Summer Carp Fishing Advice: Top Tips!
Summer is hands down my favourite time of year to catch carp. While work commitments mean my time on the bank is limited, the key lies in making the most of the early mornings and late evenings – those cooler, bite-filled windows that can produce magical results if approached right.
The Black Common
One session last summer really proved this point for me. I’d been targeting a local venue that’s home to a stunning old common – one I’d seen on the bank just a handful of times over the years. After watching the lake closely and learning this fish’s movements, I noticed it frequently visited a couple of key areas. With this knowledge in mind, I put a plan into action.
Armed with a mix of corn and Secret 7 boilies, I waded out to bait two small gravel spots along the route I believed this common regularly patrolled. I didn’t go heavy – just enough bait to turn a head. From a tree on the bank, I had a perfect vantage point to watch the area unfold. Within the hour, a few carp came in and fed confidently on the spots, but the big common stayed back, just out of range.
That night, I decided to go in heavier on the bait, prepping two clear spots again with the same mix. As I was pulling on my waders the next morning, I clocked her – right near the spot, moving slowly and clearly aware that food was there. At that point, I knew I had her attention.
Rather than overdoing it, I flicked in two small handfuls of bait again – corn and S7 boilie pieces –and kept watch. The other carp came back in quickly, feeding hard, but the common still held back. I noticed, though, that she was picking off bits just off the main baited area, probably feeding on what the others were blowing out.
The ever-reliable Secret 7 – an amazing summer bait for carp
It was time to make my move.
I re-baited and this time cast a slip-D rig with half an S7 boilie just beyond the main spot – right where she seemed more comfortable. The rig landed sweetly on a little patch of gravel I’d seen her patrol.
I was watching the fish again when everything suddenly erupted. The carp spooked like mad, and in an instant, my rod was ripping across the floor. I lifted into it – YES! I knew instantly this was the fish I’d been after.
The fight was incredible. She ran me ragged, but eventually, she rolled into the net. My mate looked in and confirmed it – the Black Common. She went 27lb 12oz, but weight didn’t matter one bit. This was the fish I’d spent years watching, tracking, and now finally caught.
The Black Common, the fish I had spent years trying to catch
Limited time needn’t be a barrier
This session just goes to show – you don’t always need endless time on the bank. What matters more is observation, patience, and putting in the effort to understand how your target fish behaves. Learn their routes, feed patterns, and preferred times of movement. Combine that with a quality bait like DNA’s S7 and well-thought-out rigs, and even just a few prime hours can pay off in a big way.
If you’re limited for time this summer, don’t be discouraged. Focus your efforts in the early mornings and evenings when the fish are most active, and trust in your bait. With the right preparation, that fish of a lifetime could be just one cast away.
Learn how to use the right hook pattern and the right hook size for all occasions.
If you are new to carp fishing, we’ve got everything you need to know right here.
Make sure you’ve got your rod licence sorted before you next get out on the bank.
