Guides

Boilies are the dominant bait in UK carp fishing, but the technique that puts them in the right place at the right density is what produces takes. This guide covers spot selection over hard ground and silt, the choice between a single hookbait and a baited area, building a pre-baiting campaign over weeks, clipping up for accurate casting, rig choice across hair, chod, Ronnie and PVA bag setups, bite indication for the full range of takes, and session-length strategy from short sessions through 48-hour campaigns. Common mistakes are covered too.

Pike are the apex predator of British freshwater. They hold tight to structure, ambush their prey from cover, and pull harder for their size than any other UK coarse species. This guide covers identification, where pike live across rivers, drains, lochs and reservoirs, how they feed and what triggers a take, full seasonal patterns including the rod-licence closed season, deadbait and lure approaches, the dedicated tackle needed for fish that can exceed 30lb, and the mandatory handling discipline that separates capable pike anglers from those who shouldn't be targeting them.

Mirror carp are the iconic target species of UK carp fishing. They dominate the stock on most heavily managed syndicate and big-pit venues, grow to specimen size more reliably than commons, and carry the unique scale patterns that allow famous individual fish to be recognised and named. This guide covers identification, the lineage strains behind UK growth records, where to find them, feeding behaviour, seasonal patterns, bait and rig selection, and the tackle needed to handle properly large fish. Correct handling and the EA rod licence requirement are covered too.