I receive a lot of carp fishing questions on post comments, and in my inbox, often based around my articles.
For this reason, I have decided to put together a huge collection of carp fishing ‘frequently asked questions’ all in one place!
I have tried my best (what a task it was!) to seperate questions into relevant categories.
Please feel free to direct fellow anglers to this section.
Common Terms
What is a carp?
Part of the Cyprinidae freshwater fish family native to Europe & Asia. Carp are primarily bottom feeders and can live for up to 40 years.
What does 'angler' mean?
An angler is described as somebody who fishes with a rod and reel, or pole. Angling is a person who participates in the catch and release of fish using a rod, line and hook.
What does 'bank' mean?
Often described as the terrain around the edge of a body of water.
What does a 'blank' or 'blanking' mean?
A blank us usually a term used in rod building to describe the manufacturing material used to create a fishing rod. To 'blank' means an angler hasn't caught anything on a fishing trip (usually myself!)
What does 'playing a fish' mean?
The act of keeping the line tight without it breaking when hooked into a fish. If the fish pulls hard, or kites off left or right, you should let it take line.
What's watercraft?
When anglers talk about watercraft, they mean learning about the fishing conditions, such as weather, wind direction and water (such as depth, colourations and oxygen levels) Used to discover a good location for catching fish.
Rods
What is rod action?
The action of a rod describes flexibility. This ranges from fast, which are stiffer, but bend more at the tip, to slow which are more flexible, sometimes the whole length.
What are rod guides?
These are the wire loops, or rings, on a carp rod where line passes through to the tip.
Reels
What is a baitrunner?
A special kind of reel that features a rear drag system with a lever at the back. Used so a hooked fish can peel line off the reel, but when activated, the normal drag setting is resumed.
What does breaking strain mean?
A measurement of line strength, the breaking strain is the point at which the line will snap. Usually measured in pounds (lbs). The age of the line can often reduce the breaking strain due to wear and tear.
What is a bail arm?
This is the metal wire part of a fixed spool reel. The job of this is to guide the line onto the spool when reeling in.
What is a reel seat?
A reel seat is located towards the butt of a rod. It is the part where your reel is fitted to the rod. A thread screw is used to make sure your reel fits snugly and wont fall off.
What are ball bearings?
These are small metal balls which are added to the reel mechanism. They make reeling in smoother. Usually, the more ball bearings there, the smoother the action.
What does gear ratio mean?
Gear ratio is the speed of the reel and determines how much line is wound around the spool per turn of the handle. For example, a reel with a gear ratio of 8:3:1 represents 83cm per 1 full turn of the handle.
What does a bait clip do?
This is a recessed piece of metal or plastic located around the base of the reel. It is used to clip line into place when reels are not in use, or during casting when marking up distances.
What is backing line?
The use of old fishing line to fill out a reel when re-spooling. It can be a good money saver too!
Rigs
What is a hair rig?
A method of attaching a hook bait to your hook. A thin piece of line or braid is used to hang your bait off the back or bottom of a hook at a set distance.
What is a hooklink?
A short length of line or braid that site between a lead setup and a hook. The purpose of it is that it will always break at the weakest point. If the hook is tied direct to the mainline the break could occur anywhere between the rod tip and hook, if a fish is hooked and breaks free this could leave the fish to swim about with yards of line attached to it.
What is a hook shank?
The long top section of a hook.
What is PVA fishing?
PVA mesh, or a PVA bag, is a thin material that slowly dissolves when in contact with water. Anglers will often fill these with baits, such as pellets and chopped boilies, and then place a rig inside. This can then be cast to an area of your choosing.
Bait
What is a boilie?
A round-shaped hook bait made up of many ingredients. Available in a range of sizes and colours. A common bait associated with carp angling.
What is a pop up?
Refers to a buoyant bait, often similar to a boilie, that can be used to fish off the bottom or simply as a floating hook bait.
What is a bait needle for?
A great little tool that has a hook-shaped point. Ideal for placing hook baits, such as a boilie, onto a hair rig. Makes placing a bait stop, used to prevent bait from falling off, easier!
What is particle fishing?
Used for pre-baiting, spodding and in groundbait, particles can include hemp, seed, pulses, beans and maize.
What is a wafter bait?
A wafter is essentially a cross between a standard bottom wait, such as a boilie, and a pop up. A wafter bait has the characteristics of both. The added buoyancy makes the wafter sit just above the bottom. This can be controlled, or countered, by the weight of the hook you use.
Other Carp Tackle
What is a bait boat used for?
A remote-controlled boat used to place a rig or bait over a specified area. Useful when fishing in remote parts that can be difficult to reach with a rod, for example, under trees or at distance.
What is a bobbin, and what is it used for?
Used to measure bite indication, a bobbin is placed from a bite alarm and connects to your fishing line. It can be set in various ways and is commonly used as an alternative method to registering a bite. Also great for any dropbacks, which is when carp swim towards you without setting off your bite alarm!
What is a bite alarm for?
A bite alarm is an electronic device used to detect a bite. Your rod sits into a v-shaped groove, similar to a rod rest. Line movement triggers an audible sound.
What is a bivvy?
A bivvy is a dome shaped shelter, often with a large opening at the front so you fish under it.
What is a carp sling used for?
Designed to weigh one fish at a time, it compromises of soft material with holes in to ensure the fish is safe at all times. Loops allow anglers to weigh the fish using weighing scales.
What does a controller float do?
Short and stubby, these are pre-weighted fishing floats for presenting baits on the surface. Commonly used during warm weather when carp are present in these upper layers.
What is end tackle?
Made up of many components including leads, hooks, lead clips, hook links, beads, swivels and the like.
What is fluorocarbon line?
A type of fishing line that is invisible below the waters surface.
Hi Danielle! I find your post quite insightful. As a newbie angler, I have acquired a huge amount of knowledge from your post. My confidence is high now. Thanks!