Day 366: Union County Carp

[saxmatt]

Nice carp! It's good to see some other people are targeting them. I think I saw you post a fish ID question out of one of you're carp spots about a year ago back before I was a member. Those small fish you were catching that look similar to a baby common or a goldfish were actually Crucian Carp. They are common in NJ. They look almost the same as baby commons but don't have barbells.

[Chris1129]

Very nice....who would have thought such big fish are in that lake!

[catfishonthelake]

Cool man. Thanks. I just got into carp fishing last year and I absolutely love it. I've tried using boilees on hair rigs, but I find I have the best luck with corn in the local ponds. I went back again last night for an hour or so and came tight with two but both came unglued which is unusual. I usually land 75 to 100 percent of the ones I hook, but oh well, I guess that's gotta happen at some point.

[saxmatt]

I've tried pretty much every bait that carp fisherman use including those expensive boilies from K1 and Dynamite baits, and I've found the most productive bait is sweet corn. #1 sweet corn, #2 bread, #3 oat ball. Shows you don't have to break the bank to catch carp. They love alcohol, if you haven't tried it soak sweet corn in vodka or whisky mixed with different flavors like strawberry, pineapple, banana, or buy little nips of pucker. Sometimes there will be 1 flavor they go nuts for and it can change overnight. Try this mix around your lead too: 1 large can of quick oats and 1 large can of creamed corn. It breaks apart and puts a big pile of food around your hook bait.

[catfishonthelake]

Thanks man. I appreciate it. Out of curiousity, what are you gearing-up with for those big river carp? I use 7-foot, MH action rods with 8-pound mono in the ponds with small egg-sinkers, I've caught fish to 25 pounds and have yet to have one snap my line. I'm looking to break the 30-pound mark and was wondering what kind of rod, line and weight to use in the river. I've seen those carp in the Raritan and I've always wanted to take a crack at them. I notice the Ruskies use surf rods, but I'm not sure that's necessary.

[saxmatt]

River fish are a completely different ballgame. They fight like they are on steroids and you have to deal with rocks and snags. Even fish in the teens can take over 100 yards of line and I've had many fish take over 20 minutes to get in. I use 11' cabelas predators, okuma epixor baitrunners (baitrunners are important unless your cool with your rod flying into the water), 50 lb power pro main line, 3' 60 lb floro shock leader, 2-3 oz lead and a 4" 50 lb power pro leader with my hook.

[catfishonthelake]

Cool. Thanks man. I have a pair of the 20 size Epixors that are on my 2 carp/catfish rods. They're fantastic. I don't think Okuma even makes those 20's anymore. I'm assuming you're using the 30's? I appreciate the feedback. I have to set myself up for river fish.

[danyeo]

Cool info as I was looking at getting a rod/reel for carp, or anything else bigger that wants to bite. Do you guys think 20lb line would be strong enough for river Carp?