Carp Articles - Gardner Tackle

Articles all about carp fishing written by our dedicated carp angler team. With a wealth of experience and skill, these articles will interest and help all carp anglers at whatever level of ability.

Carp Fishing – Autumn Tactics- Andy Grenfell

Carp Fishing – Autumn Tactics- Andy Grenfell

If ever a rig was purpose made for a season, the Hinge Stiff rig, for me, was made for autumn. That’s not to say I don’t use it at other times of year, but from around September onwards, as the weed beds begin to die back and the leaves are starting to fall from the trees, this rig for me becomes my number one choice.

November 7th, 2023|Andy Grenfell articles, Articles, Carp Articles|

Carp Fishing – Success on the Surface- Sam Beswick

Carp Fishing – Success on the Surface- Sam Beswick

It’s not only a summer tactic it can be effective throughout the seasons, if it’s in your armoury you’re already a few steps ahead of many other anglers, personally I never leave home without a bucket of floaters now.

May 25th, 2023|Articles, Carp Articles, Sam Beswick Articles|

Carp Fishing – Wet, Windy and Wild, Welly Winter – Carl Udry

Carp Fishing – Wet, Windy and Wild, Welly Winter – Carl Udry

Welly is generally very shallow with average depths of only 4-5ft. It does drop deeper in some specific areas, but the majority is consistent in depth. This is what can make it productive in the winter if you do the classic things like stay mobile and keep eyes and ears always open.

March 15th, 2023|Articles, Carl Udry Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports|

Carp Fishing – Spring approach on Redmire – Levi Rees

Carp Fishing – Spring approach on Redmire – Levi Rees

I tend to stay up late and wake up extra early as this gives me the extra hours of listening and watching time that could nail down the location and leads to that end goal of a capture.

February 24th, 2023|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Levi Rees|

Carp Fishing – Fishing Weedy Waters – Rick Golder

Carp Fishing – Fishing Weedy Waters – Rick Golder

I have always enjoyed the challenge of fishing weedy waters, but it can be tricky to master them sometimes, although when you do, it can be a confidence to be taken forward to many places afterwards.

October 6th, 2022|Articles, Carp Articles, Rick Golder Articles|

Carp Fishing – Solitude on Shalford – Carl Udry

Carp Fishing – Solitude on Shalford – Carl Udry

It was really difficult to establish any portfolio of exactly what carp were present. The biggest known mirror in the lake was named ‘Megan’ apparently. I was told that one spun the scales to just over 30lb.

June 15th, 2022|Articles, Carl Udry Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports|

Carp Fishing – Spring Gold Tactics – Rick Golder

Carp Fishing – Spring Gold Tactics – Rick Golder

Spring is the time of the year I, like most carp anglers, look forward to the most. Not only are the longer days and lighter evenings so much more pleasant than the long winter ones, but also the rewards are there be had and when the fish are often at their easiest to catch.

April 20th, 2022|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Hints and Tips, Rick Golder Articles, Rig Guidance|

Carp Fishing – Best of Both Worlds – Matt Eaton

Carp Fishing – Best of Both Worlds – Matt Eaton

Pressured carp can be very adept at ejecting rigs and swapping over to a stiff boom has made the difference when fish have been getting away with it. I’m sure the rigid boom makes for the most effective and difficult to deal with...

March 23rd, 2022|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Hints and Tips, Carp Rig Tying, Hints and Tips, Matt Eaton Articles, Rig Knowledge, Rig Tying|

Carp Fishing – Over Before It Began – Matt Eaton

Carp Fishing – Over Before It Began – Matt Eaton

I embarked on a campaign for the biggest carp in my locality – a very big carp indeed. Some had caught it quickly, however, I knew one or two extremely tidy anglers that had been fishing for this beast for several years...

March 10th, 2022|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Catch Reports, Matt Eaton Articles|

Carp Fishing – The Local Lin – Wesley Coggeshall

Carp Fishing – The Local Lin – Wesley Coggeshall

I first came across ‘The Local Lin’ when Sticky Baits posted a picture of it on their social media and I remember thinking, what a carp it was! A unique fish, jet black with a tiny mouth and a very small tail and I knew it had gone over the 40lb mark!

