How to Catch Carp – [7 Proven Steps] ✅
In this article, you will learn tips and guides on how to catch carp with the best bait for carp fishing. So let’s take a look at the carp fishing guides.
Carp are a large variety of freshwater fish that inhabit many types of water sources, such as ponds and lakes.
They grow to weigh up to 60 pounds and have been known for their ability to jump high out of the water.
Carp can be caught with a variety of methods including fishing poles, Bowfishing, netting, or trapping them in specialized carp traps.
The following is information on how you can catch carp using these basic tips and techniques:
7 Easy Steps to Catch Carp
There are a lot of ways to catch carp. I have listed the easiest way in this article and if you follow them you will surely get good results.
Choose The Right Bait for Carp
Carp are omnivorous and will eat plankton, insects, larvae, tender plant stems, and river weeds.
Boilies work best for most carp anglers because they’re easy to bait with fishmeal that drives them wild.
However, there is a cheaper alternative if the carp in your fishing area has associated boilies as dangerous, canned sweet corn kernels can be threaded onto hooks more easily than boilers which provide an irresistible combination of salty and sweet flavors to these hungry critters!
Find Where the Carp is
Carps are usually found in murky water, which is why it’s best to search for them at the shoreline or backwaters.
If you want a better chance of spotting one early morning carp then look along river banks where they tend to wake from fish movement and feed on insects near aquatic vegetation.
However, you can use a fish finder to find the best fishing spots for carp in no time. Just set up your fish finder and see where the fish is.
Setting Up Your Rod and Reel
Fishing for carp can be challenging, so it’s best to have a reliable rod and reel.
The most popular type of fishing reel is the bait-feeder spinning model that operates with two drag systems: one handles line speed while the other manages tension on your catch.
One favorite among regular anglers is the Shimano Tranx 300 which has been time-tested by catching many large fish over its decades in production!
The monofilament line is perfect for catching carp, as it sinks into the water with a mild current.
However, most fishermen find that braided fishing line lasts longer and resists more because you’re in contact with the fish better than when using monofilament.
The heavier the test weight of a fishing line, the better.
Start with 30 lb. and work your way up to find out which will allow you to apply just enough pressure to catch carp effectively without breaking it too quickly or not at all!
Use a Rod Holder
Carp are a unique fish, known for being cautious and spooking easily.
It’s important not to let any tremors along your fishing line alert the school of carp to your presence because they’ll flee before you have time to reel them in.
Rod holders or rod pods are the perfect solutions for fishermen and anglers who want to take advantage of their time on the water.
Rod holders eliminate unnecessary line movement so you can focus your energy on fishing instead of fighting with your equipment, while also allowing you to set up multiple rods at once without having them tangle in one another or create a tangled mess when they’re not being used.
Exclude Shiny Hooks
Carp are known for their incredible eyesight, but a shiny hook can deter them from biting your bait.
Cover up with camouflaged or dark hooks specific to carp fishing and you’ll be in good shape!
Chumming The Water
The challenge of catching a carp is not limited to the size of your hook. It’s also about chumming the water because if you’re lucky, it may come near and swallow your bait!
But for this strategy to work, you must avoid overfeeding them, or else they will be sluggish with full bellies that won’t bite at all!
One way to attract carp is by throwing a couple of handfuls into the water where they typically feed.
If you are using bait, such as boilies, try crushing them slightly for better distribution throughout the area.
You can attract more fish to your bait by using PVA bags filled with chum. The bait is placed inside the bag, and it contains everything you need: breadcrumbs, jello, and sweetcorn.
Plus they are easy to make and dissolve quickly in water so that there’s no mess!
Try to Bowishing
Carp Bowfishing is a great way to spice up your usual routine and get in some extra exercise while you’re at it.
Carp is one of the most popular fish for people who practice this method, with good reason!
They usually stay close to mid-level water near river banks or shorelines which makes them easy targets for those using bows instead of rods.
The best areas tend to be hard to find by boat so you may have swum into the area from the bank rather than paddle across on a kayak like a normal angler would do.
Best Bait to Catch Carp
To catch the carp, you need to choose the right bait for your fishing location. Here I am going to tell you about my best 5 types of baits for catching carp.
They worked amazingly well for me and I am sure they will work for you too.
Bread:
Before going ahead with the list of baits, let me tell you that bread is the best bait for carp. I have caught a lot of carp using bread as bait.
