Category Archives: Carp Fishing Equipment

Fishing ? A Beginners Glossary Part 1

The basic concept of fishing is fairly basic and self explanatory. Fishing is the act of catching fish. Or my particular favourite dictionary definition for fishing is, “the diversion of catching fish!”  I am not sure whether they mean a diversion for the angler from their regular day to day life or the act of diverting the fish onto the hook or into a net! 

As with any transaction there are usually two parties involved. In this case we have the fisherman or fisherwoman as the “fish-er” and the fish, would logically, to me at least, be the “fish-ee”.

What about some of the terms we hear regarding fishing though? To the uninitiated it can sound like a load of old trout!

Ok here is a really easy one to kick off with:

1. Fish type/species followed by the word “fishing”- For example, carp, bass or trout and the word fishing, e.g. carp fishing. This really is as simple as it sounds. Fishing for a particular species of fish which in this case is carp.

2. Fishing Tackle – This is not some illegal challenge in football or soccer but in fact the equipment that is used for fishing. There is a large variety of fishing tackle available and much of it can be specialised, e.g. carp fishing tackle. Yes you guessed it, the fishing tackle used to try and catch carp.

3. Coarse Fishing This is not fishing on a golf course (notice the subtle spelling difference) or any kind of course for that matter. It is in fact the name given to fishing (usually in the United Kingdom) for freshwater fish that are not considered game fish which are trout, salmon and char. Once again, carp is a common target for coarse fishers.

4. Fly Fishing – Fishing whilst flying would be really difficult and probably very dangerous, so that’s not what this is. Fly fishing is actually fishing with a very special kind of bait, an artificial fly. Yes a fake fly! The fishers use all kinds of fake fly, different sizes, different colours and the aim is to lure the fish with this unique bait.

5. Fishing Bait – Theoretically you could fish without much of the modern fishing tackle as I am sure they did in ages past, with just a sharp spear and an even sharper aim! However, whoever first came up with the idea of luring the fish with some kind of bait was clearly a genius. Fishing is now much easier than it ever was, with all kinds of bait available for all kinds of different fish and different fishing conditions.

This concludes part one of our “Beginners Fishing Glossary”. Tune in soon for part 2, when we will have a look at Sea Fishing, Bass Fishing and perhaps even the legend that is J R Hartley.

If this has whetted your appetite for fishing then please feel free to visit the North West Angling Centre, a massive fishing superstore at www.nwac.co.uk stocking huge amounts of fishing tackle including carp fishing tackle.

Fishing Kit Essentials

First and foremost you should secure a fishing license before delving into the technicalities. Even if you want to become an amateur fisherman you need to get hold of basic pieces of fishing equipment to make your journey into the fishing world more exciting. Only basic common sense is required in order to match the right rod and reel to the fishing technique and know the line type. A more enjoyable and comfortable fishing experience is guaranteed if you are able to match these tools appropriately. You will often find your reel turning into a bird’s nest, and there are several reasons for this. But as even experienced fishermen have to encounter this, every now and then, there is no need to worry.

Your main objective should be to match the lure, the line, the reel and the rod. You will have to shell out around $25 to $ 40 for them and they will last for a long long time. While shopping for a rod, you should keep 3 issues in mind. Go for guides that are attached to the rod. The rod is held by grip or handle and is available in either foam or cork. Different lengths are available to provide comfort to the users. A reel seat where the reel is connected is the third equipment to be bought.

A lot of fishing rods are available at the dealers that could, when assembled, consist of two or more pieces or be a single piece. It is very easy to make the connection. You only need to connect the female and male ends together and line up the guides without fail. It won’t last beyond a few minutes. There are times when you also need a lubricant. You should slightly bend the rod to get the feel of it, while shopping for a rod. Also keep in mind the comfort factor of the equipment that you will use.

