Diary Of A Carp Mad Man

[MassBass]

The mighty common carp will drive an angler mad. I chum the water throroughly and I feel like i must be fishing for jaws. Then I set my line, using braid as a mainline and a 15lb mono leader. Is my hook too big? I get some nibbles; some tap-taps, some bites. My little red hook must be too big. Then I get a take, a no doubt run, and pick up my rod and set the hook, its on for a second then its not. I check my business end and the line is broke at the hook, the mono is old and weak. I could break it with my hands. I thought that spool would still be good.

 

I retie with braid and a smaller hook. In the shallow current under the bridge they can see me; one spooks and some others are not interested in my pathetic offering. One more spot, a shady smallmouth hole. I set my line some bites...then a run! I handle my rod and rear back, yup! I have the fish on only briefly before it comes unbottoned. No line failure, no hook bent. Must have gotten a bad turn of their fleshy lips. More bad luck, my bike has a flat tire. Must have popped in the hot sun.

[Darren.]

C'est la vie! Live to fight the carp another day!

[CeeJay]

You'll get em next time

[CeeJay]

MassBass have you tried circle hooks for carp?  I actually never have, but I used sensitive stick and waggler floats to detect lift bites (if the bait is on the bottom) and set the hook solid immediately rather than let the fish run with it and spit it out.  Because as you said, Carp can drive an angler mad

 

Thill makes some great floats for carping: TG waggler, Mini-Stealth, Shy Bite, etc. are amazing for detecting when a carp first picks up the bait. 

It takes some practice to weight them properly so that only a tiny portion is above water, but they usually list the shot/weight needed on the packages.

 

Good luck and happy carping 

[MassBass]

Getting skunked is just water under the bridge.

[MassBass]

As I clumsily descended the rugged terrain down to the water I could see the big carp fining in the shallow water on the bank. As I made it down to the trickling delta I couldn't help but spook them. Im not getting skunked again, I can see carp periodically breaking the surface so I know they are still in the vicinity of the small stream and rotating current pattern. Not getting anything I decide to use my corn to chum the area in front of the delta. A while after I can see a big shadow slowly moving in the water I chummed. Carp! I miss one take but quickly get another cast out. Next bite is a screamer, if I miss this one...I have a carp on and the hook holds for its initial head turns. The big fish tires against the bend of my new medium action rod. 31" carp. about 12lbs. I don't get anymore bites. I feel like a stressed carp can spook a whole school or spot. I quit for the day while im on top.   

[MassBass]

good luck today, two carp one 27" and one 33" (one of those big ones).

[MassBass]

Terrible misfortune. With the substantial rain that moved thru I went to a spot that has a stream flow. No signs of carp but I eventually get a bite and the fish is on. Definitely a carp, pulling drag and and fighting; but then it comes off. dah gum it. This is the second time a fish has become unbuttoned like this. My thought is that im getting bad turns and the small hook is getting twisted out. I change my philosophy and tie on a small treble. I have caught carp on trebles before; and it doesn't do anymore damage to the fish as one point does. As i put my trash in my bag I pick up the lid of the can of corn to put it in my bag and I slice the finger of my other hand. S***. I knew even before the blood appeared that this was a substantial accident. I quickly pull in my line and hike out, I got a ride home because I couldn't ride my bike. This wound will sideline me for a few days at least.    

[MassBass]

nailed a 27"; not messin around with trebles, but I implemented a trilene xl leader and I think it really gave me an advantage over the fish. The stretchy mono really absorbs the fish's desperate head shakes. And with the braid as a mainline I could tie on a striper lure if the situation arose.

[CeeJay]

It's interesting that you're going against tradition by using casting tackle and braided line for the Golden Ghost.

This is a great journal by the way, I'm really enjoying reading about your carp madness.

 

My pb 20 pound carp was caught on hair rigged sweet corn on a #6 aberdeen hook, a few small slit shot, under a homemade waggler float.  Line was 6 pound test mono, all fished on a 7 ft med-heavy spinning rod.

If my old fishing log and memory serve me right

 

I love carp.

[MassBass]

Carpe Diem. Ill tell ya chumming the swim with corn before I place my line has upped my catch rate big time. I have not gotten skunked in a while. I have also changed how I hold the fish. Im not going to ever gill them again. I had one thrash and ripped his gill.

 

That ambassaduer has caught me many carp over the years. Its not to great for casting lures for bass but carp fishing it shines. Good bait clicker. However carp are tackle busters and they can break your equipment. I have had that reel repaired before. I have the cabela's baitfeeder salt striker spinning/king kat rod combo on my wish list. Should my ambassaduer go down again I will get that spinning outfit.   

[MassBass]

Oh the glory of battle! I caught a tode of 32.5", it was a great battle; high water strong current. I mean the water was HIGH guy. If I can catch fish when the waters like that, nothing will stop me! 

[MassBass]

Im thinking with the low water conditions getting the high tide bite will be key. Low water, low flow conditions have been tough. High tide is at 7:21 tonight.  

[MassBass]

I ordered a catapult today for chumming way out there. With low water the fish are spooky if they even do come shallow. I should be able to hit main current flows with this glorified carp sling shot. http://www.bigcarptackle.com/bait/baiting-aids/catapults/korda-katapults

[MassBass]

Had a blast this evening. I got down there immediately after a rain event, but the little stream was not trickling like I had anticipated. For about an hour I thought this is gona be another skunk but then some action came. I have heard of people getting the musky bug. Ill tell ya, whatever the carp bug is I got it bad. Pics are of two different fish and the backdrop.  

[CeeJay]

Nice Carp MB.

Did you get your catapult yet?  I'm thinking about getting one myself for carping this Fall.

 

I was bluegill fishing with a telescopic pole this past weekend and a carp pulled my line right off the rod tip after a battle of about 3 seconds

[MassBass]

I received my Korda heavy catapult earlier today. With a spare pouch. Seems quality made. Hope to use it on the water in the next few days. I have thought that I will never get into the nitty gritty euro stuff, but this sling shot will hopefully up my catch rate in the low water conditions.    

[FinCulture]

Do you do all this carp fishing on the Charles, the Connecticut, or somewhere else?

[MassBass]

Do you do all this carp fishing on the Charles, the Connecticut, or somewhere else?

Merrimack. I do want to fish the Charles tho. Boston seems like it could be a carp wonderland.

[Hurricane]

Solid thread. . Makes me want to go carp fishing. . Never had been a fish I have targeted. . Now I am hoping to go carp fishing soon..

[Bankbeater]

I always seem to find carp when I'm throwing a rat l trap. I usually snag them in the tail.

[MassBass]

I used my new catapult this morning and it worked fantastic. Fun to use to. I credit it to getting me a bite, a big one 33.5". He really choked my hook I had to cut the leader line. I was glad to get this fish because it proves out a new (carp) spot during lower water conditions.  The bite should only get better with the fall bite right around the corner.  goodluck  

[ChrisWi]

If you're gonna carp fish, do it under a float with light Line. It's fun catching them like this but rather boring after a few fish. Personally, watching a float sink is pretty exciting.

[MassBass]

I couldn't believe it I caught a mirror carp today. I did not know they even existed in this waterway. I happened to have my camera to. The mirror went about 30" and then I caught a smaller (normal) common carp. Also the view across and downriver. You really just never know when you got a hook in the water.    

[MassBass]

I've been wearing them out down there.