Where to find that French carp!
Islands
Islands are a common area where carp tend to patrol because they offer
protection and cover - providing there are overhanging trees which
protrude over the water. The carp may feed freely around an island
providing you don't target these areas too often, as the
pressure can force fish to seek other quiet areas in the
carp fishing
lake.
Fishing an island
on a new venue can be a safe bet, especially on a quiet day, plus an
island can make a great marker for accurate casting without having to
use a marker float which may spook the carp if used too much.
Weed beds
Casting towards weed beds can be a nightmare. There
can be many problems with hook bait presentation, and if a carp is
eventually hooked, you’ll need to stop it from diving into the thick
parts of the weed. The good news is carp love weed beds. It makes them
feel safe and tends to contain lots of natural food. So if you are
struggling to locate fish using sight alone then fishing close to a
weed bed can produce plenty of French carp.
Lilly pads
These are similar to the weed beds in that they provide shelter and
food in the carp fishing lake, thus they are a great place to place a hook bait,
especially for floating bait in-between individual pads. The only
downside to fishing the lilies is they are often situated near the
bank so you may need to be quiet when setting up.
Reed rush beds
Again these are a good place to see carp patrolling, however like
lilly pads, they are often situated close to a bank so the French carp may
not feel as safe. This may effect how confidently they feed.
Overhanging trees
Overhanging trees are one of the best places to head for when carp fishing
on new and unknown fishing lakes. They provide fish with plenty of security and
shelter, and feed very confidently. Many fishing anglers cast far out
towards the horizon without giving a thought to the trees or fishing
in the margins. Many trees also grow berries which are a natural food
for the carp so they may associate overhanging trees as a natural
area for feeding.
Snags
Snaggy areas can be some of the best places to find French carp and often
associate these areas as safe because many anglers won’t risk fishing
in snags. However, if you’re prepared to take some risks, you may be
able to find a spot just away from the snags where (if you fish with
tight lines and stand close to your rods) you may be able to drag the
carp away before they have chance to head for the safety of a snag.
Wind direction
The direction of the wind is a common reason why many fishing anglers end
up in their chosen peg. The common belief is that carp follow the
wind. Maybe it’s because it helps push food towards the windward bank,
or maybe it helps stir up food at the far bank. Also the wind can help
push the thermocline down deeper.
The fish tend to follow and swim in
this comfortable, warmer water and end up closer to the bottom of the
carp lake where
rigs are placed. Sometimes it's best to fish on the back of a colder wind,
especially at times of the year when the oxygen levels in the water
are high.
Shallow waters
The shallow waters may not sound like a potential hotspot, but if you
turn up to a new venue on a cold morning and the sun is beaming down
into the shallow end of the carp fishing lake, your guaranteed there will be
fish
around the area. Shallow waters warm up much faster in the morning
sun, and French carp will always seek out warm spots.
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