Any type of rod will work. A 6′ feet long rod of medium weight or even a long stick will do. In order to ensure that it doesn’t break easily, it should be flexible, straight and long. Graphite is the most popular rod as it is so strong and yet light. For conditions like long casts in moderate winds, wispy rods up to 4 m in length are ideal.

You can choose from a variety of fishing lines and it can be pretty confusing to select the best among them. The commonest ingredients are nylon and ‘monofilament’ that is available in spools of varying length. The latter is called Test. The size of the fishing line depends on the thickness of its diameter. Search for a 4 lb. or 4 lb piece. It should be almost 10′ long so as to be compatible with the basic rig.

Therefore the bottom-line is that all the gears should match with each other. Now for a synopsis of what other stuff your fishing kit should also consist of. It should ideally include fishing hat, sunglasses, and a pail of bait, first aid box, fishing knife, line clippers, and stringer, net. And of course snacks to keep you going. So don’t forget them.

Areeb Khatib is involved with an online fishing project that informs and educates the fishing enthusiast through well-written articles. Discover how to get better at Fishing – Bass, Saltwater, Trout, Fly Fishing, & More…

Your Basic Fishing Equipment

So what equipment do you need nowadays to go fishing?

Well, the basics are of course a rod, a fishing line, weights, hook and bait; however, it doesn’t always stop there.

Equipment needed for fishing would also depend on which type of fishing you want to do. Types of fishing include, deep sea fishing, lake fishing, pond fishing, canal fishing or perhaps carp fishing.

Some types of fishing also require a licence, so it is important to find out if your chosen type of fishing involves you applying for a fishing licence.
The ideal way to find out exactly what you would need for your chosen type of fishing would be to walk into a tackle shop and discuss equipment with the person behind the counter.

If you walk into a fishing shop, presented before you would be a mass of equipment and accessories from rods and reels to chairs and tents. You could even buy an electronic bite alert, therefore, talking to someone experienced would be a great help when considering what equipment you need.

Fishing equipment can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. Fishing in lakes and ponds may only require the bear minimum. Why take the fun out of fishing by adding all the expense? We already know it is possible to enjoy a great day out fishing without having to spend a fortune on equipment.

For the more serious fisherman, using a wooden pole and stones as weights simply would not do, especially if they are on a fishing weekend.

Fishing at night is said to be more successful than daytime fishing if you want to bait a particular fish. Most fish are more active at night looking for their feed, therefore, many fisherman will leave their homes at 11 – 12 pm at night to set up for a nights fishing.

On top of your essential fishing equipment, you would also need to consider waterproof clothing, a large umbrella, seating and perhaps even a tent.

Once you do have your equipment, and you have spent the day on the lakes catching your bait, remember to rinse off your reels and rods in fresh water, this is especially so if you have been fishing in salt water.

Most equipment is fine in a cool dry environment, but do not be tempted to lean your rod up against a wall, this could cause your rod to warp, instead, store them vertically or horizontally.

Whatever equipment you decide to purchase for the type of fishing you choose, we all know that fishing is fun.

A recent study showed that most fisherman fish for any type of fish and happy with whatever they catch, just as long as they catch something. In this case, equipment needed for fishing would perhaps prove to be less expensive and a lot more fun.

This is the type of fishing the kids are interested in, however, you still have to watch those pockets, as kids come up with all kinds of equipment they ‘need’ and just cannot do without. Sound familiar?

Information on bowhunting moose can be found at the Bowhunting Tips site.

Basic Carp Fishing Pointers

Frustrating as it is, carp fishing is awesome. Carp are really good at sucking in and blowing out suspicious baits.  It’s such an excitement to see the whole action in a fraction of a second as you hang on for dear life while the reel is trembling with a loud noise.

Carp happily devour on the surface as long as you keep the pellets, biscuits, chic peas, bread, and re-hydrated corn coming in, and these are inexpensive baits as well.  Just attach them to the hooks, most preferably the bread.  Have the biscuits softened by dipping it in the water for about 2 minutes, then, place them in a sealed sandwich bag for about an hour.  Since different brands have different textures, just experiment to know which is firm enough to cast.  Another way to hook baits is super gluing the pellet into the shank.

