A minimalist approach to Carp - Stalking and Margin fishing.
Part 1 Tackle and Bait.

I only ever really feel compelled to write about things that either touch me personally or that I have a fair degree of experience/talent for. My love for Carp fishing with simple and uncomplicated tackle fits that agenda nicely. But there’s also an underlying need to highlight the fact that carp fishing doesn’t have to involve spending a small fortune on the latest alarm systems, pods or multiple matching rods, and all the other paraphernalia of the modern carp angler. But I appreciate that not all lakes containing carp are suitable for all aspects of carp fishing, but then there are no fixed rules, only to enjoy maybe.
What is meant with the word minimalist? Well I just hit the synonym button and I get, modest, unobtrusive, inconspicuous, simple, discreet, unfussy, simple, low key and unassuming. Well all of these words would describe my approach to carp fishing wonderfully.

Tackle
Tackle can vary, in my mind there are no real right or wrong if you use common sense. A fishing rod only really matters in our minds when thinking about test curves at least. I chose a rod for its action above all else. But of course the TC is a rough guide to its capabilities in some instances, and totally misleading in others. Reels again totally personal and aren’t many reels the world over that are not suitable for carp fishing, again it’s mostly in the mind. Again it’s common sense really and course I’m not saying a compromise is acceptable, as we have to consider the fishes well being and our own chances of landing it. Here’s my recommendation for an outfit of tackle that won’t just be suitable for carp, but just about every fresh water fish you are likely to come across in Sweden.

Rods
The Avon rod, I could write pages on its virtues, but I shall try to keep it simple and not drift away from the topic in hand. Traditionally an 11ft 1lb to 1.1/4lb test curve total through action - but these days there are many different interruptions. This particular style of rod will be as at home worming or shrimping for salmon as it would be touch legering for chub or stalking carp, even long trotting for roach at a pinch. Even small live baits pike, perch and zander! Spinning or fishing surface lures you name it - a true all-rounder, without compromise. I own two variations, and for stalking or margin fishing for carp I prefer the heavier stepped up Avon action to around 1.3/4lb tc to the lighter 1.1/4lb tc. Both are from Harrison Advanced rods, that I can very warmly recommend, the finest bench mark, blanks and actions in the world today as far as I’m concerned.

My second rod choice is also from the Harrison stable, Its 6ft6in 2lb tc through action rod, that doubles up as both close quarters snag rod for carp and rather nice lure rod for pike. Of course I buy Harrison rods I’m an incurable tackle tart and snob. But I can promise you that a 30g to 50g cast weight spinning rod of around 6ft to 9ft will make a perfect close quarter’s carp rod.

Reels
The one all-round reel that I very much loved was discontinued by Shimano some years ago, the old super 4010. I’ve since started using front drag Stradics that I’m not really that happy with, as I’m not a fan of gold and mother of pearl for cosmetics. But they do the job nicely enough. The 4000 FE will do just about everything I ask of it, trouble free, and again when matched on a Avon rod you have what I would consider one of the most versatile and well balanced pieces of kit you could ever wish for.

The centrepin reel is more of a separate passion and not totally necessary for a minimalist approach to carp fishing, but once mastered you can’t help but fall in love, and appreciate the closeness it can bring you to your quarry! And go a long way to making carp fishing a little more stimulating and personal. Not to mention its multitude of other applications on rivers both float and legering, for all species. Again a great all-rounder!

I’m at present searching for mint condition Mitchell 300, from the 80s, for this summer, purely for nostalgic reasons and few nice photo opportunities, but like the old Shimano 4010s why did they have to change things when they found almost perfection?

Landing Net
I use a 36in triangular net and a 30in spoon style, only reason I have two nets is that the triangular packs away for travelling. I prefer the spoon style but its rather large and clumsy when I have to travel, but a large style trout net with fish friendly mesh is another great option, again a totally personal issue, but you don’t need some ultra cult 40 to 50 inch affair to go carp fishing in Sweden as far as I’m concerned.

Bags and chairs Over the last thirty years I’ve used just about every conceivable type or rucksack, holdall, stool or chair, but seven years ago I came across a rucksack/stool from Haglöfs and its priceless, It carries all I need for short sessions chair if I need it, but not often. The material is hard wearing and does not make any noise, used by hunters I imagine.

Terminal Tackle for Carp fishing
Examples of hand made floats; floats with souls
  • Line - I use moss green power pro in 20lb for nearly 80% of all my fishing. Be it carp fishing or lure fishing up to 30g, legering for id, live bait for zander, nearly everything... Straight through when carp fishing whether free lining or float fishing. Some say it sticks out, but again I think it’s just in our heads, as the baits I fish are always hard on the bottom the line cant be that obtrusive and once they have their heads down and are feeding I think the visibility is zero. I don’t like complicated rigs that just are succession of weak links; main line to hook is my preference every time. The other line for surface fishing or open water float fishing was Trilene XL in 10lb or 8lb bs. But I’ve since spooled up with Krystonite and can let you have full report on that after the summer.
  • Hooks - well I don’t use anything else but Drennan super Specialist, they have never let me down once they get the job done, for carp I like size four and two, as most baits I use are on the large side.
  • Weights - are just a small pot of BB, AAA, and SSG split shot, for setting floats or adding weight to free lined baits.
  • Floats - I use traditional goose quill floats, purely because they look stunning and natural in their watery environment. But any small float will do the job admirably.

Baits
I like natural baits, not necessarily natural to carp, but not engineered with all kinds of chemical flavours and enhancers. The same goes for boosting, not really something I personally go in for.

    Hookbaits
  1. Lob Worms
  2. Bread
  3. Sweet corn
  4. Cockles and Mussels
  5. Maggots
  6. Luncheon meat
  7. Liver sausage
    Attraction
  1. Hemp
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Halibut pellets
  4. Beans
  5. Nuts
  6. Dead maggots (dropped in boiling water quickly)

When stalking or targeting individual fish free lined Lobworms are my first choice, easy to cast and almost never rejected. Or a good second choice is as many maggots you can thread on a size four hook, together with a SSG ten inches from the hook for casting weight (if needed).

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