{"id":26073,"date":"2019-03-08T13:31:15","date_gmt":"2019-03-08T12:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/?p=26073"},"modified":"2019-03-12T16:47:47","modified_gmt":"2019-03-12T15:47:47","slug":"planning-your-next-french-carp-fishing-trip-go-large-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/planning-your-next-french-carp-fishing-trip-go-large-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning your next French carp fishing trip? Go large this summer\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The appeal of vast, windswept gravel pits is undeniable: acres of untapped, uncharted water, unsullied by angler pressure; the allure of the unknown; the chance of a previously uncaught leviathan. Question is: where the \u2026 heck do you start?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pay\ntoo much attention to social media, the mags and myriad YouTube vids, and you\u2019d\nbe forgiven for believing that catching big French carp is a breeze. But it\nain\u2019t necessarily so; especially on the bigger waters, where finding fish can\nbe a battle all its own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/BlueLake.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26099\" width=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/BlueLake.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/BlueLake-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/BlueLake-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/BlueLake-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>15 acre French carp lake <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/Blue-Lake\/\">Blue Lake<\/a> provides a large variety of features – small bays, open water and various gravel bars. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\"><strong>Choosing your venue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As\never, choosing the right venue is paramount. So the natural starting point,\nalways, is a trawl of your Facebook Friends. And of course a chat with the good\npeople at Angling Lines who \u2013 having personally fished the many waters in\ntheir portfolio – can help you make the right choice, in terms both of the challenge\nand likely rewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This\nis important. Most of us have, at best, a week or two\u2019s holiday at our\ndisposal. So seek out folk who\u2019ve fished your chosen water before; harnessing\nthe power of the Interweb – social media, and the many angling forums \u2013 to get\na heads-up on the going waters, areas, baits and approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\"><strong>Doing Your Homework<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly,\nGoogle Earth will provide you with a detailed picture of the geography and\ntopography of your chosen lake; and an invaluable starting point that could\nsave you many hours\u2019 trekking round the bank in search of fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On\narrival at the venue, it\u2019s then polaroids and \u2018bins\u2019 to the fore. The goal: to\nbreak the lake down into manageable \u2018bite-size\u2019 chunks; discounting areas that\nare clearly devoid of life; and identifying and evaluating likely features and\npatrol routes in light of the prevailing winds, air pressure and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The usual rules apply. Islands, reed- and weedbeds, overhanging trees and snags all serve as carp magnets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Margins,\nold stream beds and gravel bars provide natural roadways that the carp may patrol\nat similar times every day. And warmer winds point the way \u2013 with carp\ninvariably following. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning\nthe north bank is always a good place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/vaumigny-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26113\" width=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/vaumigny-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/vaumigny-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/vaumigny-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/vaumigny-1-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/Vaumigny\/\">Vaumigny<\/a> is another large French carp lake with a huge variety of features. Home to carp to over 60lb, 100lb+ sturgeon and 170lb+ catfish.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\"><strong>Finding Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once\nyou\u2019ve selected your preliminary \u2018home base\u2019, time spent feature finding – with\neither the marker or, better, the Deeper (other fish finders are available!) \u2013 will\nprovide a more detailed picture of your peg; and an indication of the right\nplaces to position your hookbaits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even\nthe subtlest changes in depth or substrate can be significant. Therefore it\u2019s\nworth placing your bait at different depths; hedging your bets as to where the\nfish feel most comfortable, and prefer to feed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My\nfirst choice \u2013 for my first rod – would be the drop-off at the base of the\nmarginal shelf, where carp will expect to find both natural food and discarded\nanglers\u2019 baits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then,\nfor the remaining two-three rods, I\u2019d seek out the siltier areas on either side\nof any gravel bars; clear spots within weed beds; the edge of snags; island\nmargins and so forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nothing\nnew under the sun, really. And an underarm flick into the margins is invariably\nmy \u2018starter-for-ten\u2019 when I get to a new venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally,\nthe only thing that will move fish from the margins is angling pressure which\nhopefully, on these larger venues, should not be so much of an issue. \u2013 especially if the swim in question hasn\u2019t been\nfished in a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And\nwith most big pits tending to have deep margins, I\u2019m usually able to present a\nrig where I\u2019m happiest and most confident: close