| One of the most important points to get right when | | | | fairly quiet for carp to become settled for a few |
| river fishing for carp is to know exactly where to | | | | months. |
| fish. In other words, location, location, location! | | | | Fishing the river margins can produce good results to. |
| You want to locate a good feature somewhere | | | | River margins will often drop-off quickly to form a |
| along the river. These can be very similar to those | | | | shelf where food items can gather together and |
| found in lakes and ponds. Places where carp can hold | | | | provide fish with regular supplies of food. Placing a |
| up in piece and quiet are good places to start, | | | | fishing rig at the bottom of the shelf can produce |
| especially if there is some kind of coverage. | | | | numerous carp catches. |
| Some features worth looking for are: | | | | Other areas that can gather food items are in the |
| - reed beds | | | | snags. Margin snags on rivers will hold food items as |
| - overhanging trees | | | | they try to pass through. Snags also provide good |
| - flowing water | | | | shelter for many river carp. Learn more about fishing |
| - water outlet or inlets | | | | snags for large carp. |
| Overhanging trees and reeds can be common along a | | | | Remember that seeing carp jump out the water may |
| river so you may need to find those that have | | | | not be the best way to select where to fish. On a |
| further potential to them. As an example, | | | | river the carp can move out very quickly. I feel it |
| overhanging bushes or trees that are in places where | | | | may be best to stick to those features that have |
| the river meets another water body may be | | | | the potential to hold carp, such as those which offer |
| productive features. The currents often help deposit | | | | a regular food source or coverage rather than |
| food sources around the edges where both the | | | | waiting to see fish jump. By all means, cast to fish |
| flows meet together. | | | | that jump once you are fishing, but I wouldn't use |
| Weed beds and lily pads can be some great features | | | | that sight as to where I choose to set up. |
| to find on rivers as well as in many lakes. The weed | | | | As a baiting tactic, I feel it's very important to |
| beds help "catch" and hold food items in place, thus, | | | | pre-bait a potential swim 2 or 3 days before fishing |
| there is a reason why carp may come back to visit | | | | the river. This is a great way to hold any passing |
| them on a regular basis. | | | | carp in your chosen area. Pre-baiting also helps to |
| Fast flowing water can be great places in the | | | | "clear" the area from the smaller fish, and you can |
| summer, the water gets oxygenated at these places | | | | then present a bait better for when carp move in. |
| and as a result draw in many carp. Weirs can also be | | | | Keep in mind that river carp are much more active |
| a productive feature for carp fishing on rivers as well | | | | than those in lakes. This is because they need to |
| as large groups of moored boats. These offer carp | | | | constantly adjust themselves due to the water |
| some security and warmth, as well as food sources | | | | currents, and means they need to ingest more |
| so don't be afraid to fish by moored up boats, | | | | energy, and thus food. For this reason, a very good |
| especially during the colder months as boat owners | | | | spot that provides them with regular food will be a |
| may not use them as much. This makes these areas | | | | potential river hotspot! |