UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

Trip 25 Carp Fishing – 2026

Posted on August 2, 2026 by richardhandel

Despite the Heat… I’m Giving It a Go

Despite the heat, I’m out giving it another go. The conditions for catching carp are clearly not in my favour, but my chances of getting a decent night’s sleep are certainly better than staying at home in a house that’s been baking all day.

My swim choice today was based on one thing above everything else – shade. Catching fish comes second. I’ve opted for a big open-water swim that gives me a great view across the lake, along with the flexibility to move the rods around if I spot any showing fish.

The angling pressure is surprisingly low, which has to be a positive, and the full moon has finally passed, something I’m always pleased to see.

As soon as I arrived, I set the pod up and flicked out two Godman Angling 35mm PVA mesh bags filled with Nutrabaits pellets that have been soaking for the past few months. It wasn’t long before the left-hand rod rattled off, resulting in my first tench of the session. The tench population in this lake is definitely on the up, and I think in a few years there will be some impressive specimens swimming around.

Rather than rushing, I’ve taken my time getting everything sorted, keeping disturbance and unnecessary noise to an absolute minimum.

At some point today I’ll need to work out exactly where I want my baits positioned for the next couple of nights. There’s supposed to be a lovely 10mph breeze this afternoon, which should make both the fishing and the temperatures a little more comfortable.

11:30 hrs Tuesday

After spotting a few carp cruising along the right-hand margin, my suspicions were confirmed that they’d tucked themselves away in the snags. The left-hand rod was soon repositioned into the area. Unfortunately, I couldn’t quite reach the exact spot I wanted, as my shoulder isn’t too keen on long-distance casting these days.

Once I was happy with the placement, I catapulted around fifteen 15mm Nutrabaits boilies over the area. At the moment it really feels like we’re fishing for one bite at a time, so there’s no need to pile the bait in.

12:00 hrs Tuesday

Next, it was time to find something a little closer on the left-hand side. I’d been told there was a large weed bed out there, and it didn’t take long to locate it. The difficult part was finding the clean edges and deciding exactly where to present the hookbait.

Once I’d found a spot I was happy with, I introduced four large Dot Spombs filled with 15mm Nutrabaits EnerGize boilies before casting out an 18mm EnerGize Corkie Wafter.

With everything finally in position, it was time to sit back, relax and enjoy the cool breeze that had started to ripple across the lake.

18:15 hrs Tuesday

The right-hand rod was away again, but unfortunately it was another tench, around the 5lb mark. Fresh rig, fresh bait, and back out it went. Hopefully the next visitor would have whiskers replaced by scales.

01:07 hrs Wednesday

The right-hand rod was away yet again along the margin. Another tench. It made for a slightly awkward recast in the darkness, but everything went back exactly where it needed to be.

07:45 hrs Wednesday

The morning sunshine eventually woke me up. It actually felt quite nice on my aching back, although I’d only managed to get back to sleep after 2:00am.

12:30 hrs Wednesday

Both rods were reeled in for a quick check. Everything looked spot on, so I topped each area up with just a small amount of bait.

One spot received a mixture of Jurassic Particles hemp and buckwheat, while the other was kept simple with boilies and pellets. The PVA mesh bags were clearly attracting the tench, so I’ve moved away from using them for now in the hope that any passing carp get to the hookbaits before the tench do.

I took a drive around the opposite side of the lake and had a good chat with a couple of fellow syndicate members before returning to the sanctuary of the shade.

The forecast looks very similar again next week, which is great news for my gardening work. The following week I won’t be able to fish, and I can already see myself working all five days. Not my ideal plan, but probably the most sensible option while the weather is on my side.

I’ve pretty much decided that tomorrow will be home time. The forecast is showing very little wind, and for me that makes all the difference. Sitting under a tree all day in stagnant, humid conditions isn’t particularly enjoyable, and I don’t think it does the fishing any favours either.

The final night passed without a single bleep. Not one sign of a carp.

With that in mind, I think it’s time to switch my attention back to Airfield Lake and hopefully tick off my first July carp before the month slips away.

Until next time,

Richard

Get 10% off Deeper with Code – RICHARD10

Posted in Carp fishing | Tagged #deeperheroes #deepersonar #jurassicparticles #nutrabaitsofficial #WallopClothing #Godmanangling #NiteGlow | Leave a comment

July Fishing Diary

Posted on August 2, 2026 by richardhandel

July has undoubtedly been one of the toughest months of the year so far. The prolonged spell of high temperatures, coupled with bright sunshine and little consistency in the weather, made the fishing far from straightforward. More often than not, it felt like I was battling the elements as much as I was trying to outwit the carp.

