10 Fishing Things to do in 2026
Want to add a touch of variety to your angling this New Year? In the short, quick-bite listicle below, we take a closer look at 10 top things you should add to your fishing in 2026…
Another year is here, and no doubt you’ve got plans, resolutions, dreams and goals you’re hoping to achieve this season. But before you make your first cast of 2026, check out these 10 things we think all anglers should do this year – bringing more variety, adventure and awesome tekkers to your fishing.
"Hopefully your 2026 is a banger!"
FISH FOR EVERY SPECIES!
Only go carp fishing? You’re missing out on an entire world of enthralling angling experiences. This is largely why we created One More Cast First Cast, giving anglers the chance to try new methods and target new species without spending a fortune on new kit – everything you need is together in one easy-to-find (and easy-to-use) place.
"There are plenty of beautiful species to target"
Anglers who fish for everything often find they go fishing more. Whatever the weather, there’s usually something to be caught. Here’s a guide to the best times to target popular UK coarse fish species…
Best times to target UK coarse fish:
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November, December, January & February – Pike, perch, zander, chub, roach, dace, carp
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March, April & May – Carp, tench, bream, roach, perch, crucian carp
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June, July, August, September & October – Carp, barbel, catfish, chub, roach, bream, tench, crucian carp, eels
When you become a true angling all-rounder, you’ll find many tactics that work for one species also work for another. While feeding habits, bait preferences and locations may differ, the core skills needed to catch fish remain largely the same.
"Learn to lure fish - it's so much fun!
PLAN AN OVERSEAS ADVENTURE
One of the amazing things about fishing is that it’s truly a global sport. In fact, there’s so much great fishing around the world that not even the most dedicated explorer could experience it all in one lifetime.
Not sure where to visit on a fishing holiday? Here are some of our top picks…
Gillhams, Thailand
Fancy battling your biggest fish ever? Gillhams truly is a monster’s playground. While there are giants to be caught, there’s also an incredible variety of exotic species to tick off your list – and the overall experience is like no other. (Need tackle for the trip? Check out our Big Beast Bundle.)
"You'll be blown away by the Big Beasts that you can catch in Thailand"
Iktus, France
The location for two episodes of The Grand Fishing Adventure, this complex has it all. Huge carp, plenty of them, and even monster sturgeon. Choose between the prolific Run Lake, Sturgeon Lake or Main Lake, where Bobby made history with the biggest carp ever caught in front of an underwater camera. What a venue Iktus is.
"The carp fishing at Iktus is truly spectacular"
Glory Lake, Holland
A stunning carp lake in a beautiful setting, packed with fish to impressive sizes. The swims are comfortable and luxurious, and the facilities are top-notch. Our Dutch contributors Wendy and Stephanie are regular visitors to Glory Lake.
INTRODUCE SOMEONE TO ANGLING
For fishing to thrive long into the future, we need new anglers – and this is something we should all support whenever possible. We all remember our first time fishing; it can be confusing, so having someone there to show the ropes can be the difference between making one more cast or packing it in for good.
Whether it’s an adult looking for a new hobby to support their mental health, or a child who needs time away from screens, fishing really is for everyone. Beginners should start simple, fishing venues where bites are likely, before progressing to bigger challenges. That’s exactly what OMC First Cast is about, with Whip, Float, Feeder and Lure kits available for anyone ready to make their First Cast.
"We need to introduce new anglers to the sport as often as possible"
SIMPLIFY AND ORGANISE YOUR TACKLE
Let’s be honest – we can all leave our tackle (and bait buckets!) in a bit of a mess. But it’s 100% true: an organised angler is a better angler. Fortunately, we have loads of handy luggage products that keep your kit safe, clean and perfectly organised.
Our suggestions:
Best for Bait – The Bag for a Bag for a Bag
Three bags in one! Ideal for storing pop-ups, glugs and all those bait bits we carry around.
Best for Terminal Tackle – The Slam Dunk
Better than a tackle box! Finished in Splash Camo, with enough internal pouches for all your terminal tackle essentials and more.
Best for Clothing – The S**T Bag
Keeping spare clothes warm and dry is vital, and the waterproof S**T Bag does exactly that.
