Fishing Forum

Thursday of this week was a great day. I spent about nine hours at my favorite carp lake and the fish were very cooperative. Since I can't take hero shots of myself, here is the guy behind the camera, anxiously zipping up the freeway to get to the spot.

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Spawning carp were everywhere again. The challenge was finding a fish that would bite. Didn't take too long.

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And the fish.

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And another.

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And another.

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It helps to have the eyes of an eagle and a good set of polaroids.

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These were hot fish today. Most took me into my backing. One, the largest at 12.5 pounds didn't stop until he nearly ran into the opposite bank. I had to reel and reel and reel to get him back. A real pig.

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I began to loose track of the various weights of the fish so I started writing them down on the back side of a Walmart receipt.

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One fish was a 4.5 pound mirror carp. He fought like a little rocket.

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This fish is posing next to the handle of my extra large New Zealand Weigh Net. It helps keep me honest and has held every carp I've caught so far. I'm still waiting for my first 20 pounder. I think a 30 is possible.

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Sun started going down and it became impossible to see the fish. I had to watch for nervous water and use a strike indicator.

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Last fish of the day was this fat sow.

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Wonderful day on the water! Total 10 fish from 4.5 to 12.5 pounds each. One mirror carp (a first). Lots of mental images of a screaming reel and quickly disappearing backing. For those of you who look at these as "trash fish" I say "thanks." I'm glad to have them all to myself. To go bonefishing in the Bahamas would cost thousands of dollars. Only in another life for me. Here I get a bargain, even at today's high gas prices. 98 mile round trip. Get to sleep in in the morning. Home by bedtime. Lots of memories. Priceless.

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One of these days I'll have to go back to catching dinky 4 and 5 pound bass and trout. Until then I'll be chasing Golden Bonefish. Wahoooo!

z~
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[cool][#0000ff]Great report and pics.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You're gonna make the goddess lady jealous.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Me, I always take time to play with those tough guys (and gals) when they are in the area I am fishing. They may not win any beauty contests but they can out-pull most other fish in their weight class. Come to think of it, there really aren't many other fish available in their weight class.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Ain'tcha glad that carp don't have huge fan clubs, tournaments and all that stuff? it is great to be abused by big fish without having to bring your own rock to stand on...as with the more glamorous species...like those wimpy steelhead.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Sounds like you have mostly recovered from the respiratory problems. [/#0000ff]
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Dave, I think you're addicted. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Gonna have to find some local waters fot those golden bones.
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WTG UNCLE Z. GOT TO LOVE THE WAY THOSE BIG "GOLD FISH" YANK ON THE LINE.

AT
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[#0000ff]Come to think of it, there really aren't many other fish available in their weight class.[/#0000ff] [#000000]That's the big attraction. Perfect for someone who doesn't keep many fish anyway.[/#000000]
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[#0000ff]Ain'tcha glad that carp don't have huge fan clubs, tournaments and all that stuff? [/#0000ff][#0000ff][/#0000ff][#000000]Big carp tourneys on the other side of big pond, I'm told. Not here ---- yet.[/#000000] [#0000ff][/#0000ff][#0000ff]it is great to be abused by big fish without having to bring your own rock to stand on...as with the more glamorous species...like those wimpy steelhead.[/#0000ff] [#000000]Steelhead are in at our local river. I walked across the street from my house the other day and there were seven cars parked at the local drift. I didn't even go down to the water. It will only get worse as the run builds. I've seen only one other flyfisher at the carp lake and that only twice.[/#000000]
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[#0000ff]Sounds like you have mostly recovered from the respiratory problems. [/#0000ff][#0000ff][/#0000ff][#000000]Yeah, the enforced gag order from the doctor and the mellowing drug they gave me has all but shut it down. Nicest thing was that it allowed me to do more fishing.[/#000000] z~ [/reply]
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Nice report Uncle Z. I'm going to have to head up your way someday and share in some of the fun.[cool]
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Dave, I think you're addicted. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Gonna have to find some local waters fot those golden bones. [/reply]

Don,

Yup. My name is zonker and I'm a carp addict.

z~
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AT and TubN2,

It's a blast! And a challenge.

z~
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If you'd more you might catch a couple extra fish.
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If you'd more you might catch a couple extra fish. [/reply]

[cool]That's the steely stare of the fully dedicated carp fanatic.

z~
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Don't listen to him Uncle Z. Pokymon is a little wierd sometimes. He's been known to gouge the eyes out of his spuds just before eating them.[cool]
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