I recently hooked into, what would of been my first ever carp, but it unhooked inches from the bank as my friend tried to net it. It was nothing massive, probably only 10lbs, as I was fishing in a match lake which had a good stock of smaller carp to increase my chances of catching and get some experience handling carp.
I hooked into it about 50 metres out and it put up a surprisingly good fight for a small fish - far more so than pike ive caught double its size. I think I did everything correctly in terms of playing the fish in open water. I kept the rod tip up and tried to keep a bend in it and when the fish stopped fighting I lowered the rod whist reeling in some line.
I managed to get it inches from the bank and caught a fleeting glimpse of it but it suddenly unhooked and swam off. I think this happened because although I had my rod tip up the line had gone slack and being a barbless hook it unhooked easily.
I was gutted but I am still determined to catch one and will be returning to the same lake tomorrow to try again. I was just wondering if there is a specific technique to use with your rod to ensure you dont lose fish close to the bank.
I hooked into it about 50 metres out and it put up a surprisingly good fight for a small fish - far more so than pike ive caught double its size. I think I did everything correctly in terms of playing the fish in open water. I kept the rod tip up and tried to keep a bend in it and when the fish stopped fighting I lowered the rod whist reeling in some line.
I managed to get it inches from the bank and caught a fleeting glimpse of it but it suddenly unhooked and swam off. I think this happened because although I had my rod tip up the line had gone slack and being a barbless hook it unhooked easily.
I was gutted but I am still determined to catch one and will be returning to the same lake tomorrow to try again. I was just wondering if there is a specific technique to use with your rod to ensure you dont lose fish close to the bank.
In reply to Post #1
Yes, you definitely want to keep that tension. however barbless don't come out that easy. So don't worry about that in itself.
Maybe think about the landing net part. Well before the fish gets in range you want that net in the water. depending on the slope, you can have the handle resting on your knee or under your foot. preferably use a net float.
then holding the end of the handle with the net pushed out as the carp gets nearer and you feel its time and it's stopped breaking for a run. You have the head up you can pull the rod that little bit more upright until it swings over the waiting net. getting the length and angle right takes time and experience which is why you will often see day ticket lads walking halfway up the bank.
I've found the trouble with someone else netting for you, even experienced anglers, is that they feel the pressure and can jab towards the fish and cause it to spook and try for another run. I mention this as you say it was inches from the bank.
Yes, you definitely want to keep that tension. however barbless don't come out that easy. So don't worry about that in itself.
Maybe think about the landing net part. Well before the fish gets in range you want that net in the water. depending on the slope, you can have the handle resting on your knee or under your foot. preferably use a net float.
then holding the end of the handle with the net pushed out as the carp gets nearer and you feel its time and it's stopped breaking for a run. You have the head up you can pull the rod that little bit more upright until it swings over the waiting net. getting the length and angle right takes time and experience which is why you will often see day ticket lads walking halfway up the bank.
I've found the trouble with someone else netting for you, even experienced anglers, is that they feel the pressure and can jab towards the fish and cause it to spook and try for another run. I mention this as you say it was inches from the bank.
In reply to Post #2
Yes we had the net in the water and my friend didn't jab at it. I think I should have reeled in more of the slack line. It's a learning curve but I did enjoy fighting the fish, albeit a small one
Yes we had the net in the water and my friend didn't jab at it. I think I should have reeled in more of the slack line. It's a learning curve but I did enjoy fighting the fish, albeit a small one
In reply to Post #1
Don't beat yourself up - you got the bite and that's the hardest bit
Playing fish isn't something that can necessarily be taught - over the years you just instinctively do it - as you catch more fish you'll become more confident, and it becomes a lot more natural
Some tips.
- don't ever let the line go slack ESPECIALLY if you're fishing barbless hooks.
- let the rod do the hard work - never point the rod at the fish, as this transfers the force directly onto the line and the hookhold. Let the rod be the shock absorber between you and the fish. It will absorb the lunges.
- make sure the clutch on your reel is set properly. The fish should be able to take line if it goes on powerful runs, but not so easily that you can't control the fight. Clutch can be adjusted during the fight as required.
