N E 1 FISSION
6/27/2012 10:50:00 AMI will try to be there this Sunday, I will be looking for you, I also fish w/med rod, 15# test, hook?, I saw these ways to lure carp, will send you later on this notification, thanks for the update!!
N E 1 FISSION
6/27/2012 10:51:00 AMNormally all that is needed is a hook tied directly to the end of your line. The most popular hook sizes are from #6 to #1. The best style by far is the baitholder since soft baits such as breadough and corn are used. In most instances no weight is used so that the bait sinks slowly and naturally and most important, the fish should never feel any resistance when picking up the bait. In a situation where added weight is necessary the only option is a sliding sinker so that there is still no resistance when a fish picks up the bait. In Europe and the eastern half of the USA a special set up called a "hair rig" is used which is a rig that enables the bait to be separated from the hook so that the carp does not feel the hook when taking the bait. For more information on the hair rig and other specialized carp rigs check out the C.A.G. website.
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Carp Baits
Carp have been known to take baits such as corn, bread, hot dogs, cut baits, worms, prepared dough baits, cheese and many others. The best baits by far are sweet corn and simple bread dough. The bread dough is made by moistening a few slices of any kind of bread with water and kneading it until it becomes the right texture to put on a hook. If you use too much water so that it becomes soggy, just add flour and continue to knead until it looks and feels right. Some anglers like to experiment by adding their secret flavorings to the dough. Some of the well known ones are, vanilla, anise oil, peanut butter, maple syrup and my favorite, strawberry. In all honesty, I have yet to experience any real advantage with the flavored dough but it makes it more interesting to try different baits.
For information on more specialized carp baits such as "boilies" check out the C.A.G. website.
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Best Areas
One of the good things about carp fishing is that it does not require a boat, in fact a boat can be a hindrance in most situations. If you choose to use a boat, find a soft sand or gravel shore and beach the boat since no matter how you anchor, the boat will swing back and forth making it next to impossible to detect a strike. The ideal spot is any beach with a sand or mud bottom and a gradual sloping shoreline. The next best is sheltered boat harbors and canals. The only problem with harbors is trying to play a battling carp among all the pilings, floats and buoys. It is best to stay away from areas with lots of structure as you will have a very difficult time trying to coax a big carp out of the stuff.
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Best Time of Year
Carp can be caught all year long but are more active with warmer water. I normally start fishing for them in early March and experience the best action in April and May. They are readily available all summer and into the fall but it's a little tougher to find a concentration of active fish. I have done real well in October and early November when the water temperature starts to go back to the low 70s and high 60s.
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Chumming?
Normally carp travel in schools so the ideal situation is to locate a school. Unfortunately chumming in any form is totally illegal in California's lakes and reservoirs. If you're in a state that allows chumming, just toss out several handfuls of corn or soggy bread and wait awhile, you will have all the action you can handle. In California lakes and reservoirs we can use two rods if we purchase an extra rod stamp for our license. This at least enables us to have a little more bait in the water to attract the fish. There is no law against checking your bait as often as you like and since breadough is very soft it will fall off the hook as soon as you lift your rod sharply and reel in. If you repeat this process a few times the carp will show up in a short time. I realize this could be interpreted as chumming so make your own decision on whether or not to utilize this method in California.
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Now We Go Fishing
I suggest making short casts of 50 to 100 feet or so since carp like to roam the shallows. Always fish with some slack in your line and watch for any movement in the line. It is imperative that you have slack in the line because if the fish feels even the slightest resistance it will immediately drop the bait nine times out of ten. A lot of times they will start by just picking up the bait and moving a couple of inches and then dropping it. Wait until they really start moving out and then drop the rod tip and set the hook and get set for one heck of a battle. If you're using super braid line, don't set it too hard or you will snap the line or straighten out the hook.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carp Baits
Carp have been known to take baits such as corn, bread, hot dogs, cut baits, worms, prepared dough baits, cheese and many others. The best baits by far are sweet corn and simple bread dough. The bread dough is made by moistening a few slices of any kind of bread with water and kneading it until it becomes the right texture to put on a hook. If you use too much water so that it becomes soggy, just add flour and continue to knead until it looks and feels right. Some anglers like to experiment by adding their secret flavorings to the dough. Some of the well known ones are, vanilla, anise oil, peanut butter, maple syrup and my favorite, strawberry. In all honesty, I have yet to experience any real advantage with the flavored dough but it makes it more interesting to try different baits.
