Carp Fishing From a Boat – How it Differs From Bank Fishing?

Out of all aspects of carp fishing, I must admit that carp fishing from a boat is the most challenging one, but also the most rewarding. You’ll catch some of the most beautiful common carp specimens (if you are fishing on a river like me), enjoy beautiful nature that can’t be reached by car or on foot, and most importantly, you’ll experience a unique fishing adventure.

Benefits of Carp Fishing From a Boat

Better Access to Deeper Waters

When fishing from the bank, you’ll always be held by the boundaries of fishing distances. You simply won’t be able to cast into the deepest areas of massive bodies of water such as the Danube River or Balaton Lake. But with the boat, deeper water can be reached with ease. In most cases, fishing for carp using rigs for deep water means a trophy fish.

Ability to Explore Different Fishing Spots

Of course, you can do this on foot as well, but banks of rivers where big carp habitats are often covered in extreme weeds and bushes. While lakes can have different lake beds from one spot to the other. Trying out all spots would mean that you have to pack up all of your gear, move to a different position, unpack everything, and cast again. With a boat, this hassle is minimal.

Additionally, you can create feeding spots where probably no one except you will fish. This is excellent, especially if you tend to fish in a crowded area where a lot of anglers go.

Advantage of Covering More Ground

This could be one of the biggest benefits of when using a boat for fishing. Imagine if you had to cover an entire lake such as Windermere. On foot. Doesn’t sound like fun, right? Even with a boat, it would take some time to cover this lake. But with it, you’ll be way faster and you’ll be able to cast your rod into plenty of different spots.

Types of Boats for Carp Fishing

Pontoon Boats

To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I saw one of these. They are not as popular in European carp waters as they are in the USA, but they’ll get the job done.

Fishing Skis

These are quite opposite to pontoons. You can see a lot of these on our waters because there are some quite cheap models out there. They aren’t anything fancy. It’s a cheaper motor version and lacks features some advanced models would have, but trust me, they are perfect for taking you and your fishing rods from one fishing spot to the other.

Custom-Built Fishing Boats

Custom models can be considered higher-end models in the world of carp fishing. When it comes to these, literally sky is the limit. If you pick one of the top-of-the-line companies, you stuff so many features onto your boat that you’ll have a feeling you are on a cruise across the Atlantic. Of course, if you choose one of the bigger models, your boat will be capable of conquering even the most brutal rivers which are quite often the most beautiful rivers as well.

Commercial Boats for Carp Fishing

You won’t see these unless you work at the commercial lake. Basically, these are long, wide thin rectangles with 55-pound thrust motors and big nets. Their only purpose is to drive the workers around the lake, allowing them to lay down the nets and catch carp which is then shipped and sold at the local fish market.

Choosing the Right Bait for Boat Fishing

Consideration for Bait Selection When Carp Fishing From a Boat

Selecting the right type of bait is crucial if you want to be successful. The water current of rivers is often quite strong and keep in mind that you’ll cast your rod in the same way as the river flow. Never against it.

This means that your bait has to be solid. Forget PVA bags, chod rigs, and bread as carp bait. This is where baits such as maize and tiger nuts come into the picture. If you fish from a boat on a lake, then you don’t have to worry about the current, but you have to make sure that fish can easily find and smell your bait.

Boilies as an Effective Bait Option

If you go with boilies I suggest that you go with the pop-up on lakes and denser boilies on rivers. Pop-ups will make a nice presentation and your bait will be more visible on lake beds with a bit of weed. This can be a critical advantage.

Dense boilies for the river will be able to withstand debris in the current for longer without falling apart.

Using Delicate Baits for Carp Fishing from a Boat

When I say delicate, I refer to exclusive boilies which are made for specific conditions such as extreme depths or fast river flow. Also, some carp anglers think that maize, wheat, and tiger nut are delicate baits because it can be a challenge to make quality bait out of these if you are making it yourself.

Safety and Equipment for Carp Fishing From a Boat

Importance of Wearing a Life Jacket

Even when you’ve visited your fishing spot a hundred times, and you know the water like the palm of your hand, you should still wear a life jacket. It takes a second for something unpredictable to happen or for calm waters to become wild ones.

Choosing the Right Fishing Line and Rod for Boat Fishing

Just like with any other type of fishing, you must choose the correct line, rod, reel, lead, and every other part of your gear. I always choose a 10ft, 3.5lb rod, 12lb line, 4.5oz lead, and reel no smaller than 600. This is a setup that can handle any of the most common fishing techniques.

Batteries and Motors: Ensuring Efficient Operation

If you find yourself on a smaller lake where an inflatable boat is enough. One of the first things you’ll notice is a motor. These boats are usually powered by electric motors so make sure the power source is full before you leave shore.

As far as gasoline engines go. Always bring a spare canister with you. Maybe you won’t need it, but it won’t hurt to have it on board.

Dealing With Weeds and Other Obstacles in the Water

Big rivers are full of floating debris such as logs and branches. This can be said for even the cleanest rivers. Quite often, big obstacles are submerged below the surface and you won’t be able to see them. Be extra careful and vigilant when cruising so your engine propellers don’t get caught in something. This can be very dangerous.

Boat Carp Fishing at Night

I don’t recommend this on rivers. It’s doable, but even with a big, bright light, visibility was very poor so I was always on the edge. I couldn’t see the debris and my surroundings so I just didn’t feel comfortable. Keep in mind that my carp fishing from a boat is 100% on rivers. Lakes are most likely a different story, but I never tried it.

And with this, I’ll wrap up the article. Carp fishing from a boat is a beautiful experience because it’s just you and nature. No one can bother you and the fish you catch will be among the most beautiful you saw. So if you never tried it before, now is the right time. Try and make your next fishing trip one where you’ll take off and fish from a boat.