So look for overgrown banks, fallen trees and the like

Having said that, using a little bit of watercraft learnt from fishing for other species in rivers or from carp fishing in stillwaters, the likely location of river carp becomes no more than common sense. Carp are carp no matter where they are so river carp will be located near snags and shelter. So look for overgrown banks, fallen trees and the like. Moored boats are a good spot as is around islands. In smaller rivers, weed is easier to locate and see, and carp will be in or around this. In larger rivers, such as the Thames or Trent, weed is harder to find but if underwater lilies, or cabbages as they are known, can be found then these are worth exploring. River carp can be found in surprisingly fast water so do not ignore downstream of weirs or in the main flow of smaller rivers. There is one common denominator when it comes to catching river carp and that is the amount of bait introduced. This is especially so on larger rivers. River carp are very nomadic and will move a long way in a day so a sighting of some river carp does not mean they will still be there a day later. The only way to hold them is to introduce a lot of food for them over several days before fishing. As I said, they are not hard to catch so baits do not have to be sophisticated, sweetcorn is a favourite as it is easy to obtain in huge amounts and is easy to introduce even if a boat is not available. Other loose feed that is good is maple peas and hemp, trout pellets too are good but are more expensive. On the hook, sweetcorn or bread will be successful and boilies will work as long as the carp have seen them before. Unless you are sure the river carp you are after have been fished for with boilies however, I would avoid them to begin with. By all means start introducing some with your other loose feed so they get the message that boilies are food and then start switching to them after some success. To treat river carp as stillwater carp as far as boilies are concerned though is probably a mistake. A boat on large rivers is without doubt a huge advantage as likely spots can be investigated and viewed easily plus large quantities of bait can be introduced easily from a boat. Hookbaits can also be positioned from a boat but personally I would not want to do that. One word of warning, make sure if you use a boat that it is licensed and that you wear a lifejacket and, if at all possible, do not use a boat alone. Rivers are dangerous places and currents unpredictable and strong. So, we have found a likely area where carp can be found and we have been introducing plenty of loose feed over several days. Now it is time to fish. Depending on the flow and how far out the spot we have baited will dictate the size of weight needed to hold bottom. If we need to fish across the current then weights of 4oz may be needed. If this is the case, our usual 2lb test curve rods will not be man enough so perhaps, for the beginner, choose spots on your own margin or in slower stretches of the river. Margin fishing has many advantages anyway, the spots are easier to observe and easier to bait plus getting the hookbaits in position is easier and more accurate. For margins, a usual 1oz to 2oz weight is all that is required. Rigs can be simple and I would advise using a mono hooklink in rivers as debris flowing down the river could get caught up in braid and ruin presentation. If using corn or bread as hookbait even a hair rig can be dispensed with but if you are not confident not using one then do so. On smaller rivers similar rigs as those used for chub and barbel will be fine, just a light link leger will work perfectly. On these rivers bait can be applied easier and the fishing as a whole will be easier to carry out. The carp can be just as big though so, on all rivers, use the 12lb bs line and do not be tempted to use lighter rods as you may need to bully the carp a bit away from snags and they fight very hard. Nights tend to be more successful with river carp, certainly on navigable rivers, as the boats during the day can cause all sorts of problems. Other species will also be a problem, especially chub, but this is all part of fishing for river carp and often the size of the chub caught will surprise most. It is an exciting way to catch carp though and a nice change from sitting in a bivvy on a lake. A word about bite indication. Takes will usually be decisive so unless you are sitting holding the rod touch legering make sure the reel’s baitrunner facility is switched on or you will use the lot. It is a good idea to use a heavy butt indicator as often the carp will run upstream giving drop back bites. There is no need to have a drop on the indicator so have it tight to the butt, a drop would be difficult probably anyway if there is any significant current. I have caught river carp from small fast rivers and small slow rivers and some from the Thames. Without exception they all have been in perfect condition and all looked as if they have never seen a hook before. It is a very refreshing branch of carp fishing.

Have fun!