I saw some small (14-18 inch) carp at a local lake.  If I want to try to catch them, what size & type hook should I use? 

Small, say sized 10, circle hooks of any brand. No hookset necessary, just reel until the hook latches on.

@attila,

Thanks.  I will give that a try.

depends on what kind of rig and bait. If you are putting canned corn on a hook than a 8 or even 6 baitholder will work. For bread or oatmeal you can use a bigger hook. I don't use circles for carp. A circle kind of goes against the logic of the hair rig that I use now. 

@massBass,

Thanks.  I'll probably try bread.

just make up some doe add some cotton and vanilla flavoring, the cotton holds the foe together and the flavoring help attract them