If you’re planning a trip to Hurlston Hall Fishery in search of carp, this blog should give you a few ideas to help put more fish on the bank. We recently spent 48 hours targeting the venue’s carp and put together a video showing exactly how the session unfolded. Give it a watch here!
One thing became clear throughout the session – keeping things simple, staying observant, and trusting quality end tackle made all the difference.
What to Expect at Hurlston Hall Fishery
Hurlston Hall Fishery is a well-maintained venue that clearly puts fish welfare at the heart of everything it does. From the moment you arrive, it’s obvious that looking after the stock is a top priority, and anglers are expected to do the same.
One thing worth knowing before your session is that the fishery provides landing nets, unhooking mats (crash mats), and weigh slings for anglers to use. This helps prevent the spread of diseases and contamination between fisheries while ensuring every fish is handled with equipment that’s dedicated to the venue. It’s a fantastic initiative that benefits both the fish and the long-term health of the lake.
Another interesting feature of the fishery is its fish-chipping programme. The owners are microchipping fish as they’re caught to help monitor stock, growth rates, and the overall health of the carp. It’s a great way of keeping accurate records while ensuring the fishery continues to thrive for years to come.
When you arrive, it’s worth speaking to the bailiff or fishery owners, as they’ll explain the current procedures. During our visit, we were told that any carp weighing over 20lb (after deducting the weight of the sling) could be named if it hadn’t already been chipped and named by another angler. It’s a brilliant touch that allows anglers to become part of the fishery’s history while contributing to its stock records.
Getting Set Up
Rather than rushing to get rods in the water, we spent a few minutes walking the lake and looking for signs of feeding fish. Taking your time before setting up can often make the difference between a quiet session and a productive one.
Once we’d chosen our swims, we kept the setup straightforward, making sure the rods were accurately positioned and the bait was introduced with minimal disturbance.
Tips for Finding and Spotting Fish
One of the biggest mistakes anglers make is fishing where it’s comfortable rather than where the fish actually are.
Here is what you should look for before casting out.
- Shows and rolling fish
- Bubbling over feeding areas
- Clouded water
- Fish cruising just under the surface
Even if you’ve fished the lake before, the carp can quickly move depending on weather conditions, angling pressure, and wind direction. Let the fish dictate where you fish rather than sticking to your favourite peg. If the signs disappear, don’t be afraid to rethink your plan.
Baiting Approach
For this session we kept our baiting approach fairly restrained. Rather than piling in lots of bait, we focused on introducing enough to encourage fish to feed confidently without overfeeding them.
Our standout bait throughout the session was our Chocolate Orange Boilies, which accounted for multiple bites. The sweet citrus profile proved incredibly effective and gave us plenty of confidence to leave the rigs in position. Once we had located them that is. By keeping the baiting accurate and consistent, we were able to build feeding areas without making the fish work too hard.
Recommended Rigs
Our most successful presentation on the day was a simple but highly effective Slip-D Rig.
We paired this with:
- Size 8 Claw Hooks
- Two 14mm Chocolate Orange Boilies
- Snowman presentation
This combination gave excellent hook holds throughout the session. The aggressive shape of the Phish Bites Claw Hooks helped the rig turn quickly and take hold securely, while the snowman presentation offered just enough visual attraction and balanced the hookbait perfectly.Sometimes the simplest rigs are the most reliable, especially when tied with confidence and presented well.
Switching Positions or Spots
One of the best pieces of advice we can give is not to become rooted to one swim. If you’re not seeing signs of fish after a reasonable amount of time, consider moving. Carp are constantly on the move, and being mobile can dramatically increase your chances of success.
Watch the water throughout your session. If fish begin showing elsewhere, don’t be afraid to pack down and relocate. A move at the right time can completely transform a day’s fishing.
Our Results
The tactics paid off, and we enjoyed a steady session with a nice variety of carp, including:
- A stunning 28lb Common Carp
- A 20.5lb Common Carp
- A 12lb Mirror Carp
- A 12lb Leather Carp, affectionately known around the lake as “One Eyed Willy”
Every fish was in fantastic condition and fought incredibly hard, showing just how well the stock is cared for.
One of the highlights of the day came away from our own rods. We noticed an angler on the opposite bank wasn’t having much luck, so we walked over with a handful of our Phish Bites Chocolate Orange Boilies for him to try.
The bait certainly did the trick. Before long, he landed a couple of quality carp of his own, including a lovely mirror carp and a larger common after we’d packed up and headed home. It’s always rewarding to see someone else enjoy success, and it was another great example of how effective the Chocolate Orange Boilies proved throughout the session.
That’s what fishing is all about—sharing knowledge, helping fellow anglers, and celebrating each other’s captures.
Final Thoughts
Our session at Hurlston Hall Fishery proved once again that observation, accurate baiting, and confidence in your tackle are the foundations of successful carp fishing.
The Chocolate Orange Boilies were the standout bait on the day, while the Claw Hooks performed flawlessly, giving us secure hook holds and helping convert opportunities into landed fish.
If you’re heading to Hurlston Hall Fishery, give these tactics a try and remember that finding the fish is often more important than changing rigs or adding more bait.
Be sure to check back soon for the full YouTube video, where you’ll be able to watch the entire session unfold, see the rigs in action, and pick up even more tips from the bank.