Best for Bivvies, Nets, Poles & Unhooking Mats – The No Agg Bag
The bag that does it all. Perfect for quick pack-ups in wet and cold conditions.
Best for On-the-Bank Organisation – The Messy Clucker
An under-bedchair bivvy organiser that keeps everything accessible yet neatly compartmentalised.
UP YOUR RIG GAME
Did it feel like the carp had one up on you last year? Then 2026 is the year to change that. We’ve covered rig tweaks and anti-eject tactics in depth elsewhere, but here are a few key points that can make a huge difference.
Keep your hooks sharp
Sharp hooks catch more carp – simple as that. Lock and Colne-V Needle Point Hooks are razor sharp out of the packet, but all hooks need maintenance. Check them regularly (almost every cast), and restore dull points with the Tweakers Touch Me Up Hook Sharpener.
"A sharp hook catches you more carp - simple!"
Avoid tangles
A tangled rig is a dead rig. One shortcut is using Kickback Linkz hooklinks, incorporating Blend Tungsten Anti-Tangle Sleeves and stiff Kickback Fluorocarbon. Clip on a Lock Ronnie Boy and you’ve got a deadly Spinner Rig.
"You'll never tangle with this super-easy setup!"
Believe in magic
The Magic Wand has proved itself as a game-changer. Acting like a strike when set, it helps drive the hook home before the fish can use the lead’s weight to eject it, then maintains constant pressure like a bungee to hold it in place. Safer, more secure hookholds that don’t budge.
"The Magic Wand is an absolute gamechanger - backed by extensive underwater evidence!"
TRY A CLASSIC METHOD
Modern carp fishing can become predictable. Ronnie rigs and Spombs work – and work well – but when venues become pressured, something different is often needed.
Classic methods that still catch plenty of carp include:
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Method feeders or paste leads
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Freelining
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Chod rigs
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Single-rod fishing
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Running rigs
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Stringers
Old is gold. Never forget what’s worked before.
"Paste around the lead - better than a Method Feeder - an all-time classic!"
CAPTURE AND SHARE YOUR STORY
There’s real joy in documenting your angling journey and sharing it with others. This isn’t just about YouTube or TikTok – great fish photography, scenic shots or simple session updates all tell a story.
With smartphones in every pocket, we’re all creators now. You might be surprised how many people want to follow along.
GET TECHY
We love fishing tech at One More Cast, which is why we’ve released products like the B8M8, Bivvy Bumper and Strip Off – with more on the way. Bait boats, drones and electric barrows aren’t for everyone, but when used correctly they offer a real edge. You don’t need to rely on them, but if they give you an advantage, why not use it?
"We love gadgets and tech at One More Cast"
CAPTAIN A BOAT
Not keen on remote-controlled boats? How about a full-size one? Boat fishing for carp is still rare in the UK but offers a serious edge. It allows you to reach inaccessible areas, find spots more easily and position rigs with pinpoint accuracy. Boats are also invaluable when fish become snagged in weed and need careful, safe recovery.
IMPORTANT:
Always wear a lifejacket, regardless of water depth or swimming ability. Avoid going out alone, and make sure someone on the bank knows you’re there. Safety always comes first – no fish is worth risking your life for.
TARGET A SINGLE FISH OR PLAN A CAMPAIGN
Setting goals adds focus and motivation, and carp fishing is no different. Instead of simply hoping for a PB, why not target a specific fish from your local lake? It doesn’t have to be the biggest – sometimes the most characterful or elusive carp are the hardest to catch.
By targeting a single fish, you’ll study its behaviour, capture history and feeding patterns, planning your approach accordingly. When you finally land it, the sense of achievement is huge. With so many lakes stocked with big carp, this classic campaign style of angling is becoming rarer – but it’s proper, traditional carp fishing. Truly carpy.
So that’s our countdown of things to try in 2026. January can be a tricky month with limited time and finances, but instead of wasting it, use it to plan your angling year ahead – and we’re confident it’ll be a memorable one.
"Hopefully you lock on to your goals and dreams this year"
Journalist Chris Haydon joined the OMC family in spring 2024, after six years working for the UK’s number one fishing publication, Angling Times. He is a keen coarse and carp fishing all-rounder, based in the South West and regularly fishing venues such as the famous Cotswold Water Park.
