Carp, Anyone know how to catch em?

[Donny135]

I've been fishing Part of the Severn river lately and every time I go out I've seen grass carp. Huge ones too, one looked close to 20 pounds.

So my question is does anyone target them around here? They get spooked very easily so with the water clarity we have I have no idea how I could actually entice a bite. Any tips help i'd love to catch one of those beasts.

Tight lines and stay safe everyone!

[Brooktrout]

I haven't personally fished for them, but I understand guys will bait them with corn (canned corn I think). If you google it, you can find recipes to make dough balls that will go on your hook. I believe they use a big egg sinker to keep your line near bottom, and the doughball just drifts around in the current.

The other option is to use a bow - I've never done this, but it does look challenging! LOL

Don't know if this helps too much. Good luck - it looks like fun to get a big bruiser on your line.

[justafishin]

Look up the recipe for the dough balls that Brooktrout mentioned. Make them into smallish balls and Chum the water with them, a small handfull at at time. Also put on your hook. I have seen it work great a few times.

[Duck1975]

For early spring when water is still cold potato, and summer and fall works good corn, semolina with added anise extract to smell ,and of course worms.

[Muskyhunter]

They say the are very smart and you really have to be quiet and watch your bank vibrations. Use light line with small floats. I understand the Euros even chum them with slingshots.

Sounds like you got lots. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Fossil Fish]

Grass carp or common carp? - big difference

[fisherman2280]

I used to fish carp a while back and the Key was the hook set up. Google Hair rigs.

I found carp do not run or move when eating the bait and if the hook if buried in the bait sometimes you wouldn't even know there eating it, the rod tip barely moved.

For bait I used to make a corm meal mix with vanilla the night before, toss it in the fridge to stiffen up over night and roll it into balls when I'm on the river. Lots of people just use corn but again hook set up pays off.

[Disco]

I sure hope you don’t mean grass carp which are invasive and mean common carp.

Their is a ton of YouTube videos how to catch carp. Their is so much information it’s hard to share it here. The hair rig is thee most effective way IMO.

[Tailfin]

I’ve fished carp for many years and gave up on the magic mixing and potions,
to much trouble and mess. I found that a potato Cut into quarters and boiled until it is not quit done ( will hold on the hook ) is the all round go to for me. Hold the hook under the flat bottom of the potato and slid the line into the centre top, then pull gently up until the hook is just imbedded in the bottom of the potato. Gently cast out, when line starts to move count to five take up slack you’ve got it. Best day was 15 in the Collingwood harbour. I do chum a little with old can corn.

[Jesse]

Mom used to make me dough balls and ide spend the day catching carp on the nith river i was only 8 years old at the time catching carp in the 10 to 20 pound range great way to learn how to fish .but ive caught them on worms and corn and roe as well over the years.

[linewalker]

I would take my kids to a chip wagon buy some french fries kids would eat some and use some for bait. Worked great. Fries float, so you need to have a small split shot a couple inches from bait. Canned corn also works great, couple on hook and some for chum

[Longshank]

I float fish for them and make my own bait... not hard takes 10 minutes and good for over a week

main scents are raspberry, vanilla and anise

[Longshank]

one of many on the float...last year

[fisherman2280]

Nice fish, those tanks put up a pretty good fight. Might try some float fishing this yeah

[Fozzy47]

Not many "recipes" being offered for all these Carp.

True story - - Over 20yrs ago I went over a buddies place and his wife offered us a Carp fish dinner (using Carp he caught the previous night).
First his wife soaked the Carp in buttermilk for 2 hours, then added some kind of spice package and boiled it for another hour. After taste testing it, she threw it all out (except the pot).

She offered us grilled Rainbow Trout & Salad with raspberry vinaigrette instead. Great meal...lol.

That was my only experience with (potential) Carp dinner. That said, I'm quite sure there are ways to prepare Carp so you wouldn't have any muddy flavours, and, it would be a nice meal...I'm just not aware of it.

Cheers,