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Sometimes, catching a big carp comes down to sheer luck, but there are adjustments you can make in your angling to improve your chances of landing the bigger fish in a lake. There are different approaches to this: you can either aim to catch as many fish as possible, working through the stock in the hope that a big one comes along, or you can use watercraft and alternative tactics to outsmart the :a[larger, more cautious fish]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/news/stories/how-to-target-the-biggest-carp-in-the-lake-adam-penning/' }.

What defines a “big fish” is personal to you. Some anglers consistently land 50lb carp, while others are still chasing their first 20lb fish. The same goes for your personal best, and beating it is an impressive achievement regardless of size.

:a[Day-ticket venues]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-fish-day-ticket-carp-lakes-hassan-khan/' } are often incredibly busy, adding another layer of challenge to your angling. These fish are exposed to a wide range of tactics on a regular basis, but with a well-thought-out approach, you really can land your biggest carp yet. :a[Follow these tips]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/basic-carp-fishing-tips-that-you-need-to-catch-on-every-trip-bev-clifford/' }, and you’ll be on your way to catching some exceptional fish this year.

**_A SET OF THE :a[BEST CARP RODS]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/rods/best-carp-rods/' } WILL HELP YOU LAND YOUR BIGGEST CARP YET!_**

This is an important factor and should be the first decision you make before trying to catch big fish, simply because if they aren't in the lake, you won't catch them. If you want to :a[land your first 20lb]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/where-to-fish/fishing-near-me-the-best-lakes-to-catch-a-20lb-plus-carp/' } or 30lb fish, head to a venue with a prolific stock of these sizes. Not only will you get plenty of bites, but you'll also have a very realistic chance of catching the fish you’re after!

Alternatively, if you’re :a[targeting fish around the 40lb mark]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/boilies-and-big-carp-fishing-with-mark-holmes/' }, venues with a lower stock but a higher average size are a better choice. This isn't to say you can't catch big fish on waters with lots of smaller ones, but the probability of hooking them is likely to be vastly reduced.

**_IF YOU LIKE GETTING LOTS OF BITES, HEAD TO ONE OF THESE :a[PROLIFIC CARP VENUES]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/where-to-fish/fishing-near-me-or-top-20-carp-fishing-runs-waters/' }._**

If you ask any big-fish angler what their most important tool is, they’ll tell you it’s their eyes. It’s crucial to search for the fish—don’t just settle for the easiest swim to access or the one that looks appealing, as the fish might not be there. On :a[busy day-ticket waters]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-fish-carp-runs-waters-finley-todhunter/' }, you might not have the luxury of moving around or getting on the fish, but you can still use your eyes to improve your chances.

Pay attention to what others are doing. If you notice everyone fishing on the bottom without any bites or catching smaller carp, :a[try putting on a zig rig]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-fish-with-zigs-finlay-todhunter/' }. If most anglers are casting out to the middle with little success, consider :a[placing a rod closer in]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-stalk-big-carp-in-the-margins-adam-penning/' }. Essentially, while on some waters your eyes help you locate the carp, on busier waters they can help you quickly identify what isn’t working. Often, going against the grain and trying something different will produce bites, even in the toughest areas.

_**DON'T BE PUT OFF BY BAD WEATHER BY USING ONE OF THE :a[BEST FISHING BIVVIES]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/best-fishing-bivvies/' }!**_

If you’re confident in your rigs and tackle, there’s no need to change them, as both big and small carp are often caught on the same setups. That said, using something like :a[a hinge stiff rig]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/rigs/the-only-carp-rigs-youll-ever-need/' } can sometimes deter smaller carp if you’re targeting a really big one, but this can often be counterproductive. If you’re already :a[catching carp on a particular rig]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/rigs/7-golden-rules-from-carp-rig-experts/' }, there’s no reason why a big fish in your swim wouldn’t take it as well. On lower-stocked waters, you might consider :a[adjusting your presentation]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/news/stories/how-to-target-the-biggest-carp-in-the-lake-adam-penning/' }, but remember that competition for food often encourages the bigger fish to feed alongside the smaller ones.

