I am sure i will be told that this is not the way to catch Carp but having sampled float fishing for carp last weekend this is the way i want to do it. There is something about watching the float bob as they nibble etc Any tips on rods, reels tackle etc appreciated.............M
In reply to Post #1
Well your not alone,I float fish for carp All the time..
I keep it simple,as always....using a thirteen ft korum float rod,Mitchell 300 or Mitchell 3.0.0 reels version five, and a okuma centrepin,five pound line,maxima straight through to hand whipped spade ends..
My last forty carp to low twenties come this way...key is a small bait dropper,Ian lewis floats,or MG's handmade floats,if its deep,I use the loc slide....dibbers...
Keep it quiet or Nashy will be calling it 'country' or getting back to your roots. !!!!!!!
Well your not alone,I float fish for carp All the time..
I keep it simple,as always....using a thirteen ft korum float rod,Mitchell 300 or Mitchell 3.0.0 reels version five, and a okuma centrepin,five pound line,maxima straight through to hand whipped spade ends..
My last forty carp to low twenties come this way...key is a small bait dropper,Ian lewis floats,or MG's handmade floats,if its deep,I use the loc slide....dibbers...
Keep it quiet or Nashy will be calling it 'country' or getting back to your roots. !!!!!!!
In reply to Post #1
I float fish for them a lot as well.
I've an old Daiwa V Specialist 1 1/4tc with a centrepin on and a 2 1/4tc Scope with a Shimano 4000d on. Line I chose depending on the swim/situation but generally between 6-12lb. My favourite floats are porcupine quills or the modern version of the Drennan Stillwater Blues, I can't remember what they call them now. My preferred bait is dendrabina (spelling) worms, but I'll use paste or boilies at times.
I float fish for them a lot as well.
I've an old Daiwa V Specialist 1 1/4tc with a centrepin on and a 2 1/4tc Scope with a Shimano 4000d on. Line I chose depending on the swim/situation but generally between 6-12lb. My favourite floats are porcupine quills or the modern version of the Drennan Stillwater Blues, I can't remember what they call them now. My preferred bait is dendrabina (spelling) worms, but I'll use paste or boilies at times.
In reply to Post #3
What length rod are you using, my local lake is only 1 1/2 acre, the carp are up to mid teens..............
What length rod are you using, my local lake is only 1 1/2 acre, the carp are up to mid teens..............
In reply to Post #4
Quite a few people have commented on your other thread, if you are looking at float fishing (great method by the way), then certainly a lighter test curve rod and 12ft would be my suggestion.
I would imagine casting a float with a 9ft 3lb test curve rod would be a struggle.
Quite a few people have commented on your other thread, if you are looking at float fishing (great method by the way), then certainly a lighter test curve rod and 12ft would be my suggestion.
I would imagine casting a float with a 9ft 3lb test curve rod would be a struggle.
I use a harrison 12 ft specialist rod 1.75 t.c coupled with a ss2600 had carp to 24lb on it .
In reply to Post #5
Thanks Enut, having posted the other thread and being a newbie to fishing i thought most people fished with floats, but having been to a carp match to view on Sunday i noticed hardly any were using a float. I had a good think about what i enjoyed most it was float watching and obviously the rod action when i hooked a 6lb mirror. The rod i borrowed was definatly not 13ft in length and my wife will be coming along and doing a bit as well, i am wondering if she would get on better with a shorter, lighter rod!
Thanks Enut, having posted the other thread and being a newbie to fishing i thought most people fished with floats, but having been to a carp match to view on Sunday i noticed hardly any were using a float. I had a good think about what i enjoyed most it was float watching and obviously the rod action when i hooked a 6lb mirror. The rod i borrowed was definatly not 13ft in length and my wife will be coming along and doing a bit as well, i am wondering if she would get on better with a shorter, lighter rod!
If you have weed or snags to contend with then light lines and tackle won't be up to the task unless you're skilled (and have luck on your side).
