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04-10-2008, 11:21 AM
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<big>All About Carp Fishing</big>
<big></big> <small>Compiled by Jeff Sun and other members of this site</small>

</td><td>http://fishingnetwork.net/images/carp02.jpg</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="8"><tbody><tr><td>
The Carp - sometimes called over-sized goldfish, poor-man's trout, or mud rollers - is often considered a "trash fish" by many anglers and seldom respected, especially here in the USA. However many parts of Europe and other continents consider the carp as a highly prized game fish. Anybody that has hooked into one of these beasts on light line can tell you that bringing one to shore is no easy task. And when the fishing is slow for other species, nothing brightens the day more than a fat carp peeling line off of your reel.


Tackle
Carp are generally line and weight shy so the lightest lines and weights should be used when fishing for them. Light action rods designed for trout or panfish are ideal for carp fishing - even for specimens in excess of 20 pounds. A longer 6-7 foot rod will help with casting a light offering further, although most carp are caught very close to shore so it's not really necessary. I use 2-4 pound test line only. You can probably use 6 pound test if you're really worried about losing them but you probably won't get as many bites.


Bait
The most important part of carp fishing is definately the bait. Carp are primarily vegetarians and feed on a variety of aquatic plants. The best all-around bait for carp is probably whole kernal corn in the can. Anglers should note that fishing with corn is legal for use as bait on California, however "chumming" (throwing corn into the water without hook attatched) is illegal. Another good bait is doughball mixtures (often corn-enhanced) and good old fashioned bread. Carp are often caught on a variety of other baits and even flies but if you're going to specifically target them, the corn and doughballs are hard to beat.

Carp Bait Recipes:
carp doe bait
Posted by Sea Shepard on August 10, 2000 at 23:31:39:

Mix wheaties and strawberry jello in a bowl. Add water untill you have a thick paste(consistancy of catfish dough bait) let set for at least 5 hours make a nice size ball that covers entire treble hook depending on wind use a sufficent sinker to tight line off bottom. use a 2 to 3 foot leader. you can also use floats. good luck and tight lines Jason

Carp dough-bait? answered
Posted by steve a. on August 12, 2000 at 11:06:01:

Here is how you make "World Class" Dough Bait:
Ingredients: 1-cup water
1-cup yellow cornmeal
1/4-cup pancake syrup
1-tablespoon peanut butter
1-cup white flour

1)bring water to a boil,
2)pour cornmeal in a mixing bowl,
3)add boiling water and syrup,
4)mix with large spoon until all liquid is absorbed,
5)allow to sit, covered, for half an hour,
6)mix in peanut butter and flour.

Now knead the mixture until you have a thick, tight dough. This can be done by hand or in a bread mixer. Add a little more flour, if needed, to make the dough super thick and dry, like catfish dough-bait. It should be a little sticky from the syrup, but, not because it is wet. The syrup helps make it water-proof. I put baseball size balls into baggies and freeze them until I go fishing. To fish with dough-bait, the way the PRO's do; put a small, marble size ball on a standard #6 snelled hook. Yes, you can use a small treble-hook, but, you don't need to, this is just like fishing with Powerbait, except you are using a single hook. Rig your line any way you like, (a heavy slip-sinker is what I use, just like for Trout), now using a heavy swivel-snap, clip on three hooks, each with a short, 6 inch leader. Bait each hook and cast. If you see the dough-bait fall off the hook, add more dry cornmeal, (take some dry cornmeal with you), the dough-bait should stay on the hook with no problem. The bait is too heavy to float, so it sinks to the bottom, that is where you want it. Check your bait every fifteen minutes or after every missed hit. Set your drag "tight". Many guys tie a bungie or safety-line to the pole handle, so they don't lose their rig. When a Carp hits, he slams it ! Good Luck !
Steve A.


Techniques
If the conditions allow it, my favorite technique for carp fishing is "fly-line" the bait without any weight. With a single kernal of corn, a #12 or 14 salmon egg hook and 2-pound test I can usually cast around 20 feet which most of the time is too far out for carp anyway. However if there is a current as in river fishing or if they are feeding further off the bank, a small sliding egg sinker and swivel may be necessary. Look for carp in shallow water where the aquatic vegetation is thick. Cast your bait out and set your rod in a good holder with the bail open. If you're fishing close to shore, don't stand right next to your rod waiting for a bite. Carp can see you from 15 feet out and spook easily. I will usually set my rod down and watch my line from a chair a small distance away. As soon as I see my line move, I will creep up to the rod and set the hook. Bingo! the fight is on.


"Topwater" Carp fishing
Definately the the most exciting technique. Loosly roll bread balls onto your hook and "float" them on top of the water. This usually works well where there is a high concentration of feeding carp like on the Colorado River. Sometimes you can even be selective and pull your bait away from that 2-pounder to allow that 10-pounder to grab it!


Bow and Arrow Carp Fishing
I have never tried this but seen others do it and it looks like fun. This is a special bow and arrow rig with a closed-faced spinning reel attatched to the bow. It is usually done from a boat over shallow flats where carp are known to congregate.


