I refuse to call it a sport, hence the category... Do we have any keen freshwater fishermen on here?
I assume I can fish most places on a non-migratory trout and coarse licence.
I used to fish Carp a fair bit as a boy, but fish a lot less as I've got older.
I've found it to be really quite relaxing and helps clear the mind on the few occasions i've been recently... as such I want to get back into it and wanted to know if we have any skilled types with good tips?
I certainly catch less fish now than I did in my teens...
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Have been a few times recently with a mate who is a really good carp angler. The gear he has got is unbelievable, the whole carp fishing thing has become much more finessed than when I used to chuck a float about and hope for the best...
Went to France last week, and for a laugh, took my old rod along as we were staying by a lake. All I got was a load of little catfish, and a cut from one of them as a memento.
It is relaxing sitting by a lake, and it is fun catching a fish, though they are not as smart as those old angling books I read claimed they are. It's like outwitting a chicken, intelligence wise, apparently. I personally would not class it as a sport either, it is hunting with all the ethical issues that go with that activity.
There are apparently some good fishing lakes down here in Kent, Monks lake has been mentioned to me as being good, but I have never fished it myself.
There is actually already a fishing thread mate, seems there are quite a few of us Lifers who like a bit of maggot drowning.
It's pretty much the only time I relax from my anxiety and depression and it is very calming, you're spot on with that.
I try to get out once a week and generally do float (waggler) fishing with a roving carp rod in the hope of something bigger. I used to mainly carp fish but it's nice getting back to basics with the float. I pay £75 a year to belong to Edenbridge Angling Society, which is really good value for some decent waters on the book.
I'm certainly no expert but have been doing it for about thirty years now, always learning. What sort of areas are you looking to fish? If you have a local tackle shop the guys working there can be a mine of information on where to go and where is fishing well.
Surprisingly the words carp and fishing are used a lot on here...
Haddocks less so!
I'll mainly be looking at West Sussex, just the odd day here and there.
I need to buy a load of new fishing gear, I do have a carp rod already as well as some smaller rods.
Something relaxing and exciting all at once needs to settle into my weekends.
I did used to like a bit of float fishing, but understand that bottom feeding is where the big boys are found.
The wife and I take our campervan there and it's great as I can park in the swim and fish virtually from the van with an ice cold beer :0) They have four or five lakes, although I've only fished the main one. Had a nice 17lb mirror and some excellent Perch, Bream etc. It's also handy as they have bait and bits and bobs on site for as and when you need them. They also have a really nice cafe overlooking the lake that does really nice food.
The good thing is that you don't need to spend a fortune these days to get decent gear. I picked up a lovely float rod for £40 last year after stepping on and breaking my old one. I always try to support my local tackle shop as they are competitive and friendly. For any bits and bobs online I use Fosters of Birmingham as I've found their customer service excellent.
More than happy to do a checklist of things you'll need if that helps at all, just let me know.
Plenty of F1s in there, fairly weighty carp are about but not they aren't interested. Plenty of bites.
6.5/10
That would be really useful.
How would you categorise "Match" fishing Dazzler if not a sport, 11 v11 or 1v1 = match = competition= sport, Surely?
Yeah I would allow that is a sport.
I do like watching that annoying bloke Robson vs people from wherever he is fishing...
Carp Stuff
Rod - I've had my Normark Nova's for ages, cost me £45 each about fifteen years ago from Danson Angling and easily coped with fish to 32lbs in France. Wont' change them until they break in half. Loads of decent ones on the market now that do not need to cost the earth. Also bargains to be had on Ebay. I would still say go to your tackle shop to ask advice and see how they feel though.
Reels - You'll need a baitrunner of some description. I paid decent money for my Shimano's a long time ago and they are still going strong decades later, lots of cheaper excellent makes out there as well now though.
Line - Strength dependent on the size of the fish in the lake. In France I generally go 15lbs but here I would say 12lbs would be more than enough to cope with most scenarios and give a fair fight.
Unhooking mat - Essential for the safety of the carp when on the bank.
Chair - So so many options and at the end of the day depends on what you want to pay.
Rucksack/Bag - To keep all those essentials in.
Landing net - Again needs to be big enough for the fish you are targeting. I have one for carp and one for silvers.
Scales - Gotta know the weight of that new PB :0)
Forceps - Make for easy removal of hooks.
Box - To keep all your end tackle in.
Weights - I generally stick to the inline type but do use others for running rigs.
Hooks/Hooklinks - Again need to be suited to the size of fish you are after, and check fishery rules to see if they require barbless only. I normally use 8 & 10's on my club waters but it's good to have other options for larger fish. I find tying my own quite calming but if I'm feeling lazy I would pick up a few of the ESP ready rigs, never been let down by them.
Anti-tangle tubing - Helps protect the fish during the fight and pin everything on the deck.
Rig bag - to store your hooklinks in.
Bite Alarms - So so many options. I've had my Fox one's for years and they have never let me down. Went last week and just laid the rod on the floor with the baitrunner on and didn't use any.
Rod Pod/Rests - Goes without saying, needed to rest your rods on. Apart from my line above when I was slack lining with the rod on the floor.
Bite indicators - Many varieties. I'm a bit of a tart so have steel chains with St.George flag bobbins, makes no difference to catching anything though ;0)
Scissors/Braid Blades - Essential
Hair/Boilie stops - Essential when threading your bait onto the hair.
Baiting Needle - Essential to get the bait onto your hair rig.
Brolly/Bivvy - So so many options. Bivvy essential for overnighters as is loads of other stuff but not required for short day sessions, so won't go down that route.
Controller Float for fishing on the top - Hot sunny days and invariably the fish will not be feeding on the bottom. It's where floater fishing comes into it's own. Get a selection of carp floats and a bag of dog biscuits and a crusty loaf. No better way to catch carp in my opinion. You will need bigger hooks for this and also bait bands to attach the dog biscuits.
Catapult - A given. Make sure it's robust.
PVA Bags - I swear by them and also like using PVA string. Pre-tie the night before to save time on the bank.
I'm almost certain I've missed out some stuff but hopefully others can fill in any blanks.
I can't take non-members along for the first two months of our season but more than happy to invite you along for a day in a few months time if Edenbridge/Hever Castle isn't too far to travel.
Thinking about it, I've probably got a few bits and bobs I could send to you to get you started. I'll have a proper think of what is stored in my folks garden shed :0)
I'm off for a luncheon beer, will do the float stuff upon my return fella.
*FOR SALE* Dog biscuits by the bucket full
Anyway, he loves it.
Going fishing on the 20th, buzzing for a full day in a decent swim.
A couple of years ago I was sat in a pub next to Kew Bridge and a bloke was feeder fishing, had some nice looking Bream out. Not sure I'd know where to start on a river the size of the Thames tbh.