'17 river carpin

[MassBass]

First go at carp this year, I caught a nice 31" fish. Huge girth, it was probably feeding on my chum. My wimpy spinning rod really gives the fish a parabola to play against, but it sacrifices some control over the fish, especially when trying to land the fish. I would rather have my rod bent like a parabola then have the hook pull with a stiff rod. However something a little stiffer might be better. Cabela's salt striker baitrunner reel still going strong.  Bait was cooked feed corn tipped with a fake corn on a hair.   

[MassBass]

I caught a fish this evening, 29.5" on the tape. I was chumming the spot for some time before he hit, with some bites that made me tinker with my rig some. He ran out to the main river current, but turned around; I would have had to put the brakes on somehow if he kept swimming downriver. 

[MassBass]

Finding my go- to spot stagnant despite some rain during the day, I decided to move. The brush was thick and the old deer trail grown over mostly. I went upriver to a spot where main river current sweeps by a living lay down. Good moving water. The water was muddy but it was not flooded. Unusual color. Chummed, casted, soon a strong take, by the time I handled the rod the fish was swimming straight back at me to the structure. Strong, definitely a carp, it was in the snag and then I broke off. I was excited after this, pretty sure the spot was good for another chance. Got another take, big fat carp 22" girth 29" long. I caught another fish at 33" that was built different. It was starting to get dark with sunglasses on, and I was kind of remote, so I packed up and left. I think I found a better rod its an Ugly Stik lite 6'6" M. Has enough backbone to control the fish.  

[Jigfishn10]

Sweet, beauties for sure @MassBass...Congrats!

[MassBass]

Pulled one yesterday, 32". I think it had something to do with water temps, but this thing was fired up. I probably fought it for 15 min. it would not tire. After that I had two runs for no fish with a different rig that I had tied on. Then I snagged up and lost my hardware. I think an important thing is light wire hooks. If your hook isn't totaled after one fish, its too heavy. I also need to start using lighter line on the hooklink so i don't lose sinkers, slides, and swivels.  

[Jigfishn10]

Wow @MassBass, a beauty for sure! You're carving out quite a carp season for yourself.

[MassBass]

Went down to my spot with the current and the laydown. Looked good with a real defined lane of current. Chummed, casted, soon i got a fish. Then I got another smaller one. Still have never caught a small carp in the main river. 27~ inches are the smaller ones. Using a 1oz bank sinker on a slide with a hair rig. 

[MassBass]

Had a great evening 3 carp. Started slow as the sun was still very strong at 6pm. I kept the swim chummed expecting a later than normal first bite. Blue sky bright sun is alot different than tropical/cloudy/stormy pattern. While my line was out i saw a big bass push a little bass right up to the bank, he went for a strike and the little bass spooked and jumped over a log. I could have put on a spoon or popper and had a chance with the big bass, but I knew the carp would be around soon. 7:14 I had my first carp, 30". Then another as soon as i got my line back out 28". I caught a third carp too 31". By the time i released the third fish it was dark and the half-moon was out. I don't get skunked in July like years past, the key is evening and night bite. Might try another spot tomorrow for another July fish before its too late.  

[new2BC4bass]

Some seriously nice fish........but you need to change your username.  

[MassBass]

2 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Some seriously nice fish........but you need to change your username.  

hey man i have had this username since '05. You can evolve a lot as an angler in that many years. They are on a night bite now I didn't get a good take till 8:40 when I was reluctantly packing up my corn and empty bottles. 30" carp on a different (but proven) spot than the previous. Full moon tonight.  

[new2BC4bass]

I'm sure you understood it was a bit of humor on my side.  I tried to change my username, but couldn't figure out how.  My username doesn't fit me as I've seldom used a spinning reel since getting back into fishing in '09 (when I joined several forums).  I hesitate to mention how many baitcast reels I've accumulated during that time.  Let's just say it is over 50. 

 

A carp is the biggest fish I've caught to date.  A 35 pounder at least half a century ago on a K-Mart special and 8# XL.  I have been strictly an artificial fisherman since getting back into fishing.  Trouble is fishing from shore in my area sucks due to so much fishing pressure.  I am seriously considering trying for fish other than bass.  We have some decent size catfish in the river.  I don't recall anyone ever mentioning carp, but would be surprised if there weren't any.

 

I don't really don't care what kind of fish I catch as long as I can catch something.  Well......I don't care to catch eels these days.  Have gotten squeamish in my old age.