We all want to fit in on the bank. So, to help you avoid a punch-up or war of words with your fellow anglers, here are 10 carping behaviours you should avoid at all costs…
I. Thou shalt not cast into another's swim
It seems obvious, but it’s surprising how many anglers seem to simply, or conveniently, forget the boundaries of their swim. Most venues these days will have a guide as to how far and to which points you can cast to from within a given peg but, let’s be honest, a lot of the time it’s just common sense. The best thing to do is check with the nearby anglers on arrival to avoid giving them an embarrassing inadvertent screamer!
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II. Thou shalt not leave buckets indefinitely
Bucketing of swims is a good practice to avoid a scramble for the flyer peg when it comes free, but not when the bucket is left in situ for what could sometimes be the entirety of the session. A walk around the lake and a bucket in a vacant swim while you get the rest of the gear is spot-on. A bucket left in a swim for your mate, who may or may not be turning up in four or maybe five hours’ time is not!
III. Thou shalt not light up the lake
Seeing in the dark is hard, so it’s safe to say a headtorch is an essential item for the serious carper. This doesn’t mean you need to light up the inside of Bob’s bivvy on the opposite bank with it. There’s nothing worse than fishing a lake with lights shooting here, there and everywhere all night like an 80s disco.
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IV. Thou shalt not batter the water at bite time
This one is largely water-dependent, as some venues are more prone to responding to disturbance than others, but it is nonetheless a good habit to get into. All waters have different bite times, which can change throughout the year, so it’s worth knowing when the hot period is on your water.
Your neighbouring anglers will appreciate you not thrashing the water to a foam with a Spomb or marker float, just when the carp were about to get their heads down on their baited areas.
V. Thou shalt not have loud alarms
Receivers and volume controls are a great thing. If you need to adjust your bobbins, either turn the volume down or switch your alarms off. While it’s a magical sound when there is a fish on the end, it’s surprisingly infuriating when the culprit is an angler. Having them going just to the receiver box will help keep others blissfully unaware of your endless action too... edges!
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VI. Thou shalt not beat pegs in with a mallet
We understand the ground can be hard on some venues. But nothing makes carp anglers see red quite like the sound of another turning up and proceeding to do their best Tommy Walsh impression by beating bivvy pegs and banksticks in with a mallet.
VII. Thou shalt not setup next to another on an empty lake
We have all been there. You get into a dream corner peg with plenty of fish about and not another angler in sight. Then, while quietly preparing your traps, some Herbert shows up, walks past 20 vacant swims and plots up next to you. Usually depositing 20 Spombs of ‘Munga’ to the area for good measure.
There’s getting on the fish and there’s just being irritating. You don’t always have a choice, but try to look for your own chances instead of hindering others.
VIII. Thou shalt not race bait boats
Whether you love or hate them, bait boats are here to stay. So, if you’re lucky enough to own one, don’t be the guy who thinks it gives you licence to whiz it around the lake like an aquatic Lewis Hamilton. It’s probably best not to go on a Columbus-style voyage out of your swim either.
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IX. Thou shalt not punish
We have all started on new lakes, and by all means go and chat to fellow anglers to get some idea about the venue. However, try not to be that person who spends hours punishing people for information or showing them every fish you want to catch out of the lake. Every lake has one, particularly someone who has been there for years, and if you have caught all the fish, why not move on and give someone else a chance.
X. Thou shalt not litter
This one applies to whatever angling you do, and that’s to leave the environment how you found it. It really isn’t difficult to have a bag with you for your rubbish – we all make it, but just take it away. It’s not the bailiff’s responsibility to clean up after you.
