How to Fish UK Carp Syndicates - Tom Dove

Fishing a UK carp syndicate can be one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences an angler faces — and no one showcases this better than Tom Dove in Korda’s Thinking Tackle episode ‘Tom Dove Fishes Great British Syndicate’, available on YouTube.

In this in-depth film, Tom heads to the notorious Carthagena Syndicate in the heart of the Lea Valley, going up against some of the most elusive, pressured carp in the country. Whether you’ve just joined a syndicate or are dreaming of getting on one, here’s a breakdown of what it takes to succeed.

1. Understand the Syndicate Mentality

Syndicate lakes are a different beast to day tickets. The fish are older, wiser, and have seen every rig and bait under the sun. You're fishing among experienced anglers who know the water intimately.

Tom stresses the importance of 'playing the long game'. It’s not about chasing bites every session — it’s about understanding the lake, earning your rewards over time, and being part of the water’s rhythm.

2. Watercraft is Everything

Tom opens the session by walking the lake — not rushing to set up, but watching, listening and feeling the venue. He looks for signs:

• Subtle shows

• Bubbling/fizzing

• Bird activity

• Temperature and wind direction

• Areas with past form

As Tom says, ‘put the effort into watching, and the rewards will come’. He continues, ‘you need to find the fish before you even think about casting’.

3. Quiet, Considered Baiting

Big hits of bait can work — but more often on syndicates, it’s about seeking those opportunites or priming areas over time. Tom is an expert at reading a situation and baiting accordingly. It’s no secret, that in spring, Tom’s favoured approach is a Pineapple Pop Up on a spinner rig, fished either as a single hookbait or over a light spread of bait, be that Cell boilie or sweetcorn. In the summer, once the carp have spawned, Tom will often up the quantities of his bait, favouring tiger nuts where allowed, along with other seeded particle, pellet and boilie. In the autumn and into winter, Tom is a big fan of natural baits, with caster being his absolute favourite. Adapting your baiting based on the time of year and the carp’s behaviour is essential. No two lakes are the same, so be versatile and experiment, look to be different than others.

Top baiting tips from the film:

• Match the hatch (don’t be too outrageous)

• Use a throwing stick or catapult for subtle, scattered bait

• Avoid overfeeding — let the fish come to you

4. Refined Rig Presentation

Syndicate carp have seen it all. Tom keeps things clean and sharp:

• A spinner rig with a balanced wafter or pop up.

• Razor-sharp hooks checked regularly.

• Uncluttered rigs with natural movement.

Everything is done with precision, from knot strength to hook point sharpness. As Tom says, ‘On these waters, you might only get one chance, so everything needs to be right’. Tom’s go-to spinner set up consists of a size 4 Krank, a PTFE Spinner Swivel and a crimped Boom section of around 6-inches, just a simple tried and tested spinner rig.

5. Keep a Logbook – Learn from Every Session

Tom talks about tracking everything:

• Weather conditions

• Swim choice

• Spots and wraps

• Rig and bait used

• Fish sightings

• Moon phases

• Bite Times

This helps build a mental picture of the lake over time, giving you an edge others might miss. It’s about putting the puzzle together slowly and methodically. Tom makes simple notes of this information on the notes app of his phone.

6. Respect the Venue and the Community

Syndicates are close-knit. Respect the other anglers, the rules, and the lake itself. Don’t burn spots. Don’t over-share online. Tom’s advice is simple: ‘Blend in, fish well, and let your results do the talking’. You can make some friends for life at syndicates, enjoy and respect the community, get involved where you can, enjoy others catching, share their buzz and just be a good guy.

Final Thoughts – Patience Pays Off

Throughout the film, Tom’s patient, intelligent approach sets the tone. He keeps in tune with the lake, doesn’t commit to areas until he knows it’s right. He is versatile with his approach, building knowledge on each session but also going into each trip with an open mind.