(CO) JohnFinney
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Posts posted by (CO) JohnFinney
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Congrats Amy !!!
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Fairground fun
in CO
Farigrounds action should pickup now as we head into fall providing a good opportunity to get into some of those big females as they fatten up for the winter !
Best of luck out there !
John
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Simply Stunning aquarium !
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Alas, nothing in life is free. Usually "Free Shipping" is paid for through the pricing of a companies products in conjunction with various volume discounts through the shipping companies. I noticed you were a fan of saltwater aquariums, here is a picture of my old 180g LR one, 2003-2009. Sadly had to dismantle and part with it all when I moved to GA for a year. Would love to see a picture of your aquarium, I am always fond of seeing saltwater setups !
Tight-Lines,
John
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Boilies v Corn, now that's an age old discussion. I have caught more fish here over the years on corn/maize, especially corn with plastic. When fishing with partners using corn, boilies v. corn, the corn usually puts the most fish in the net. However, averaging out the weights on those sessions, the boilies have put the larger fish in my hands overall. For the carp tournaments here over the past 4 years here, we are now in the 5th season, it's usually the guys using using corn/maize that have taken the win's - us boilie users have chalked up a few "W"s but ... the darn delmote more often than not, comes out on top!
Saying all that, my PB common fell to corn/maize with plastic, PB mirror fell to a boilie with a plastic corn topper and my PB grass carp fell to a single 15mm pop-up.
All baits can work ! As Steve mentioned, the fact we cannot "chum" here in Colorado limits our options as pre-baiting an area is simply out of the question for us.. If we could "chum", i'd certainly be going with a mix of boilies, flake, pellets and corn to get them in and hold them in the area and on the feed, especially when fishing a new water.
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Steve,
As Chatfield is so heavily fished from boaters there are many navigation and depth charts out there online; can prove very helpful. I do confess that I usually use a Deeper Sonar to map out new areas I haven't fished to get a better idea of what's down there. Reminds me, I need to use it more often when things aren't going to plan to help find the fish ! For many years I used to CC Moore baits, did some real damage with them, especially Live System. CC Moore was really the first boilie style baits I switched to when I made the transition from sweetcorn -> Tiger Nuts -> Boilies and Pop-Ups. Scopex Squid, what can I say, anything scopex based seems to do the job nicely ! When fishing Eagle Cove on the West side, heavy weeds out from about 15 yards to 30 yards, downside is, that's exactly where a lot of the carp love to hang out ! I used to get cut-off a lot at Chatfield, then switched over to more abrasion resistant lines, Korda Touchdown then Nash Bullet Mono. Did get chopped off again off the shelf a few weeks back, though that's likely as I didn't check my line for frays and nicks between casts.
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Had some success this earlier year from Eagle Cove in one of the TLO Tournaments for Carp, this used to be a solid area for producing the fish. Tried a bit later Catfish Flats, that didn't go so well, should be renamed "No Fish Flats". I know a few folks tried around Masey Draw with a little success. Fox Run and other locations up the West side used to be good, haven't fished them in a while. The most success we had last year was from the East Bank, down to the south, from the North Marina. Alas now, with all the construction, getting to those spots can be challenging; they certainly didn't improve fisherman access with all their work ! If/when fishing the east side, watch out for the ledge/drop off, about 25-30 yards off the bank, goes down from about 7-9 feet of water, to 18-20 feet, the carp love to run off and over that ledge, easy to get cutoff. Kingfisher and the Paddle Board (Gravel Pits) are now open. We fished Kingfisher the other week, produced some nice fish; this used to be a solid zone for mirrors over the years. Best of luck with your endeavors out there, look forwards to seeing the results ! Ping me your email address, or drop me a note, will have to "try" to see if we can get out on the banks sometime this year ! (syndariol@gmail.com) Tight-Lines !
PS: Your fishing buddy looks great !
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Way to go Steve !
