Finally, after many failed trips to normal early season river and creek spots I stumbled upon a neighborhood producer! There’s a small lake within a mile of my house that I noticed last week was opening up a bit and figured I’d give it a shot. The first trip we were met with very subtle bites and alot of whiffs. With no fish caught we couldn’t decide if it was bullheads or carp messing with our heads, but the unanimous decision of two was that it was indeed carp.
Upon a little further investigation and a payout of 25 cents, our super sleuth pal Encyclopedia Brown solved the case. It was our friend Cyprinus Carpio(common carp) jigglin’ our fishin’ poles. The first photo is me with my first of the year caught on my new custom 9’8″ St. Croix carpin’ stick built by Lonnie at Thorne Bros.(Thanks Lonnie!!!!!) Just minutes before, Serpent also got his first of the year, what a way to start the season.
As far as the technique involved it was nothing fancy by any means. We were just fishing corn rigged on a #2 octopuss hook bottom fishin’. The lake we are fishing has a small aerator/pumphouse and the fish were relating to the current generated by this. Most came shallow and the PM hours seem to be the best as the sun has more time to warm the waters in the shallows.
If the weather actually ends up the way ol’ weatherman is forecasting this week things should start to improve dramatically. Bring it on!!!!! In closing, here’s Serpent with the bonus fish of the day…..first sucker I’ve ever seen caught on corn.
More photos.
That is a monster White sucker!
Yeah, I was thinking that sucker was huge, too!
Nice report. I plan on doing the same thing early this week.
So, tell me what makes a good carpin’ rod.
I’ve always just used my normal spinning gear for carp and decided I’d upgrade this season. I had them make me a 9’6″ flyrod blank turned into a spinning rod with a 2 inch extension on the butt. Basically, a nice long rod similar to a steelhead rod. Soft tip, with a backbone to boot. Some of the European carpers are using rods up to to 13′. You can find some of these on Wacker baits website. It’s a carp fishing store out of Chicago……and yes that was one dandy White Sucker!
Looks like you had a great time!
Those things pull like a John Deere! Ritter and I got into a pod of them on Pool 4 yesterday. Got 4, and one was in the high teens.
Should I be looking for the warmest water with some possible current this time of year? Got a couple little lakes that are opening up near home. Got some run off coming in. I suspect the carp should be close by.
Also, do good ol crawlers work well for bait or should I be planning some other sustenance?
Serp, nice muskie bait!
I try
I there’s carp in the lake go for it! They should be in the shallow warm water…and, yes, crawlers work well too. You might want to tag team the crawlers with some corn on the same hook as well. Let us know how it goes.
I think the Serp makes a good fish model.
Nice carp, thanks for posting. I can’t wait to get out there myself.
Got my first of the season today. Man, that wind made it tough, though
Nicely done Ralph! She’s a beaut.
I tried a spot for a short time this evening and YUP! that wind was brutal.
I went to my honey carp hole just about 30 mins ago and about started crying, when there were about 100 dead carp floating. I was thinking it might happen with the water levels so low before the ice came.
Nice job and great photos, man that water looks clear.
That is one huge sucker.
Way to go
So, I was visiting my dad Saturday and we decided to try a little fishing. Got nothing. I sent him the above photo of my carp from yesterday which apparently convinced him to give it another shot today, when he one-upped me with this SOW
My 9yr Old caught a 13lb and 10lb carp yesterday. He had a blast hauling them in!
Here’s a few more from the same spot a few days ago. Hopefully have a metro and Mille Lacs non- shore fishin’ carp report in the near future.