Location

Location is the most important Part in Carp Fishing. Find somewhere that you can easily get to. It can take quite a few trips to a new water to really learn it and understand where the carp patrol and hang out, so don't join a water 100 miles from home unless you are sure that you will be able to get there often. If you intend fishing long sessions, then fine, but if you envisage fishing after work for a few hours, then you need a water on your doorstep.

Build yourself up a list of the waters available to you, look out for reports in the angling press and local papers, check out our venues section, and then start to remove any from your list which are too far away, too expensive or don't hold the fish you want to catch. Also look at facilities on offer. Showers, toilets and a shop on site are great if you want to fish weekends or more, or a local garage or shop where you can pick up essential supplies is useful.

Now to narrow the list down. Visit as many of the fisheries as you can. Walk round them. Look at the swims and the access available. Can you park near the fishery? Can you get your tackle to the swims without embarking on a cross-country hike? Is the water so packed with other anglers that the only swim available is almost un-fishable? Talk to the owner or bailiff if possible and to other anglers, although don't disturb their fishing. Find out how well it is fishing and also ask about any fishery rules that may be relevant to you. For example if boilies are banned on the water and you are after catching a big carp, this may put you off.

Do your homework and you should be rewarded with the right fishery for you. And don't forget to use our venue section and see if there are any venues listed near you. It's free and the more you use it, the more useful it will become. If you find any venues that we don't have listed, add them so that others may benefit from your new-found knowledge. Don't worry if you don't have any pictures to start with, these are easily added later.

You can also ask in the forum whether anyone else can recommend a carp fishery near you. Again this is a free service and you might just find the perfect venue for the asking of a question.