**_EVERY CARP ANGLER NEEDS A SET OF THE :a[BEST BITE ALARMS]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/best-mid-range-fishing-bite-alarms/' } TO COMPLETE THEIR SETUPS!_**

When it comes to baiting up, many anglers fall into the trap of :a[setting up and baiting heavily]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-bait-your-swim-for-carp/' } for the entirety of their 48-72 hour sessions. Carp see this approach all the time, and while big beds of bait can work well on occasion, they aren’t always the best tactic. Instead of piling it in, try just :a[a couple of Spombs]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/the-best-spods-and-spombs/' } of bait over your rods or use a catapult to scatter :a[a few boilies into the swim]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/bait/how-to-fish-with-boilies-for-carp/' }.

Better still, :a[try a three-bait stringer]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/10-forgotten-carp-fishing-tactics/' } without any additional free offerings. Big carp often perceive this as stray bait that’s safe to eat. If the fish aren’t in a feeding mood, this approach ensures you haven’t overcommitted and risked ruining your chances of a bite within the first few hours of your session – especially important if you’re unable to move.

_**IF YOU WANT MORE TIPS ON IMPROVING YOUR CARP FISHING, :a[CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/the-best-winter-carp-fishing-edges/' }.**_

As with anything in life, the more effort you put in, the more you’ll get out – and catching carp is no exception. While sitting motionless behind the rods can sometimes pay dividends, more often than not, it’s the angler who puts in the effort to make something happen that catches more. If you’re not catching, try switching tactics, moving to another area of the lake – or a different lake entirely. Remember, :a[an hour in the right spot]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-find-the-best-spots-to-fish-on-for-carp/' } is worth a day in the wrong one.

**_:a[THE BEST BEDCHAIRS]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/the-best-fishing-bedchairs/' } WILL HELP YOU GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP TO KEEP YOUR ENTHUSIASM HIGH._**

When he woke up to a hard frost and bright sunshine, Marek Nieweglowski didn’t fancy his chances with the perch population of the :a[Grand Union Canal]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/where-to-fish/fishing-near-me-the-best-canals-for-lure-fishing/' }.

Undeterred, he ventured out to an area he’d fished the day before and landed a decent stripey, and was this time rewarded with a superb fish of 4lb 7oz. It was caught on :a[a 7.5cm craw pattern]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/creature-bait-rig-for-perch-fishing/' }, which he cast close to a moored barge.

Knowing that lots of anglers on this stretch use livebaits, Marek reckoned that :a[tempting a big perch]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/rigs/a-guide-to-rigging-soft-plastic-fishing-lures/' } using an artificial bait would be tricky.

“On my second cast I lost a lure on a snag, which wasn’t the ideal start,” he told us.

“But I retackled, and a short while later I was about to lift the lure from the water when I felt a strong tug on the line."

"A few minutes later, this :a[giant perch lay in my net]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/specimen-perch-fishing-tips/' }. It’s just an ounce off my PB!”

**_IF YOU WANT MORE TIPS ON LURE FISHING FOR PERCH, :a[THIS ARTICLE IS PERFECT]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/choose-the-right-lure-for-perch/' } FOR YOU!_**

Bloodworm and joker are one of those bait combinations that anglers either use regularly or have never used at all, there seems to be no in-between. Whether that is because of its availability, it being banned on some venues or because anglers simply don't know how to use it is unclear. What is clear however, is that fish love eating them, and when bites are at a premium, more often than not bloodworm and joker can help turn your sessions around.

We asked Lee Kerry how he gets the most from this style of fishing to help you land more fish this year...

When the temperatures hit rock bottom, bloodworm and joker are often the only baits that :a[silvers can be tempted in to eating]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/5-tips-for-winter-commercial-silvers/' }. But it is far from a miracle bait, and you must use it correctly.

The first thing to do is consider what your target species is. As I’ve said before, silverfish are often bunged into one category, but roach and skimmers behave in a very different manner.

