Fishing Forum

Last year I got a cheap 8 wt combo and gathered up some of the flies people mentioned here that catch carp. Still need to find some San Juan worms. The one time I got to use it, the carp were too far out. My boy did catch a 3" bluegill with it so the rod has experience now.

So if I am fishing a lake and cast out, then what? Do carp like some movement or do I leave it still? I've only caught them with dough baits and arrows.
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Either sight fish them, cast in front of the fish, then when it gets near, twitch the fly, or cast where there are a bunch of fish feeding (not rolling around spawning), and SLOWLY crawl the fly across the bottom...
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Yep sight fishing them is easiest, I like to cast it a foot or two in front of them then slowly move it to them, one thing I have learned if you dont set the hook the instant they take the fly good chance they will spit it. Soon as you see that fish rise at your fly set the hook, ive missed so many of them by waiting for them to start to move my line. Careful once you catch one on the fly you may experience a huge grin that may start to hurt if held to long. They are a blast and will really wear your arm out. As for san Juan worms, I say tie your own probably the easiest fly to.tie ever.
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I agree, super easy to tie. Also try some glo bugs. Super easy and they really catch the cruisers.
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I've caught carp on a #6 black woolly bugger with a black flasher and a small peachy egg pattern #14. I usually just slowly strip from on the bottom. Using a thingamabober helps out as well to know if they carp sucked the fly. Hope you can catch one soon to show us.

Good luck [cool]
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Oh and remember set that hook good, if.you question your hook set set it again. And they will really test your knots too. These two im posting put my knots to.the test, at 30" they have allot of run in them.
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Be sure you have a GOOD LINE! That will up the game so much you just could believe. You have to be able to get some distance, and you are only going to be able to do that with a good line, specially if you go with the SJW.
I have caught hundreds this year already. But while sight does make it somewhat easier, I have caught so many using a CLEAR Thingamabobber and the fly underneath.
I like thee Popcorn Ball by Rainy and it is the prize fly for me.



Here's on for you, I notice the carp slurping the surface so I threw on a Gartside Gurgler (small foam fly #12 scud hook that will float) on a tag and the popcorn ball on the longer tippet. TWO AT ONCE!
You can see the two shadows

Not sure how to land them both, the Bigger one on the Gurgler came off at thee net so I landed the smaller


Here is the Thingamabobber


I got out in my boat this weekend and caught several in two feet to five feet of water on a MIDNIGHT FIRE bugger.

I was using Intermediate line and thought I was snagged but I was able to pull it to me. Then it took off...WAHOO
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Utah has allot of common carp dont they, we have allot of mirror carp
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It depends on the water. Yuba has a lot of Mirror. There are Mirror in the river I fsh as well, but the Common are a lot bigger.
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Im going to chase some carp in 30 min for an hour or two. They will be mirror carp but they are pretty hefty mirrors biggest one ive pulled was 30"
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Thanks for all the replies. I'll be trying it next week, hopefully.

Why don't flies use octopus hooks so the fish sets the hook himself? I never saw them in small sizes, maybe there is a reason.

I've never seen a mirror carp except in pictures. I've caught the common ones in several other states.
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I use Octopus hooks for my version of the Popcorn ball and the Gurgler. It is my favorite hook for carp. But I do have smaller ones for Tenkara flies. Allen Fly Fishing sells them.
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I fished Blackfoot yesterday and don't know why I've put off carp fishing for so long. It's as fun as fishing gets. I recommend getting some salt water Crazy Charly style flies. The hook rides up so when you feel something you know it's a fish. The shorter style hook sets better, and they're strong enough to handle the really big ones. I had three straightened out wooly buggers with standard streamer hooks. The eight weight should be perfect. My 7 was bending all the way through the grip! Good luck, I know I can't wait to go back.
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