Carp fishing

[texasbasser]

I know im probably opening a big can of worms here, but here it goes...

I love to fish and catch carp. Spinning tackle and flyrod. Some people think the only good carp is a dead carp, but I disagree. Does anyone here fish for them?

TB

[jooleyen]

You bet. When big Lake Michigan is frozen over, and the only thing that has moving water is a river, carp will bite. No flyrod then though.

[flbassman]

Have in the past. I actually saw one finnin yesterday, and I wouldn't mind catching one before too long. They stink like none other though.......

[Fishnngolfn]

I would like to catch one just because they are a pretty big fish. I wouldn't know where to start to try and catch them. Most of the carp I see are in the retention ponds. I think they are grass carp. What would you suggest to catch them? I believe some here mentioned to bait the water with corn and then throw a light hook with corn on it in the middle of the it after the carp start feeding.

[bamabassman]

f&g come to guntersville pal. there are some HUGE carps here pal.

[flbassman]

Originally Posted by Fishnngolfn

I would like to catch one just because they are a pretty big fish. I wouldn't know where to start to try and catch them. Most of the carp I see are in the retention ponds. I think they are grass carp. What would you suggest to catch them? I believe some here mentioned to bait the water with corn and then throw a light hook with corn on it in the middle of the it after the carp start feeding.

Yup. Skip the light hook though, go for like a 3/0-5/0. You can also use white bread. It's pretty cool because it floats, and they blow up on it.

[texasbasser]

Theyre the closest thing I can get to reds and bonefish up here, they are a blast. I pretty much only fly fish for them, when they are tailing up in the grass.

If carp readily hit artificials no one would be fishing for bass.

TB

[Marty]

Some people think the only good carp is a dead carp, but I disagree.

Not me. I fish for them perhaps a half-dozen times a year. I don't know of a stronger fish and they're the only things I catch that make my reel sing.

These are not particularly big by carp standards, 14# and 11#.

[Fishnngolfn]

Originally Posted by Marty

Not me. I fish for them perhaps a half-dozen times a year. I don't know of a stronger fish and they're the only things I catch that make my reel sing.

These are not particularly big by carp standards, 14# and 11#.

I know I have asked this in general but how did you (Marty) catch those? Do you have to be really patient when fishing for carp? I imagine it is nothing at all like bass fishing.

[flbassman]

Originally Posted by texasbasser

Theyre the closest thing I can get to reds and bonefish up here, they are a blast. I pretty much only fly fish for them, when they are tailing up in the grass.

If carp readily hit artificials no one would be fishing for bass.

TB

I've never had much luck on fly. How do you do it?

[BassMoJo]

I do I a little carp fishing here and there with the buddies when we get bored. Head out to prettyboy reservoir with a 30 pack and a can of corn and wait ....good times!

[Fishnngolfn]

Originally Posted by BassMoJo

I do I a little carp fishing here and there with the buddies when we get bored. Head out to prettyboy reservoir with a 30 pack and a can of corn and wait ....good times!

Hey BassMoJo. Why don't you tend to your team in our fantasy league?!?!?!?!?!

Sorry for the derail.

[BassMoJo]

I forgot my password to that email ... and I cant remember the secrity question...sorry

[Bob Smith]

Down in Texas they have the Lone Star Carp Brigade that actually have tournaments and promote carp angling as an international sport. Those guys hang out on the Texas Fishing forum under the "Rough Fish" discussion forum. It's very popular. There is one tremendous rub between them and the bowfishing people right now. I understand the thrill of bowfishing, but I don't agree with the obvious waste that is inherant to the remains of all those carp (and I certainly don't agree with leaving the carcassess all over the lake).

[texasbasser]

Originally Posted by flbassman

I've never had much luck on fly. How do you do it?

I tie my own carp flies, and as im sure other flies made for carp would work, I've only had any luck on mine. All flies are supposed to be nicely threaded and pretty, except carp flies. They need to look like a piece of gunk hopping along the bottom (In my case.)

I catch them in the Guad. sometimes fast flowing water, and only about 3 feet or less. Just cast ahead of them about 10 feet and very slowly pull the fly toward the fish, if he wants it he will very subtly suck it in.

TB

[Marty]

I know I have asked this in general but how did you (Marty) catch those? Do you have to be really patient when fishing for carp? I imagine it is nothing at all like bass fishing.

I caught them using corn on the bottom. Yes, patience is needed, at least by my standards. I'm an impatient person and it's tough sitting there doing nothing but watching your line. I usually reel in and cast to a different spot if I get no hits in five minutes.

Bass fishing for me is constant casting and retrieving.