For information on more specialized carp baits such as "boilies" check out the C.A.G. website.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Areas
One of the good things about carp fishing is that it does not require a boat, in fact a boat can be a hindrance in most situations. If you choose to use a boat, find a soft sand or gravel shore and beach the boat since no matter how you anchor, the boat will swing back and forth making it next to impossible to detect a strike. The ideal spot is any beach with a sand or mud bottom and a gradual sloping shoreline. The next best is sheltered boat harbors and canals. The only problem with harbors is trying to play a battling carp among all the pilings, floats and buoys. It is best to stay away from areas with lots of structure as you will have a very difficult time trying to coax a big carp out of the stuff.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Time of Year
Carp can be caught all year long but are more active with warmer water. I normally start fishing for them in early March and experience the best action in April and May. They are readily available all summer and into the fall but it's a little tougher to find a concentration of active fish. I have done real well in October and early November when the water temperature starts to go back to the low 70s and high 60s.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chumming?
Normally carp travel in schools so the ideal situation is to locate a school. Unfortunately chumming in any form is totally illegal in California's lakes and reservoirs. If you're in a state that allows chumming, just toss out several handfuls of corn or soggy bread and wait awhile, you will have all the action you can handle. In California lakes and reservoirs we can use two rods if we purchase an extra rod stamp for our license. This at least enables us to have a little more bait in the water to attract the fish. There is no law against checking your bait as often as you like and since breadough is very soft it will fall off the hook as soon as you lift your rod sharply and reel in. If you repeat this process a few times the carp will show up in a short time. I realize this could be interpreted as chumming so make your own decision on whether or not to utilize this method in California.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now We Go Fishing
I suggest making short casts of 50 to 100 feet or so since carp like to roam the shallows. Always fish with some slack in your line and watch for any movement in the line. It is imperative that you have slack in the line because if the fish feels even the slightest resistance it will immediately drop the bait nine times out of ten. A lot of times they will start by just picking up the bait and moving a couple of inches and then dropping it. Wait until they really start moving out and then drop the rod tip and set the hook and get set for one heck of a battle. If you're using super braid line, don't set it too hard or you will snap the line or straighten out the hook.
cobrar543
6/27/2012 3:20:00 PMVery interesting video, I can see where it would work, but I think this is just to big, I am going to try to size it down some and see if it will work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31M1ZlBxpKY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31M1ZlBxpKY&feature=related
johnd66
6/27/2012 6:46:00 PMYeah it was a good morning wasn't it. I will be back tomorrow morning. By the way, my tag is johnd66 not jd123. Sorry, I have a tendency to mumble.
Maybe see you there in the morning.
Maybe see you there in the morning.
hortus1010
6/28/2012 10:13:00 AMSorry John, should have checked your previous post, thought I could go by memory but that didn’t work to well though.
Interesting video cobrar543, weight seems a little excessive to me. I myself use the smallest egg weight I have. I have started to experiment with floating my corn off the bottom though. I’m not yet sure if this helps.
I forgot to mention in my original post that I put wild bird seed in my chum. In this last batch I made I forgot to put it in and added it as an afterthought. This however, caused it not to soak properly and some of it floated. The by product was that I drew the attention of a pair of ducks. However, as I was talking with John I noticed a weird white circular shape surfacing and skimming the surface. I thought that it was a Carp; I wasn’t sure because you didn’t see any part of the fish. I am sure now though this was a Carp. This is because when I cast my corn in for the second run it was picked up well before it hit the bottom and I had just seen the white thing (mouth of the Carp) on the surface skimming.
I have ordered some Carp hooks, size 4 and 6, try and find these things around here, impossible. The only place I really haven’t looked is Outdoor Emporium. They are chemically sharpened, light wire, coated black, with a straight shank and eye (this is better for the hair rig) and have a wide gap. Pretty good price 1.99 for 25.
FYI, the dock will be closed this Wednesday. I am still going to fish down there, but over a the boat access area.
Interesting video cobrar543, weight seems a little excessive to me. I myself use the smallest egg weight I have. I have started to experiment with floating my corn off the bottom though. I’m not yet sure if this helps.
I forgot to mention in my original post that I put wild bird seed in my chum. In this last batch I made I forgot to put it in and added it as an afterthought. This however, caused it not to soak properly and some of it floated. The by product was that I drew the attention of a pair of ducks. However, as I was talking with John I noticed a weird white circular shape surfacing and skimming the surface. I thought that it was a Carp; I wasn’t sure because you didn’t see any part of the fish. I am sure now though this was a Carp. This is because when I cast my corn in for the second run it was picked up well before it hit the bottom and I had just seen the white thing (mouth of the Carp) on the surface skimming.
I have ordered some Carp hooks, size 4 and 6, try and find these things around here, impossible. The only place I really haven’t looked is Outdoor Emporium. They are chemically sharpened, light wire, coated black, with a straight shank and eye (this is better for the hair rig) and have a wide gap. Pretty good price 1.99 for 25.
FYI, the dock will be closed this Wednesday. I am still going to fish down there, but over a the boat access area.