From Novice to Catching a Record-Breaking Carp!

In this article, angler Thom Colbert shares his first four months of angling and catching the largest carp ever caught at Lakeland Fishery! 

I am Thom Colbert, and I’m thrilled to share my three-month journey into carp fishing with Angling Direct.

From advice received on the bank, and strategic baiting techniques I've embraced, blending elements from Angling Direct and questionable treasures discovered on online marketplaces. 

Crafting an Ensemble of Carp Fishing Gear

In the beginning, my fishing gear took shape as a unique ensemble. I had a blend of Angling Direct's fantastic array of end-tackle and budget-friendly items from online marketplaces. Some ideal beginner terminal tackle for carp fishing:

Second-Hand Fishing Tackle

When purchasing fishing tackle from online marketplaces, I did not have too much luck. Here I received a fishing bed chair broken in three separate pieces, a bivvy that had a hole in it and a trio of mismatched bite alarms —all symbolic of adaptability triumphing over convention.

Navigating Carp Fishing with Angling Direct 

Angling Direct became my compass through the intricacies of carp fishing, offering not only fantastic gear but invaluable advice. A standout gem was advice surrounding the enhancement of my wafter bait. A process involving a dash of glug and the infusion of live systems. These crucial elements transformed my bait into irresistible little balls of fury.

Enhanced Wafter Hookbait: A Show-Stopping Attraction

My baiting technique evolved into a cookery masterclass, In my pursuit of excellence, I experimented with various recipes. I soaked my wafter hookbait in Manilla Glug, creating an enticing foundation. 

Subsequently, I coated it with CC Moore Live System and subjected it to a brief stint in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes. This innovative method birthed wafters with perfect buoyancy, unleashing an attractive spectacle in the water—an irresistible charm for any carp.

Strategic Baiting Techniques: A Recipe for Success

I combined my enhanced Mainline Essential Cell Wafters, Essential Cell Boilies, and Sticky Baits Manilla Session Pack (inclusive of Manilla Glug). The Nash PVA bag system, with its fantastic application process, simplified the creation of this stunning cocktail. 

The strategic layering of Sticky Baits Session Mix, followed by my hook bait, Essential Cell Boilies, a dash of glug, and crowned with more Sticky Baits Manilla Mix, ensured a tempting and varied spread for the discerning carp.

The Midnight Marvel: Mirror Carp Surprise

Armed with this powerful mix, on my FIRST solo fishing expedition, I cast out my rods on the aforementioned solid PVA bags. This time injected with tiger nut oil as well! 

My carp fishing journey has continued with me catching more 20-plus pound carp and about at least ten 25-plus pounds. However, this was just the beginning.

Grand Finale: My Biggest Ever Carp

The crescendo of my early carp fishing adventure reached its peak in October 2023. I landed a colossal 33.4-pound common carp at Lakeland Fishery, Chelmsford. In a stroke of incredible luck, this catch shattered the lake record for common carp.

Documenting the Journey

Though not the best cameraman, I'm eager to document and share how accessible carp angling is, offering tips and tricks as I go. I aspire to create fishing videos, not too serious but very informational, surrounding getting into carp fishing the do's and don'ts and reviews into equipment as we find them.

Visit my Instagram and Tiktok to witness my fishing journey.