You must feed it differently for each and the way I like to look at joker is to compare it to micro pellets. If you create a :a[small nugget of dampened micros]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/6-of-the-best-tips-to-catch-more-skimmers/' }, it will look like hardly any bait. But once it breaks down on the bottom, that could be 100 individual pellets which in winter, is quite a bit of bait. Joker is the same, with a small blob of it made up of hundreds of tiny worms.

_**WINTER FISHING CAN BE TOUGH, :a[HERE ARE SOME GREAT TIPS]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-keep-catching-on-cold-days/' } TO HELP YOU CATCH MORE FISH.**_

Joker is fed through small balls of groundbait, while bloodworm is the hookbait. I’ll take it very cautiously at the start, feeding just a few joker through my groundbait whether :a[I am using the pole]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/top-10-pole-fishing-tips/' } or feeder.

Once I start to get a feel for how many fish are in the swim, I can make educated decisions based on how much joker I can add. In short, I don’t want to overfeed what is in front of me at the start and blow my chances before I’ve even got going!

If you :a[catch four or five skimmers]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/where-to-fish/10-waters-to-bag-a-big-weight-of-bream/' } in say 45-minutes, it’s clear you have fish in front of you, but the shoal may only hold 10-15 fish. That will make me put tiny amounts of joker in with each small groundbait nugget top up to keep them occupied without filling them up.

On the flip side, if you are catching a roach every chuck then it is clear there are lot more mouths to feed, and you can up the amount without fear of ruining your chances. I’d still only top up with tiny nuggets, but they’d be richer with joker.

**_USING :a[THE BEST FISHING POLE]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/poles/the-best-poles/' } WILL HELP IMPROVE THIS STYLE OF FISHING._**

The species that I expect to dominate will also dictate the style of pole rig that I rely on. There are several variables, but the shotting patterns are the most important part of them.

If I am fishing for skimmers, :a[I’ll use my ‘six to one’ taper]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/guide-to-shotting-patterns/' }. The shot closest to the hook is just above the hooklength knot and there is then a 15cm gap to the next shot. The next shot is then 12cm away, and then 10cm after that, and so on. There is a small bulk just above the final shot of the taper. This gives a very slow fall of the hookbait in the bottom stages which I find vital. The :a[float is a 0.4g or 0.5g]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/picking-the-right-float-for-pole-fishing/' } Preston Innovations Shipper, with 0.12mm mainline to a :a[0.09mm hooklength]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/best-pole-fishing-line/' } and a size 18 SFL-B hook.

For roach, there is a shot just above the hooklength knot, another 12cm above that and then a bulk 15cm above that. It is a little more positive and I find that getting the hookbait amongst the shoal quickly is key when trying to catch roach at a decent pace. Mainline is the same, with a 0.08mm hooklength and a size 20 hook.

**_TYING A POLE RIG IS EASY, :a[FOLLOW THIS EXPERT GUIDE]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/5-must-have-silverfish-pole-rigs/' } AND YOU WILL ABLE TO MAKE THEM LIKE A PRO._**

I can’t deny that bloodworm and joker isn’t as easy to source as baits such as maggots and casters, but there are suppliers that can help you. Taffy’s Bloodworm and Mill Tackle are a couple, and the cost isn’t particularly expensive. A match pack of bloodworm and joker will set you back around £25 and, in many instances, that will last you a couple of sessions. If you added up how much you spent on other baits over two sessions, there’ll be very little difference in price. Give bloodworm and joker a go and this winter could turn out to be your most successful yet.

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Now we’re in winter, we can be faced with cold, still days, or a light wind off our back. On these days, fish will be further out from the bank, in a safe zone where they feel secure. It may not be until the latter part of the day that they come in closer to search for food.

This is why it’s so important to be flexible and carry the tools to find them, and there aren’t many methods more satisfying than a good old-fashioned waggler to go in search of fish and enjoy a brilliant day’s sport. Here's some essential tips for fishing the 'wag' from Lee Kerry...

