The Carp Fishing Resource
For Carp Anglers By Carp Anglers
What We Do
Here at Improved Carp Angling, we strive to provide the most comprehensive resource for carp anglers. Whether you’re new to carp angling or an experienced angler, we hope to provide something for everyone.
We’re constantly testing and tweaking new things to see how fish react to baits, rigs and gear. Minor adjustments here and there can help increase catch rates, as demonstrated on our underwater cameras.
From the Main Menu above, simply choose whichever topic you’re interested in from Bait, Rigs, Beginners, Reviews or Gear. We cover everything related to Carp Fishing.
Featured Articles
The Figure of Eight Loop Knot
A simple tutorial on How to Tie the Figure of Eight Loop Knot. A more robust version of the Overhand Loop Knot, which is one of the first knots a carp angler will learn to tie as they’re used for simple hair rigs.
The Sonik Sk-Tek Rod Sleeve
Sometimes less is more. A more compact and lightweight carp fishing setup will allow you to get out on the bank quicker and easier. In this article, we take a close-up look at the Sonik Sk-Tek Rod Sleeve to increase time on the bank.
Guide to Using Pellets for Carp Fishing
One of the most effective Baits for Carp Fishing – Pellets. There are many different types of pellets available for anglers to use. This simple guide covers which are best and how to use them effectively.
Featured Videos
Recent Articles
Do You Need a Baitrunner Reel for Carp Fishing?
A common question most newcomers to carp angling have. I myself wondered why there were special carp fishing reels called “Baitrunners” when I first started…
Best Three Brands of PVA Mesh for Carp Fishing
For many carp anglers, especially in North America, it can take a while to discover PVA Mesh for Carp Fishing and its many benefits. From…
What are Banksticks? Why Every Carp Angler Should Use Them
We have all been there, new to a sport and all the terminology that comes along with it. I know when I first began researching…
What to Look for in a Quality Carp Fishing Line
When I first began fishing for carp, aside from a strong carp fishing hook, I knew that I also required a strong carp fishing line….
Do Carp Sleep?
This is a topic that has been of great debate between many anglers. I will try to answer it to the best of my ability…
Can You Catch Carp in Muddy or Murky Water?
I am quite lucky where I live, the majority of waters that I target carp in are crystal clear. However, there are a few bodies…
What is a Carp Fishing Bite Alarm?
When I first heard of a carp fishing bite alarm, I had no idea what it was or how it worked. After gathering the opinions…
Why Do Carp Jump?
One of the most exciting sights and sounds that gets every carp angler’s heart pumping. The telltale BOSH of a carp breaching the surface. Any angler that…
Do Carp Feed or Bite at Night?
Although it is commonplace in the UK and Europe, one question many anglers have in North America is Can You Catch Carp at Night? In…
Munch Baits Pineapple Seed Review
What’s So Great About the Pineapple Seed Range from Munch Baits? The Pineapple Seed Range from Munch Baits has many different aspects that, when combined,…
How to Find Carp – Guide to Scouting Carp Fishing Locations
I learned how to find carp when I was younger and worked in an outdoor environment. Luckily I worked and spent long hours close to…
Why Are Carp Fishing Rods So Long?
