Need some pointers.

[FishingPops]

Hi all,

After reading some posts about carp fishing, my 11 yo son and I tried it this past Sunday. We used sweet corn on a #4 hook. We had trouble keeping the corn on the hooks. Are there any secrets? How many kernels do you put on at a time? Also, we each had two on but they came unhooked when reeling them in. We had a few other bites but couldn't get a hookset. Do you try to set the hook as soon as you feel them or do you let them take it a little?

Any pointers would be appreciated as we will be trying again in the near future.

Thanks!

FishingPops

[Tyler Holm]

Great questions and props on giving it a try.

Buy good quality Whole Kernal Sweet Corn, not the super saver stuff. The kernals are typically firmer and more plump with the name brand corn. Carefully string as many pieces of corn as you can on that #4 hook. Try to pick out the firmer kernals. Always expect some to fall off, but some should stay in place for you. Soft lobing casts, not whip-lash casts. Check your bait religiously every 10 minutes (I catch many on the bait check, blind hooksets) as your likely getting robbed often.

You need a loose drag for carp. Their mouths are super soft and a hook can (and often do) pull out easily. Mono line helps with its stretch.

I personally like to slack line fish carp, especially if it is calm out. Cast out, let your line bow down between your rod tip and sinker. When that line bounces pick up the rod, reel up some slack, and firmly but sweepingly set the hook just before the line is tight to the fish (sometimes if you try to feel for them they will drop at the first sign of tension).

PS. Catchin carp is a GREAT way to hook a kid on fish. I know from personal experience!

[AceintheHole]

You can spread it out on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven on 250 for about 10 minutes this will harden it up and make it moer durable.

[DEADhead]

Interesting, Ty, I just gave advice on the other post to tight line for carp in rivers I do use mono, and I also use longer rods, so that helps absorb a lot of the energy from the fight. I don't run a loose drag; mine is somewhat tight. I am also fishing in waters where redhorse and buffalo are present. I like to get the hook set as soon as the fish turns with my bait/fly. I am more concerned with the fish turning downstream on me and taking out line, than pulling a hook through their lip. In fact, the only time I've had a hook pull through a lip so far, was when a big carp turned on me last weekend and headed down stream. My drag was definitely screaming then.

I think if you're able to get the fish under control right away, you're odds are much better of landing the fish. Get the fish in a position where you will be able to land it. If you're in a lake, maybe that is a place that is away from any structure or snags to break you off. In a river, it is away from the main channel/current and away from snags.

I think fish control is the most imprtant part here. You can base the amount of drag on your reel to adjust to your style of fishing.

[mplspug]

Anyone try frozen corn? In my experience that is the most firm and easiest to use. Definitely don't skimp on the brand or you end up with little kernels. There's another post here where someone boils feed corn bought at Fleet Farm, but that might be more work than desired.

[Carp-fisher]

 Originally Posted By: FishingPops

Hi all,

After reading some posts about carp fishing, my 11 yo son and I tried it this past Sunday. We used sweet corn on a #4 hook. We had trouble keeping the corn on the hooks. Are there any secrets? How many kernels do you put on at a time? Also, we each had two on but they came unhooked when reeling them in. We had a few other bites but couldn't get a hookset. Do you try to set the hook as soon as you feel them or do you let them take it a little?

Any pointers would be appreciated as we will be trying again in the near future.

Thanks!

FishingPops

Hey Fishinpops,

I wouldn't get too frustrated. I went out to Staring Lake in Eden Prairie (great carp lake, since I see you are in the W. Metro) this evening and I had all sorts of action. The carp were jumping all over the place and several swam by right by shore. Unfortunately, all the action I had was by the bullheads. They would not leave my corn alone. In fact, I don't think I had s single carp bite. It will all change after a few more days of warm weather.

Like Tyler recommended in his excellent post, I too fish with a slack line. I usually wait until the fish runs until I set the hook, not on the little bumps and ticks. From my experience, carp can be hard to hook sometimes as they often spit the hook. That being said, if you set the hook into a running fish, you will almost always hook them.

Don't give up; carp are a great fish to get youngsters into fishing.

[erickol]

Another thing to try might be a simple sliding rig and a smaller hook (sz 6).

[FishingPops]

Thanks for all the info! We actually gave it another try last night and my son caught 2! He also had other bites that he didn't get and now can't wait to go back!(up to this point his enthusiasm for fishing has always been luke warm at best)

We were fishing the Crow River. Is this something that can be done all summer or does it slow down as the water warms up?

[JimBuck]

I 2nd the comment about Staring. Great carp lake!

[DEADhead]

 Originally Posted By: FishingPops

Thanks for all the info! We actually gave it another try last night and my son caught 2! He also had other bites that he didn't get and now can't wait to go back!(up to this point his enthusiasm for fishing has always been luke warm at best)

We were fishing the Crow River. Is this something that can be done all summer or does it slow down as the water warms up?

should have some action on there all summer long through fall. I caught carp on the Otter Tail right until freezeup. they were about the only active fish in the river at the time.