When the water is cold, generally bites can be quite finicky, so it is always best for bite indication if you use :a[an insert waggler]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/picking-the-right-waggler-for-float-fishing/' }. Its slim tip will display every indication you receive, ensuring you know exactly what is happening in the swim and don't miss any hard-earned bites. I prefer to use a loaded float to do away with having big bulky locking shot which can damage the line.

**_IF YOU DO A LOT OF WAGGLER FISHING, YOU NEED ONE OF THE :a[BEST FLOAT RODS]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/rods/the-best-float-fishing-rods/' }..._**

Bigger :a[baits like corn]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/bait/switch-to-corn-for-winter-carp/' } and pellets can be too selective both as feed and on the hook. At this time of year, it’s hard to see past maggots, something all fish love. Steadily introduce maggots depending on how the fish react, but a good starting point would be :a[catapulting 15-20 maggots]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/the-best-fishing-catapults/' } every 2-5 minutes. If you get lots of indications then you can always up the feed.

**_IF YOU WANT PLENTY OF ACTION, HEAD TO ONE OF :a[THESE EXCELLENT VENUES]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/where-to-fish/fishing-near-me-venues-with-variety/' }._**

In the cold, :a[a long 13ft rod]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/rods/10-float-rods-for-silvers/' } will give you a few benefits. You’ll pick up line more easily on the strike, you’re in more control on the cast, and you can punch a float out a little bit further. This will allow you to use a lighter float too, which will :a[aid your presentation]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-fish-the-waggler-on-commercials/' } while landing on the water with minimal disturbance, helping to reduce the chance of spooking fish in clearer water.

**_USING :a[THE BEST LINE]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/the-best-lines-for-float-fishing/' } WILL AID YOUR CASTING AND MAKE THE WHOLE PROCESS OF FISHING SEAMLESS._**

There’s no telling what you might hook next, and a good happy medium for carp, F1s and quality silverfish would be a size 16 hook to :a[a hooklength of around 0.11mm]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/best-pole-fishing-line/' }. The stretch in mono and the softer rods will prevent you loosing fish to hook pulls or line breakages, just be sure to :a[take your time with larger fish]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-play-a-hooked-fish-correctly/' }.

**_ON COLDER DAYS YOU NEED THE :a[BEST FISHING WATERPROOFS]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/the-best-winter-waterproofs/' } TO STAY WARM AND COMFORTABLE._**

Loosefeeding maggots means that the bait will end up spreading out slightly That’s not a bad thing, because it gives you a wider area to work with and to cast around in. As the water is generally clearer in winter, if you keep hooking fish that are tightly shoaled together, the risk is they spook and move out of your swim.

Although most waggler work takes place on the bottom, there can be days when the fish will come slightly up in the water. A slow fall of the bait will find fish off the bottom.

How often in angling do you stare at your float or rod tip with utmost concentration for hours on end without so much as an indication, only to turn round, make a brew, or grab something from your bag and instantly get a bite? This happens so often it is almost as if the fish wait until we are preoccupied to take our bait in an attempt to get away with it.

On a recent social on the River Thames, anglers Sam, Omar, and Darius experienced just this; after a very uneventful few hours fishing for barbel, Darius nodded off, and within seconds of closing his eyes, a barbel dragged his rod off the rest and towards the river. Thankfully, between the anglers, they grabbed the rod resulting in a PB barbel of 18lb 12oz, making the capture even more memorable.

"We had been thinking about a social fishing session for the three of us, as we hadn’t met up or fished together much this season due to life’s many demands," Darius told us.

"Sam and Omar decided to take me to a spot they had fished before, believing it was probably our best chance to fish and :a[find some slack water]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/catch-a-floodwater-barbel/' } after all the recent rainfall," he added.

"We were all using one rod each, :a[baited with luncheon meat]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/bait/the-best-meat-baits-for-fishing/' }. About an hour into the session, Omar had a savage knock, so we realised there were some fish in the area."

_**IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR ROD, CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO :a[THE BEST BARBEL RODS]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/rods/best-barbel-fishing-rods/' } TO REPLACE IT!**_

Despite their best efforts, the trio received very little activity for the next few hours so Darius decided to change tactics slightly. :a[Opting for a boilie hookbait]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-catch-barbel-using-boilies/' }, he cast a little further into the river hoping it would bring him a change of fortune.

