UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

Nice Result

Posted on April 15, 2024 by richardhandel

A nice result last night.

Richard

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Step by step guide to the best features

Posted on April 15, 2024 by richardhandel

Carp fishing is a popular and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by anglers of all levels. Here is a simple step by step guide to the best features to fish for carp fishing:

1. Overhanging Trees: These are great because they provide shade, cover, and food for carp. Carp often feed on insects, worms, and berries that fall from the trees, and also use them as hiding places from predators. Look for trees that have branches close to the water, and cast your bait under them. Be careful of snagging your line on the branches, and use a strong hook and line to pull the carp out¹.

2. Gaps Between Islands: These are another very simple feature to find, and the carp just love these spots. Carp use the gaps as routes to move between different areas of the lake, and also as ambush points to attack prey. The gaps create currents and eddies that stir up the bottom and bring food to the surface. Cast your bait near the edges of the gaps, and wait for the carp to swim by¹.

3. Humps, Indentations, and Gullies: These are more subtle features that require some exploration to find. They are variations in the depth and shape of the lakebed, and they offer carp different options to feed and rest. Humps are raised areas that attract carp because they are warmer and have more oxygen. Indentations are depressions that collect food and silt, and provide shelter for carp. Gullies are channels that connect different parts of the lake, and allow carp to move easily. You can use a marker float or a feature finder to locate these features, and cast your bait on or near them¹.

These are some of the best features to target when carp fishing, but there are many more to discover and experiment with. You can also look for weed beds, gravel patches, drop-offs, and other structures that may hold carp. The key is to observe the water, and try to think like a carp. Carp fishing is a fun and rewarding hobby that can bring you many hours of enjoyment and satisfaction. Happy fishing! 🎣.

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Until next time

Richard

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Quick overnighter.

Posted on April 14, 2024 by richardhandel

Been sometime since I tried the club lake, and I thought it was worth a go with the weather conditions.

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Trip 10 Carp Fishing – 2024

Posted on April 12, 2024 by richardhandel

17.03.23

2 Nights

Cliff Swim

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With a pending operation on my tooth this coming Friday, I’m making the most of the time I have available at the moment.

It’s now Sunday, 17th March, and I’m back out on the Airfield Lake. I arrived at about 1:30 pm, and after looking around for an hour and a bit, I visited Saturday before I went home in the same area. I’m hoping to spot something, there wasn’t a single sign anywhere. I ended up pitching in an area where I had seen the carp on Friday morning. It was a tricky one, as this area has three swims with access to slightly different areas, and from where I was pitched up Friday/Saturday, you can’t 100% tell where the carp are showing

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Ultimately, I opted for the Cliff Swim for two reasons; it has a good view of the lake and plenty more options to cast at showing carp. The downside is it’s a pain to get to, and waders were definitely required. It certainly felt like the spot to be. One rod was cast off towards Gate Island in a small bay area, with a lovely silty area. The other was a bag flicked out just into a light weed bed, leading to a lot thicker weed, with small clear spots. I also spombed out four large spombs of nutty particles, just to get those carp digging about.

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As the evening comes to a close, I’ve started to hear the odd crashing carp in the distance. Fingers crossed they get closer.

The night was dead, except for about an hour when the carp went crazy somewhere to my right. I’m not 100% sure where they were as it’s hard to tell at night on a big water. That was it until around 11:30 this morning when a couple walloped out just off the island way out in front of me, clearly larger carp. Just after noon, I headed out for a walk and spoke to a couple of other day anglers who hadn’t spotted anything either. The thought of a move didn’t appeal to me, but I did feel the open water rod should be closer to some would work, as they particularly love hiding away this time of year. You can see them in open water, but they rarely pick up hook baits. This place is such a conundrum sometimes, which makes it so appealing each year. It’s like starting over every year

I can only hope my adjustments make some difference, and my first Airfield Lake carp isn’t too far away this year, unlike last year when it took me until 30th April. Oops.

I settled in for my second night full of anticipation, but alas, despite hearing carp topping a lot closer, they were, unfortunately, not picking up my baits yet. My last morning was going to be a very wet pack-up, as it was a very wet and drizzly day. Hopefully, I could time my exit for a little dry spell, as I find with this rain, you get very wet without realizing it.

I gave it until about 10:00 AM, then started my slow pack up, in the misty, mucky surroundings.

There were no fish caught in the end. I managed to pack up reasonably okay, but still wet, though.

Until next time,

Richard

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“Navigating the Angling Rollercoaster: A Guide to Staying Resilient”

Posted on April 10, 2024 by richardhandel

“Navigating the Angling Rollercoaster: A Guide to Staying Resilient”

Introduction: Embarking on an angling journey, one might find themselves caught in the ebb and flow of successes and challenges. In Richard’s latest blog, he addresses a common struggle faced by anglers — the daunting run of blanks. With a mix of insightful observations and personal experiences, he provides a guide to weathering the storm and emerging victorious on the other side.

Chapter 1: The Blank Abyss Richard opens with a candid acknowledgment that every angler, regardless of experience, encounters periods of struggle. The key, he suggests, is to resist the urge to panic and avoid drastic changes that could further complicate the situation. Instead, anglers should take a step back, analyze the broader picture, and identify potential areas for improvement.

Chapter 2: Analyzing the Big Picture To discern whether the struggle is a personal challenge or a shared one, Richard outlines four crucial considerations. He prompts anglers to evaluate if others on the same water are blanking, to assess the timing of their sessions, to explore alternative swims, and to consider the possibility of a natural food hatch diverting carp attention. This comprehensive analysis serves as the foundation for informed decision-making.

Chapter 3: Avoiding Hasty Changes One of the pitfalls during a blank spell is the temptation to impulsively change rigs, bait, or strategies. Richard advises against this, emphasizing the importance of stability and gradual adjustments. Casting too frequently can spook the carp, hindering chances of a successful session. Patience becomes the guiding principle, allowing anglers to discern the effectiveness of their approach over time.

Chapter 4: Maintaining Confidence As anglers navigate the blank phase, Richard underscores the significance of maintaining confidence. Drawing parallels between successful sessions on familiar waters and the uncertainty of new challenges, he encourages anglers to stick to what has previously worked. Rig adjustments should be subtle, and bait choices should align with tried-and-tested strategies.

Chapter 5: Recognizing the Role of Luck In a sport as unpredictable as fishing, Richard introduces the element of luck. Highlighting that luck can be fleeting and capricious, he encourages anglers to remain optimistic, knowing that a fortunate change in circumstances can transform a season of blanks into a string of memorable catches.

Part Two: A Turnaround Tale In the second part of the blog, Richard shares a personal account of navigating through a challenging phase. Facing a prolonged struggle on his usual waters, he decides to switch to a familiar yet different lake. The change proves transformative, with Richard not only breaking the blank streak but also achieving remarkable success. His story serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of angling and the importance of perseverance.

Conclusion: Richard wraps up the blog with a reaffirmation that every angler encounters rough patches. By maintaining resilience, analyzing situations, avoiding hasty changes, and embracing a bit of luck, anglers can turn the tide and emerge from the blank abyss with newfound success. As Richard aptly puts it, “It’s only fishing, and it can all change at the drop of a hat.” The journey continues, with each session offering the potential for a triumphant comeback.