The extreme heat dictated almost every decision I made. Swim choice became all about finding shade rather than following the fish, baiting had to be scaled back to conserve energy, and timing was everything. Early mornings, late evenings, and making the most of the cooler overnight temperatures became the key to giving myself any real chance.

Like many anglers, I had my fair share of blanks during the month. There were sessions where the carp simply didn’t want to play, and others where opportunities came and went all too quickly. That’s summer carp fishing, though—it can test both your patience and your confidence.

Despite those challenges, I still managed to get out on the bank whenever I could and finished the month with six carp, three of them being 20-pounders. Looking back, I’m really pleased with that return considering the conditions. More importantly, it reinforced something I’ve always believed: if you keep turning up, stay adaptable, and trust your instincts, eventually the rewards will come.

The month wasn’t just about the carp, either. Every session brought another lesson, whether it was refining baiting strategies in the heat, experimenting with different spots after seeing fish show, or learning a little more about how the lake behaves during prolonged hot weather. Even the lost fish and blank sessions will hopefully pay dividends later in the season.

Now it’s time to look ahead to August. The forecast is already looking much more promising, with cooler temperatures and more unsettled conditions. Hopefully, that will encourage the carp to feed more confidently and make life a little easier for us anglers.

I’m looking forward to spending more time on the bank, continuing to build on July’s results, and, with a bit of luck, banking a few more memorable carp along the way.

Thanks to everyone who has followed my adventures, commented on my posts, and shared your own experiences throughout the month. Your support is always appreciated.

Here’s hoping August brings cooler weather, more bites, and plenty more memorable moments.

Until next time,

Richard

Get 10% off Deeper with Code – RICHARD10

Posted in Carp fishing | Tagged #deeperheroes #deepersonar #jurassicparticles #nutrabaitsofficial #WallopClothing #Godmanangling #NiteGlow | Leave a comment

Oops

Posted on August 1, 2026 by richardhandel

The moment every carp angler dreads… After 10 minutes of carefully guiding a carp over bars and around boulders, you’ve finally worn it out and are just about to net it… then ping… the hook pulls. Heartbreaking.

Posted in Carp fishing | Tagged #deeperheroes #deepersonar #jurassicparticles #nutrabaitsofficial #WallopClothing #Godmanangling #NiteGlow #hoboarmour | Leave a comment

Overcoming Blanking in Carp Fishing – and in Life

Posted on August 1, 2026 by richardhandel

Fishing, much like life, can be a frustrating pursuit when things aren’t going your way. There are times when no matter how much effort you put in, how much thought you apply, or how many adjustments you make, the results just don’t seem to materialise. It’s in these moments that the biggest mistakes can be made—not because you lack skill, knowledge, or dedication, but because frustration and impatience can lead you to change too much, too quickly. This is true not just in fishing but in many aspects of life, from business to relationships to personal development. The trick is not to panic and take a breath, as my Mrs says.

If you’ve been blanking session after session, it’s easy to start doubting everything—your rigs, your bait, your location, your tactics, even your ability as an angler. But while tweaks and adjustments are always part of fishing, the key is to make them in small, calculated steps rather than completely overhauling your approach. It’s a fine balance: knowing when to stick to what you trust and when to adapt.

A long run of blanks can send any angler into a downward spiral. Before you start making frantic changes, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. There are a few key questions that can help you diagnose the problem.

1. Are You the Only One Blanking?

This is one of the most important things to consider. If no one on the lake is catching, then the issue might not be you at all. There are times when conditions just aren’t in your favour—pressure changes, a cold front moving in, fish spawning, or even just a phase where the fish aren’t feeding actively.

However, if other anglers are catching and you aren’t, then it’s worth paying close attention to what they are doing differently. Are they fishing at different depths? Using different bait? Are they positioned in different parts of the lake where the fish are more active? Without making knee-jerk changes, try to observe what’s working for others and see if there’s a pattern you can learn from.

2. Are You Fishing at the Right Time?

Carp, like most fish, have feeding windows. Just because you’re fishing doesn’t mean they’re eating. The best times often revolve around changes in light—early morning and late evening tend to be prime times, but this can vary depending on the venue.

Weather conditions play a huge role as well. If the lake has been experiencing high pressure and blue skies for days, carp might be inactive during peak daylight hours but feeding during the night. If you’re always fishing at the same time of day and struggling, it might be worth adjusting your approach and timing.

