in a few mths when your not catching as much as you would like.

if your a rich man then no prob, buy the best you can, if not id go the second hand route, look for good deals and buy the main names. at least that way if you dont like the sport then you can always sell it on again

In reply to Post #6
Hi there thanks for your advice! I'm not rich but I would buy some decent stuff as don't want to buy cheap and have to replace it! I'm hoping to meet up with someone from Swindon to meet up and have a chat And maybe sit and watch them set up and fish! But after lockdown and when we are aloud! Cheers James

In reply to Post #7
Pretty sure Kev Hewitt is the manager in the Swindon Angling Direct, I'd pop in and have a chat with him (when allowed!)

In reply to Post #7
Check your pm inbox mate

good advice on here already - especially the local tackle shop related stuff. Mail order won't know / care so much as to really meeting your needs where a face to face (with masks of course) chat will always be more useful.

check out the classifieds on here for decent second hand gear. from reading through the 'how much gear do you have' type threads, it's evident that most people have lots to spare!

most people on here will be up for giving you advice too - there's always the odd berk who will be dismissive and call you a 'noddy' but that's their problem, not yours. no question is too obvious when you're starting out.

and don't fall into the instant carper trap of thinking if it's not a 30lb fish it's not worth it. I've been enjoying carp (and other) fishing for years and I've not banked a 30 yet. Doesn't spoil my enjoyment every time i fish.

learn your technique, get out on the bank, watch the water more than you watch youtube and you'll not go far wrong

In reply to Post #10
biggest bit of advice i can provide is

dont over complicate things, carp fishing is easy.

find the right water that suits you with a decent stock level and get your confidence up

dont worry about fancy rigs and all the bait conversations, its pointless when learning.

speak to your local tackle shop

speak to local fisheries, dont get het up about the size of the fish, that will come another day.

most of all...enjoy

In reply to Post #1
Have you had any previous experience of Angling?
I would always advise people to start with the basics where possible.
A single rod with a float or leger tactics on a well stocked mixed species venue will be time well spent in my opinion where you will gain a good foundation for further progression.
I don't dismiss anyone who does not go down this route but it is where most of us started and the basic knowledge gained will last you a lifetime.

In reply to Post #12
Yes done course fishing when I was a kid and sea fishing plus beach casting! Now i struggle with things as have a brain injury from boxing! So takes me a little longer to get my head round things!

In reply to Post #13
Hi James

I don't want to be a killjoy on this, but you mentioned a brain injury.
Carp fishing can and usually does include extended stays next to bodies of water and rivers at times overnight, you gonna be ok/safe with that?
Sorry for the "health and safety" bit, but the less we lose the better

I wish you all the best

Jon

In reply to Post #13
dont watch youtubers on fishing then, they will really do your head in

In reply to Post #14
Thanks mate 🤣 I drive and work full time so I think I'll be good cheers! I'm not a cabbage just a little slow to process things.

In reply to Post #15
🤣🤣

In reply to Post #13
Have to agree with AJM, it would be wise to start float fishing at a commercial fishery just to get used to the basics. Then take it from there. Bet you could get set up for about £150 with a float rod, reel, landing net, chair and few odds n sods. Have a look on Facebook Marketplace for some secondhand bargains. Walters Lake in the Cotswolds Water Park near you has loads of carp in, get yourself geared up and down their with a tin of sweetcorn and luncheon meat. There's even a nice cafe there.

In reply to Post #13
That's good, at least you have a basic idea of what Fishing is all about.
Carp Fishing can be as difficult or as simple as you choose to allow it to be.
Once you are kitted out, seek out a local runs water where it is easy to get a run or two and im sure your enthusiasm will grow.
Enjoy!

In reply to Post #17
It's a pity your not near West Midlands,Birmingham way as I'd have been more than happy to help.

In reply to Post #20
That's a bummer mate that's what I'm looking for to hook up with someone to have a chat and watch them and learn.

In reply to Post #21
I would have had no issue mate always happy to help no secrets from me(well the odd one or two up my sleeve)😂😂

In reply to Post #22
Hi guys could anyone PM me a basic starter list on what I need to buy? Cheers in advance. I appreciate all the help and advice you guys have given me! 👍

In reply to Post #23
pm me you address and i'll send you a few rigs.

i only use two and have done for best part of 20 yrs. no need for all the fancy rubbish you'll find searching

In reply to Post #24
Will do thanks thanks mate I can do with all the help I can get so far I've met some top people on here!

In reply to Post #25
we aint a bad lot really mate

In reply to Post #26
Don't pay for lessons would be a waste of money until you have more experience, find a local runs water spend time there not fishing.

In reply to Post #27
totally agree...i cat get my head round these "lessons"

In reply to Post #28
I think there is a use in certain circumstances, I'm quite an experienced angler who can generally hold my own nowadays, here's the but tho......can i go to linear and catch more than a couple in 48hours... no i cant

In reply to Post #29
the best way to learn is get out there a try!

its not complicated and all the stuff that newbies are sold these days is quite comical in my book.

you cant teach experience, you have to go get that yourself.

In reply to Post #30
Hey guys hope your all well!
Can someone PM me a basic list what I will need to buy to start carp fishing!