Carp angling isn’t as popular in North America as in other parts of the world so I often get asked quite a few questions about…
Sonik Vader X RS Landing Net Review
I’ve used the Sonik Vader X RS Landing Net for over a year and figured it’s time to write an honest review about it. Although…
Carp Tournament – Canada Carp Cup
The Canada Carp Cup. The Biggest Carp Fishing Tournament in Canada, or more aptly “was” The Biggest Carp Fishing Tournament in Canada. The event was…
How to Bait for Carp Fishing – Beginners Guide
In my younger years, I mainly fished for Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. I had no idea how to bait for carp fishing. When I…
Stick Mix Explained – Carp Fishing Secret Weapon
Those that are just starting to delve into the world of carp fishing bait most likely have no idea what carp fishing stick mix is…
Korda Tackle Box – In-Depth Review
We’ve all tried and tested multiple tackle boxes and storage ideas over the years. Always thinking, “Ok, this is the last tackle box I’m going…
Prologic SMX Bite Alarm – In-Depth Review
The Prologic SMX Bite Alarms were the first alarms I ever used. I used them for many years before upgrading. They make the perfect entry-level…
Homemade Bait Bombs for Carp Fishing
In this article, we look at Bait Bombs for Carp Fishing. Carp anglers are known to be pretty particular about their bait. Each angler has…
25 Best Carp Fishing YouTube Channels You Can’t Live Without
Here we are again in the frigid months of winter. Some of us are crazy enough to brave the cold and wet conditions in the…
Hirisi S3 Bite Alarm Review
The Hirisi S3 Bite Alarms are the first time I’ve purchased a product from Ali Express, let alone reviewed it. I usually purchase and review…
How to Prevent Hook Pulls While Carp Fishing?
That dreaded moment when time seems to stand still, the huge carp you’ve been battling for the past 10 minutes is close to the net…
Foods That Carp Naturally Eat In The Wild
There I sat surveying one of the many schools of carp as they cruised the shallows of a small inlet. I watched on quietly, not…
How to Tie a Hair Rig For Carp Fishing With Photos and Video
How to Tie a Hair Rig, one of the simplest and most basic carp fishing rigs, yet the most effective, is The Hair Rig. What…
Guide to Using Bread as Carp Fishing Bait
One of the most underrated methods of targeting carp is using Bread as Carp Fishing Bait. It is cheap, readily available and very effective for…
Guide to Carp Fishing Bivvies – “A Must Read” Before Buying
In the market for your first or new Carp Fishing Bivvy? It can be quite a daunting task with many factors to consider. There are…
The Marker Rod – Are they Needed?
With the advent of castable sonar devices, bait boats and online information, is there a need for a Marker Rod anymore while carp fishing? Those…
What is The Canadian Carp Society?
Launched in the spring of 2021, the Canadian Carp Society is a group of like-minded anglers that have come together to help promote and grow…
Big Pit Reels for Carp Fishing – Explained
What are they? Are they needed? What’s so good about Big Pit Reels? There are definite pros and cons to using big Pit Reels for…
How to Keep Your Carp Fishing Gear From Smelling Like Fish?
We’ve all been there, tired after a successful carp fishing session, slugging all your gear home and packing it away, only to be approached by…
Sonik AXS Bivvy Review
A bivvy is one of the most expensive pieces of kit a carp angler will invest in. I did my research and looked into every…
Best Baits for Carp Fishing
The most asked question when it comes to carp angling. What are the Best Baits for Carp Fishing? I’ve been fishing for carp for over…
Tiger Nuts for Carp Fishing – The Ultimate Guide
When I tell people what I use as bait for fishing, I oftentimes get quite a few weird looks. There are many baits out there,…
Guide to Carp Fishing Leads and Weights
Every angler is different and has their own go-to carp fishing leads and weights. Most use many different weights according to the conditions they are…
Sonik SKS Bite Alarm In-Depth Review
I’ve used the Sonik SKS Bite Alarm and Receiver Set for a few years now and cannot fault it whatsoever. This was my go-to set…
Guide to Using Boilies for Carp Fishing
Boilies are one of the most popular carp fishing baits, they are quite an unfamiliar item to most North American anglers. I myself had no…
Carp Care – How to Handle and Weigh Big Fish
When I caught my first carp I knew little to nothing about proper carp care. I ended up releasing my first carp in the water….
How to Tie a Figure of Eight Loop Knot
Learning How to Tie a Figure of Eight Loop Knot is just one of the many knots a carp angler should learn to tie. It…
Carp Fishing Rod Line Clip – What is its Purpose?
