FISHING RIGHTS

Carp fishing is catch and release only. All fish are to be returned alive and unharmed to the lake after capture. No fish are to be taken off site or even out of your swim under any circumstances.

On the first day, your session will begin at 12.00 pm. On the final day, swims and cabins are to be vacated by 12.00 pm to allow preparation for new arrivals.

A maximum of 4 (four) rods is allowed per angler. No angler may fish with more than 4 (four) rods at any one time. All rods must be fished from the same swim. Spod and marker rods can also be used.

CODE OF CONDUCT

CARP TACKLE

All rods, reels, landing net and other gear need to be fit for purpose and used correctly. All anglers must be in possession of adequate 12-13ft carp rods, banksticks or rod-pod, and a large 42” landing net with fish-friendly mesh. A large specimen carp cradle or inflatable mat must be used for unhooking fish. Fish must always be transported from the mat/cradle back to the water in a weigh sling. Under no circumstances should a fish be carried in your arms. Never put more than one fish in one sling or one cradle.

When casting from the bank, all carp anglers must use thick monofilament lines: 0.35mm or more plus a monofilament shock leader. Braided mainlines or shockleaders are NOT allowed on fishing rods, but are accepted on spod and marker rods. When rowing out hookbaits using boats (or baitboats), all carp anglers must use thick monofilament lines: 0.40mm or more. Snag leaders are not required as the lake has no snags. Braided mainlines or shockleaders are NOT allowed on fishing rods.

Boats up to 3.2m in length are allowed. You can bring and use your own boat free of charge. Boats are also available for hire but please check availability with the lake bailiff well ahead of your session. Electric outboard motors are allowed. Baitboats and sonars are allowed.

Flexible marker pole systems are allowed when using boats.  They can be left out in the lake to mark areas that you are fishing for the entire length of your session. The use of buoyant high visibility H-blocks is only permitted for temporarily marking a spot. No permanent H-blocks are allowed in the lake when fishing.

CARP RIGS

Single hook set ups only. Please use safety rigs at all times. All leads, beads etc must be released in case of line breakages. The lead system must GUARANTEE that the lead will be released in case the mainline breaks off. Running rigs, standard safety bead bolt rigs, in-line rigs and helicopter rigs are allowed.

Leadcore and leadcore alternatives such as lead free leaders, safezone style leaders and tubing can be used. The maximum length for any leadcore leader (or alternative leader) is 2m. Care must be taken to protect the fish from any kind of mainline to prevent scales being lifted during the fight. Leadcore leaders must be tied to the mainline. No type of clips or swivels are allowed to connect the leadcore leader to the mainline.

Rigs can only be constructed from adequate specialized hooklengths. Extremely fine braids that can cut into the carp’s mouth are not allowed. Coated and uncoated braided hooklengths are allowed. Minimum breaking strain is 15lb.

Micro-barbed hooks only. Barbless hooks are banned. No hooks bigger than size 4 or smaller than size 8. Please note that some hooks in size 4 may be much bigger than others. Avoid very big hooks even if they are size 4.

CARP BAITS

Boilies, pellets, groundbaits and prepared seeds and particles are allowed. This includes maize, corn, sweetcorn, hemp and other particles. No pet food is allowed. All particles must be properly prepared and cooked. Baiting up with dry seeds such as maize is not allowed. Absolutely no tiger nuts or peanuts. Tiger nuts may only be used as a hook bait.

Only good quality baits are allowed. We reserve the right of refusal to allow inferior boilies being used on our lake. Please contact the bailiff for more information. Natural baits such as maggots, worms and casters are not allowed.

CARP CARE

All carp must be realeased quickly after capture. If a carp cannot be photographed when it was caught for objective reasons (such as rain), it may be kept in a retention sling, but only with the approval of the bailiff and for as short as possible.

The fish must be lifted out of the water using a floatation weigh sling. Please check the fins are all flat against the body before lifting the fish. All slings must have buoyant foam support bars and be able to float. Fish must never be carried in your hands to or from the water, only in a sling.

Fish being photographed must be always held over an unhooking mat unless the fish is being photographed in the water. Photographs must be taken kneeling down. Under no circumstances should an angler stand up (or attempt to stand up) when photographing fish. We advise bringing your own chest waders to go into the lake for trophy shots. Big carp should be photograped in the water wherever possible. Never put more than one fish in one sling or one cradle/mat.

Please inform the bailiffs of every 20kg carp or bigger you catch as soon as you catch it. The bailiffs have the right to photograph any carp and use the photos for promotional purposes.

OTHER ASPECTS

Protecting the environment is an important aspect. Fishing grounds must be kept intact. No litter whatsoever at any times. Anglers fishing a swim that has litter strewn around will be deemed responsible for the litter and may be asked to leave.

Access to, or exit from the lake, is only permitted during the day for both anglers and visitors. Entry and exit from the lake are not permitted at night, except in special situations and only with the bailiff’s aproval.

When using boats, we recommend the use of life jackets at all times. Anglers assume full responsibility when going out on the lake in their boat. The lake management is exempted from any civil, administrative and material liability for any form of accidents. Horgești Lake or its employees cannot be held responsible for any accident and/or injury to anglers or their possessions, however caused, whilst on the premises. It is the anglers responsibility to ensure they are protected and are aware of the dangers of fishing. All decisions made by the management are final and not subject to appeal.