We will cover: a bit about carp, tackle required, set up, baits to use, locations to try, techniques and strategies and useful extra items to have. Finally, a bit about fishing safety.
Carp, about the fish.
Carp are an introduced species and are not native to Australia. They are widespread throughout the ACT and NSW and are found in lakes and rivers. Carp will make up the bulk of captures in the local lakes around Canberra as they are the most abundant species.
Carp can grow to a large size upwards of a metre in length and over 10 kilos in weight. With this in mind it’s best not to fish with too light a tackle set up. They are not real picky in what they eat and can be caught fairly easily throughout the year especially in the warmer months.
Please be thoughtful about what you do with the fish you catch. As they are considered a pest species they should not be returned to the water once caught. It is not illegal to release them into the same water, but they cannot be moved to new waters or used as bait alive for other species. They can be taken and used as dead baits filleted etc especially in salt water.
Carp tackle.
A light to medium rod 2 to 2.5 metres in length and a 2000 size reel will be perfect for carp fishing. There are specialist outfits available for carp fishing but generally they are not required. Lines either monofilament or braid in 6 to 10 pound (3 to 5 kilos) breaking strain will be fine. A monofilament trace of 500 mm to 1 metre in length of 5-6 kilos breaking strain is useful as carp can rub along the bottom or against sticks in the water. Carp have a spine on the back (dorsal) that can catch the line and rub the line through if you fish too light.
A hook of size 2 to 6 depending on bait used is a good size to use. Bait holder or straight shank hook types can be used. If using worms a long shank variety is best. A slightly larger hook won’t put them off as large carp are frequently caught whilst targeting native fish like cod or yellow belly.
A small sinker is usually only required fishing lake or still waters. If fishing a river them adjust for the current. If you are using larger baits like yabbies or dough baits then a sinker may not be required as the weight may be enough to cast.
Set up.
Rigs for carp should be kept simple with a standard running sinker rig and a trace tied to a swivel is all that is required. A paternoster rig can be used and can be useful if a 2 hook rig is being used.
Hooks for different baits used. Bait holder hooks are the most common. Choose the best quality you can afford. Chemically sharpened are the best. Size 2 to 4 are perfect for using corn, bread baits and small garden worms. Wide gape hooks up to 1/0 are best for yabbies and cheese. Long shank hooks up to 1/0 for large worms like scrub worms.
Baits to use.
Carp will readily take a variety of baits. Small fish 30 to 50cm long tend to be caught on garden worms, bread and dough baits and corn kernels. Large fish 60 cm plus will take yabbies, large bread baits, scrub worms and other baits like cheese cubes and chicken strips. They are often caught whilst fishing for cod and yellow belly.
Locations.
Any of the lakes around Canberra have carp in them. Popular spots are Lake Burley Griffen and Lake Tuggeranong. To find productive spots it is useful to walk around the lakes on the weekend to see where people are fishing. Easily accessed spots tend to be fished the most. Popular spots may be good as they are burleyed a lot.
Generally, any spot that has a clear bank and 2 metres of water within a good cast will be okay. The lakes have rock walls around parts of their edges so a long-handled landing net can help when landing a decent fish. Signs of fish scales on the bank or locations with paths leading to them along the bank are productive spots.
Locations for big carp may not be obvious as trophy chasers will fish early and late and remove signs of their presence. Surfing the internet for carp forums or attend your local fishing club meetings might help locate their secret spots!
Techniques and strategies to try.
Try and fish with someone who has done it before. You can learn from their experience. Local fishing clubs are a good start. Internet forums may help as well. Time on the water fishing different spots will give the best results. Carp don’t bite all the time so try sunrise and sunset periods especially in the warmer months.
Try different baits on your rods if fishing 2 rods. You are allowed to fish 2 rods in the ACT. Try in close on one rod and further out on the other rod. Give your chosen spot a few hours efore giving up or moving to a new spot. We have had a late bite come on after a few quiet hours.
Take burley with you as this can help. A good burley mix is bread, weetbix, corn kernels, chicken pellets and a flavour adder like aniseed or strawberry essence. Google carp burley recipes as they are popular with competition anglers. Remember not to burley too much as this will pollute the water and hinder the bite. A little and irregularly is the go.
Useful other equipment to have.
Carp fishing can have many gadgets and extra equipment to have. Competition anglers have lots of gear to help them to make the catching more productive. This might include purpose-built rod holders, bite alarms or bite indicators, specialist carp hooks and rigs. These are not necessary but strong rod holders to prevent your rod being pulled in are. Rod bells to indicate a bite are cheap and good to have.
A comfortable chair to sit on that is portable is very useful. A small head torch for early starts and into the night is also handy. A small cooler bag with a cooler brick in it can help keep your baits fresh and healthy (worms don’t like the heat) plus keep your drinks and snacks cool.
A long handled net, fishing pliers, protective gloves and a brag mat for measuring your fish along with a quality weighing scale will prove your capture for all your fishing mates! Don’t forget your camera to keep a record of your captures, dates and times etc. Useful for future trips.
A weighted fish donger to dispatch your capture if keeping it is the best way to humanely deal with the fish. Please dispose of your unwanted carp into waste bins or use for garden manure or baits for coast fishing.
Do not leave on the bank as this is unsightly, leaves fisherman with a bad reputation and attracts feral animals and stinks up the area that others may want to use.
Fishing safety.
A few words on safety whilst fishing. Be careful when you fish. It is always good to fish with another person to have someone to help if something goes wrong. Fishing equipment can entail sharp hooks, knives and sinkers / rigs being cast and retrieved. Be mindful of your surroundings and others nearby. Snagged tackle can be dangerous when trying to get unsnagged. Point your rod away from you when doing this. A straight pull may be required to free the line to prevent breaking your rod.
Always take protective clothing when fishing in the sun, sunscreen and gloves are a good idea. A face covering or buff is advised as well. Tell someone where you are and when you are due back. A first aid kit in your car is handy for minor incidents. Do not try to remove hooks if you accidentally get caught in your skin if you don’t know what you are doing. Seek medical help promptly.
As a final thing take home your rubbish and probably others as well to keep your spot clean and safe for other users and native wildlife. Leaving a mess will only give fishermen a bad rap and cause fishing to be banned which none of us wants.
Good luck in your adventures and stay safe out there.
Article by Chris Lemmon