Over the course of a carp angler’s lifetime, they will most likely own many different carp fishing rods. You may notice different aspects of each…
The Big Guide to Carp Fishing Terminal Tackle
So you’re interested in trying your hand at catching a carp. You head to the local tackle store or online shop to see what gear…
The Spod Rod Explained – Are They Worth It?
Like most anglers that first start targeting carp, I thought the spod rod was just a gimmick. Another piece of kit we didn’t need but…
Cygnet Carp Landing Net Review
In this review, we’re looking at the Cygnet Carp Landing Net. If you’re new to carp angling and looking to save a few bucks on…
Beginner’s Guide to Carp Fishing Landing Nets
Carp anglers are fortunate to have access to some of the most advanced fishing gear on the market. Before I targeted carp as a sportfish, I…
What to Look for in a Carp Fishing Reel
Big Pit Reels, Quick Drag Reels, Bait Runner Reels and Spod Reels are just a few of the many specialty Carp Fishing Reels available for…
Munch Baits Bio Marine Review
In this review, we’re taking an in-depth look at the Munch Baits Bio Marine Range. This is one of the go-to baits for most anglers…
Nash Scope OPS Transporter Review
This review looks closely at the Nash Scope OPS Transporter. The amount of gear we think we need as carp anglers can be mind-boggling. Do…
Cold Water Green Beast – Bait Review
In this article, we’re taking an in-depth look at the Cold Water Green Beast Range of Baits from DT Bait Developments. Most other articles out…
Guide on How to Prevent and Fix Carp Fishing Line Twist
One of the most frustrating things in carp angling is the dreaded carp fishing line twist. Carp anglers are more prone to carp fishing line…
Carp Fishing Underwater Camera – Aqua Vu HD Series
We’ve all been there, sitting quietly on the bank watching carp “BOSH” all over the place, wondering why we haven’t had any bites for hours…
Carp Fishing Rod Pods – A Beginners Guide
As many anglers are beginning to take an interest in targeting carp as a catch and release species, they will undoubtedly start to research all…
Hemp Seeds and Hemp Oil for Carp Fishing
Possibly two of the most versatile baits for carp fishing, hemp seed and hemp oil. When used alone, both hemp seed and hemp oil offer…
To Krimp or Knot – Beginner’s Guide to Crimping Carp Rigs
Since I saw crimps for crimping carp rigs come out on the market, I thought they were gimmicky and just another piece of gear for…
Sonik SK-Tek Floating Weigh Sling – In-Depth Review
The Sonik Sk-Tek Floating Weigh Sling comes in two different sizes – Standard and Large. I opted for the large version. Although it’s bulkier to…
The A to Z Guide on Carp Fishing Bait
A topic that comes up quite often when chatting with other carp anglers, what carp fishing bait should you use? It can be a very…
Beginner’s Guide to Using Pellets for Carp Fishing
If you’ve been catching carp on baits such as corn or bread, be ready to substantially increase your catch rate by implementing pellets for carp…
How to Tie a Knotless Knot for Carp Fishing
One of the easiest knots any carp angler will learn is the Knotless Knot. Funny enough, it’s not much of a knot but an effective…
Edwards Custom Upgrades – Bite Alarm Review
I was lucky enough to recently get my hands on a full set of the Edwards Custom Upgrades ECU MK1 Compacts to use for a…
What to Look for in a Carp Fishing Rod
One piece of equipment I never thought about when I first began carp angling was a quality Carp Fishing Rod. I had mainly targeted bass…
What is a Spod Reel for Carp Fishing?
What is a Spod Reel? Why would you need a specific reel just for spodding? Is it necessary to use a Spod Reel when Carp…
Beginners Guide – What basic gear do you need to catch carp?
In this article, I hope to educate others on How to Catch Carp. Carp angling isn’t as popular in Canada as it is in other…
How to Keep Carp Alive and Healthy During Tournaments
When you’re fishing for carp, a situation can arise where you need to keep the fish in a safe place for several minutes or sometimes…
Nash Dwarf Landing Net Review
In the market for a compact, affordable carp landing net? The Nash Dwarf Landing Net is among the best budget carp landing nets we’ve used….
