Super User Bankbeater Posted March 5, 2019 Super User Posted March 5, 2019 I don't target carp, but I have caught a lot of them fishing for bass. Usually feels like I've hooked a speeding train. Quote
redmeansdistortion Posted March 5, 2019 Posted March 5, 2019 15 hours ago, slonezp said: You lowly "I only fish for bass" bass fishermen don't know what you're missing. Hooking into a 20-30lb fish is memory in the making. Salmon, carp, cats, pike, musky...all a much better battle than a little green fish. Only time I don't like the by-catches is during a tourney. There's nothing I enjoy more than a chinook or big steelhead peeling 50yd+ of line during the fight. I fish salmon and steelhead the vast majority of the time. This involves wandering miles through the back country to my favorite holes and often times it's just myself or myself and whomever I bring. The overall experience of the hike, the serenity of nature, not hearing motors or partiers, and smelling exhaust fumes is much better than you will ever find on any bass boat, or boat in general. My favorite brook trout stream in the UP of Michigan is a 22 mile hike off the beaten path. There is a sign posted at the trail head that says 'Past this point you are on your own so prepare accordingly. Help can be hours or days away' Quote
Super User soflabasser Posted March 5, 2019 Super User Posted March 5, 2019 On 2/28/2019 at 8:06 PM, Russ E said: I was flipping through cable channels, while digesting supper, and stumbled across a show called monster carp on the world fishing network channel. I usually don't watch this channel, but this title caught my attention. As a Bass fisherman I was intrigued a show was dedicated to one of the most despised fish in America. The show was based in England. They obviously hold carp at a higher status than most Americans do. I guess it depends on where you live and what is available. To me a carp is a smelly bugle lipped trash fish. I am usually not to happy when I snag one. Maybe I am a spoiled American, but I am just glad to Live in a country where carp are not the only option. Carp are fun to catch but they are not even in my top 10 list of favorite fish to catch. I agree with you that we are very fortunate to have so many species of fish to choose from and for that I am very grateful. On 2/28/2019 at 8:35 PM, Team9nine said: Once you learn how to whip 10-20 pound carp on your finesse gear and 4-6 pound line, no bass you hook is likely to ever scare you A couple weeks ago I caught a +46.5 inch grass carp on 12 pound test mono. It was a fun fight but I rather catch another 10 pound or better largemouth bass. As for fighting ability try catching a 7.5 foot or better shark on 30 pound test line from land, you will never see bass the same after that. Quote
Super User Log Catcher Posted March 6, 2019 Super User Posted March 6, 2019 I caught about a 10# carp one time and it was interesting. I was trying to get it back to the boat as I wanted my crankbait back It was on old Rebel Wee R. I would get it close to the boat and it would take off again. When I finally got it up to the boat I found out I had snagged it in the tail but I did get my bait back. 1 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted March 6, 2019 Super User Posted March 6, 2019 19 hours ago, Turkey sandwich said: What patterns are you using? I've attempted this and failed miserably. If they are rooting on the bottom and actively feeding i like small crayfish imitations but they will eat almost anything as long as it is presented properly. You need to pretty much figure out where they are going and cast in front of them and let it sit. less movement the better in my experience. Any bushy small fly seems to work. the best though is if you find them feeding on top somewhere. I have had the pleasure of fishing for them on two occasions where there was a hatch and the fish were actively feeding on top. All i had with me were some brookie flies so i threw out a parachute adams and caught fish on almost every cast. I have heard of people going after them when mulberries are falling off the bushes and cottonwood tufts as well but i have never seems to be around at the right time for that to happen. Long leaders and super stealthy approaches are paramount as are heavy gear with light leaders. I know it seems counter-intuitive to cast a 12 foot 4lb leader on a 7 or 8wt but it works and is needed if you get into a bigger one because they will take you into the backing and you can't horse them but they are very leader conscious....makes me want to head out..... 2 Quote
Turkey sandwich Posted March 6, 2019 Posted March 6, 2019 41 minutes ago, flyfisher said: If they are rooting on the bottom and actively feeding i like small crayfish imitations but they will eat almost anything as long as it is presented properly. You need to pretty much figure out where they are going and cast in front of them and let it sit. less movement the better in my experience. Any bushy small fly seems to work. the best though is if you find them feeding on top somewhere. I have had the pleasure of fishing for them on two occasions where there was a hatch and the fish were actively feeding on top. All i had with me were some brookie flies so i threw out a parachute adams and caught fish on almost every cast. I have heard of people going after them when mulberries are falling off the bushes and cottonwood tufts as well but i have never seems to be around at the right time for that to happen. Long leaders and super stealthy approaches are paramount as are heavy gear with light leaders. I know it seems counter-intuitive to cast a 12 foot 4lb leader on a 7 or 8wt but it works and is needed if you get into a bigger one because they will take you into the backing and you can't horse them but they are very leader conscious....makes me want to head out..... Thank you! I've seen videos on the "berry hatch", but I've never had success sticking flies in front of them without spooking them or getting ignored. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted March 6, 2019 Super User Posted March 6, 2019 your casts have to be on point and silent. It makes casting to wary big brown trout seem easy in comparison. They also have to be feeding. I have yet to catch one that is just cruising around. 1 Quote
WVU-SCPA Posted March 6, 2019 Posted March 6, 2019 8 hours ago, flyfisher said: your casts have to be on point and silent. It makes casting to wary big brown trout seem easy in comparison. They also have to be feeding. I have yet to catch one that is just cruising around. Correct. While tempting to cast at carp cruising or suspending in the water column, the chance of them taking the offering is slim. I highly suggest trying to get on a berry hatch. 2 years ago I stumbled upon a condition that I hope to hit again sometime in life. Mulberry tree dropping berries like it was its job, gin clear glass water, a current moving along the bank at about 10' per minute, and a thin layer of vegetation for me to hide behind. Usually after hooking a carp the other fish in the area scatter for a period of time, however this day had the carp piled up for 75 yards. The max time there wasn't a fish to target was 5 minutes. The only other time I've stopped fishing because of a sore shoulder beside steelhead. 3 Quote
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