A float fished bait in the margins is as good as it gets, through action is more forgiving, test curve not so important, it needs to absorb shock.
If, say, you're on a commercial with plenty of clear space then you can afford to use lighter gear and let them run. A power float model would work, Drennan Super Tench Float rods were superb, I don't think they're made anymore though. Budget constraints may come into play, there are some excellent blanks out there for the money.
Theoretically, you can use any old rod for float fishing as long as you don't need to cast far.
A float fished bait in the margins is as good as it gets, through action is more forgiving, test curve not so important, it needs to absorb shock.
If, say, you're on a commercial with plenty of clear space then you can afford to use lighter gear and let them run. A power float model would work, Drennan Super Tench Float rods were superb, I don't think they're made anymore though. Budget constraints may come into play, there are some excellent blanks out there for the money.
Theoretically, you can use any old rod for float fishing as long as you don't need to cast far.
In reply to Post #1
Look for an Avon or barbel rod between 1.5 and 1.75 test curve within your budget, you won't need anything heavier for those fish. Because these rods will need a bit more casting weight you'll need some big wagglers.
I prefer to use the lift method and a centrepin reel but a fixed spool would be better for you for now
Look for an Avon or barbel rod between 1.5 and 1.75 test curve within your budget, you won't need anything heavier for those fish. Because these rods will need a bit more casting weight you'll need some big wagglers.
I prefer to use the lift method and a centrepin reel but a fixed spool would be better for you for now
A 13 ft rod is definitely an advantage unless you intend to only fish right down the edge all the time. I use a heavy DAM pellet waggler rod, and old 3000 size shimano reel with fighting drag loaded with 8lb line, I also have spools with 12 and 15b but those really require heavier floats and you lose a lot of the finesse you get with float fishing. Using the lightest line you can practically get away with allows you to mend the line more easily if you need to do so. My favourite way of fishing the float is lift fishing, love watching the float pop up out of the water then slide away.
It would be good idea to read up on match fishing tactics those guys really know their stuff when it comes to float fishing. Unless you've used them before I wouldn't bother with using a centrepin at first although they are a fantastic tool if you're used to them.
It would be good idea to read up on match fishing tactics those guys really know their stuff when it comes to float fishing. Unless you've used them before I wouldn't bother with using a centrepin at first although they are a fantastic tool if you're used to them.
Contrary to the previous post (no offence), if you are new to the sport then I suggest you avoid being influenced by top end match anglers as you will probably find it confusing. I've caught carp on float gear since way back and never get technical - there's rarely any need.
I like a through actioned 11' rod which covers pretty much every situation. I hardly ever cast beyond the margins and it's okay for fishing under trees. In fact, on most waters there will be carp in the margins, especially on heavily fished commercials. You can get them inches from the bank if you sit back and keep quiet.
Fishing over depth avoids most false bites with an AAA shot 3-5" from the hook and a bit more line laying on the bottom. You can cock the float or leave it flat, either is fine.
Scatter particles around the spot - pellets, hemp, broken boilies or whatever. Plonk your bait amongst it - worm, bread, corn (real or plastic), a half boilie ...... the choice is infinite.
Enjoy
I like a through actioned 11' rod which covers pretty much every situation. I hardly ever cast beyond the margins and it's okay for fishing under trees. In fact, on most waters there will be carp in the margins, especially on heavily fished commercials. You can get them inches from the bank if you sit back and keep quiet.
Fishing over depth avoids most false bites with an AAA shot 3-5" from the hook and a bit more line laying on the bottom. You can cock the float or leave it flat, either is fine.
Scatter particles around the spot - pellets, hemp, broken boilies or whatever. Plonk your bait amongst it - worm, bread, corn (real or plastic), a half boilie ...... the choice is infinite.
