Once upon a time, people used to consider carp as non-attractive and dirty fishes. These thoughts have changed over time. Nowadays, carp is one of the most famous sport fish. Anglers all over the world catch them to make new records, fun playing, or eating purposes. The majority of them are more interested in rare carp varieties than the common ones. Mirror carp is one of such subspecies of carp. Their appearance, preferred habitats, size, and behavior vary a lot from the other carp types. So, applying the same fishing mechanisms may not be suitable for mirrors. This article describes exactly what you have to do for a successful mirror carp fishing session:
5 Mirror Carp Fishing Tips
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Know where they are available
They are mostly found in fresh and brackish waters in Europe. However, anglers do not see them in a wide range of water bodies. So, it is mandatory to ensure that your chosen place yields mirror carp. Our favorites are River Stour and Loch Duich. Some of their specific spots cover a decent amount of mirror carp. Also, consider visiting the Paradise Lake of Hungary. Besides, if you are in Spain, go to the River Ebro. It delivers immense opportunities to get mirrors and many more fishes. They are abundant in some water sources of France and South Africa. Targeting Redmire Pool and Linear fisheries of the United Kingdom will not let you down either.
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Pick the right time
All carp species get larger and heavier during summer. They always look for food to feed. So, there are more chances to get carp bites during summer. That’s why most fishing tournaments are held on summer days. The same goes for their post-spawning period, Spring. They often migrate to shallow sides to feed. Then, the low water fisherman can capture them from the bank. Even hunting mirrors from deep water gives a fantastic outcome. Contrarily, winter fishing may lead to disappointment. Anglers say that they don’t get a single mirror carp sometimes. The reason is a carp moves to the lower depth for warmth. Therefore, they hardly are in the shallows. Moreover, windy and rainy days decrease the probability of bites.
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Carry the perfect fishing equipment
If you are planning for rod fishing or pole fishing, make sure to buy a sturdy rod. The length depends on your fishery size. A short one can work fine for small ponds. Since most mirror carp fisheries are broader, you should go for a longer rod. It should be at least 12 ft long. Pair it with a reel based on what type of action you need. Transparent or camouflage lines should be on the list. Or, you can use colored lines for matching surroundings. They should be strong enough not to break while reeling in a monster mirror carp. Remember, the mirrors can grow bigger than your expectation. A small hook may not carry their load. Use a big circled hook instead. As bait, you can buy hemp seed, red boilies, salmon baits, and meat-based boilies. Sausages, clams, potatoes, maggots, and earthworms are some cheaper yet effective lures.
For bow fishing, select either compound or recurve bows as per need. Attach a strong reel to drag giant fishes effortlessly. People use long lines when they want to bring carp from a greater distance. Most importantly, the arrow tips must be sharp. If you have blunt arrows, they may not be able to go through the carp’s body. Replace them with high pointy models. That’s all for shoreline fishing. You have to use a fishing boat for deep water hunting.
Boat fishing is a mid-day adventure. We can perform archery fishing and net fishing from a boat. Note that many fishery owners do not allow these two methods. Both of them can hurt or kill their fish. Bring a stable fishing boat with a flat and wide body. A similar approach to bow fishing from a boat is gigging. It is mainly a night time and shallow water activity. A person should get a long gig that reaches to the bottom. He needs a flashlight to see the carp. Mirror carp’s body becomes very shiny under these lights. Then, anyone can spot them immediately.
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Recognise them underwater
Catching random fish is easier than hunting a specific one. You should be aware of how they look. A genetic mutation in the common carp body results in mirror carp. Unlike a common carp’s symmetric and regular scale style, a mirror’s body features patchy and uneven scaling. No wonder that people address them as mirror carp. The scales are not usually organized symmetrically. Again, there can be different sized scales which are bigger than average. They can cover the carp’s body partially or entirely. These fish typically have a rounded shape frame with a large swollen stomach. Their coloration changes according to the water type where they live. Fish, staying around mostly gravel pits, get a black body. Clay lake’s mirror carp get a single or mix coloration of gray and deep brown. A few areas can be red, orange, or golden layers as well. When it comes to weight, they generally grow up to l2 pounds. The heavier catches can exceed 60 lbs, though. Overall it is not difficult to detect them at all.
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Keep their preferred habitats in mind
Every kind of fish has unique habitat preferences. So does the mirror carp. Rivers with zero or less current are their top priority. They like to swim in warm lake spots. The most suitable water temperature lies within 35 to 85 F. They can survive in extremely cold conditions. Their diet includes a wide range of aquatic vegetation and other organisms from the upper surface and bottoms. Therefore, they choose locations growing adequate amounts of these foods. They are also available in shallow sloughs, narrow waterways, and other breeding platforms. Four or more mirror carp love to move together in a coordinated manner.