In conclusion, I would like to give the carp it's proper credit due for fast becoming a popular game fish here in California and many other states in the US. There's been plenty of times when the trout, cats or stripers were not biting and I will break out the old "golden nuggets" and soon be bendo with drag screaming fun. Others would come up to me to see what I was doing and I would give them a handfull of corn and soon they too would become "bendo" and hooked on carp fishing for life!


CARP 101 (one man's junk is : another man's treasure) by Byte 247
Hello fellow carp fisher...

Yes, Here's the low down.

You need: 1 can of sweet corn any brand. I personally use jolly green giants pull top, it costs 75cent and is great- just pull the top and your ready to slay the carp.

I personally like to battle with my lightest equipment:(2) 3ft kencor rods, shimano 1000 w/ 2lb test. The major difference between a 10lb+ carp and a bass or trout of the same weight class is the lack of sharp teeth... (one less thing to break you off

Go to an area where the ducks are frequently fed as some of the morsels are "lost" to the bottom of the lake bed (the carp know this to be place to feed) ... and start "feeding" the ducks with some of your corn Get it chum?

Wait quietly for about 10-30 minutes for some line activity: at this point you will have put an size 18 treble with 2 or 3 kernels to the hook-flylined.

You needn't cast very far: typically you can get as far as 1/32 trout jig distance which is more than plenty of distance.

Time of day will dictate how close the carp will come to you. They spook very easily. I usually fish after work (4:00pm to 6:00pm) till too dark to see

The last thing to be sure is expect to break off some, and miss strikes from lots, with the awesome surge of energy and longest runs of any freshwater "game fish" out there. period. <center>http://fishingnetwork.net/images/carp03-1.jpg</center></td></tr></tbody></table>

Robo Bass
12-04-2009, 03:11 PM
Thanks for the tips. I haven't ever tried fishing for carp but it sounds fun.

Mr Bendo
12-06-2009, 11:57 AM
Thanks for the tips Jeff!

Liteliner
02-16-2010, 04:19 PM
Gotta love the carp. Stalking monster carp in city lakes beats catching 1/2 pound trout anyday.... Thanks for the tips.
Im guessing about 25+ atleast.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u229/lypeter23/img1240767637129.jpg

ToadsToadsOnly
02-17-2010, 12:58 AM
Great post I love fishing carp and I sure consider them a game fish. How about pictures of some of the monster carp you guys have caught?

Ray Lopez
02-18-2010, 05:05 PM
what about corn tortillas i have also heard that the work great too.

i think im gonna try for some carp tonight at castaic lagoon!

Fire Ball
02-18-2010, 09:46 PM
I just might have to try this! I'm interested in catching one to add another species to my list and to see how they fight!

Fishbones
02-18-2010, 11:11 PM
Also try mixing in some vanilla extract into your dough........they love the vanilla....

ToadsToadsOnly
02-22-2010, 03:17 AM
Also try mixing in some vanilla extract into your dough........they love the vanilla.... Thats the right trick works with masa and corn also.

smokehound
02-22-2010, 11:41 PM
I was looking on the back of a package of starburst fruit gems, and realized they could be a great carp bait.

many different colors, and scents! They have corn syrup in em.

harry S
05-06-2021, 01:39 PM
You still got those 3 foot kencor rods? Who do you like them? Would you consider selling them?

etucker1959
05-06-2021, 02:01 PM
You still got those 3 foot kencor rods? Who do you like them? Would you consider selling them?

Actually, the numbers read as 5 foot rods and 4 foot rods. I don't think Kencor made a 3 foot rod, but I could be wrong!

As for selling them???? NEVER!

However, I would be willing to trade something of value for something else of value in the way of fishing rods! I would be willing to trade 1 of my 5 footers for a 4 foot Kencor.

Or 1 of my 5 foot Kencors for a rod they still make. I broke a rod 2 weeks ago and I'm about to replace it. It's an Okuma Guide Select Pro series rod. GSP-S-762UL 76" Line 2-6 LBS Lure 1/8-1/2oz

That would be the only way I would part with a Rod they no longer make!

sodapop
05-06-2021, 09:39 PM
One question are you a fisherman looking for a rod they love, or a sales person trying to make a profit

etucker1959
05-07-2021, 09:18 AM
One question are you a fisherman looking for a rod they love, or a sales person trying to make a profit

Let me do my best Robert Deniro imitation! "are you talking to me!" Lol

harry S
11-28-2021, 01:43 PM
Hey tucker you still got those kencors? I may have something to trade possibly

etucker1959
11-29-2021, 09:16 AM
Hey tucker you still got those kencors? I may have something to trade possibly

Over the summer I redid my tackle collection again! I broke 3 rods in a year and replaced them all with higher grade rods. So my Kencors now are my lowest quality rods I fish with! (what a problem to have?) Lol So other then my Barbie Kencore. (Zebra model) I'm going to use my Kencors as loaner poles for my more inexperienced friends I take fishing with me. So that way I won't feel so guilty of using my Lomis's or Phenix rods in front of them! So if one of the Kencors get pulled over the side. I can tell myself, "I've still got 2 more Kencors left!" Lol So I'm going to keep them all.