Was out at a local Fairfax, Va lake today fishing for topwater bass when all of a sudden 2 minutes after I get there carp started rolling all over the shoreline. Looked like they may have been in the process of spawning. It was like clockwork every 10-20 seconds somewhere on the shallow end of the lake in 1-3 feet of water sometimes almost coming up onto the land. They were rolling like crazy.

So I drove to the store 2 seconds down the road and got some size 14 circle hooks, 2 cans of corn and some split shots and used my mh rod rigged with 30lb braid to catch some. Well first fight ended up being a shallow catfish (channel) went for about 3 to 3 and a half pounds. It must have been feeding on eggs or something being up shallow in 2 feet of water.

The second fight I hooked into a momma and had a 6-7 minute fight with her pulling drag from my braid like crazy. Got her up to the shore, biggest carp I ever hooked into probably about 10-11 lbs. Broke my hook right off by the line tie as I was horseing her out of the water. Teaches me to try and lift a fish like that on a small hook. Next time I'll bring my net.

I had about 4-5 other hits but they were qucik moving the bait away from the area they were spawning. I have never seen anything like this today, it was awesome. I will be going back tommorrow night after work with my wife (who loves fishing for carp) to try and catch a few more. I can't believe I let that one get away. My friend Troy caught a 4-5 lb carp (small one) on his ultralight gear (also on corn) 4lb test. Couldn't believe his line didn't snap. He had the drag set right though.

Anyway, crazy day. I'll update with pics tommorrow if we catch any.

Anyone have any other good techniques for tricking these guys when they are spawning. The bite wasn't too bad. Looks like they hit better than bass during their spawn. I did chum the water a bit.

sounds fun. gl. i think im gonna try it at occ. res. i swear ive seen carp over 20lbs there...

Dude soccrplyr.  If you go up around the first point at Lake Ridge and follow the rez down stream the first cove on the left there had a TON of spawning carp last time I went two weeks ago.  I know they are a shallow water fish most of the time so they may still be in the general area.  You should try it out next time you go.  I was mad I didn't have my carp gear last time I went out there bass fishing with my pops.  They are a ton of fun to catch.  A lot of people call them a "trash fish" but to me honestly there may not be a better fresh water fish aside from a huge northern pike or a smallmouth on ultralight gear.  Fun as anything to reel in and you feel really good when you see the fish the size of your body come up on shore.  

Since my wife loves fishing for them so much I may make this a weekly or bi weekly thing where we bring out our carp gear and larger poles and sit on the bank in lawn chairs sipping on soda and hanging out talking and what not waiting for the big fish to eat.  Might be a way to get her back in the fishing mood and get me on some big fish.  Can't beat that.

P:s:  There are definately some large carp at the Rez.  My friend Troy has caught a 12 and a 16lb carp off the pier there on corn.  You have to really sight fish for them or pay attention to where they are rolling.  If you place the corn in the area you see them and chum (key is very lightly) in that area they will take your bait.  The key for me is moving the corn up the line and having it before the small hook (size 12-14hook, what you would use for pan fish).  I normally use 6-8 pieces of corn on each cast.  Also I find it best to go with a bobber rig or split shot rig for added weight.

Jay it sounds like you had some fun today. You need to go back and catch a trophy carp, it only has to be 20lbs or 34 inches.

Working on it. I'm hoping I can get into one soon. I know there has to be some close to that at the lake I was at today, Troy and I saw them coming out of the water by our feet and swimming right next to us. They were ginormous! Lol. I forgot what those things fight like, incredible rush. Especially if you have your drag set properly. Might be the easiest way for me to get my master angler certificate (by catching these guys) as my chances are better of landing one of them than a trophy bass.  Not to mention you can get some huge cats using corn as well.

d**n dude. The Carp WILL NOT hit during the spawn here in New Jersey. They were still spawning last week, I'm gonna go check em out soon. After the spawn they will be suckin em up though!!

Here's a pic of one I got last year.. 21lbs 10oz

Nice carp dude.  Yeah spawn is longer over now by a couple weeks here but have been focusing more on bass lately so haven't got a chance to get out for em' but once or twice missing a couple both times.  A lot different than bass fishing lol.  But I will prob give it a go one day in the upcoming weeks.  Hopefully I can land one like that.  Good job again man.

Thanks alot dude. A LOT of the carp where I fish are big like that. Probably average 15 lbs or so..Pretty nice. Good luck with the carp nad TIGHT LINES!!

jvox

You sure that carp is 20lbs? It looks a little bit smaller than that.

dude at the charles river in boston theres a dam about 18 miles upstream that goes through my town. Usually theres a crapload of bass at the base of this dam, although lately all i see are these huge carp chillin and swimmin and baskin in the sun all day long. AND I CAN"T CATCH THEM!!!!! it ticks me off so bad, dunno what i'm doin wrong, i got my saltwater gear with a small trout hook on a snelled leader, a swivel, and a 1 ounce sliding weight. I used fresh corn, and tried hot dog rolls and came up with crap... someone helppp!!!!!

Well, It sounds like your gear is set up right, even though I dont like to use saltwater poles(but alot of people do). If the carp are everywhere right now, they might be spawning. They are spawning right now in Jersey, and they aint gonna hit too much during the spawn. Wait a little while and come back and see if the carp activity isnt so high which will probably tell you if they were spawning or not. Oh, and I use a small Gamakatsu circle hook for carp as well.

<AND YES, THAT CARP WAS 21LBS 10OZ!!

You sure that carp is 20lbs? It looks a little bit smaller than that.

I agree... i have caught many carp around my area and that definitely does look smaller than 20, but it could be the angle that the fish is at.

Heres one I caught earlier this year on my prom night that was about 17lbs on the digital scale.

Heres one my friend caught that was over 30:

the one in my hands was like 8 or something... I cant remember

You sure that carp is 20lbs? It looks a little bit smaller than that.

Please, in your professional carp judging expertise, exactly how much does that fish weigh?   :

You're right though, he isnt sure it was 20lbs....it was 20lb 10oz  LOL

You sure that carp is 20lbs? It looks a little bit smaller than that.

Please, in your professional carp judging expertise, exactly how much does that fish weigh?   :

You're right though, he isnt sure it was 20lbs....it was 20lb 10oz  LOL

21lb 10oz

My PB 34 inches...I guess 15-20LBS... it was a fat fish

I was 16 years old at the time! Pretty embarressing picture actually. Why the hell did I wear pink bracelets? Also why did I chose not to get a hair cut for about two years? LOL

I WAS ROCKING THE MULLET LOL!