What is a Quick Drag Reel for Carp Fishing?
There are many different types of carp fishing reels out there, and it can be pretty confusing for someone new to the sport to pick…
New Direction N1 Bite Alarm – In-Depth Review
A friend recently gave me a set of New Direction N1 Bite Alarms to test out and write a review on. I’ve had this set…
How to Tie an Overhand Loop Knot for Carp Fishing
Learning how to tie an overhand loop knot is one of the first and most basic skills a carp angler will learn. Learning to tie…
What to Look for in a Carp Fishing Hook
When I first began carp angling, I knew in order to land one of these powerful fish, I would need a strong line and a…
Guide to Using PVA for Carp Fishing
PVA for Carp Fishing is essential for any dedicated carp angler. It has many uses, from adding attraction around your hook bait to preventing tangles…
Carp Fishing Bobbins Explained – Are They Necessary?
If you’re new to carp angling there can be some pieces of gear and terms that are quite unfamiliar. When I first started using bite…
Why Do Carp Anglers Wear Green?
Ah yes, the much-debated topic, why do carp anglers wear green? On one side you have the anglers that wear all green no matter the…
Best Carp Bait – Ultimate Guide to Using Corn for Carp Fishing
One of the first baits any angler that is new to carp angling will use is corn. Cheap, easy and readily available. This article will…
Sonik SK-TEK Compact Sleeve Review
In this review, we’re looking closely at the Sonik SK-TEK Compact Sleeve. I’ve used this piece of kit for a few years now and it…
Carp Angler’s Guide to Power on the Bank
Carp angling differs from other forms of angling in more ways than one. The main way it stands out, which was a shock to me…
Can You Catch Carp While They’re Spawning?
Fishing for Carp while they’re spawning can be a very controversial topic among carp anglers around the world. Some are of the mindset that you…
What is Specimen Carp Fishing?
This is a term I started to hear when I discovered how big carp fishing is over in Europe and South Africa. I guess we…
Do Carp Feed or Bite in the Rain?
I have been asked quite often what conditions are best for carp fishing. Most carp anglers have varying opinions on the subject due to their…
Sonik Vader X Pro FRS 10,000 Reel Review
Sonik recently released their lineup of “Pro” series reels. The reels come in two different versions, one with a free spool function and one without….
Cygnet Sniper Weigh Tripod V2 – In-Depth Review
I recently purchased the Cygnet Sniper Weigh Tripod V2, and must say, I am quite impressed with this product straight out of the box. I’ve…
Sonik SK-Tek Unhooking Cradle – In-Depth Review
I recently upgraded to the Sonik SK-Tek Unhooking Cradle. It’s a unique product that offers the benefits of both a Carp Fishing Cradle AND a…
What is a Swing Arm or “Swinger” for Carp Fishing?
Another strange term that one whom is new to carp angling will most likely hear. When it was first recommended to me that I should…
Top 5 Carp Fishing Podcasts (with Best Episodes)
I recall only a couple of years ago, there were only a handful of Carp Fishing Podcasts. There is a definite need for more audio…
How to Record Video on an Aqua Vu Underwater Camera
A few years ago when I was looking to purchase an Aqua Vu Underwater Camera to record my carp fishing sessions for YouTube, I noted…
How to Prevent Carp Rigs from Tangling
One of the most frustrating things I find while carp angling, and I’m sure other beginners to carp angling can relate, is ending up with…
Munch Baits Sweet Stim Review
In this review, we’re taking an in-depth look at the Munch Baits Sweet Stim Range. This is one of the baits from their Visual Range…
11 of the Best Carp Angling Shows and Programs
To me, carp anglers seem to differ greatly from anglers that target other species such as bass and pike. Carp angling seems to be more…
Top 5 Places to Buy Carp Fishing Tackle in North America
When I first began trying to catch carp over 20 years ago, it was near impossible to find specific carp fishing tackle in North America….