Beausoleil Carp and Cats

Carp up to 48lb which range from stunning scale-perfect commons, through heavily-scaled mirrors and beautiful leathers too. Every carp in this lake is unique and great fun to catch. There are also very powerful catfish that go up to 120lb.

Make sure to check out the Beausoleil YouTube channel with multiple fishing videos to get a taste of the fishing experience offered and plenty of tutorial videos and demos that can help you catch carp both at Beausoleil and at other venues: https://www.youtube.com/user/frenchcarpandcats

You can, of course, bivvy up for your entire week at Beausoleil carp and cats. However, if you don’t fancy seeing too much of your bivvy during your week or you are bringing non-fishing guests, there is a two-bedroom lodge 40 yards from the lake sleeping 4 people, which provides all the comfort you need.

This self-catering lodge is a beautiful and idyllic home base for a weeks-long fishing trip. It has two twin bedrooms, a very comfy lounge, free Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchen, games room with pool table and a south-facing terrace with a BBQ.

There is a picnic table near “home swim” right by the lake if you want to eat dinner with a lovely view of the lake and perhaps plan your next days fishing. You will also find a bait freezer in the lodge. Anglers have access to equipment storage during their stay. The owners ask you to use this to store your fishing equipment rather than storing it in the lodge.

The lodge has everything you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible. You can eat it in comfort of the living room where there is a dining table and chairs, or out by the lake. There is a village just down the road and a supermarket not much further for supplies. If you fancy eating out during your fishing trip, there are lots of restaurants in the neighbouring town.

The following fishing equipment is provided:

3 x carp barrows with bungees
4 x XL retainer slings
4 x Monster carp cradles
1 x weighing tripod
2 x two-man weigh bar
1 x heavy-duty weigh crook
2 x weigh scales: 60lbs and 120lbs
2 x ground cover sheets for catfish
2 x catfish weigh slings
2 x 7ft catfish mats
4 x catfish handling gloves
4 x 10kg lidded bait boxes
1 x 100-litre bait freezer
2 x rowing boats (must bring your own life jacket)

Beausoleil make their own boilies which are recommended, however you may bring your own freezer baits or pellet, but no shelf-life baits.

Particles can be used, however they must be prepared properly

No nuts of any kind are to be used

Do not dispose of unused baits at the end of the trip.

Mainline and terminal tackle

Min 25lb mono. We only allow Berkley Big Game and every knot must be tested to 17.5lb using the 8kg test weight provided in each swim.
No braided mainline. Braid can be used on spods and marker rods.
Min 35lb braided hook link. All hooklink material must be approved before fishing.
No lead core or leaders of any kind, including safezone leaders.
No swivels, knots, quick links or split shots above the hooklink swivel. Min of 1m of rig tubing to protect carp and catfish.

Barbless or micro barbed hooks only, crushed barbs can be used.
No curved or long-shanked hooks.

Heavy gauge size 4 carp hooks only.
Min 1 x 42” landing net per angler.

Fishing

3 rods per angler. These rods must not be left unattended

No rigs that can endanger the fish are allowed.

No zig fishing

Night fishing is only allowed in certain swims

Stalking is allowed when safe (only one rod)

No fishing permit or licence is required at Beausoleil

Bait boats are permitted. Rowboat can be used, but you must bring your own life jacket

Fishing handling rules

No sacking or retention of fish at any time
Use the extra-large carp cradles and catfish mats provided

Prior to lifting the fish into the cradle, prepare a container of water to wet all equipment

Ensure the hook link is un-clipped or the mainline is cut before lifting the fish.

Ensure you have forceps, camera, scales and antiseptic ready before lifting fish

When on the mat, lay carp on their sides and try to avoid sitting them on their stomachs

Have your carp care kit with you at all times and treat hookholds and other wounds to the fish

Kneel down when holding the fish

Always hold the fish over the cradle

Keep the fish out of water for as little time as possible

Ensure fish are fully recovered at the edge of the lake before releasing them

Please enjoy Beausoleil responsibly, it is a truly fun carp fishing adventure that any carp angler will love, but those seeking an interesting challenge will adore this lake.