UK Carp & Coarse Fishing

Twelve Favourite of Christmas

Posted on December 21, 2025 by richardhandel

Twelve Favourites of Christmas – Rich Hughes

Where to start, looking back through 2025 which has been a good year for me on a fishing front especially on limited time.
With several new tickets coming up this year, I’ve been stretched getting around them all but carp caught from everywhere I’ve been lucky enough to wet a line.
Add to this a trip over to France to fish the mighty Lac Du Der for possibly my last session there after 15 years of fishing these beautiful waters. But on route over this time I planned at stopping off at a public water for 3 nights. A water a French friend had put me onto, a water where little to no fishing that had taken place.
What did we know about this water, the honest answer being very little. Being on a hunting estate, a lake of over 100 acres, a lake that’s been used for shooting only, we were lucky to be offered taster fishing whilst the shooting season was closed, we were privileged to give it a try.
After 2 nights we were lucky to have caught plenty of carp, but nothing of note, all being wild looking commons in the 18lb to 25lb range. Also seeing numerous carp in shallow bays of similar sizes with no signs of anything bigger. It’s great to catch but not what we were hoping for.
The final evening we had resined ourself to accept that all lakes don’t have elusive big carp, but that changed on dark with this mirror of 43lb along with losing one that felt even bigger, how things can change in fishing within a short space of time and now it’s in our thoughts of what could this lake hold ?

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#Nutrabaits #NutraOfficial #FishingLife #Fisherman #Fish #OnlyTheBest #Fishing #Carpfishing #Angling #Carping #Carpangling #Karper #Carp #Bigcarp

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Visit my YouTube channel

Posted on December 20, 2025 by richardhandel

Visit my YouTube channel.

Richard

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Pre Baiting

Posted on December 20, 2025 by richardhandel

🟢 Why Pre-Baiting Is Such an Effective Carp Tactic 🟢

Pre-baiting is one of the most reliable ways to stack the odds in your favour when targeting carp — especially on pressured UK waters.

🎯 Builds feeding confidence
Introducing bait before you fish helps carp recognise it as a safe, regular food source. When they return and feed without being disturbed, their guard drops — making them far more likely to feed confidently when you finally put a rig in place.

🐟 Encourages repeat visits
Carp are creatures of habit. A consistent pre-baiting routine can turn an empty area into a known feeding spot, with fish returning day after day to grub about for the same food.

🪱 Creates competitive feeding
Particle mixes like maize, hemp, buckwheat, and nuts spread across the lakebed keep carp searching and feeding for longer. When multiple fish move in together, competition increases — and mistakes happen.

⏱️ Maximises short sessions
If you can only manage quick overnighters or day sessions, pre-baiting means the hard work is already done. The fish know the spot, and you’re not starting from scratch.

🧂 Quality and preparation matter
Using properly prepared, safe particles is crucial when baiting heavily. Well-cooked particles with natural attractors (like CSL and chilli) digest easily and keep fish feeding confidently.

At Jurassic Particles, our ready-to-use mixes are designed specifically for pre-baiting — consistent, safe, and full of natural attraction to keep carp coming back.

#JurassicParticles #TeamJurassic #CarpFishing #UKCarp #FishingLife #CarpOnTheBank
📍 Check out our full range here: jurassicparticles.co.uk

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Superb bit of kit.

Posted on December 20, 2025 by richardhandel

We absolutely sold loads of these at the winter carp show

The Katran W/B 460 Pro headlamp – built for anglers who demand perfect visibility, reliability and comfort during every night session.
With its Double Click function, you can instantly switch between blue or white light in a split second, giving you maximum convenience during casting, tying rigs or landing fish in the dark.

Dual light modes, instant colour switching, a strong magnetic mount and a clear battery-status indicator make it a true must-have on the bank. 😎

Available here

https://anglingtechnics.myshopify.com/products/katran-headtorch

Enjoy your sessions with #KatranFishingLine 🎣
#KatranHeadlamp #NightFishing #CarpGear #FishingEssentials

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Trip 40 Carp Fishing – 2025

Posted on December 20, 2025 by richardhandel

I’m back out on the club lake this week, and now that December has arrived the whole place has changed. The lily pads are dying back, the banks are quietening down, and the number of anglers has dropped right off. For me, it’s the perfect time to fish this sort of water — peaceful, atmospheric, and full of opportunity if you’re willing to put the time in.

With everything closed in by the overhanging trees and bushes, there’s no need for spombs or anything too heavy-handed. I’m keeping things simple: a catapult for the loose feed and a few large PVA bags. It’s the ideal place for this approach, as you can easily bait through the gaps in the trees, keeping everything quiet and low-profile. Even in winter, I’m able to stick with my usual mix, which settles beautifully in this type of swim.

PVA bags have been the most productive tactic for me lately, especially when paired with the White Blank Saver — two rods are fishing this way. On the third rod I’ve decided to go completely off script with a 24mm hardened hooker. It’s something totally different to what most people are doing here, and sometimes that contrast can make all the difference.

For most of the day, though, it felt like I was just waiting and watching. Around 1500 hrs I finally caught sight of some carp showing near my area, and by 1630 a few had started crashing on the far side of the pads I’m fishing up against. A couple even showed out in open water. With cloudy skies forecast and only one period of heavy rain due, I was feeling cautiously optimistic. But the sheer amount of cold water poured into the lake today — on and off, all day long — has probably knocked the carp a bit. I wasn’t expecting quite that much, and it could be the stumbling block.

These carp are certainly making me work for it. They’ve shown in various spots around the lake, but the most consistent activity has been near the small island — not tight to it, but on the open-water side. It’s well within my reach from here, and actually a better line than the ‘proper’ swim that’s meant for fishing it. I’m taking a chance that no one turns up tonight and jumps in there. If they do, I’ll have to move that rod. For now, though, it feels like my best option.

There are two other swims I could move to, but honestly, the rest of my rods are better placed here than they would be if I started chasing shadows around the lake. Winter fishing is a fine balance between reacting and overreacting.

As it stands, it’s looking very much like three blank trips in a row. These carp just don’t seem to be holding or feeding on their usual winter spots yet. If I were doing another night, I’d probably move — but I genuinely wouldn’t know where to go. Looking back at last winter’s sessions, I’d always end up down this end of the lake after seeing a few shows. That’s why I stuck it out here again: I have seen the fish. But clear nights and full moons aren’t my favourite conditions, and that’s exactly what I had last night, on top of the heavy rain from the night before. I think my timing was simply unlucky again.

Still, it’s been great to be back on this water, and I’ll certainly be returning soon. Even when it’s tough going, this place has something special about it.

Until next time,
Richard