Carp Fishing Fashion

Lets be Honest

Every carp angler knows the game. Tackle tart, fashion tart, carp tart… call it what you want, but there’s an unspoken competition on the bank that has nothing to do with actually catching fish. While we all claim to be out there for the love of the sport, there’s an undeniable pressure to look the part—even if it means spending more on clothing than terminal tackle. And unlike bragging about a new PB, this particular arms race has no real upside beyond lighter pockets and heavier credit card statements.

When I first started carp fishing, I couldn’t have cared less about the fashion side of things. I’d rock up to the lake in whatever was comfortable—summer shorts, worn-out trainers, and sarcastic slogan t-shirts that probably said something inappropriate. “It’s just fishing,” I’d think, “who cares what I wear?” Turns out, the carp fishing world cares—a lot. I learned this lesson the hard way while standing in a ticket queue one morning, getting those unmistakable sideways glances from head-to-toe Fox-clad anglers. The look they gave me said it all—I might as well have walked into a Michelin-star restaurant wearing swim trunks and flip-flops.

These days? I’ll admit I’ve reluctantly joined the dark side. There’s now a definite bias toward Fox gear in my kit—not because I truly believe their clothing makes me fish better (let’s be real, carp don’t check labels), but because like it or not, brands matter in carp culture. That logo on your sleeve might not impress the fish, but it certainly changes how other anglers perceive you on the bank. Is it shallow? Maybe. But after one too sessions of feeling like the odd one out, I decided to play the game—at least enough to avoid those judgmental stares at dawn.

That said, I’ve drawn my line in the sand. You’ll still find me fishing in trainers when it’s hot, because comfort will always trump fashion when you’re spending 48 hours in a bivvy. And if that earns me another round of disapproving looks from the “all the gear, no idea” crowd? Well, that’s a price I’m willing to pay.

At the end of the day, carp fishing should be about what works for you—whether that’s premium branded clothing or a ten-year-old hoodie that’s seen more action than your rods. But if you’re new to the sport, consider this your heads-up: like it or not, carp fishing comes with its own unspoken dress code. How much you choose to follow it is entirely up to you.