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Many more UK carp anglers are venturing abroad for their carp fishing holidays with France being probably the most popular. France has so much to offer the carp fisherman with masses of lakes and reservoirs and hundreds of miles of waterways most of which contain large carp. There are now numerous businesses providing guided carp fishing in France on commercial lakes with travel and food catered for as well as numerous private lakes exactly where you are able to book a peg or hire out the venue exclusively on a drive and survive basis.

Numerous french carp waters and rivers include big carp with the climate in France being ideal for carp growth as well as the large quantities of high protein bait being introduced on a normal basis each contributing to carp growing to record sizes. With the carp record now over 90lb and most lakes providing 40lb plus carp France offers the carp angler on holiday fish far bigger than their United Kingdom counterparts.

So you’ve selected your dream carp fishing holiday lake in France and booked your car ferry what items of tackle and bait do you’ll need?

If you have selected a commercial type venue or perhaps an estate type french lake for your holiday then your tackle might not differ an excessive amount of from the gear you use in the United Kingdom. Rods of 2.75-3lbTC becoming the most popular, baitrunner type reels or big pits if you expect to cast some distance are the norm. A 42″+ landing net and big unhooking mat will probably be essential also as your bivvy, bedchair, sleeping bag and all of the regular camping gear you use for a session in the UK. If you have selected a large reservoir then you may need to consider a boat and echo sounder to fish the carpy locations, research you french holiday venue and be prepared.

The bait and the amount you take on your carp fishing holiday in france will differ from venue to lake and stock levels so advice should be taken from the owner or organiser but boilies and pellets are recognised from the off on most french carp lakes as well as seed and nut type baits (make sure these are properly prepared). Remeber a large shoal of 30lb+ carp can mop up a lot of bait so make certain you’ve enough to keep them feeding in your swim if they are there. If you are taking big quantities of boilies with you on your holiday and there are none or limited freezer facilities than you may want to consider air drying your boilies at the venue or before you go away to prevent them spoiling.

So you’ve chosen your carp fishing holiday venue and also the needed baits its now time to study the going pegs and the winning tactics to make your holiday is a triumph. Talk to the owner/organiser for any guidance they may want to divulge (after all its in their interest to help you score so you’ll tell all of your mates what a good week you had), the many message boards on the web are also a great reference point for gathering inside information.

The time of year you plan to fish might affect the peg choice e.g. spring/early summer fish might be gathering in the shallows in preperation for spawning, late summer autumn the deeper areas may be much more effective, try to learn as much concerning the topography of the venue prior to arrival and take into consideration the prevailing wind direction, heavily pressured areas, inflows and so on.

On arrival make a detailed map of your chosen swim noting all depth modifications, bars, weed growth, areas of silt/gravel and reference points in the distance for precise casting in the dark. Try to guess the carp’s patrol channels and natural feeding locations and choose ambush points to present your bait. Keep your eyes peeled and ears alert the fish will normally give the game away at some point, make a note of all fish shows, and try a single attractor bait in these locations if they’re off the baited patches.

Apply your bait gradually all through your session and do not pile it in on day one (you cannot take it out !). If you’re receiving action continue keep the areas topped up with bait following each fish which includes throughout the night to keep the fish interested.

An additional important factor to think about are line angles, attempt to keep your lines as inconspicuous as feasible and if you are fishing a fairly even bottom then backleads or slack line tactics will be useful as a tight line through the peg will spell danger towards the carp. Another good tip is to rest locations in quiet periods, take the rigs out and let the fish acquire confidence within the bait.

When you have different depths in your swim it’s a great concept to put your traps at various depths, if one region is consistently productive it may be worth looking for that depth in an additional region of the swim obviously a comfy feeding depth. Also various bottom make ups, attempt one in the silt, one on a hard or gravel bottom. Weed beds are usually magnets for carp so baits placed next to weed are a good bet in any swim.

Be consistent, experiment with locations and baiting strategies and in the event you discover a successful technique stick with it and haul them. Great luck with your carp fishing holiday in france, do not forget your camera and sun lotion and enjoy your self!

For more information on Carp Fishing Holidays in France click the link or visit our Carp Fishing In France blog.