Carp are killing me

[Bernie]

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Hi Bluefish94! A 4 pound carp is good!

It is still trout season therefore I have not tried going for carps yet. From past summer experiences, I usually throw my bait/fly about 1 foot ahead of the target fish and wait for the take. If the water is muddy, just estimate where your fly is and tighten the line as the carp pass the spot. If the carp does not get spooked, then slowly retrieve your line and cast again 1 foot above the target fish. Carps are easily spooked and very selective on what they take in so have patience, the reward is as exciting as having a bluefish pull your line hard and tight.

Happy fishing.

 

[Bluefish94]

Thanks for the help guys, I got one more yesterday around 3 lbs. but still had another two fish take the fly but did not hook up. I guess with a 33% hook up rate I should not complain.

 

[evilgwil]

Well im new to fly fishing but i am well trained in the art of English style float fishing. Born english but raised in america my father taught me the art of Float fishing. Using floats varying in sizes and styles we have fished for everything from bluegills and crappies to Chinook salmon. In england Carp fishing is BIG BUSINESS. You use a different style rod usally 10 to 12 feet in length and most times thye use either bread, boilies ( an artificial bait dyed different colors, worm, fresh water mussels, sweet corn, maggots (fly larvae). Floating bread is the best especially when the fish are used to bread pieces fed to duck etc. In the UKn they talk about fine and far off meaning fine lines even for big fish and long distance casting ( yards not feet) Carp will often adapt to baitng a river or better still a pond or lake. It takes time but ground baiting with corn can work well. Fine hook mean that they dont effect the way a bait moves when a carp sucks it up. Carp can be finicky but when they are on a particular food the can be ravenous. My father fished for carp in small ponds and lakes where they can reach a decent size. If there are lilly pads fishing on or around them often works well.

Well thats all for now. Hopefully my fly fishing skills get to a level where my float fishing is and ill never go home without atleast 1 fish. :king: I picked up the fly gear because it looked alot harder and more precise than other fishing styles and seams more challenging. When you fish a lake and manage to pull 20 10 to 14 inch trout in about 6 hours you get bored, hahahah it was stalked im not that good. I was very suprised when i hooked and landed my first trout on a bead headed nymph because i barely knew it took the bait. Well good luck with your carp fishing and when you get a good one prepare for a fight. Later guys good luck and wish me good luck with my ff. Later

Gwil out.

 

[rckrego]

Mark Romero- Please refrain from using derogatory terms on the forum. Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. As for eating carp- They are very healthy eaters. For some reason because they can withstand poorer water quality people assume they eat trash. this is just not the case. They do eat a more vried diet than trout, which includes algaes and plant materials, but mostly its aqautic insects, crustaceans, fish, worms, etc. While I have not eaten them, I certainly am not aopposed to it and would do so in a heart beat. Just never had the opportunity.

Anybody know any good locations for carp in the mercer/hunterdon/somerset area? I really want to catch one and get deep into the backing.

 

[skiezo]

New member here.
I target carp often on by home river. They are one of the toughest fish I to catch.
I catch them when they are sipping bugs off the top more often
than when they are feeding in the shallows on the bottom.
I use either an 7 or 8 wt. for both smallies and carp.
Even on the 8 wt. they are a tough fish to land.
If bottom fishing for them I use a small crayfish soaked in fish oil.
I am not ashamed to admit I target carp as a game fish.
IHMO it is one of the most elusive fish to catch.
I am mainly a smallie guy but carp are moving to the top.

Brian

 

[wingnut]

My 2 cents on carp.
I've caught a bunch on a fly rod over the last few years. I use an eight wieght w/ floating line and a short 6 to 9 foot leader. I actually target them in May, June and July often INSTEAD of trout. I wish I could enter a picture but I cant figure it out.
Anyway hear are a few tips. You don't need to scent your flys. You do need to take the fly put it in the water and rub what ever is on the stream bottom in to the fly. I find it hides any scent of humans. Also use florocarbon tippet at least 12lb. They have very good eyesight. Cast in a crayfish, stonefly, or bugger 2 feet in front and 1 foot past the tailing fish and creep the fly towards the fish as it muds up towards the fly. Accuracy is key and a miss will spook the fish. Often the fish will turn to the fly. If he does tighten the line and strip hook when you think hes got it. After a few fish it becomes second nature. After catching a fish you may need to abandon the pool or flat and move upstream. Never fish downstream or you are sure to spook every fish in the flat. Last year I documented over 80 fish and my friends did at least the same amount. It is addictive and 25+lb fish are possible all though I think 15-18lb fish pull and fight the hardest. If anyone wants a few picture let me know and I will be happy to back my claims. Oh yeah, Please don't kill these fish. After a few good fights you will never call them trash again....
Dave

 

[Uncle Wes]

Great post my friend has 7 giant carp in his pond in Boonton Twp. I am mostly a trout guy, but I am going to take my 8 weight and use your tips.

Cheers.