How to Fish Carp With a Float

Some fishermen consider carp a delicious meal, particularly after they are smoked. Others consider carp nothing but a nuisance and call them a "rough fish." But whatever their feelings, there is little disagreement that carp are one of the strongest and hardest fighting fish in fresh water. Anglers who target carp specifically use a variety methods, one of which is fishing with a float.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Rod and reel
Fishing line
Float
Hook
Sinkers
Carp bait

Step 1

Select your tackle. Choose a float small enough to allow carp to pull it under the water without feeling much resistance. You will get more leverage for the hook-set by using a 7-foot fishing rod, and the weights must be heavy enough to hold the bait on the bottom. Kernels of corn, a gob of nightcrawlers, or a ball of dough are good baits.

Step 2

Attach the float to your line, then attach the sinkers about 7 inches above the end of the fishing line. Last, tie a hook to the end of the line.

Step 3

Adjust your float so it sits upright when your bait is on the bottom. It is important to keep your bait on the bottom of the lake or river, since carp are primarily a bottom-feeding fish.

Step 4

Target shallow, soft-bottomed areas where carp are visible as they eat or spawn. It is easy to tell when carp are in shallow water because they stir up sediment on the bottom. Cast into these shallow areas until you get a carp to bite.

Step 5

Set the hook several seconds after your float plunges beneath the water. Carp may put their mouth on your bait without actually biting it, so giving the fish a few seconds to take the bait and hook into its mouth will ensure that when you set the hook, you will set it into the carp's mouth.

Tips & Warnings

While carp may make a lot of noise as they thrash around in shallow water, be quiet and approach them with stealth. They are sensitive to movement and if they sense your presence, they may swim away.

Article Written By Larry Anderson

Larry Anderson has been a freelance writer since 2000. He has covered a wide variety of topics, from golf and baseball to hunting and fishing. His work has appeared in numerous print and online publications, including "Fargo Forum" newspaper. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism from Concordia College.

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