March 4th, 2022|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Catch Reports|

Carp Fishing – Review of 2021 – Rick Golder

Carp Fishing – Review of 2021 – Rick Golder

I was really impressed with the Noir, it was a lovely black colour and had a fluorocarbon weave in it which meant it sank superbly, but with zero stretch I knew it would help me ensure I was fishing spots with maximum accuracy, as well as a feel beyond what you can achieve with any mono.

February 18th, 2022|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Catch Reports, Rick Golder Articles|

Carp Fishing – A Year in Reflection – by Andrew Grenfell

Carp Fishing – A Year in Reflection – by Andrew Grenfell

Generally, in winters gone by I’ve either continued on my chosen venue for my target or started a new winter campaign elsewhere. With travel restricted, I was limited in my options, and the routine post-Christmas socials were postponed.

January 21st, 2022|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Catch Reports|

Carp Fishing – My First Year on Kingsmead 1 – Jack Cox

Carp Fishing – My First Year on Kingsmead 1 – Jack Cox

I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect week and I ended up having 9 fish that week with 5 of them being over 35lb, topped off with one of the most wanted fish on the complex known as The Upfront Common.

January 19th, 2022|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Catch Reports|

Carp Fishing – Frozen Findings – Matt Eaton

Carp Fishing – Frozen Findings – Matt Eaton

In common with my warm weather fishing I usually take a fairly freestyle approach to finding fish during the cold months. The main reason is that, if there’s one thing I’ve concluded, they are where they are and I’ve found it vital to keep an open mind with regard to the carps’ whereabouts and feeding areas.

December 22nd, 2021|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Catch Reports, Matt Eaton Articles|

Carp Fishing – Autumn on Blue Pool – Carl Udry

Carp Fishing – Autumn on Blue Pool – Carl Udry

After participating in the annual Gardner Tackle social in Autumn 2020 at Burghfield Blue Pool, I really liked what this quirky pool had to offer. An intimate 4 acre lake tucked in amongst some of the best carp lakes the Thames Valley has to offer.

December 8th, 2021|Articles, Carl Udry Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Catch Reports|

Carp Fishing – Location, Location, Location – Jim Chisnall

Carp Fishing – Location, Location, Location – Jim Chisnall

Location of carp in the colder months can be hard… There are multiple factors that put the odds into your favour and against your favour. Size of lake, stock, depth, climate, angling pressure, bait restrictions, club or syndicate rules and everyone’s love or hate “time”.

November 26th, 2021|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Hints and Tips, Hints and Tips, James Chisnall Articles|

Carp Fishing – The Boating Lake – Sam Beswick

Carp Fishing – The Boating Lake – Sam Beswick

The start of a new challenge is always exciting and after hearing about a special big scaley mirror and then seeing some photos, it was one that I was desperate to have in my album. The venue in question was a large 60 plus acre boating lake with a relatively low stock of carp.

September 22nd, 2021|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Catch Reports|

Carp Fishing – Ask The Experts – Summer Spots?

Carp Fishing – Ask The Experts – Summer Spots?

Question: Summer Spots/Zones? What are you looking for during the warmer months, and what adjustments do you make to your line and rig concealment when fishing these "different" spots? We ask Wes Coggeshall, Carl Udry and Dan Chart.

September 7th, 2021|Articles, Ask The Experts, Carp Articles, Carp Hints and Tips, Hints and Tips|

Carp Fishing – Return to Crayfish Pool – Rick Golder

Carp Fishing – Return to Crayfish Pool – Rick Golder

It was now close in, but staying deep, and it was a further 5 minutes of arm ache before I got a look at it. I saw the cluster of scales near the tail, and the distinctive round body shape, confirming what I already knew, it was the unmistakable SP. It wasn’t finished yet though, despite me praying for it to just give up, and twice having it over my outstretched net...

August 25th, 2021|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Catch Reports, Catch Reports, Rick Golder Articles|

Carp Fishing – A Confident Approach – Harry Hogan

Carp Fishing – A Confident Approach – Harry Hogan

Ultimately, I always want to be sitting behind my rods knowing I have full confidence that I am on fish and fishing effectively for them! In my opinion, confidence catches you fish. My honest advice would be to never go to a new lake, fishing rigs or bait that you’ve never used before....

July 14th, 2021|Articles, Carp Articles, Carp Hints and Tips, Hints and Tips, Rig Guidance, Rig Knowledge|

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