Went wading for smallies in a PA stream today with my ultralight setup and Trout Slayers. Happened upon a school of carp. I put a trout slayer in front of a carp, AND HE PICKED IT UP! But spit it right back out. In many attempts, I never had a carp take a bait before. So I tried it again. As soon as he picked it up, I set the hook. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!! Rippin out the 4lb line, what a battle! He was 20 inches. My first carp! Had a few more near hookups afterwards, but gave up and looked for some more carp upstream. After finding none, I came back and hooked into a 27 incher. What a fight! I'm now hooked on carp fishing. Note: I realize it is uncool to fight big fish on light tackle. I wouldn't have taken an ultralight rod and 4 lb if I had planned on catching carp. both carp were properly revived. 

Here's what Trout Slayers are: https://www.troutmagnet.com/store/trout-slayer-6-pc-pack-natural-p-250.html

Down here you'll sink into one of those Blue Channel cats everyone and a while, there fun unless your in a tournament.

So why is it uncool to catch big fish on light tackle? I would think that would be a blast!

Some think tiring a fish out too much is the begining of the end for that fish, they don't recover well or another predator is about to have lunch.  Myself I prefer catching fish on light tackle.

I doubt the fish died. Fighting fish on light tackle is fun, and I do it alot, but 11 lb carp on ultralight and 4 lb line is a little overkill in my opinion. But then again... its a carp.