It just does not matter whether it’s summer or winter or whether it’s raining, bread will always attract carp.
Bread is quite a neutral smell and the fish are attracted to it because of that characteristic.
This bait works in both summer and winter and whether there is a lot of water or not so much, carp just love it.
Even if the water conditions are not favorable for fishing you can still try this bait.
It is easily available too and you will not have any trouble finding it. It costs very little so that’s another advantage of using it as carp bait.
Sweet Corn:
Sweet corn is also excellent bait for catching carp. They are sticky and their smell lasts long even if they get wet. It’s also cheap and you can buy them from any shop easily.
You can use sweets to catch carp in summer and winter though the best time to use them is during winter because there is less water on the surface.
While luring the sweet treat method, I faced very few problems with carp being scared off by my movements in the water.
Though it is quite heavy, if you are a carp fisherman who doesn’t want to burn much money then sweets are the best baits for you.
Bread Seeds:
Bread seeds can be used as bait for catching carp in winter and summer during low-water situations.
I have found bread seeds very useful during the winter season and I think, for catching big carp, it is best to use bread seeds.
This bait is very light in weight so you don’t have to worry much about your movements in the water.
Bread seeds are sticky like sweets but they are heavy because of their size alone, you will not feel that.
You can buy this bait from any store and you will find it comparatively cheaper than sweets. But if you think about the result, then I suggest that sweets are better because of their stickiness.
Vegetables:
Just like the bread seeds, vegetables can be bought from any shop even in winter when water levels are low.
Although vegetables are not as sticky or attractive to carp as sweets; still will work for you because of their color and smell.
Carp just love the smell and taste of vegetables so, if they do come to your bait, then there is a bigger chance that they will eat it.
Vegetables are easy to carry in your bag and this is another advantage.
Raw Meat:
I have used meat before and it works quite well as bait for catching carp in summer. It is useful when you want to catch carp but water levels are high.
While using raw meat, you should make sure that you don’t use much because if the smell of blood attracts other fish then, no matter how many times you cast the bait in front of the carp, they will not come near it.
You can also use meat if there is a lot of water on the surface and you don’t want to invest much money in your fishing gear. Meat is slippery so it’s better not to use it as your primary bait.
Carp Fishing Videos
FAQ:
What is the best bait to catch carp?
The best bait to catch carp is any food that contains a small quantity of fish meal or some other high-protein material. Worms, maggots, bread scraps from home cooking, and a handful of green cabbage will also work.
What smells are carp attracted to?
Some fishermen have recommended that carp love boilies, bread crusts, meat baits, fruity flavors, and stilton cheese. The best items are those that either emit favorable smells or contain ingredients with similar components to these products like fruit scents and dairy-based flavors respectively.
What attracts carp the most?
The Cheese Trap. Because this bait was designed to appeal to larger carp up to 30lbs (13.6kg) or more. It contains an attractant that carp can’t resist! This cheese-induced appeal is proven to land your carp on the bank.
What do carp bite on?
Carp are attracted to a bait that smells and tastes good to them. The most common baits used to catch carp are bread, corn, and worms.
What time is best to catch carp?
In summer, the best time to catch carp is early in the night or late in the early afternoon, when the water is cooler. In winter, carp are more active during the day, so the best time to catch them is around the early afternoon. In spring and fall, the best time to catch carp is in the early morning or late evening, when the water temperatures are more moderate.
What depth do carp feed at?
Carp are opportunistic feeders and will feed at a variety of depths, depending on the availability of food. In general, they will feed at depths of 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 meters) when foraging for aquatic insects and other small prey, and at depths of 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) when feeding on bottom-dwelling organisms.
Are carp hard to catch?
Carp are not hard to catch, but they can be difficult to land. The best way to catch a carp is to use bait that is high in protein and oil content, such as corn, pellets, or bread. You will also need a large, strong hook, and a heavy-duty line. Once you have hooked a carp, be patient and allow it to tire itself out before you attempt to land it. If you try to land it too soon, it will likely break your line.
What size hooks for carp?
The size of the hook will depend on the size of the carp. If you are using live bait, then you will need a smaller hook. If you are using an artificial lure, then you will need a 4-6 circle hook.
Conclusion:
After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of where carp live and what they like to eat. You also now know some tips on how to catch them with bait that is more likely to work.
We hope that these insights help make your fishing experience easier! If not, feel free to reach out; I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may still have after reading through the blog post.