"I remember being incredibly :a[comfortable in my chair]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/six-great-fishing-chairs/' }, and after a long day I must have drifted off to sleep for a second."

"I just recall being woken up by my rod clattering onto the bank as a fish pulled my bankstick over," Darius revealed to us.

"Thankfully, I was up on my feet within seconds and managed to grab the rod as it was tearing towards the river. As soon as I got hold of it I knew :a[something special was on the end]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/river-fishing-tipsor-how-to-catch-barbel-while-fishing-a-river/' }."

"The fight was unreal. When we all saw it, we instantly knew it was the biggest fish we’d ever seen in person. It looked massive in the water, and even more so on :a[the landing mat]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/the-best-unhooking-mats/' }."

"When it came time to weigh it, Omar kept saying, 'It’s not a 14, and it’s not a 16. This fish is bigger, guys'.”

With that, Darius was left shaking with excitement, after almost losing faith he would get a bite, to potentially having his rod stolen by a fish, to now staring at the biggest barbel any of them had ever seen; he struggled to comprehend the turnaround in events.

"The two scales showed 18lb 12oz—a fish of a lifetime! Words can’t do it justice, but the Thames is full of hidden treasures in its deep waters, which makes it such an exciting place to fish."

"It is a fish I will never forget, and a memorable story we have to reminisce over on our fishing sessions in the future," he said.

**_IF YOU WANT TO CATCH A BIG BARBEL, CHECK OUT ONE OF :a[THESE EXCELLENT STRETCHES OF RIVER]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/where-to-fish/where-to-fish-catch-a-double-figure-barbel/' }._**

Pole fishing is a great way of targeting carp on commercial fisheries and the rig you choose will impact how successful you are at catching them. While you can buy ready-made rigs, when you learn to tie your own you can have much more flexibility with what terminal tackle you use, and it's much more satisfying catching a fish on something you made yourself.

In this article I plan on giving the :a[fundamentals of rig making]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/rigs/a-painless-path-to-pole-rig-making-steve-ringer/' } in order for you to create my five must have carp rigs, that will ensure you are prepared to tackle any situation your chosen swim could present.

The :a[perfect choice of float]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/picking-the-right-float-for-pole-fishing/' } pattern is one with a long slim body, that is stable but offers sensitivity, my choice would be one in 0.4g (4x16), and a carbon stem with a 2mm bristle. Use a 5lb (0.16mm diameter) mainline, a 4lb (0.14mm diameter) 10cm :a[hooklength with a band]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/how-to-pick-the-right-hooklength-on-commercials/' }, and some No9 shot.

Mount the float on to the main line, below the float, add the shotting pattern and on this rig a simple ‘strung bulk’ with the No9 shot placed at equal 5cm intervals.

The final shot of the 'strung bulk' should be placed right against the loop :a[tied in the mainline]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/accessories/best-pole-fishing-line/' } to attach the 10cm hooklength. Attach the hooklength with a loop to loop connection and you have the completed pellet rig.

**_THESE RIGS ARE BEST USED ON ONE OF THE :a[BEST FISHING POLES]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/tackle-reviews/poles/the-best-poles/' }, OUR GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THE BEST_**.

The key to a :a[good shallow rig]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/5-tips-for-carp-shallow/' } is avoiding tangles, therefore a float choice should be something you can see, a dibber or short float with a visible bristle is perfect.

My choice would be a round bodied float with 2.5mm tip no longer than 15cm in length. Float size should be 0.2g (4x12), mounted as normal using silicon to a strong but stiff 6lb (0.18mm) mainline and a 15cm, 4lb (0.14mm) hooklength with a band.

Place the bulk of 4 No 9 shot above the loop to loop hooklength connection. This should keep the rig from tangling if you chose to :a[rotate or 'slap' the rig]{href='https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/advice/tips/fishing-shallow-on-commercials-jamie-hughes/' } or when shipping.

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