Looking for Advice (Carp Tactics)

[Issiah]

Gonna Try targeting Carp this week for the 1st time. We will be anchoring a boat on a shallow flat & casting out over a drop off that drops down to 6-10ft. There is carp everywhere!  I'm wondering if fishing bottom is a good place to start or should I try to suspend the bait.  We'll be using Corn & Homeade "Boilies" on hair rigs & will not be able to chum the area prior to our arrival.  From what I've read; sounds like I should throw handfuls of corn in the area we are fishing?

[Skipper]

Bottom rig/slip sinker works for me.

We are unable to chum in MN, but I have never found it necessary. I usually put a gob of crawlers on a Eagle Claw Laser Sharp 2/0 hook with a 12 to 14 inch leader below the sinker. Make sure they don't feel tension before you set the hook or they will drop it.

Make sure you fish with the bail open, if they feel you, they will spit the hook asap. Sometimes the resistance of a bobber is enough to spook them.

Good luck!

If Bean doesn't post in here, send him a PM. He is an avid water pig hunter.

[vivlamored]

wonder bread

[GAMBELL]

Use the hair rig with sweet corn.  I usually bring 2 cans of corn with me.  One to chum and the other to use as bait.  Make sure you do not make too many waves when the carp are around.  They can be very spooky.  Long casts are best.  Good luck and let us know how you make out. 

[fingerlaker]

I use field corn field corn but let it soak in water for a day before using.  I do plenty of chumming then bait my hook with it.  Before fishing with the corn I boil it for over an hour and adding flavor to it.  One flavor I use is strawberry kool aide.....another is a mixture of vanilla extract and maple syrup.  Have done well with both flavors !!!!   Love fighting these hogs!!!!

[khaaxma]

Gonna Try targeting Carp this week for the 1st time. We will be anchoring a boat on a shallow flat & casting out over a drop off that drops down to 6-10ft. There is carp everywhere!  I'm wondering if fishing bottom is a good place to start or should I try to suspend the bait.  We'll be using Corn & Homeade "Boilies" on hair rigs & will not be able to chum the area prior to our arrival.  From what I've read; sounds like I should throw handfuls of corn in the area we are fishing?

Although what I am going to share doesn't seem to be a high percentage tactic, I caught a huge carp last week while trolling for walleye. I was using a down-deep Rapala Husky Jerk. The carp slammed the lure and had both the back and middle sets of hook in its mouth. I never target carp, but they sometimes take our lures anyway!

[Issiah]

I've had that happen on quite few occasions; especially in the Spring; They seem very aggressive in the spring at times. Some will take the lures into their mouths while others it seems as though they swim up on a lure and slap it with their tails or they roll on it, resulting in a foul hooked fish. Took a big channel Cat trolling one time also!   Took quite a few carp on crawlers while bullhead fishing at night also. But from the way guys are talking it sounds like there is definitely more productive ways out there.

Anyone know if Chumming for Carp is legal in New York State?

[pooley]

where is rgfixit?? i think he uses hair jigs with raspberry jelly.

[tbirdbassr]

ahh just slip an arrow in em like I did these lol

[Bean]

Sounds like you have the right set up. If allowed in your state, I would definately chum.  I use a slip sinker about 12" to 18" above the hair rigged hook.  

[john t.]

CORN ! whole kernnel  . put it on a hook and get it on the bottom .

[Issiah]

I've heard a quite a few guys say they will drop the bait if they feel the hook; but man I tell yah, I've seen em' rip poles right off of our "Y's" while bullhead fishing . I'm sure though that they do drop the bait sometimes from all the suggestions and will certainly keep my bail open and use a slip sinker.

I've thought about Bow fishing; but, think that I would enjoy catching em' more on Rod and Reel. I don't see anything wrong with using a Bow & certainly would enjoy trying it but I'm not into taking fish unless there is sound management reasons or have a good use for the fish.  I've heard that cut up carp works great for coon trapping, at pocket sets, cubbies ect...  What other uses is there??

Still haven't got out to try targeting Carp yet.  The trip we had planned got rained out; I'll be sure to let you guys know how we do...Thanx for the advice!

[tbirdbassr]

Ya got that right nothing better for coons than a chunk o carp and a little shellfish on top!! You can also till em in the garden and grow 5# tomatoers

[corny13]

I fished with a guy from sweden this may that has fished many carp contests in Europe...kind of like pro bass /walleye fishing here in the states, he swears also by the field corn soaked a day before and flavored with suger or something sweet as chum and bait.

[miket.]

try fishing on the bottom and also use a piece of hot dog with dough balls. it is an excellent bait and you won:t regret it .