Enjoy
In reply to Post #11
No offence fella, we all have our own way of approaching things
No offence fella, we all have our own way of approaching things
You can go one of two ways, a dedicated float rod like a drennan power carp waggler which I use. You could also use an avon rod in 1.25lb if there's no weed or snags... or a specimen rod in 1.5/1.75lb test curve if there is big fish or weed/snags.
The benefit of the float rod is ringing and action suited to flicking out light floats, but you can't leger with it.
The benefit of the avon/specialist is that you can also leger with it.
If you're happy to buy two rods eventually, I'd go the float rod option for now.
The benefit of the float rod is ringing and action suited to flicking out light floats, but you can't leger with it.
The benefit of the avon/specialist is that you can also leger with it.
If you're happy to buy two rods eventually, I'd go the float rod option for now.
In reply to Post #13
My local lake seems to have Carp right out to the the edges, we were watching them whilst fishing, they were no more than 10ft from the bank breaking the surface. I just cast among them with a bit of cheese, didn`t even put any pre bait in the water and caught a nice mirror (not sure how to post pics on here.) The rod had been borrowed from someone who fishes the lake frequently and it was obviously set just right to catch them in there using a waggler float. We weren`t casting out far, 15 to 20ft maybe but the fish in there were playing with food constantly by the way the float was bobbing. I hope to speak to the guy who the rods belonged to but unfortunately he is unwell and in hospital at the moment. The lake is not deep and as far as i`m aware doesn`t have any snag problems or weed and probably if prebaited or using some of the baits you mentioned i would have a lot more success with the right set up.
My local lake seems to have Carp right out to the the edges, we were watching them whilst fishing, they were no more than 10ft from the bank breaking the surface. I just cast among them with a bit of cheese, didn`t even put any pre bait in the water and caught a nice mirror (not sure how to post pics on here.) The rod had been borrowed from someone who fishes the lake frequently and it was obviously set just right to catch them in there using a waggler float. We weren`t casting out far, 15 to 20ft maybe but the fish in there were playing with food constantly by the way the float was bobbing. I hope to speak to the guy who the rods belonged to but unfortunately he is unwell and in hospital at the moment. The lake is not deep and as far as i`m aware doesn`t have any snag problems or weed and probably if prebaited or using some of the baits you mentioned i would have a lot more success with the right set up.
In reply to Post #14
How does this setup sound, Daiwa carp match pellet waggler rod 11ft with a Daiwa Black Widow BR 4000 reel. I`ve gone for 11ft rather than 12 as my wife will be using it as well and we certainly weren`t using a 12ft rod when we borrowed the gear last week. I`ve gone for the 4000 reel based on advice given below on the line size etc. I won`t be casting far out and will be using a waggler float, this set up is a bit more than i had intended to spend as i will only be a couple of times a month hobby fisher not a week in week out type. The rod is cheap enough at just over £30 but the reel is £53 but as usual i guess you get what you pay for and the reel is something that has been flagged up as needing a bit of quality. I could go for a 3500 Black Widow which is £12 cheaper, do they come with line on or is that a separate purchase and what is the difference between the two? Am i better getting the 4000 for what i want to use it for? Thanks for the replies guys.......
How does this setup sound, Daiwa carp match pellet waggler rod 11ft with a Daiwa Black Widow BR 4000 reel. I`ve gone for 11ft rather than 12 as my wife will be using it as well and we certainly weren`t using a 12ft rod when we borrowed the gear last week. I`ve gone for the 4000 reel based on advice given below on the line size etc. I won`t be casting far out and will be using a waggler float, this set up is a bit more than i had intended to spend as i will only be a couple of times a month hobby fisher not a week in week out type. The rod is cheap enough at just over £30 but the reel is £53 but as usual i guess you get what you pay for and the reel is something that has been flagged up as needing a bit of quality. I could go for a 3500 Black Widow which is £12 cheaper, do they come with line on or is that a separate purchase and what is the difference between the two? Am i better getting the 4000 for what i want to use it for? Thanks for the replies guys.......