Hit Lincoln Beach at 5:30 AM Saturday for a little bowfishing. Went south of barbed wire fence first - nothing, absolutely nothing.
Walked south dike next and saw one close to shore - thwak! Right in the head. Dead as a doornail. Hit the next seven shots in a row on unsuspecting threesomes sucking on the surface.
Never gone 8 for 8 before.
I was surprised there were no carp in the shallows. I even drove west around the mountain and couldn't find any at all.
What gives? Where are the carp?
[signature]
It's not just you, man. I hear nothing but "Too many carp in Utah Lake!", etc. whenever I read anything about the lake, but I rarely catch them. I've caught a total of two in the last 30 fishing trips to UL, and I've used worms on the bottom on at least half of those trips looking for cats. I've even gone on pure carp hunting trips hoping to get some cat fish bait for later, but have come up empty handed each time.
I know they're in there, and I know there are tons, but I feel like the DWR and media are making them out to be a bigger problem than they really are. Of course, I'm a moron and I'm probably 100% wrong. /shrug
[signature]
With all of the netting that they have been doing on that end of the lake may have thinned them out some. I have been seeing tons of them up on the north side of the lindon harbor.
[signature]
Good call. The only problem is, I'm fishing around Lindon most of the time! I see and/or hear a lot of them, but I must smell like dump or something because I can't get them to bite for the life of me.
[signature]
I fish U.L a lot using both cut bait and worms, I also use jigs a lot. I snag far more carp with a jig than I ever catch on bait. But there are plenty of carp there. The damage carp due to the lake cant be underestimated. They may never get them all but there are millions of them in there for them to work on. If catching a carp on bait is the goal and they are hard fighting, keep trying with baits I am sure you will find one yet.
[signature]
Ask UT Catman for his secret recipe, he catches them all the time. Theyre very tricky to catch. I personally havent tried his bait yet but i'd sure like to. If you're looking to go bowfishing for them go right north of the Lindon Harbor as mentioned before. Last week i was out and if i'd have had a bow i probably could have gottten quite a few. Another thing to keep in mind is that while the spawn is on they dont bite very well at all.
Heres your invite UT Catman to show me how the heck you're getting those carp!
[signature]
Really glad to see you guys thinning out the UL carp, but please lets do it responsibly. for instances, at Mud lake boat access ( there by University off ramp) some guys have been nailing the carp and just tossing them on the ground in the parking area.[crazy] Makes for a really rank smell when launching or loading your boat. I counted 8. Please do us all a favor and take um home for the roses, or toss um back in the water to sink to the bottom. Stab um in the belly a few times that usually pops the bubble and lets them sink. Thanks [sly]
[signature]
that looks way fun and ive never tried but would like to. also a great way to get catfish bait for the year!!! maybe ill have to go for some crap just for bait in my freezer.
tightlines
[signature]
Maybe you should come to Carpapalooza on June 2 from 9 am - 3 PM at Lincoln Beach. Free bowfishing and lunch. It's a great time.
[signature]
Is that a real event?
[signature]
Yes, here's the link:
[url "http://www.utahbowfishing.com/tournament/calender/2012%20Carpapalooza%20flier%201.pdf"]http://www.utahbowfishing.com/tournament/calender/2012%20Carpapalooza%20flier%201.pdf[/url]
[signature]
take some peanut butter and bread, spread the peanut butter on the bread then add a little bit of water to it and form it into a dough ball. crap love it!! well thats what i use most of the time.
hope that helps
[signature]
[font "Calibri"]Come up to Willard. I walked the swallow arm by the freeway and seen tons splashing the shore line Friday 5/19/2012. Smacked one on top of the head with the tip of my fly rod. Then fished the N. marina and snagged a couple while crappie fishing. Man they fight good on light crappie gear. Sure wish I was in the boat with my bow, would have been fun![/font]
[signature]
Be careful when bowfishing at any State Park. It is against the law to bowfish on or near the boat ramps (including the docks) within a state park and/or within 600 ft. of any park building. Almost cited at Utah Lake State Park, but the "kindly" park ranger referred me to the sate statute instead of citing me. I'd never heard of that, and had been bowfishing off of the docks. The next time I went back, the ranger intercepted me as I was heading out. Just FYI.
[signature]
[font "Calibri"]I was just fishing that day, but all good info just the same. Thanks for the heads up!!![/font]
[signature]
I'm wanting to get out and shoot some carp on Saturday but the weather is looking iffy. How does cooler possibly stormy weather affect the carp coming up and sucking off the surface? Do they clump up in all weather or do they just do it on warmer calm days?
[signature]
I've only found them on warm/calm days.
[signature]