in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But\nI\u2019ll remain vigilant. Being arguably the most cack-handed carper on the face of\nthe earth, it is inevitable that, at some point, I will trip over a guy rope, set fire to a bivvy,\nfall in, or some such thing; in so doing potentially driving the carp further\nout into the lake \u2013 possibly dragging me out of my comfort zone, and requiring\nme to fish at range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hence\nthe need for forward planning: doing our homework, back in Blighty to ensure\nwe\u2019re prepared for every eventuality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\"><strong>Tackle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Casting\naccurately and consistently, to distances in excess of 150 yards, is far from\neasy, requiring specialised hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your\nrods should be up to the task, with a test curve of around 3.5lbs \u2013 to cope\nwith heavy leads of 5oz or more \u2013 and a fast recovery rate, allowing the line\nto travel through the guides, with minimal resistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Big\npit reels with decent line capacity are essential, accommodating 300+ metres of\n15lbs+ line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ideally\nthose reels will also be lightweight \u2013 lest your 200-yard retrieve become a\nwearisome workout \u2013 with a slow oscillation (enabling good line-lay, and again\nadding vital extra yards to the cast).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nuse of braided mainline can provide you with a significant edge, given its\nnarrow diameter and lack of stretch. (At this kind of range, mono could be\nmoved tens of yards without a bleep on the buzzers.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where\nbraid is banned, lighter \u2013 narrower diameter \u2013 mono mainlines can add valuable\nyards to each chuck. But of course they won\u2019t withstand the force exerted on a\nbig cast with a heavy lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So,\nwhere the rules permit, it is essential to incorporate a shockleader into the\nsetup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On\nlakes where leaders are banned, consider using a tapered main line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rigs-wise,\nfor distance fishing, the watchwords are aerodynamic and anti-tangle. Which\nmeans one thing: choddies, which can be cast a very long way, seldom tangle,\nand ensure effective presentation whether they land on silt, weed or gravel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A\n\u2018weight forward\u2019 style distance lead completes the business end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bite\nindication-wise, it\u2019s bow-string tight lines all the way, ideally in\nconjunction with quiver or tension arm indicators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baiting\nat range can also be extremely tricky, so if you have access to a boat, so much\nthe better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With\nthis in mind, it\u2019s worth checking with the Angling Lines\u2019 team, to determine\nwhether your chosen venue offers boats for hire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/Vaumigny-boat.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26104\" width=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/Vaumigny-boat.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/Vaumigny-boat-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/Vaumigny-boat-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-content\/images\/2019\/02\/Vaumigny-boat-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Another shot from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/Vaumigny\/\">Vaumigny.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\"><strong>Bait Selection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As\nto the bait itself, boilies, pellets and\/or particles all have their day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But\ncheck whether the venue contains crayfish \u2013 horrible bait thieving creatures,\nwith a taste for boilies, the presence of which may necessitate the use of\nlarge hardened hookbaits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nlast thing you need is to waste valuable time finding spots, baiting up, positioning\nbaits \u2013 watching fish roll and crash and your spots \u2013 and miss out on a\nbite-time take because you\u2019ve \u2018been done\u2019 by Mr Pinchy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nflipside: carp love crays \u2013 so there is a positive to having them in your\nbaited area \u2013 provided you\u2019re confident your hookbait is resistant to their\nattentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond\nthis, standard operating procedure applies: on larger venues, as on smaller\nmore intimate ponds, you should keep your eyes peeled for \u2018signs\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And,\nif at all possible, be prepared to move onto showing fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because\non big gravel pits, chances are if you\ncan find \u2018em, you\u2019ve a very good chance of catching \u2018em. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And\nmaybe nailing a new French PB to boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Steve\nCalder<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The appeal of vast, windswept gravel pits is undeniable: acres of untapped, uncharted water, unsullied by angler pressure; the allure of the unknown; the chance of a previously uncaught leviathan. Question is: where the \u2026 heck do you start? Pay too much attention to social media, the mags and myriad YouTube vids, and you\u2019d be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":26103,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[942,1113,889],"tags":[1117,1078,1120,1119,1126,1121,1124,1114,1123,1116,1115,1118,1125,1122],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26073"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26073\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglinglines.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}