The Coarse Fishing Guide

Latin name Cyprinus carpio

The Common Carp, is a fast growing fish that can reach a very large size and is found in lakes and canals as well as the slower reaches of rivers.

The Carp is a deep bodied fish with large scales, a pair of barbels and and a dorsal fin with a large base.

Scale variations have led to the terms ‘Fully Scaled Common’, ‘Leather Carp’ and ‘Mirror Carp’ but all are of the same species.

Once regarded as almost impossible to catch, Carp are now the most widely caught fish in the UK, having been stocked in large numbers into commercial fisheries where they are popular with both match anglers and pleasure anglers.

Very large Carp are often given names by the Anglers who target them.

Baits

On heavily stocked commercial fisheries, Carp will take most baits including maggots, bread, worms, sweetcorn and pellets. Boilies are used to catch the larger specimens.

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Tactics

Smaller Carp can be caught by most float fishing and legering techniques, as well as floating baits such as breadcrust.

Larger Carp are usually fished for with specialist leger rigs, and by stalking individual fish with float fished or free lined baits.