I love fishing Chatfield, arguably one of the best trophy carp fisheries in Colorado. So thankful the road/bridge is now open down by Kingfisher for access from West to East side. Looking forwards to them finally opening up Roxborough Cove and the new area by Plum Creek. Place can be a bit of a "zoo" though, I am amazed to see a picture without paddle boarders, kayaks of folks swimming in the background !
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Steve, certainly been a WILD spring here in Colorado, that's for sure ! ?
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The Quest to catch some big pre-spawn commons at the Fairgrounds was proving difficult. In this episode we try a different section of the lake after using a Deeper Sonar to find the fish. Our efforts were rewarded with Andrew landing a couple of good commons. Hope you Enjoy !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp5HuSisYNA
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After a spring of fishing we finally got some footage edited, the coffee pot filled and a mug ready for some victory action !
Our first trip of the new season took us to Adams County Fairgrounds. The calm morning quickly turned into a cold, blustery afternoon. Our efforts were rewarded towards the end of the session with a with a nice low double common. We were lucky and shot some footage of a magnificent bald eagle flying over the lake. A very short video from a very cold few hours on the bankside!
Hope you enjoy this teaser of the season to come!
Best RegardsJohn
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The Fairgrounds can be a harsh mistress. Super congrats on your catches there, top stuff ! We have found, over the many years fishing there, location is everything. Just 5-10 yards off the "spot" they chose to feed makes all the difference. Crazy place, yet, the rewards are worth the effort ! Well done ! Many carp at the Fairgrounds were spawning about 2 weeks ago, though some have still yet to finish up.
I spent yesterday there, fishing and with my brother over from the UK doing some wildlife photography. 3 of us fished the point most of the day, results were varied, with most catches coming either early morning, just after dawn, right of the point, or throughout the day, straight of the point. Bite really turned on after the thunderstorms rolled through around 5pm. Fish fell to either super-sized corn/maize (Ryan 7 fish), boilies and pop-ups (Andrew 3 fish) or for me, pop-ups (9 fish), all 3 of us also deployed packbaits of one flavor or another...
The fish all fought like crazed maniacs, ton of fun !
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I do find any type of high fish meal content certainly can attract the catfish, or worse, crayfish, caught a few nice cats over the years. Ironically I have done well lately with some baits infused with krill. Sometimes I add a tin of tuna to the pack as well. Endless possibilities!
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Milk replacement, I just use dried milk powder from the big box stores, SamsClub here, I'm sure Costo also has its. When I am feeling flush with $$$ I actually use condensed or evaporated milk in my pack, creates a bit of a cloud. When I use molasses its liquid form, from the grocery aisle, that or dark karo syrup.
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Michael, ironically, the couple of times i've been to places where "chumming" is legal, I did not really catch more fish. First time was in KS, a two day and night affair, though plenty of chum was thrown in, all we ended up on the line were lots, and lots, and yet even more, catfish ! The second time was fishing back in the UK last year. The wildlife ate nearly all my free offerings catapulted out during the day, was hideous seeing the birds, like vultures, swooping down, diving, to eat it all. I eventually did get some fish on the bank, though that was using a modified method/pack mix and corn on a stringer on the hair. Yes, I would love to be able to pre-bait some spots here in Colorado, alas, not happening, not legal and not sure it would really be productive given the public and well known spots I am fishing.
Footnote: I would highly recommend using liquids and glugs for your baits here in Colorado ! plenty of options out there....
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On 5/6/2019 at 9:31 AM, michaelpthompson said:
CPW frowns on feeding wildlife of any sort, so even literally "feeding the ducks" would get you a ticket.
So John, I fish a pack bait with my hook embedded in it. It's never softball size, just what I can pack into the contours of the lead with my hands. Maybe elongated ping pong ball size. I cast out and let it sit for 15 or 20 minutes. If it hasn't gotten any interest by then, I reel in and cast out in a slightly different spot.I can't see any way this could be considered chumming, but would love to hear your evaluation based on your conversations with wildlife officials.
