Some Suggestions For Your Carp Fishing Holiday In

More UK carp fishermen are venturing out of the country for their carp fishing holidays with France being the most popular. France has so much to offer the carp fisherman with masses of lakes and reservoirs and hundreds of miles of rivers most of which contain large carp. You will find now many businesses providing guided carp fishing in France on commercial waters with travel and food catered for as well as numerous private lakes where you are able to book a peg or hire out the venue exclusively on a drive and survive basis.
Many french carp lakes and waterways include large carp with the climate in France being ideal for carp growth as well as the large quantities of high protein bait becoming introduced on a normal basis both contributing to carp growing to record sizes. With the carp record now over 90lb and most lakes offering 40lb plus carp France offers the carp angler on holiday fish far bigger than their UK counterparts.

So you've picked your dream carp fishing holiday venue in France and booked your ferry what items of tackle and bait do you need?

If you have selected a commercial type venue or an estate type french lake for your holiday then your tackle might not differ too much from the gear you use within the UK. Rods of 2.75-3lbTC becoming probably the most popular, baitrunner type reels or large pits if you expect to cast some distance are the norm. A 42"+ landing net and big unhooking mat will probably be necessary also as your bivvy, bedchair, sleeping bag and all the normal camping gear you use for a session within the United Kingdom. If you have selected a big reservoir then you might have to think about a boat and echo sounder to fish the carpy areas, research you french holiday venue and be prepared.

The bait and also the amount you take on your carp fishing holiday in france will differ from venue to lake and stock levels so guidance ought to be taken from the owner or organiser but boilies and pellets are accepted from the off on most french carp waters as well as seed and nut type baits (make sure these are correctly prepared). Remeber a large shoal of 30lb+ carp can mop up a lot of bait so make sure you've enough to keep them feeding in your peg if necessary. If you are taking big quantities of boilies with you on your holiday and you will find none or restricted freezer facilities than you might want to consider air drying your boilies at the venue or before you go away to stop them spoiling.

So you have chosen your carp fishing holiday venue and also the needed baits its now time to investigate the going pegs and the winning tactics to make your holiday is a triumph. Speak to the owner/organiser for any advice they may wish to divulge (after all its in their interest to help you score so you'll tell all of your mates what a great week you had), the many forums on the internet are also a good reference point for gathering inside knowledge.

The time of year you plan to fish might affect the swim options e.g. spring/early summer fish might be gathering within the shallows in preperation for spawning, late summer autumn the deeper locations might be much more effective, try to understand as much about the topography of the venue before arrival and take into consideration the prevailing wind direction, heavily pressured locations, inflows etc.

On arrival make a detailed map of one's chosen swim noting all depth modifications, bars, weed growth, areas of silt/gravel and reference points within the distance for precise casting within the dark. Try to guess the carp's patrol channels and natural feeding areas and select ambush points to introduce your bait. Keep your eyes peeled and ears alert the fish will normally give the game away at some point, make a note of all fish shows, and try a single attractor bait in these areas if they're off the baited patches.

Implement your bait gradually throughout your session and don't pile it in on day one (you can't take it out !). If you're receiving action continue keep the locations topped up with bait after each fish which includes throughout the night to keep the fish interested.

Another essential thing to think about are line angles, attempt to keep your lines as inconspicuous as feasible and if you're fishing a fairly even bottom then backleads or slack line tactics will probably be useful as a tight line through the peg will spell danger to the carp. An additional great tip is to rest locations in quiet periods, take the rigs out and let the fish acquire confidence within the bait.

If you have various depths in your swim it's a great idea to put your traps at various depths, if one region is consistently productive it may be worth looking for that depth in an additional region of the peg clearly a comfortable feeding depth. Also different bottom make ups, attempt one in the silt, one on a hard or gravel bottom. Weed beds are usually magnets for carp so baits placed next to weed are a great bet in any peg.

Be consistent, experiment with areas and baiting methods and in the event you discover a successful method stick with it and haul them. Good luck with your carp fishing holiday in france, don't forget your camera and sun lotion and enjoy yourself!

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