Cheers

In reply to Post #31
A generous size unhooking mat, strong shortish forceps, pair of cutters that'll cut a hook, Klinik or similar, bucket for keeping the mat and fish wet. The fish is your responsibility to return to it's home with minimum stress and damage. You can catch carp with any old gear mate, but you must look after any fish you bank. Tight lines and good luck.

In reply to Post #32
I'm trying to look at the classifieds but won't let me I've done my contact and address details

In reply to Post #33
You have to have over 100 posts I think. Try Facebook Marketplace.

In reply to Post #34
Hi guys I've been advised to buy all sonic tackle and gear! Any good?

In reply to Post #35
Sonik gear is Ok, I wouldn't worry too much about sticking with just one brand though mate. Facebook marketplace is a great place to look for gear, set a budget and then look at reviews for the items available within your budget.

It's easy to get bogged down by brands but they are all personal opinion.

Yea mate you need 100 posts to be able to see classified ads

In reply to Post #35
im sure some stuff i ok. but mixing and matching is best for bang for buck
i have shimano reels
free spirit rods
atts alarms
trakker bivvies
holdalls and bed stuff from everywhere.

In reply to Post #23
Keep your eye out on ebay/FB for full set ups... there have been loads for sale recently.
People who started up during the lockdown are now getting rid

Plenty of stuff for sale at the moment!

In reply to Post #39
Hi guys hope your all keeping well!
Can anyone recommend a good Tackle bag as can't afford to buy
All my stuff in one go so going to buy some each week!

In reply to Post #40
aldi have a cheap carry all on special at the moment.
will do you whilst you save up for other gear.

In reply to Post #41
Hi mate want to buy something decent as don't want to keep buying stuff!

In reply to Post #40
Think there's a carryall for sale in Aldi. Wouldn't get an expensive branded one if you're a bit skint.

In reply to Post #43
Don't want to buy a cheap one then have to replace it down the line! Want to buy a half decent one of anyone know of any? Cheers

In reply to Post #44
To tell you the truth they're all much of a muchness I think. Nowadays, carryalls are made of very heavy duty material. The only thing that can go wrong really is the zips, and to tell you the truth, you can still use them with broken zips! I've got an old Fox compact one with broken zips which I use for sessions when I want to travel light.

Have a look on Facebook mate, you'll probably get a branded one for about a tenner.

In reply to Post #44
thinking anglers then if the decent aldi one doesnt float your boat.

a bag is a bag in my eyes mate, i used an old army rucksack i got for a tenner until the mice got in.

In reply to Post #1
Where in Swindon do you live? I am in Eldene.

In reply to Post #47
Freshbrook mate

In reply to Post #48
If you want to meet up Iam more than happy to. We could bounce ideas off each other.

In reply to Post #40
If you've got an eBay account, keep an eye out for some decent second hand gear, could save yourself a tidy packet. People are fickle and jump on the next new thing and dump their gear they bought brand new the year before 👍

What do you mean by tackle bag? Not trying to be a smart arse, there's just loads out there. I could recommend the carp porter large bag, thing is, fully loaded, you'd need a carp porter to take it around where you're fishing. You could always get a rucksack or army bergen to put your gear in. People on here like the Thinking Anglers rucksack... looks like you could get a fair bit in it.

In reply to Post #50
Sabre stuff is reasonably priced and fairly good quality
Sonik rods are great for the money have a look at the
Vader X they do a 2 rod and reel kit which also includes
a net for £200 ish

In reply to Post #51
Hi mate the most important thing to do and remember its fun dont get caught up in bull sh$t. People chT sh&t about.
I have fished for over 40 years 30 of them for carp.
Just be comfortable warm and happy mate.
Job don

In reply to Post #52
So true

Carpfishing can be virtually bought out of a box nowadays. Couple with with the endless supply of quality bait available to all and ANYBODY can catch big carp these days, how long you have fished for has nothing to do with it, you just need to be there

Tie on rig, decent bait, pub chuck, job done, it will happen

In reply to Post #52
Definitely agree. For any who is willing to put the effort out there these days there is so much information and quality gear, and massive carp in all corners of the country.

My biggest bit of advice is one I wish I'd took earlier on in my fishing, and don't obsess over weight of fish. Yes the milestones are nice, but don't takeaway the fact that catch mid doubles or low 20s is still enjoyable even after years. If you obsess over the biggest fish I think you risk end up being disappointed with 90% of your fishing

In reply to Post #54
Totally agree, catching 30,s and 40,s is brilliant but just to catch and be in the fresh air this day and age is more than you could ask for.

In reply to Post #54
Couldn't agree more with this 👍

A lad I no who has only been fishing since august last year already has a pb of 35lb 4oz, yeah I agree it's an amazing fish which is brilliant for him, I can't help but think thought how much he has missed out on, chasing his first double (alright he did this) catching his first 20lber he went from a pb of 14lb to 35lb completely missing out the 20s.

Obviously I'm happy for him he is a nice lad but I just think it's such a shame he caught something that big so early on in his carping, I remember catching my first double, my first 20lber and then my first 30lber over the years but he won't have any of that

In reply to Post #56
I'd completely agree. I remember catching my first 20 on a commercial puddle and thinking I was the dogs ********. I spent ages catching smaller fish and low 20s below that and being unhappy with them, and to be honest it ruined my fishing for a while.

Yes of course I love breaking my PB, managed it days only this winter and was over the moon, but its not the reason I fish anymore.