Carp fishing assistance?

[Fairbanks696]

Hi there, I'm currently planning for my fishing trip down around a marsh, and it's full of large carp, channel cats, bullhead, and also gar. We've been there once already, and we caught a 7lb gar, several bullhead, and channel cat, and also we hooked into some monster carp. The carp kept breaking 20 lb mono like it was thread, and they also kept getting off of the hook. We used fresh, large shrimp as bait, which worked good most of the time! I was just wandering about some rod setups, bait, and techniques, such as snagging, which is legal in Kansas. Please let me know!
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[bytebull]

I catch carp here in Arkansas in the St.Francis River using shrimp.

I used to lose a lot of them because I was using Catfish hooks, but since I changed over to Circle hooks and let them run a few seconds before I "slowly" reel in the line and allow the circle hook to do it job I don't lose hardly any.

You shouldn't be breaking your line if you set your drag right. I have caught 15lb carp on 10lb BPS Excel line and not broken line. Make sure your drag is set to let the carp take line at about 6lb pressure that way even if they get a burst of energy and make a fast dash it won't break your line.

One thing about carp. Play them down and wear them out. They can't be hawged in like channel catfish. You have to allow them the time to wear out. If you don't wear them out you will probably lose them at the bank because they often make a crazy last dash with their remainin energy and break your line or throw your hook at the bank.

Hope this info helps! Here is a picture of one I caught a couple years ago at the bridge on the St. Francis River in NE Arkansas.

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[Fairbanks696]

Thanks for answering! Yeah, I figured that the drag set was the main issue! Also, I'm glad you brought up the circle hooks, because I was debating on wether or not to use them, but I sure will now. Our goal this season is to hook the state record, which is around 40 lbs! And, where we are fishing held a 60 pounder that someone got illegally last year! Anyway, we used shrimp as the main bait, besides shrimp, what do you prefer, and also what is your setup?
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[bytebull]

I use Abu Garcia: Record reel

[url "http://www.abugarcia.com/products/reels/round-reels/ambassadeur-round-baitcast/record"]http://www.abugarcia.com/...ound-baitcast/record[/url]

and A Catmaxx from BPS:

[url "http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-CatMaxx-CMX-Series-Casting-Rods/product/90928/"]http://www.basspro.com/...-Rods/product/90928/[/url]

I use Bass Pro Shop Premium Excel Monofilament line 10lb. I use it for Largemouth bass, catfish, everything. I love the line, it's tough and ties super knots. If you set your drag right this line will bring in anything. I Have caught tons of 10lb plus catfish on it with no problems and use it on all my bass rods. Occasionally you will get a bad spool so just take it back to bps and they will replace it and sometimes even give you a free spool. I buy them in the 1,500 yard spools.

I don't know if you can use local mussels/clams but I catch my biggest carp and blue cats using local mussels I find on the bank in the spring. We have some species that are endangered and can't be used for bait so make sure you check your local county and state laws before you do that...

Most important thing about getting those huge carp to the bank is just setting your drag low enough to let them play out and get worn down. You will lose most huge carp because your drag isn't set right and you don't let them get completely exausted before you try to land them.

edit: if you can't afford that reel and rod ... try one of their combos that's affordable and reliable:

[url "http://www.abugarcia.com/products/combos/round-reel-combos/ambassadeur-7000i-combo"]http://www.abugarcia.com/...assadeur-7000i-combo[/url]
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[bytebull]

Just want to add about DRAG. It is probably the most important thing in fishing and the most overlooked.

Guys go buy 20lb line and set their drag so tight that one good run and a 15lb fish breaks their line (usually at the knot) always take your time on your knots.

Always set your drag lower than the line specs. You don't have to haul in a big fish or even small one fast. Let the fish play out and get tired. Saltwater fishermen learned this a long time ago.

You can bring in big fish even using smaller line if your drag is right and you play the fish.

edit: I am giving you advice on carp in rivers too and they are much stronger than carp in lakes or ponds. Most carp in rivers will make at least two solid runs and strip off 20-30 yards of line sometimes three runs.

In ponds and lakes they aren't as strong and don't take as long to wear down. GOOD LUCK!

Oh yea a cat photo, thought you might like this pic. hah.

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[flygoddess]

I am a Carpaholic. But I fly fish. I caught hundreds last year. I had many break off too, but realized it was because of the rod (too stiff) and possible the drag or lack of, in that I try not to let them run too much.
I caught 99% of the Carp on an egg fly with a #12 hook (whole fly would fit on a dime)
Very sharp hooks because of the rubber lips and no rippin' it[]
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[Paulpro]

simple rule of thumb,if you catch'em,snag them!
Here's a black carp with cloudy eyes,sorry I tear its mouth a bit.
Normally I put the fish scale hook just behind the bottom lip..
2nd time I catch this carp
Check it out,some girls walk by and even want to touch the carp.WoW Some girls like fish slime![]

[#0066cc]8:35[/#0066cc]
[ul][li][url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwRQaYDL-zU"][/url][/li][li][url "http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?video_id=JwRQaYDL-zU&ns=1"][/url][/li][li][#0066cc][/#0066cc][/url][/li][/ul]
[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwRQaYDL-zU"]Hammocks lake Gurl Power blk Boy Carp![/url]
I'm using NEW Berkley Nanofil,designed for spinning reels not baitcasters haha!
follow this link for more fishing with Nanofil in 6lb,its as thin as 4lb fire line!
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=797265#p797265"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=797265#p797265[/url]
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[Rickyrf]

I used to catch a lot of carp when I lived in the mid-west. My favorite bait is Wheaties. I tried several other things but Wheaties was always far better. Just crunch them up in a bowl, add some water and work it into a tough dough.

The other thing about carp is to use a slip weight or no weight at all. I prefer an open bale reel and no weight. The dough is heavy enough to cast easily. Just put enough dough over your hook to cover it but use a small strong hook about size#4.

You should have a lot of fun and they'll bite fast on Wheaties cereal.
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[flygoddess]

My favorite is the "RAINY'S POPCORN" Still working even in pea soup water

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[Rickyrf]

Flygoddess
Wow, I'm surprised a fly will work in muddy water since there is no smell to it.

I only caught a carp on a fly pole once. I was using a tiny treble hook and snagged it. It was a lot fun and the carp was 10x bigger than the small bluegill I was catching on flies.

I'll have to try flies next time I get my fly rod out.
Rick
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[flygoddess]

Size 10 SW hook

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