Finally, after many failed trips to normal early season river and creek spots I stumbled upon a neighborhood producer! There's a small lake within a mile of my house that I noticed last week was opening up a bit and figured I'd give it a shot. The first trip we were met with very subtle bites and alot of whiffs. With no fish caught we couldn't decide if it was bullheads or carp messing with our heads, but the unanimous decision of two was that it was indeed carp.
serp's first
Upon a little further investigation and a payout of 25 cents, our super sleuth pal Encyclopedia Brown solved the case. It was our friend Cyprinus Carpio(common carp) jigglin' our fishin' poles. The first photo is me with my first of the year caught on my new custom 9'8" St. Croix carpin' stick built by Lonnie at Thorne Bros.(Thanks Lonnie!!!!!) Just minutes before, Serpent also got his first of the year, what a way to start the season.
serp carp
As far as the technique involved it was nothing fancy by any means. We were just fishing corn rigged on a #2 octopuss hook bottom fishin'. The lake we are fishing has a small aerator/pumphouse and the fish were relating to the current generated by this. Most came shallow and the PM hours seem to be the best as the sun has more time to warm the waters in the shallows.
serp sucker
If the weather actually ends up the way ol' weatherman is forecasting this week things should start to improve dramatically. Bring it on!!!!! In closing, here's Serpent with the bonus fish of the day.....first sucker I've ever seen caught on corn.
I've always just used my normal spinning gear for carp and decided I'd upgrade this season. I had them make me a 9'6" flyrod blank turned into a spinning rod with a 2 inch extension on the butt. Basically, a nice long rod similar to a steelhead rod. Soft tip, with a backbone to boot. Some of the European carpers are using rods up to to 13'. You can find some of these on Wacker baits website. It's a carp fishing store out of Chicago......and yes that was one dandy White Sucker!
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life1978
Member
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 888
Fish Bucks: $6.92
Loc: Anoka, MN
-------------------- "We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you." -Jeff Warner
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Chris Tuckner
IDA Pro Staff Director
Reged: 05/21/01
Posts: 11848
Fish Bucks: $236.66
Loc: Hastings/Isle MN
Should I be looking for the warmest water with some possible current this time of year? Got a couple little lakes that are opening up near home. Got some run off coming in. I suspect the carp should be close by.
Also, do good ol crawlers work well for bait or should I be planning some other sustenance?
-------------------- I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.
Quote: Should I be looking for the warmest water with some possible current this time of year? Got a couple little lakes that are opening up near home. Got some run off coming in. I suspect the carp should be close by.
Also, do good ol crawlers work well for bait or should I be planning some other sustenance?
I there's carp in the lake go for it! They should be in the shallow warm water...and, yes, crawlers work well too. You might want to tag team the crawlers with some corn on the same hook as well. Let us know how it goes.
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bassmasterSandy
Member
Reged: 01/22/07
Posts: 14
Fish Bucks: $0.28
Loc: Sweden
I went to my honey carp hole just about 30 mins ago and about started crying, when there were about 100 dead carp floating. I was thinking it might happen with the water levels so low before the ice came.
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Greg Vandemark
IDA Field Staff
Reged: 06/18/01
Posts: 1717
Fish Bucks: $34.54
Loc: Wabasha Mn
So, I was visiting my dad Saturday and we decided to try a little fishing. Got nothing. I sent him the above photo of my carp from yesterday which apparently convinced him to give it another shot today, when he one-upped me with this SOW
-------------------- ~Ryan
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Abe
Member
Reged: 02/16/08
Posts: 44
Fish Bucks: $1.88
Loc: La Crosse
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