|
Many modern carp Anglers think that to catch the fish you turn up to the lake, bivvy up, cast to the horizon and sit behind three rods waiting for your alarms to scream. Now whilst this is one approach, a more diversified Angler will be far more successful in the persuit and capture of his quarry. Don't neglect the margins…the fish can be right under your rod tip.  | Having fished for Carp both in the UK and the United States I would feel quite confident to say that this is a worldwide trait for fish, especially for the Cyprius Carpio that we all know and love. There is nothing quite as exciting as stalking a large Carp in the margins and watching a waggler vanish only to come into contact with a very energetic Mr. Carp. It also makes a nice change from watching the indicators and alarms and is great for the roving Angler wanting to explore larger areas of the lake. I will always throw in a handful of sweet corn and hemp right underneath the rod tip either by some reeds or lily pads or if no feature is available - just as the visibility of the lakebed starts to disappear. Don't think that just because it may not be a picturesque style of lake with willows or pads that they won't be in the margins – not the case. Set your waggler over depth so that there is around 12 inches of hook-length on the deck of the lake. The best set up for this style of fishing is to use either float stops or very light shot such as a number 6 or 8 or a float band to secure your float. Use a Solar depth charge or some Kryston Heavy Metal to pin down the line at the point of contact with the lake bed (12 inches from the hook). This weight should immediately sink your float if it is not set at the correct depth. Adjust accordingly. |
The reason for this is that you will no doubt be fishing in quite shallow water in the margins and a large fish can cause quite a bit of disturbance around the hook-bait. If your bait is immediately next to your main line under the float you will get false indications when fish are in the swim and could end up foul hooking the fish.  | If you are using a different hook-length to your main line attach the weight right by the swivel if one is used. I always mold some Heavy Metal around the actual swivel but make sure that the hook-length has completely free movement. The hook-length must be the 12 inches stated which is quite long in comparison to the hook-lengths used for semi fixed rigs with leads etc. Don't be under the impression that the larger fish will not be in the margins and will always be at distance….not so. Your tackle will be truly tested under these circumstances so make sure that it's up to the job at hand from the setting of your clutch (more on that later !) to the quality of line and your hooks. |
A few grains of maize on the hair works wonders as will a single boilie fished over a bed of hemp or maize. The following tale will illustrate the importance of setting your clutch to suit the conditions and minding your rod at all times! Not a month ago I fished a favorite lake of mine out here in “not so sunny” California with Wayne Boon. I decided to fish the margins on one rod so I set up as described above, threw a handful of maize in sat watching my float. Not twenty minutes later the float shot under and I was away with a fish. Now because the fish is right under your feet and hasn't dragged a 3 oz lead around to move your indicator the initial run will be most spectacular, even a small fish will put up a very impressive fight. The fish in question took line immediately and gave a spectacular fight leaving the water on one occasion (I think it was under the impression it was a freshwater Marlin or something !!) It did eventually come to the net at over 17lbs and was in pristine condition.  | I recast my waggler and sat down just as something rather unusual happened; out of nowhere…it started to rain….heavily. Now as you can imagine living out here in CA as I do I immediately ran for the cover of the nearest tree only, 10 yards or so away, thinking that I was going to melt! The minute my back was turned to get to cover my float shot under. As I turned and jumped at the rod…it was gone. In the blink of an eye the fish had launched the rod into the lake like an Exocet missile. |
I stood there absolutely speechless. I was not 10 yards from the rod and it had disappeared in under 2 seconds. The take was so quick that if I had been sitting next to my rod and not watching the float with the rod in my hand the same thing would have happened as the float was right under the rod tip. As soon as the float was under the rod was gone. I am not talking about a drag into the water I am talking about the float shoots under and immediately the rod was launched and had disappeared in under 2 seconds! I recast my waggler and sat down just as something rather unusual happened; out of nowhere…it started to rain….heavily. Now as you can imagine living out here in CA as I do I immediately ran for the cover of the nearest tree only, 10 yards or so away, thinking that I was going to melt! The minute my back was turned to get to cover my float shot under. As I turned and jumped at the rod…it was gone. In the blink of an eye the fish had launched the rod into the lake like an Exocet missile. I stood there absolutely speechless. I was not 10 yards from the rod and it had disappeared in under 2 seconds. The take was so quick that if I had been sitting next to my rod and not watching the float with the rod in my hand the same thing would have happened as the float was right under the rod tip. As soon as the float was under the rod was gone. I am not talking about a drag into the water I am talking about the float shoots under and immediately the rod was launched and had disappeared in under 2 seconds! Cursing myself because I should have set the clutch correctly I stood watching the bubbles coming up from the lake. I had visions of a monster dragging around my rod and was not only concerned for the fish but it was the first day I had used this rod….and I hadn't even paid for it yet.  | The outcome of this tale is a positive one as Wayne and I eventually retrieved the rod by casting out our other rods with heavy leads and catching the line. The fish was still on and was released unharmed after being retrieved by hand. After a quick swim the rod was also retrieved a little worse for where but nonetheless back on dry land. The moral of this story boys and girls…… |
Don't neglect the margins….and don't forget to set your clutch! Sean Manning
|
