It goes without saying you can make many mistakes in carp fishing, most of which we all fall foul of from time to time. No matter how experienced you are, there’s always more you can learn – making mistakes is just part of the process. I’m going to talk here about the top five errors that I’ve noticed (and made!) throughout my time in angling.
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Keep things simple
To my mind, too many people spend too much time over-complicating things by using fancy rigs, or changing hookbaits and fishing spots too often. Sometimes keeping it simple can make things so much easier. There are three vital things you need to get right: find the fish, feed them and use a sharp hook – and that’s it!
It’s so easy to overthink things and subsequently to get lost in the technical side of carp fishing, but the key is consistency and being in the right place at the right time.
Don’t worry about what other people are doing and try to copy them – focus on getting the most out of your own session.
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Why follow the crowd?
The second common mistake is preconceived ideas. I often hear of people picking a swim before they have even seen the lake. Or planning how much bait they will use before they even know how active the fish are.
Nothing about catching carp is a foregone conclusion, so go with an open mind and you’ll not only have better results, but also enjoy your fishing more.
I get the most thrill when I’ve discovered something myself. Jumping on a spot behind someone, or copying what someone did in a video might well work, but I believe fishing is all about being adventurous and that element of the unknown. Even if you’re limited for time, it’s worth trying something new and not always following trends.
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Failing to prepare
Being ill-prepared can be a big mistake for so many reasons, and I’m not just talking about the fishing itself – things like your safely and comfort can also be compromised. But, if you’re well prepared across the board, you’ll naturally perform better.
Also, the groundwork you do leading up to your session will often dictate your success rate. If you make multiple trips to the lake, prebaiting or even just getting in tune with the water, you’ll notice your catch rate improving drastically.
Fail to prepare and prepare to fail. You can’t expect good results if you haven’t made an effort. It seems obvious, but I see so many people who lack the will to devote time to planning. If you have a Plan A, B and C you’ll be one step ahead of everyone else.
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Going too far, too soon
Another big mistake in carp fishing, in particular, is trying to tackle waters way out of your depth. If you’re new to angling, venue choice is incredibly important. Everyone has to start somewhere, but enjoying your fishing becomes difficult when you’re in above your head. Common mistakes like trying to fish way past your comfortable casting range just reduce your chances of catching altogether.
I’d much rather fish accurately and effectively at a range I’m confident I can hit consistently, as opposed to struggling to hit the clip just for the sake of extra distance. You should always try to improve, but do so at your own pace – do what you’re good at and slowly experiment.
Throwing yourself in at the deep end isn’t always the way forward. You shouldn’t feel the need to prove a point to anyone. Getting out and enjoying your angling is the key.
Being Lazy
Don’t get me wrong, we all go through phases where we might lack the motivation or drive to give that extra push. However, carp fishing doesn’t reward laziness, you have to be both active and reactive – watching the water, being ready to pack up all your stuff and move.
Are you the type to throw the rod against the bivvy when you’ve had a few nuisance fish? If so, it’s a habit you have to erase. I often question my limits on how far I’m willing to go to catch these target carp. To even get close to competing with some of the country’s top anglers you almost have to be a little bit crazy!
So, if you’re going to do it, give it your all. I realise that everyone has different tastes and priorities, but letting bad habits and laziness creep in will ultimately decrease the overall enjoyment that you get from your carp fishing.
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