3. Are You Fishing the Same Swims All the Time?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of having a favourite swim and a spot that’s produced for you before, where you feel comfortable, where you know the features and margins. But lakes are constantly changing. What was a hotspot last season might be barren now.

Carp are creatures of habit, but their habits can shift due to angling pressure, changes in the lakebed, the presence of natural food, or other environmental factors. If you always set up in the same place and the results have dried up, it might be time to explore other areas.

4. Could a Big Hatch Be Going On?

Few things are more frustrating than watching carp in your swim, rolling over your bait, and yet they refuse to take it. This can often be due to a natural food hatch. When there’s an abundance of natural food—bloodworm, hatches of insects, or even an increase in crayfish—carp can become preoccupied, completely ignoring even the highest quality boilies and pellets.

If you suspect this is happening, you have two options:

Try matching the hatch by using natural baits, such as maggots, worms, or even zig rigs imitating the insects they are feeding on.

Fish areas where there is less natural food, such as harder spots in the lakebed, rather than silty areas rich in bloodworm.

Avoiding the Biggest Mistake: Over-Changing

Once you’ve considered the factors above, resist the urge to start switching things up too dramatically. One of the biggest mistakes anglers make when they’re blanking is changing rigs and bait too often. It’s easy to think, “Maybe this isn’t working; I’ll try something else,” but if you’re swapping rigs and hookbaits every few hours, you’ll never truly get a clear picture of what is or isn’t effective.

Carp are sensitive creatures, and too much disturbance—constantly recasting, pulling rigs in and out, scattering different types of bait—can actually spook them away. If you know you’ve caught on a particular rig before and you’re fishing it in the right conditions, have confidence in it.

Confidence is Key

This brings us to an important point: confidence. Fishing is as much a mental game as a technical one. If you start second-guessing everything, it will reflect in your approach.

Your rigs – If they’ve worked before, they will work again. Unless there’s a clear reason why your rig isn’t suited to the conditions, don’t start doubting it just because you’re blanking.

Your bait – If you’re using a high-quality bait that you trust, changing it up completely might do more harm than good. However, switching between bottom baits, wafters, and pop-ups is normal and worth experimenting with.

Your swim – If you know you’re in a good area, trust your spot. Moving swims too often can mean you’re not giving the fish enough time to settle.

When Luck Plays a Role

Sometimes, fishing is just unpredictable. You can do everything right and still blank. On the flip side, you can make mistakes and still catch. That’s just the nature of the sport. The key is not to let a bad run destroy your enthusiasm.

If you’ve analysed all the possibilities, made small adjustments, and still aren’t catching, don’t let it get to you. Fishing has a way of turning around when you least expect it. A bad few months can suddenly flip, and you’ll go on a streak where everything falls into place. The key is to stay consistent and not let frustration lead to rushed decisions.

A Quick Confidence Booster

If your confidence is really low, there’s no shame in heading to an easier venue to get a few bites under your belt. A few runs from smaller fish can do wonders for your mindset, proving that your tactics are solid and that you haven’t lost your touch.

Final Thoughts

Blanking is part of the game. Every angler goes through it, no matter how experienced they are. The key to overcoming it is not to panic or make rash changes, but to analyse, adjust where necessary, and maintain confidence in what you know works.

Fishing is about patience, problem-solving, and perseverance. Much like in life, success often comes down to adapting intelligently while staying true to the fundamentals. Keep going, and when that next big fish finally takes the bait, all those blank sessions will feel like they were leading up to that moment.

Hope this helps. Tight lines!

Richard

screenshot_20241027_211814_chrome8757296532653404671

Get 10% off Deeper With Code – RICHARD10

Posted in Carp fishing | Tagged #deeperheroes #deepersonar #jurassicparticles #nutrabaitsofficial #WallopClothing #Godmanangling | Leave a comment

Back on the Bank in the Heat

Posted on July 30, 2026 by richardhandel

I’m back out on my usual Wednesday session, although it’s unfortunately the hottest day of the week. Looking ahead at the forecast over the next few nights, though, it felt like the effort would be worthwhile.

The plan was simple: get here for 1300 hrs, settle into one of the shady swims, avoid the busiest period before other anglers arrived, and hopefully miss the worst of the heat around tea time. There’s a good south-westerly wind pushing through, which is helping to keep the temperature a little more bearable.

Now it’s just a waiting game. The traps are set, so fingers crossed the carp have other ideas than hiding away from the heat.

Richard