Prussian carp on the float: how to catch Prussian carp
Float fishing is the technique almost every angler starts with: a rod, a well-shotted float and a small hook. Prussian carp bite delicately and often, and a sensitive float shows you every touch.
It works on ponds, lakes, channels and backwaters, close to the bank, and catches other peaceful fish too: bream, rudd, roach.
Species: Prussian carp · Bream
What you need
- Pole: a 4-6 m telescopic pole without rings, for fishing close to the bank; a rod with rings and a reel, for distance.
- Reel: size 1000-2500, only on a rod with rings.
- Line: 0.14-0.18 mm monofilament, with a 0.10-0.14 mm hooklength.
- Float: 1-3 g, slim, with a fine antenna, on still water; a 3-8 g waggler for distance.
- Hook: size 12-18, plus split shot for shotting the float.
Baits
- Maggots, small worms and sweetcorn.
- Bread flake, polenta or paste, especially in summer.
- Fine groundbait for Prussian carp, with a sweet flavour, thrown in in small balls.
When to fish
- From spring, when the water warms up, until autumn.
- Best in the morning and evening; in summer, during the cooler hours.
- On warmer winter days, Prussian carp bite at midday, in shallow water.
Where are you fishing
- Next to reeds and water lilies, 1-2 m deep.
- Bays sheltered from the wind, channels and small ponds.
Step by step
- 1
Measure the depth. With a plummet or a weight attached to the hook, set the float so the bait touches the bottom or sits 2-5 cm above it.
- 2
Shot the float. Bunch the shot 30-40 cm from the hook and put a small one 10-15 cm from it; only 1-2 cm of the antenna should show above the water.
- 3
Feed a little. 3-5 tangerine-sized balls of groundbait in the same spot; then a small ball every now and then.
- 4
Cast over the groundbait. Cast slightly beyond the baited spot and draw the float back over it.
- 5
Read the float. Prussian carp lift the float, lay it flat or pull it gently to one side; strike short when it moves decisively or disappears.
- 6
The fish you catch. Keep the fish in a keepnet only if you're allowed to keep it; otherwise release it straight away.
Common mistakes
- An under-shotted float: the Prussian carp feels the resistance and drops the bait.
- The wrong depth: the bait hangs too high or sits buried in the silt.
- A hook that's too big for Prussian carp.
- Too much groundbait at the start: the fish fill up.
Rules on natural waters
Prussian carp
Minimum size: 15 cm
Species closed season: none, only the general closed season
Bream
Minimum size: 25 cm
Species closed season: none, only the general closed season
General closed season: 9 April - 7 June (the periods differ on border waters and in the Danube Delta)
Daily limit: At most 5 kg of fish per day, or a single fish if it's over 5 kg.
The rules above are for natural waters (rivers, lakes, the Danube), where you also need a permit. On a private lake the lake's rules apply: many are catch & release or have their own limits.
For information only, not guaranteed legal advice. There are many local exceptions (Danube Delta, border waters, catch-and-release sections) not covered here. Always check the official ANADSPA (formerly ANPA) source before fishing.
Frequently asked questions
At what depth should I fish for Prussian carp?
Close to the bottom: the bait touches the bottom or sits a few centimetres above it. In summer, in hot weather, try mid-water too.
What's the best bait for Prussian carp?
Maggots and sweetcorn are the most reliable; in summer, sweet-flavoured paste or polenta.
What is the minimum size for Prussian carp, and when is the closed season?
In natural waters, the legal minimum size is 15 cm; smaller fish must be released. The general closed season also applies on natural waters: 9 April - 7 June.
Step-by-step guides
- Rig guide: Sliding float (waggler)
- Groundbait and recipes: Prussian carp groundbait for cold water (winter / early spring)
- Groundbait and recipes: All-round feeder groundbait (bream, Prussian carp)
Fishing for Prussian carp by county
Find where to fish in the RoFish app
The map of fishing lakes and public waters across the country, the species filter, the rules of every spot and “Am I allowed to fish?” for the day you pick are in the RoFish app, on your phone.