Everything you need to know about carp by Mike Roberts 7/24/05
Did you know that at one time more carp were cultured for food than any other fish? It is a fact that carp ranked number three among Europe's sports fish, having only the Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout ahead of them. Many European anglers who fish for carp actually preach hook and release fishing for the amazing carp.
Carp have a reputation for inhabiting only polluted streams and waters but nothing could be further from the truth, they are equally at home in clean, clear water as well. Years ago, while working for the L Suzio companies, I worked at their sandpit in Rocky Hill. The pit had some crystal clear ponds that harbored some nice-sized carp and they seemed to enjoy the clear water. There are scientific explanations for the carp's tolerance for poorly oxygenated water that actually makes them superior to trout in hot weather but not as tolerant as bullheads, but they are too long to go into.
Carp are found in just about every freshwater habitat, but their food source is so varied (both plant and animal) they tend to have higher population densities than game fish like largemouth bass, walleye and even northern pike in some waters. In other words, if the habitat is suitable for carp, quite often they will force other fish out of the picture. It is because of this that fishermen who have no interest in catching them often consider the carp a "trash fish".
High carp populations will affect other species of fish because of their impact on aquatic plants and water turbidity. In present fisheries management plans other than the use of grass carp to control underwater vegetation, introducing carp to any body of water that features game fish is not recommended and in fact is illegal. In some instances, ponds that have become overrun with carp have been subjected to extreme measures to get rid of them.
Yet there are those who simply like carp fishing. For them carp fishing has become both an obsession and an art, depending on where and who is doing the fishing. Here in the states it is hardly distinguishable from other bait-fishing techniques other than the bait that is used. Fishing line used in carp fishing is usually in the 10- to 20-pound test range, a forked stick is used to rest the rod in and the line is kept as tight as possible, with the bail open so that the whole fishing rig does not go into the water if a 10-pounder grabs your bait. Believe me when I tell you, if you do hook up with a 20-pound carp, it is not a fishing experience you will soon forget.
Using artificial lures for your carp fishing does not come highly recommended, mainly because information on anyone using flies or lures is almost nonexistent. However, Meriden Record-Journal Sports Editor Bob Morrissette had an interesting bout with a carp on an artificial lure a few years ago while fishing Lake Ontario in New York state. Morrissette was on a boat trolling a Rappala for some of those lunker brown trout in Lake Ontario when he figured his lure hung up on the bottom of the bay they were fishing.
The object he was hooked into was so unyielding they had to move the boat towards the area that he was hooked into to see if they could retrieve his Rappala lure. Imagine his surprise when they got closer to the lure and it began the usual thumping and tugging behavior of a huge fish on the other end of the line. Bob figure that he was hooked up with a huge brown trout for sure. He could not believe the strength of the fish tugging on the other end of the line. When the fish was finally brought to the net everyone was speechless as they stared at a huge (an estimated 27 pounds) carp that had struck the lure and was hooked in the mouth. Morrissette said it was one of the best fighting fish he has ever caught.
Believe it or not, the English have advanced carp fishing to a science. Let me take you on a carp fishing trip in merry old England where such a fishing trip may involve weeks of preparation. First the angler will prepare his favorite bait, a high protein mix (60 percent protein or more) or a boiled bait mix with eggs, often called "boilies". Sometimes they might even prebait a carp area to entice more carp to where they want to fish (warning this could be illegal in some states).
Finally, when the big day for his fishing adventure arrives, the angler will drive to the lake, pond or pit, carry his gear and food to the cleared fishing spot (called a "swim") and literally set up camp. If he is a serious carp angler, he will have his bed chair, which looks like a lounge chair with separately adjusting legs and tilts back for sitting or sleeping, a sleeping bag, rain gear, beach umbrella for shade and shelter, and perhaps even a tent called a "brollywrap" that fits over the umbrella and bed chair.
Once set up, the fisherman will prebait the swim one more time, bait up his two specialized carp fishing rods, cast his bait to likely carp holding locations and place the rods in their holders. The English carp fishermen are very precise when setting their baited rods. They use two rod holders (front and rear of the rod) with the tip of the rod pointing down towards the water. Their rods are also in the 10 to 11 foot range, which helps them get proper distance in their casts. Coupled with the downward pointing position of the fishing rods, the bails of the reels will be left open and they will use some type of strike indicator on their line.
Like I said, they are very precise in setting up and the rods are set so that the line can move freely though the guides when a carp takes the bait. They know all too well that the least amount of drag on the baited line will cause the carp to drop the bait. Yes, they are that wily when it comes to taking bait.
When he has done all of the above the English carp angler will sit back and relax. They might even enjoy a 1 to 3 day vigil at their chosen carp fishing site and hope that they wont be bothered by competition from other anglers fishing for smaller fish called "maggot mashers", or inexperienced carp anglers called "noddys". From the sounds of it, I would guess that the majority of American carp anglers are noddys. Oh well, I can live with that.
Most fishing always seems to have a best time to fish and carp fishermen are no different. Sunrise to late mornings seems to work well for many confirmed carp fishermen and the next best time seems to be the late afternoon to sundown hours. But on an overall level, just about anytime is a good time to fish, especially when you are after carp. Select your fishing area carefully. Quite often carp will be found in shallower portions of a lake or pond. A spot where you can comfortably fish from the shoreline usually works well (most of Mirror Lake at Hubbard Park).
Bottom fishing is usually the most successful and you might need a slip sinker to better your cast with. Early in the morning you might observe carp feeding on debris on the surface. The English call this "clooping" because of the sucking sound made by the fish. If you use a bobber to fish for surface-feeding carp use a thin type quill bobber or a very small round bobber. If the bobber you use is too big, a carp taking the bread bait will feel the resistance of the larger bobber and release the bait in its mouth. While in fear of being repetitious, I can't tell you enough that carp are that sensitive to bait presentation.
Probably the simplest baits to use would be bread, canned corn or half boiled potatoes. Bread and corn top the list, but if other species of fish constantly clean your hooks, try the potatoes, a little smaller than a golf ball. If you use bread, use an uncut loaf, cut a piece from { to 1{ inches square, leaving the crust unbroken. Pinch the soft part of the bread hard and insert the hook through the crust from the top. If you are casting to feeding carp, do so carefully and make sure the carp has taken the bait and is swimming away before setting your hook. Once you have a carp on the end of your line, be prepared for the battle of a lifetime.
If any local bait and tackle shop wants to run a carp contest for the fishing public, give me a call at (203)-634-3520 and I will run it in my column.
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