If you like a challenge when you go fishing, then there will be nothing better to you than going out to your local canal or river and trying to catch carp. To help you in your pursuit of these urban monsters we’ve decided to put together a list of great canal venues where you are likely to catch a carp or two.
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BRIDGEWATER CANAL, LEIGH, LANCS
This North-West canal holds its fair share of twenties. The basin at Mather Lane, Astley wide and the boats at Agden are known spots. The Kraft Arm controlled by Warrington AA is also a carp hotspot.
Contact: Leigh Tackle, 01942 604125 or www.warrington-anglers.org.uk
LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL, BINGLEY, W YORKS
Few anglers fish this stretch of canal and those who do are matchmen targeting the bream, meaning the big carp to over 25lb which are known to reside here are left untouched. Fishing from the Dowley Gap Top Lock to Swine Lane Bridge there is around three miles of canal to fish.
Contact: www.bingleyanglingclub.co.uk
ROCHDALE CANAL, TODMORDEN, W YORKS
The club hold regular matches here which see the odd big carp banked from time to time but few anglers actually target them making this a potential untapped carpy goldmine. Carp have been stocked in the past and are catchable if you get your tactics right.
Contact: www.todangling.org
SHEFFIELD CANAL, SHEFFIELD, S YORKS
The ‘Plumpers’ stretch at Tinsley is one of the country’s best canal carp hotspots. Anglers here boast catches of up to six or seven fish per session on baits like pellet or corn on the Method or pole.
Contact: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
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SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL, CHESTER, CHESHIRE
The L shaped basin and the section of cut running off it is full of carp to over 20lb, making it popular amongst local carpers.
Contact: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
TRENT & MERSEY CANAL, NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE
Anderton Marina and the Wide stretch at Billinge are well worth a look as this area of canal can often produce multiple hits of fish in a session. The fish are generally over double figures if you get one running upto 20lb so they are well worth targeting.
Contact: www.northwichanglers.co.uk
ASHBY CANAL, HINCKLEY, LEICS
Trinity Marina contains a big head of carp so fishing at the marina entrance (you are not permitted to fish within it) will provide you with the chance of enticing them out and banking fish to over 20lb.
Contact: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
GRAND UNION CANAL, NORTHAMPTON, NORTHANTS
The canal arm at Gayton Marina is worth a try for carp as the marina itself holds fish to nearly 30lb. These fish leave the sanctuary of the marina during periods of low light.
Contact: www.northamptonneneac.org
SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL, PENDEFORD, W MIDS
A match record of 107lb was taken here by an angler catching just 13 carp! Fish below the lock using simple tactics and you shouldn’t go far wrong. It is worth investigating a few of the other stretches run by Wolverhampton AA, as they all contain carp in varying numbers.
Contact: www.wolverhamptonaa.co.uk
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STRATFORD CANAL, LOWSONFORD, WARKS
Renowned urban carp angler Alan Blair recently showed the capability of the carp fishing on the Stratford cut in his Urban Banx series of films catching high doubles and odd fish over 20lb.
Contact: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
TRENT & MERSEY CANAL, DERBY, DERBYS
The Shardlow area has produced a fair few specimen carp in recent years. Carp up to 20lbs are frequently caught in the area below Swarkstone locks, it's well worth putting some effort in as the carp are there to be caught.
Contact: www.prideofderby.co.uk
BASINGSTOKE CANAL, ASH VALE, HANTS
The Basingstoke canal has become more renowned for its specimen carp up to 40lb that live in there, with ‘bivvyed up’ anglers often frequenting Claycart, Eelmore & Great Bottom Flashes. It is worth remembering the canal still has a traditional closed season from 15th March-15th June.
Contact: www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk
KENNET & AVON CANAL, DEVIZES, WILTSHIRE
Carp are scattered throughout the various locks here, with some devoid of carp and some with lots of carp in, do your homework and some great fishing and lovely fish could be on the cards. Boat traffic can be extreme in the summer, so early mornings/late evenings are generally best.
Contact: www.devizesaa.org.uk
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GRAND UNION CANAL, IVINGHOE, BEDS
The Luton Angling Club stretches are renowned for their excellent carp sport and they arent many better in the UK than the area around Ivinghoe boats.
Contact: www.lutonanglingclub.co.uk
GRAND UNION CANAL, LITTLE VENICE, LONDON
Big carp hide amongst the moored boats here so the trick is to find a gap and feed tight to the barges, a baiting pole can be an edge. Big carp are also rumoured to exist on the canal around Camley Street Nature Reserve near Kings Cross.
Contact: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
EXETER SHIP CANAL, EXETER, DEVON
The Lime Kilns section of canal and Turf Locks marina is not just a bream and tench water as carp to a staggering 40lb have been landed off the record.
Contact: www.exeteranglingassociation.co.uk
GRAND UNION CANAL, MARSWORTH, HERTS
Another known carp hotspot on this waterway; the locks area at Marsworth holds some monster fish which can be stalked by fishing tight to features like boats or the locks themselves.
Contact: www.tringanglers.org.uk
ROYAL MILITARY CANAL, HYTHE, KENT
A known big fish canal, the Ladies Walk area holds some huge fish to near 30lb. In the past they have been caught by imitating the bread which is fed to the ducks. Try a washed out white mainline cell pop up.
Contact: www.cinqueportsangling.org.uk
BUDE CANAL, BUDE, CORNWALL
Day and night fishing is allowed on this stretch of canal and carp can be caught throughout its length. Where the Walesborough Weir enters the canal is a good spot in the summer due to the extra oxygen it carries. Just keep your eyes on the water as you walk along the towpath as the carp are quite well spread.
Contact: www.budecanalangling.co.uk
IT IS WORTH TAKING A SELECTION OF BAITS WHEN FISHING CANALS, HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST BAITS FOR CARP FISHING.
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