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The Catch: Carp & Coarse – Hints and tips on landing the biggest fish

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With the release of The Catch: Carp & Coarse, Dovetail Games have upped the ante for the representation of my favourite sport on the Xbox. I’ve been a keen fisherman now for more than 33 years, and so I flatter myself that I have a rough idea of what to do by the waterside, whether that be in the real world or the virtual one. However, I know that not everyone is interested in sitting in the rain to catch tiny fish as I am, so after reviewing the game – a review that you can find right here – it got me thinking about how I would explain the whole world of fishing to an angling muggle, as it were. I hope in this little article to try and explain my thought processes for approaching the game, and give you a bit of a clue, and a few hints and tips, as to how to be more successful in winkling those Boss Fish out of their lairs.

So join me as I divulge the best hints and tips on landing the biggest fish in The Catch: Carp & Coarse on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. 

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1. Check your surroundings 

When fishing, a large part of the ‘luck’ can be manufactured by doing your homework on the venue you are going to fish. This can be as simple as checking out likely looking spots, such as near the island on Oxlease Lake, down to getting out in a boat and checking the bottom contours on the bigger venues, namely Loch Mickle and the mighty River Ebro. 

But there is more to it than that, as the type of bottom can also play a part, as well as what you choose to fish. 

When you cast out your rig, especially if it is a bottom rig of some kind, not only will The Catch tell you how deep the water is, but also what the bottom is composed of. In real life, we have to cast around with a bare lead, dragging it across the bottom and interpreting the bounces and the feel of the lead as it is retrieved to make an educated guess as to what is out there. Obviously, the in-game method is a lot easier. 

Now, in the real world, fish are attracted to places that are a little bit different: a patch of gravel amongst a sea of silt, for instance. Staying with the example of Oxlease Lake, as I have been exploring, I’ve discovered that at each end of the island, about 90 yards out, there is a small patch of gravel, and it was here that I tripped up the first of the Boss Fish that I have caught. Make a note of what direction you have cast (reflections on the far bank make for great casting markers) and make a note as to how far out the area that you have found is. That way you can be sure of consistently hitting the same patch, both with your bait and with the loose-feed required to tempt the fish. Look for deep holes as well, as fish can often be found patrolling around underwater shelves or drop offs. 

A bit of time spent casting about will give you a much better idea as to what is going on under the water, and should lead to increased catches. Also, you’ll want to check what is happening in the water: the fish will leave signs as to where they are feeding, either jumping, splashing or bubbling, and casting to a showing fish is usually a good move. Don’t neglect the margins either: in the game or real life, most anglers turn up to the waterside, put their rigs together and then throw them as far as humanly possible. The fish will feed often only inches from the bank, and feeding and fishing these areas can be surprisingly rewarding. 

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Israt Jahan
10 months ago

As an avid angler myself, I found your insights and advice to be incredibly helpful and engaging. I enjoyed reading your article.

Fanatics for Fishing
1 year ago

I really enjoy reading about veteran anglers and their tips on catching fish successfully. As a beginner, it inspires me and points me in the right direction

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