(some people prefer to play a fish using backwind rather than the clutch - you might want to try this to see if you prefer it. Personally - I play fish on the clutch - but you do have to have half decent reels with a reliable clutch) - fishing line is stretchy -as the fish gets closer to you its on a shorter and shorter line the stretch becomes less so you have to play the fish more carefully close in.
- sink the net in front of you - so when the time comes its ready to lift under the fish. Take your time - there's no rush to get it in the net- quite often people try to net fish before they are ready. The fish will let you know when its ready- it will stop fighting, come to the top and lie on its side. you need to gently guide it over the net cord and lift the net.
- Judging the length of line between rod tip and fish at the point of netting is something that comes with experience. If you find the line is too short - if your clutch is set properly you should be able to pull some line off the reel with your spare hand to give you the little extra you might need.
Don't beat yourself up - you got the bite and that's the hardest bit
Playing fish isn't something that can necessarily be taught - over the years you just instinctively do it - as you catch more fish you'll become more confident, and it becomes a lot more natural
Some tips.
- don't ever let the line go slack ESPECIALLY if you're fishing barbless hooks.
- let the rod do the hard work - never point the rod at the fish, as this transfers the force directly onto the line and the hookhold. Let the rod be the shock absorber between you and the fish. It will absorb the lunges.
- make sure the clutch on your reel is set properly. The fish should be able to take line if it goes on powerful runs, but not so easily that you can't control the fight. Clutch can be adjusted during the fight as required.
(some people prefer to play a fish using backwind rather than the clutch - you might want to try this to see if you prefer it. Personally - I play fish on the clutch - but you do have to have half decent reels with a reliable clutch) - fishing line is stretchy -as the fish gets closer to you its on a shorter and shorter line the stretch becomes less so you have to play the fish more carefully close in.
- sink the net in front of you - so when the time comes its ready to lift under the fish. Take your time - there's no rush to get it in the net- quite often people try to net fish before they are ready. The fish will let you know when its ready- it will stop fighting, come to the top and lie on its side. you need to gently guide it over the net cord and lift the net.
- Judging the length of line between rod tip and fish at the point of netting is something that comes with experience. If you find the line is too short - if your clutch is set properly you should be able to pull some line off the reel with your spare hand to give you the little extra you might need.
In reply to Post #4
Thanks! That's some great advice. My friend did tell me to point the rod tip away from the direction the fish sped off in. I take it clutch is the same as drag?
Thanks! That's some great advice. My friend did tell me to point the rod tip away from the direction the fish sped off in. I take it clutch is the same as drag?
In reply to Post #4
Agree with all that. And well written.
Agree with all that. And well written.
In reply to Post #5
yes clutch / drag are interchangeable
yes clutch / drag are interchangeable
I slacken off the clutch a bit as the fish is being manouvered in to the net, so after it has surfaced and rolled on it's side in the description below. This way it makes it a bit easier to let a bit more line out if you need to as you raise the rod tip.
You need to make allowances for how high the bank is above the water level as well, again comes with experience.
Final tip, use a net with an 8 foot handle (snooker cue style ones best in my opinion) rather than a 6 foot handle.
Helps if water level is low and if there are branches / brambles on the front face of the swim that net can get caught on.
You need to make allowances for how high the bank is above the water level as well, again comes with experience.
Final tip, use a net with an 8 foot handle (snooker cue style ones best in my opinion) rather than a 6 foot handle.
Helps if water level is low and if there are branches / brambles on the front face of the swim that net can get caught on.
In reply to Post #1
Keep at it , and enjoy the sport, good luck
Keep at it , and enjoy the sport, good luck
In reply to Post #8
I need a new net. Got any you recommend with an 8ft handle
I need a new net. Got any you recommend with an 8ft handle
In reply to Post #9
Cheers mate. I went back to the same place and caught 7 lost 1 in open water! Only small but definitely good experience!
Cheers mate. I went back to the same place and caught 7 lost 1 in open water! Only small but definitely good experience!
In reply to Post #11
Glad you bagged a few
Glad you bagged a few