Experienced carp angler Pat Gillett always produces a list to check against when preparing for a French trip and he kindly agreed to share it with us. We hope that this detailed list of what to take carp fishing in France can prove as a great point of reference and jog a few memories when packing for your trip…
Equipment
Your tackle set up should consist of…
- Carp rods x 4 (includes 1 spare)
- Marker rod
- Spod rod
- Spods / Spombs
- Reels x 6
- Bite alarms x 4 (includes 1 spare)
- Receiver box
- Spare batteries for alarms and receiver box
- Rod pod (if required)
- Bank sticks
- Bivvy / overwrap
- Bivvy table
- Bedchair
- Day chair
- Landing net
- Scales
- Weigh tripod
- Weigh sling/retaining sling
- Unhooking mat/mats
- Made up rigs
- Spare hook length material
- Spare hooks
- Spare swivels
- Anti-tangle tubing
- Spare main line
- PVA stocking / bags / string
- Anti-Crayfish/Poisson chat gear (find out what this is here)
- Carp care treatments
- Life jacket (if I intend to use a rowing boat)
- Waders
- Torches x 2
- Torch batteries (spare)
- Stove and tea/coffee making stuff
Bait
Whilst what you need to take might vary by venue, a good start is…
- Boilies
- Pop-ups
- Pellets
- Hemp etc
- Artificial Bait
Documents
The paperwork you need…
- Passport (Mandatory)
- Travel insurance (remember to take this out at point of booking the holiday)
- Angling Lines ‘Info Pack’ which includes channel crossing details, reference numbers for check-in etc
- Some euros in cash
The driver / vehicle owner should remember:
- AA or other European breakdown cover
- Full valid UK driving licence (Mandatory)
- Motor insurance certificate (Mandatory)
- V5 registration document (Mandatory)
Driving in France
Items specifically required to carry in your vehicle…
- UK identification sticker on your vehicle unless your number plate already includes the UK identifier (Mandatory)
- Headlight deflectors to avoid dazzling other drivers on the right-hand side of the road (Mandatory)
- Warning triangle, to be placed at least 30 metres behind your vehicle in a breakdown (Mandatory)
- Hi Viz jacket, in case of breakdown – must be kept within reach in the car (Mandatory)
- Spare bulb set
- First aid kit
Miscellaneous items
The obvious bits and bobs that are often forgotten…
- Clothing – lots of spare layers and waterproofs
- Boots
- Crocs (easy to slip on quickly)
- Camera
- Camera tripod and bulb release
- Camera batteries (spare)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Towels
- Shower gel
- Mobile phone and charger
- Euro socket adaptor
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I legally need to carry in my car when driving in France?
Several items are mandatory – and the fines for not having them are real. Above, within the ‘Documents’ and ‘Driving in France’ sections we have marked which items are legally required.
Do I need to take out insurance?
It is seriously worth checking your vehicle insurance policy covers Europe – most UK comprehensive policies provide 90 days of European cover, but confirm this with your provider before you travel. Breakdown cover is not mandatory but strongly recommended, recovery costs on French motorways can be significant.
It is also seriously worth taking out travel insurance at the point of booking your holiday, not only just before you travel – if something goes wrong and you need to cancel your holiday, these policies can cover the payments you have made.
How much bait should I take when carp fishing in France?
Given the Brexit restrictions on bringing bait from the UK (read about this in our Carp Fishing in France & Brexit article) , most anglers now pre-order through their venue or use EU-based suppliers. As a general guide, a week’s fishing typically calls for 5-10kg of boilies per angler and then your chosen ground bait such as pellets, particle etc.
The quantities however really depend on the lake you are fishing, how heavily you intend to bait and the conditions you’re facing including time of year. Your venue owner can advise on quantities when you book, and many can organise bait to be ready when you arrive.
What are crayfish and poisson chat, and do I need to worry about them?
Both are invasive species found in many French carp lakes and require certain tactics to avoid affecting your fishing. Crayfish can strip bait from hooks quickly, while poisson chat (very small catfish-like fish) can be a persistent nuisance in certain waters. The good news is there are effective countermeasures which can stop or slow the effects – hard hookbaits, armour mesh wrap and specific rig adaptations all help. We cover this in detail in this section of our blog: Combatting Poisson Chat & Crayfish
Do I need a fishing permit to fish in France?
If you’re booking through Angling Lines, almost certainly not. The French carp lakes we represent are predominantly private venues on private land, and private fisheries are not subject to the French national licensing requirement – no Permis de Pêche or Carte de Pêche needed. In the rare cases where a licence does apply, we sort it on your behalf.
The only exception is if you choose to fish public waters independently during your trip – in which case you’ll need to purchase a licence at www.cartedepeche.fr before fishing.
Do I need to bring my own unhooking mat and carp care products to a French lake?
Yes on the carp care products – and this isn’t one to skimp on. French carp lakes can often hold fish of a lifetime, and the venues take their welfare seriously. Carp antiseptic and treatments such as Klinik or Propolis should be applied to any wound or hook hold before returning a fish – this is expected practice on quality venues and some make it a rule rather than a recommendation.
On the mat, net, weigh sling front and tripod, it’s worth checking your specific venue before you pack. A growing number of French carp lakes now supply some or all of this equipment as standard – partly for fish welfare, partly for biosecurity reasons, as venues look to reduce the risk of transferring pathogens between waters on anglers’ own kit. You’ll find details of exactly what each venue provides in the lake description and rules on the Angling Lines website, so you know what to bring and what you can leave at home. Carp care treatments should always be in your kit regardless.
We hope all of the above helps you plan your next carp fishing holiday! If you have further questions or want advice on French carp lakes to try, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Pat I would add 2 things to your list a good map and ant powder
Two good points Larry, i am sure there are others that i have probably missed that other anglers can think of. but i will add your 2 to my kist now.
Bite cream the “Clegg’s” ware Clogs there
Went last year but would like to find a pond near as possible to Courcelles 17400. Charente-Maritime tried
St Jean d Angley but finished up near thor bit of a trek and not bothered about driving