Living in the Great Plains region of the Midwest, catching Carp is often something that just happens.  But when you actually go out and target carp, there is almost always great fishing to be had. To me, carp fight like a giant pan fish.

 

Locating carp is usually pretty easy, when carp are around, well, you can see them.  I like to find the big shallow flats with a reed bed on the edge for carp to suck on. Early to mid summer offer the most success.  Always Carp fish after spawn. If it is spring time, and you see a ton of Carp really close to shore, they are probably spawning, and will completely ignore your bait.

 

Because of the size potential of carp, I recommend somewhat heavier gear. I use a 6’6” St Croix medium heavy rod, with an Abu Garcia Royal Express filled with 30Lb braided Spider Wire.  A strong, smaller hook tied 18” behind as light of a weight you can get away with. For bait, I use the old standby, corn. (Don’t ask your wife to buy the corn, I’ve been screwed before with a can of creamed corn) Dough balls (oatmeal, white bread and honey) and night crawlers work as well.

 

Carp can be very touchy, and often drop the bait as soon as any tension is felt, other times, they will suck it up and pull your rod right out of the boat.  After a few strikes, you should be able to adjust you weight according to their attitude. If they continue to drop the bait, try more slack in your line, set you hook at the exact time your line becomes tight.

 

I don’t eat Carp, if you want to, knock yourself out. I think it tastes like crap.  People claim smoked carp is good.  I will however keep a few Carp. I filet them leaving the skin and scales on, cut them into 1x1x6” strips, and use them for catfish bait. (the skin and scales keeps the flesh intact so it stays on the hook better) Freeze em up, maybe throw one in your neighbors lawn on a hot sunny day to get the fly’s out of your yard.