Locating French Carp
Where to find that French carp!
Islands
Islands are a common area where carp tend to patrol because they offer protection and cover - providing there are overhanging trees which protrude over the water. The carp may feed freely around an island providing you don't target these areas too often, as the pressure can force fish to seek other quiet areas in the carp fishing lake.
Fishing an island on a new venue can be a safe bet, especially on a quiet day, plus an island can make a great marker for accurate casting without having to use a marker float which may spook the carp if used too much.
Weed beds
Casting towards weed beds can be a nightmare. There can be many problems with hook bait presentation, and if a carp is eventually hooked, you'll need to stop it from diving into the thick parts of the weed. The good news is carp love weed beds. It makes them feel safe and tends to contain lots of natural food. So if you are struggling to locate fish using sight alone then fishing close to a weed bed can produce plenty of French carp.
Lilly pads
These are similar to the weed beds in that they provide shelter and food in the carp fishing lake, thus they are a great place to place a hook bait, especially for floating bait in-between individual pads. The only downside to fishing the lilies is they are often situated near the bank so you may need to be quiet when setting up.
Reed rush beds
Again these are a good place to see carp patrolling, however like lilly pads, they are often situated close to a bank so the French carp may not feel as safe. This may effect how confidently they feed.
Overhanging trees
Overhanging trees are one of the best places to head for when carp fishing on new and unknown fishing lakes. They provide fish with plenty of security and shelter, and feed very confidently. Many fishing anglers cast far out towards the horizon without giving a thought to the trees or fishing in the margins. Many trees also grow berries which are a natural food for the carp so they may associate overhanging trees as a natural area for feeding.
Snags
Snaggy areas can be some of the best places to find French carp and often associate these areas as safe because many anglers won't risk fishing in snags. However, if you're prepared to take some risks, you may be able to find a spot just away from the snags where (if you fish with tight lines and stand close to your rods) you may be able to drag the carp away before they have chance to head for the safety of a snag.
Wind direction
The direction of the wind is a common reason why many fishing anglers end up in their chosen peg. The common belief is that carp follow the wind. Maybe it's because it helps push food towards the windward bank, or maybe it helps stir up food at the far bank. Also the wind can help push the thermocline down deeper.
The fish tend to follow and swim in this comfortable, warmer water and end up closer to the bottom of the carp lake where rigs are placed. Sometimes it's best to fish on the back of a colder wind, especially at times of the year when the oxygen levels in the water are high.
Shallow waters
The shallow waters may not sound like a potential hotspot, but if you turn up to a new venue on a cold morning and the sun is beaming down into the shallow end of the carp fishing lake, your guaranteed there will be fish around the area. Shallow waters warm up much faster in the morning sun, and French carp will always seek out warm spots.
Islands
Islands are a common area where carp tend to patrol because they offer protection and cover - providing there are overhanging trees which protrude over the water. The carp may feed freely around an island providing you don't target these areas too often, as the pressure can force fish to seek other quiet areas in the carp fishing lake.
Fishing an island on a new venue can be a safe bet, especially on a quiet day, plus an island can make a great marker for accurate casting without having to use a marker float which may spook the carp if used too much.
Weed beds
Casting towards weed beds can be a nightmare. There can be many problems with hook bait presentation, and if a carp is eventually hooked, you'll need to stop it from diving into the thick parts of the weed. The good news is carp love weed beds. It makes them feel safe and tends to contain lots of natural food. So if you are struggling to locate fish using sight alone then fishing close to a weed bed can produce plenty of French carp.
Lilly pads
These are similar to the weed beds in that they provide shelter and food in the carp fishing lake, thus they are a great place to place a hook bait, especially for floating bait in-between individual pads. The only downside to fishing the lilies is they are often situated near the bank so you may need to be quiet when setting up.
Reed rush beds
Again these are a good place to see carp patrolling, however like lilly pads, they are often situated close to a bank so the French carp may not feel as safe. This may effect how confidently they feed.
Overhanging trees
Overhanging trees are one of the best places to head for when carp fishing on new and unknown fishing lakes. They provide fish with plenty of security and shelter, and feed very confidently. Many fishing anglers cast far out towards the horizon without giving a thought to the trees or fishing in the margins. Many trees also grow berries which are a natural food for the carp so they may associate overhanging trees as a natural area for feeding.
Snags
Snaggy areas can be some of the best places to find French carp and often associate these areas as safe because many anglers won't risk fishing in snags. However, if you're prepared to take some risks, you may be able to find a spot just away from the snags where (if you fish with tight lines and stand close to your rods) you may be able to drag the carp away before they have chance to head for the safety of a snag.
Wind direction
The direction of the wind is a common reason why many fishing anglers end up in their chosen peg. The common belief is that carp follow the wind. Maybe it's because it helps push food towards the windward bank, or maybe it helps stir up food at the far bank. Also the wind can help push the thermocline down deeper.
The fish tend to follow and swim in this comfortable, warmer water and end up closer to the bottom of the carp lake where rigs are placed. Sometimes it's best to fish on the back of a colder wind, especially at times of the year when the oxygen levels in the water are high.
Shallow waters
The shallow waters may not sound like a potential hotspot, but if you turn up to a new venue on a cold morning and the sun is beaming down into the shallow end of the carp fishing lake, your guaranteed there will be fish around the area. Shallow waters warm up much faster in the morning sun, and French carp will always seek out warm spots.
