How to Catch Carp Using Tight Lines

Gary Hewes on how to catch carp in France using tight lines and shocker rigs.

Gary Hewes takes time out from his fishing holiday to explain how to catch carp in France using tight lines. He also demonstrates the shocker rig he used to catch 20 carp.

Gary Hewes at Oakview Lake
Gary Hewes at Oakview Lake

In the video Gary is fishing at the deep bowl end of the lake, which he says can be a successful tactic at Oakview Lake. Gary explains that he gets more takes fishing right on the edge of the bowl, rather than directly in the bowl itself.

Carp Fishing Shocker Rig

Using a shocker rig, Gary sets the bead around 9 inches away from the lead itself and the carp feels no resistance when it first picks up the bait. When the carp moves away, the lead hits the bead and sets the hook. It’s important to ensure the bead isn’t too tight, so the lead can still be ejected safely.

Carp Fishing Leads

Carp Fishing Leads
Carp Fishing Leads

Using this system, the important part is to remove the inner sleeve of the leads to minimise resistance.

Carp Fishing Hook Link

Hook Link
Hook Link

Using a short hook link of about 6 inches with coated braid stripped back to the split-shot which adds extra weight so that when the fish takes the bait it keeps the hook pointing down.

Carp Fishing Hook Bait

Hook Bait
Hook Bait

Gary explains that he is using a green ultra-violet corn with his boilie. The corn mimics Oakview lakes’ green glow-in-the-dark bugs that are present in August.

Carp Fishing With Tight Lines

Tight Lines Pinned With Back Leads
Tight Lines Pinned With Back Leads

Gary finds using back leads is a must keeping the lines tight to the lake bottom giving less chance for the fish to be spooked.

Carp Caught

Gary Hewes With a 42lb 3oz Oakview Carp
Gary Hewes With a 42lb 3oz Oakview Carp

Clearly Gary's method worked well for him with a total of 20 carp caught, including his new personal best carp of 42lb 3oz

Gary Hewes With a Ghost Common Carp
Gary Hewes With a Ghost Common Carp

All 20 carp Gary caught during his week on holiday were caught using shocker rigs and tight lines pinned straight down with back leads.