Once they get into feeding, let them feel comfortable around the bait.  This gives more opportunity for the fisherman since they begin to not feel picky.  This tactic can be useful for zig rigs.

As soon as they’re feeding, cast the bait but make sure not to drop the bait directly onto the feeding carp.  Cast away from the feeding area then slowly draw it in position.  While the bait is till hanging, keep the food coming in so as to keep the carp from going away.  

How to Set-Up?

•    Use a hair rig to increase your chance of catching.  As carp taste food first, if they don’t like the taste, they won’t come near it.
•    You may also use a Spider Line, 50 lbs test, then use a leader material that fits the situation.
•    Thread the bait on the baiting needle and hook the hair loop.  You may also use foam dipped in a flavor as this enhances the attractiveness of the bait.
•    Also make a baiting needle by just straightening a long shank hook.  Slide the bait on the shank, then slide the bait from the needle onto the hair.
•    Using a float is also an advantage because it adds weight for further distancing and the location is easily identified.
•    Don’t forget the controller float rig.  A leader can be used which is attached to the swivel to its mainline of at least 3 feet length with a 10lbs Drennan double strength.  A low diameter mono will do just as long as it floats well enough for visibility.  

As experts say, it is not the bait that catches the carp but the method in which the bait is introduced.  Pre-bait everyday, in one spot for a few days.  This makes the carp think that there is a regular source of food for them and by “word of mouth” there’ll soon be a school of fish around.  Just be patient and it will all work.

A Guide to Fishing Tackle

 


Are you planning on going fishing for the first time? If you are, then you have walked into any tackle shop or read through a fishing magazine and confused the hell out of yourself. There are thousands of types of fishing tackle you can buy, for all types of fishing, for many different places and it can get a bit overwhelming!

The rod is one of the most important parts of fishing tackle that you can buy. Without one, there is no fishing. A good sized rod will be about 12 or 13 feet in length and should be made from carbon fibre. This will ensure it is durable, and it is long enough to cast correctly but not too long as to scare you! Lighter rods are better than heavier rods, but obviously, the lighter the rod will mean the more expensive, as will better quality rods.

Once you have chosen your rod, the next bit of fishing tackle that you should invest in, is a reel. Generally, rules will come that can be adapted to suit both right and left handed people. It should be of a light weight and preferably with an open face. Again, the better the quality, the more money you will be expected to pay. A spare spool is a good thing to keep handy as well!

Line is a rather difficult part of fishing tackle. A 3Ib or 4Ib line would be better, but you need to choose the line that is appropriate for the type of fishing you wish to divulge in, and also the type of fish you are aiming to catch. Lighter lines will not always suit heavier fish and suchlike.

Floats are an important part of fishing tackle. Floats enable you to see where you have cast as well as, (obviously) floating on the top of the water to make sure the line doesn’t go down any further. It is best to talk about floats with an expert that can point you in the right direction.

Next, we shall look at hooks. You could start by using types of hook that come already tied onto hooklength. Again, it may be best to talk to a professional or someone in the fishing tackle shop to ensure that you are using the most suitable hook.

There are a few other essential fishing tackle parts that will help, and one of these is called a plummet. This will help you to work out how deep the water is, and therefore point you in the right direction with regards to floats etc. A net is also important to keep the fish you have caught, as is a disgorger which will help you to get the fish off your hook quickly and without any problems. A rod rest will enable you to keep fishing while you are eating, drinking or just popping to the toilet and a small seat will make the overall trip enjoyable. Standing up for hours on end is never much fun!

So, there you have it, the basics to choosing the right fishing tackle. The best thing you can do is to talk to someone in the shop that knows what they are talking about to further assist you in your fishing mission! Just remember to have fun and enjoy it!

Devon Angling Centre offer mail order fishing tackle supplies and have a shop located in Devon, UK.