1st Carp Trip of the Year

[saxmatt]

With the warm weather this week I decided it would be a good idea to stay off the ice and dust off the carp gear. I fished for 4 hours this afternoon and had a good start to the season. I ended up with 5 carp and 2 channel cats with no prebaiting. My first of the year was 18lbs and the others were 24,19,15, and 10. I was using a bread pack on the lead and 3 came on pizza dough for hook bait, 2 on sweet corn.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/575026_10101128207190631_870386100_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/544635_10101128207180651_1756744563_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/525316_10101128207210591_1219229577_n.jpg

[AndyS]

Beautiful fish !! They spawn late in the season, correct ??

[saxmatt]

Beautiful fish !! They spawn late in the season, correct ??

They spawn once the water reaches the mid 60s, which is usually mid to late May in NJ.

[zhitoman]

what part of jersey?

[GetANet]

Those are some monsters, didn't realize they started biting so early, I thought the water was still pretty cold but I guess when your HOT YOUR HOT! Nice Job!!!!!

[saxmatt]

They'll bite all year if you know what to feed them ;)

[Buschwacker]

Great catch ... congrats!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Wow!!! Nice fish buddy.

[MaCe1]

Nice, those are some huge carp. Just curious - do you use pizza dough because it stays on the hook better, or because big carp like those like it?

[saxmatt]

I try a bunch of different baits, they just seem to want pizza dough right now. Tomorrow it might be corn, boilies, who knows.

[duranautic al]

who doesnt want pizza dough?..insane catching matt!

[SaltLife1980]

Matt you sure know how to catch em good! Nice work man!!

[MaCe1]

I try a bunch of different baits, they just seem to want pizza dough right now. Tomorrow it might be corn, boilies, who knows.
Thanks. The lake down the street from my house has nice carp. I used corn the few times I fished for them, always telling myself I'll target them more.

[UglyStick]

Awesome catch - OK you convinced me... I live on a private lake established over 60 years ago that has HUGE carp (along with bass, etc.) but I have never fished them (and neither has anyone else). This year, it's time to give it a go.

[saxmatt]

Awesome catch - OK you convinced me... I live on a private lake established over 60 years ago that has HUGE carp (along with bass, etc.) but I have never fished them (and neither has anyone else). This year, it's time to give it a go.

Sounds like it could be a honey hole. If you want me to come by and give it a try with you let me know. I'll bring the rigs, bait and beer.

[saxmatt]

Here are a few pics from today. My buddy Chris came out for the first time this year and got a few nice ones. I got my biggest of the year so far, 27lb scarfin. 8 fish today and the average size was 20lbs.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/535649_10101131073057411_1584649054_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/69659_10101131073122281_853529721_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/208545_10101131073217091_895210028_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/374469_10101131078366771_1798377853_n.jpg

[AndyS]

DAMN HEALTHY looking fish there !!!

[saxmatt]

DAMN HEALTHY looking fish there !!!
I don't know if I'd call them healthy looking...I think they need to get their cholesterol checked.

[UglyStick]

Sounds like it could be a honey hole. If you want me to come by and give it a try with you let me know. I'll bring the rigs, bait and beer.


Can't pass that deal up - PM sent...

[lunkertaker]

Man I used to Bow fish these type of specimens in my younger days in TN, GA, and NC. On hook and line takes it to a new level with catch and release opportunities. While I always knew folks who would take the catch in the past, catching them on the "arrow" was always really exciting. Have seen some monsters in Spruce Run and every time I go there I take the old bow-n-arrow rig just in case I get that one shot! I haven't targeted them specifically, may need to change tactics.

[saxmatt]

Man I used to Bow fish these type of specimens in my younger days in TN, GA, and NC. On hook and line takes it to a new level with catch and release opportunities. While I always knew folks who would take the catch in the past, catching them on the "arrow" was always really exciting. Have seen some monsters in Spruce Run and every time I go there I take the old bow-n-arrow rig just in case I get that one shot! I haven't targeted them specifically, may need to change tactics.
Give it a try on rod and reel, they're a blast! I don't like bowfishing because I like to promote catch and release carp fishing and I've seen some giants taken by bowfisherman, but I know some bowfisherman who started catching them on rod and reel and got into the sport. They're a great gamefish, they're big, fight hard and they are challenging to catch.

[lunkertaker]

Give it a try on rod and reel, they're a blast! I don't like bowfishing because I like to promote catch and release carp fishing and I've seen some giants taken by bowfisherman, but I know some bowfisherman who started catching them on rod and reel and got into the sport. They're a great gamefish, they're big, fight hard and they are challenging to catch.

100% agreed. While I have not connected with the arrow in NJ, I have only thought of the options...here I dont have the option of some one to take the harvest. Therefore, I would much rather learn to catch-n-release; however, if I have a monster in my sights and a shot with the bow.....any takers...as I will take the shot

[jmurr711]

nice work man! got my frankenmurray drying right now going to start baiting my spot this week!

[GetANet]

Nice job Matt, was still frozen from sat LOL! Had some obligations to tend to or else would have joined you guys!!! Starting to get the feed bag on even in the colder water can't wait. Hopefully this weeks weather doesn't shut it down........ Been tying some rigs in the mean time.

[tycomps]

I nominate Matt "King of Carp", anybody second the motion? :p

[GetANet]

I second the motion, he know his XXXX when it comes to carp as well as many other fish and techniques!

[Luke]

Wow nice fish those are some monsters ! I heard carp have red muscle and don't build up lactic acid which make for a great fight , that's why they make all those long runs