River Carp Fishing: The Beautiful Struggle and How to Win It | Mitch Koster

River carp fishing is one of angling’s greatest challenges. Unpredictable flows, wild surroundings, and hard-fighting fish make every session unique. In this article, Mitch Koster shares his tactics, rigs, and tips for overcoming the struggle and finding success on the river...

Fishing on the river is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful yet also most frustrating styles of angling. When heavy rainfall upstream forces sluices open, the flow can become so fierce that even 300g leads won’t hold bottom.

At times like this, fishing simply isn’t possible. I’ll usually wind in the rods, grab a few hours of sleep, and set alarms to check the current. As soon as things stabilise, the rods are back in the water. It’s a constant battle with Mother Nature – and that’s what makes river carp fishing so addictive.

Enter the Magic Wand

A few months ago, I began using the Magic Wand on both rivers and canals. Blanking still happens – that’s fishing – but it’s becoming increasingly rare.

Whenever the riverbed allows, I prefer a bottom bait presentation, often combined with a Ronnie Rig. At first I was sceptical about this setup, but session after session my results improved. My confidence grew, and now it’s one of my go-to tactics. To be clear though: in my opinion, a Ronnie isn’t just a pop-up rig – it’s in a league of its own.

Reading the Water

Finding the right spot is everything in river carp fishing. I’m always searching for places where fish feel safe – something to fish against or around. Weed beds, snags, and especially the inside bends of rivers are my first choice. These areas are usually shallower, flow more gently, and hold natural food – perfect feeding zones for carp.

They’re also ideal for drone scouting, as carp regularly move into the shallows to forage.

The outside bends, by contrast, are subject to heavier flow and often have bare, gravelly bottoms that offer little in terms of natural feeding opportunities.

Less Is More (at First)

My approach to river fishing is very much hit-and-run. First, I locate the carp before introducing any bait. Throwing in kilos of bait blindly makes no sense – and with rivers full of silver fish and catfish, overfeeding just increases the chance of drawing in the wrong species.

Once I’ve found carp feeding actively, I’ll start with no more than 3kg of bait per rod for the session. That’s usually enough to keep them interested. From there, I adjust – increasing or decreasing based on how they’re reacting.

If the carp are there, you’ve got to catch them.

Key River Fishing Tactics

Carp always give away their presence if you watch the water long enough. When you find them, presentation is everything.

• Rig presentation: Your rig must lie straight and naturally in the current. Carp feed with their noses facing upstream. If they faced the other way, they’d simply drift off – they can’t hold position.

• Rod positioning: Adjust your setup so you’re fishing slightly downstream. That way, carp encounter your hookbait before they reach your mainline, reducing the chance of spooking them.

These small details can make a big difference to your success on the river.

Respect the Wild

Fishing rivers puts you right in the heart of nature, and that’s a privilege. During my sessions I’ve encountered horses, cows, wild boar, beavers, and deer. Always remember: this is their home, not yours. Respect the environment and leave no trace.

Final Thoughts

River fishing can be both beautiful and brutal. The conditions are unpredictable, but with the right approach – from reading the water to keeping baiting strategies sensible – the rewards are unforgettable.

I hope this insight into my river tactics helps your own fishing. If you’ve got questions, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram – I’m always happy to chat and share ideas.

Instagram @mitchko_carpfishing