bait

[sparky405]

what do you use for carp bait. I see lots of them on the river from the bridge and I was wondering what kind of bait to use to get them out

[deathb4disco]

Corn works great -- just plain ol' Jolly Green Giant straight out of the can.

[sparky405]

I will try that I tossed bread out there and none of them touched it they kind of vacating the area where it was

[deathb4disco]

I will try that I tossed bread out there and none of them touched it they kind of vacating the area where it was

Carp are very spooky. If you can see them, they can see you.

If you're fishing above them from a bridge, they will be very hard to hook.

[no1son]

Instant oatmeal continues to work for us. I've been fishing it in a ball about the size of a nickel on a #6 or #4 1/32nd or 1/16th oz steel head jig. I get those 2X strong jigs from Nimrod who is on this list and powder paint them black myself. (I also use them for anything else I need a plain ballhead jig for in any color required as long as it is black.)

We follow the carp upcurrent and dip the doughball to settle down to the bottom in current breaks, using only enough weight to get to the bottom and straighten the line. The oatmeal baitball stands up to repeated nibbles, and is very hard for the fish to steal. This is not bolt fishing. The bite tends to be very soft and tentative, with the carp usually returning a number of times before the complete take. We are not allowed to chum here in Minnesota either and only get one rod at a time. In other places I would guess instant oatmeal would chum pretty well, as it sinks after getting wetted. Plain instant oatmeal works just fine for us, no special flavors required.

[no1son]

Last Thursday evening I took three carp on oatmeal, the biggest was about 30", one of several that size oatmeal has produced this summer. All bite was very soft, and just barely visible on the soft rod tips used. Bite was very slow and mostly right along the river wall, the carp bite that is. My fishing partner also took a 5# smallie and I a largemouth about the same weight from along that same stretch of river channel, while casting bigger plastics during carp lulls. Real nice bonuses. We also tried for catfish but the only one we took was a little flathead of about 15", ugly little thing, it was. There were also some bluegills, a couple of them beat 8" and were wide fish as well.

Nice enough spot with multiple species available, including some very nice carp, but the carp bite has tapered off there as summer has progressed.

[deathb4disco]

All bite was very soft, and just barely visible on the soft rod tips used.

I probably sound like a broken record on this, but you should really try to float tactics. The "lift method" would be a good way to start. Bites are very positive with a sensitive float. If you want to stick with "tight lining", I highly recommend a feeder (quivertip) rod. They are specially-designed for bottom fishing and have super light tips designed to show light bites. Wacker Baits sells a couple of models.

[Barnacle Bill]

Corn works great -- just plain ol' Jolly Green Giant straight out of the can.

Yup, corn works great

[no1son]

I probably sound like a broken record on this, but you should really try to float tactics. The "lift method" would be a good way to start. Bites are very positive with a sensitive float. If you want to stick with "tight lining", I highly recommend a feeder (quivertip) rod. They are specially-designed for bottom fishing and have super light tips designed to show light bites. Wacker Baits sells a couple of models.

I already use rods with ultra-soft tips, and I fish on the bottom with a bit of slack, too. One thing I don't or rather haven't yet done is fish with leaders on my high vis yellow line. That will be the next addition to the pattern using fluorocarbon, next time I get out, which will likely be next week sometime or maybe tomorrow pm for a while if I can get out at all.

- been sick but am much better now... I also work weekends so if not tomorrow then it will have to be next week.

[deathb4disco]

I already use rods with ultra-soft tips ...

Quivertips are on a different level of "soft". Trust me.

One thing I don't or rather haven't yet done is fish with leaders on my high vis yellow line.

I highly recommend a clear or lo-vis line.

Glad to hear you're feeling better.