Specimen hunting is used to describe the group of anglers who specialise in catching superior quality fish of the largest size possible. These are the people that set the records. They will often but not always specialise in one species, some however will hunt large specimens of all species depending on the season.
Being the more fanatical of the two types of carp fisherman the specimen hunter will often prepare a swim (the part of the bank and area of water he fishes in) for weeks before actually taking a hook to the water. Whilst preparing a swim they will repeatedly introduce the carp bait they are intending to use, so that carp are attracted to the area and comfortable with eating what he proposes to use as bait, in order to ultimately catch them. They will take great care not to disturb the fish in any way. You will often witness a specimen hunter, clad in military camouflage clothing, stalking along the bank in complete silence as he searches for a likely spot to catch his prey.
When the time comes to actually start fishing the specimen hunter once again reveals his rather extreme attitudes towards the sport. He will often disappear for days or weeks at a time, setting up a camp by the water using a small structure named a bivvy; this is very much like a tent but with one side open so that he can be protected from the elements, whilst still being able to access his fishing rods. They will take everything they need - food, water and clothing and will not leave the spot for the entire time they are fishing.
Being the more fanatical of the two types of carp fisherman the specimen hunter will often prepare a swim (the part of the bank and area of water he fishes in) for weeks before actually taking a hook to the water. Whilst preparing a swim they will repeatedly introduce the carp bait they are intending to use, so that carp are attracted to the area and comfortable with eating what he proposes to use as bait, in order to ultimately catch them. They will take great care not to disturb the fish in any way. You will often witness a specimen hunter, clad in military camouflage clothing, stalking along the bank in complete silence as he searches for a likely spot to catch his prey.
When the time comes to actually start fishing the specimen hunter once again reveals his rather extreme attitudes towards the sport. He will often disappear for days or weeks at a time, setting up a camp by the water using a small structure named a bivvy; this is very much like a tent but with one side open so that he can be protected from the elements, whilst still being able to access his fishing rods. They will take everything they need - food, water and clothing and will not leave the spot for the entire time they are fishing.