8 Of The Best Day-Ticket Tips

1. Walk the lake with your bucket, or even all the lakes, before deciding where to fish. Wherever possible set up on signs of carp rather than picking ‘fancied’ swims.

2. If carp are in front of you start with tactics that give you a chance of early success, like solid PVA bags, single pop-ups or zigs in warmer weather.

3. If you are fishing for later look for a suitable spot with a 3 to 4oz lead and braided main line. A hard, smooth bottom is a reliable starting point, particularly among silt or weed.

4. Use Spot On Stix to measure wraps so you know the distance to clip lines so rigs land over the bait. Pole elastic markers knotted on the line help you recast quickly and accurately.

5. Seven spods of a simple boilie, flake, corn and liquid mix over the top of the spot is the most reliable starting point. Let the liquid soak in before feeding to soften the mix.

6. A tangle-free rig that resets itself will help you catch more. The Ronnie rig with a semi-stiff 25lb boom, Fang Gyro and Cultured pop-up is Max’s current choice.

7. The first bite is the hardest to get, but once you catch a carp more should follow. Top up with more free bait when the carp is in the net, and recast the rod if possible before weighing and photos.

8. Don’t disturb the swim at times when there is a chance of action. When the lake is quiet top up the spot, and reposition all three rods accurately so you are fishing effectively when the carp are feeding more enthusiastically.

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