Michael, I wish I had a better answer for you. It's sad to say, that a lot is going to depend on the particular wildlife officer you encounter. Some will say it's fine, "hey, that's like a dough ball we used to use for catfish", others are going to not be so accommodating. 100%, if they see you casting out in quick succession, repeatedly, they are going to ticket you for chumming. We fish the Tight Line Outdoors, Carp Tournaments each year here in Colorado. At the rules meeting, they are pretty consistent in stating, packbait is ok, but, in moderation with no repeated casting, so long as your hook is embedded in the pack. TLO have to get a permit from CPW to hold the events. Tightline have also had CPW threaten to turn up once to a night tourney, in force and ticket everyone in the tournament for chumming by the use of packbait; which they eventually did not do. I believe TLO contacted the District Wildlife manager and complained to them about it all. The most enthusiastic officers are at Chatfield Reservoir, we have had them watch us with binoculars, from afar, to ensure we weren't doing anything illegal. My thoughts, as I said before, just be mindful of your surroundings, if you are using packbait, don't leave it out in plain sight with the ground littered in oats and corn in front of you, and refer to it as a dough bait, if asked.
100% feeding wildlife in Colorado, ducks included, is going to get you a ticket that far more $$$ than simply one for chumming. CPW are VERY aggressive to people feeding stuff here.
Here is a link to an article that I had to write, and send to CPW, regarding carp baits and chumming in Colorado, after they mistakenly accused me of promoting illegal fishing techniques in Colorado. Seems they had me mixed up with some cat fishing folks and drifting chum bags of blood with hooks, behind their boats. Took me months and a few phone calls to get that all sorted out. I am not the only Colorado CAG State Chair to have had bust-ups with CPW over the years !
http://carpquest.org/local-info/colorado-rules-clarification-for-use-of-packbaits-in-carp-fishing/
In the end, myself and CPW still disagreed slightly !!!
Best of luck,
John -
Having spoken multiple times, in person and via email, with Colorado Parks and Wildlife representatives; multiple casting, every 5 minutes, with packbaits, is CHUMMING. Casting out packbait, without your hook in the packbait, (to meet the ;etter of the written regulations at least) is CHUMMING. Tossing out a softball sized huge monster ball of packbait, depth charging the water, is likely going to be considered CHUMMING. We as carp anglers here in Colorado should at least "try" to practice a modicum of sensibility with regards to our use of pack/method bait techniques. As always to anyone fishing here in Colorado, be mindful of your surroundings and whom may be watching you. Some CPW officials will still say just using a method feeder, is chumming, some will say it's perfectly fine. It perhaps comes down to how they see you using the method mix/packbait and your intent. Just be mindful out there. The place you are most likely to get a ticket nowadays, would be Chatfield Reservoir and lakes in the Littleton area; the CPW District Wildlife Manager for that zone is very "enthusiastic" on this topic !
Good old Colorado !
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I've fished with fresh, aged and even rather fermented packbait; all seem to work well. I do draw the line at mouldy bait, more from a personal revulsion to sticking my hands into and packing such a concoction that it's lack of effectiveness. ? I often make up multiple bags of packbait at a time, storing it in the fridge between sessions. Lasts easy a few weeks though can dry out a little; either adding some water from the lake or more creamed corn when ready to use again.
John
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Welcome to the Carp Anglers group Michael !!! ?
As for eating the carp here in Colorado, as you have noted already, we have many lakes that are overpopulated with small carp <10 lbs, many stunted in growth. We also have plenty of lakes jam packed with even smaller carp, even more stunted <7 lbs Eat away ! I do respect your decision to release the larger fish and would highly recommend releasing all grass carp in Colorado (CPW stocked those for algae control at considerable cost) and mirrors of any size and all/any MA quality fish.
IF you have any questions about carp fishing here in Colorado, do drop me a message. I see you are a regular on FXR, what's your handle there? I admit, I am USELESS at remembering names !!!. Do drop into the Colorado forum here on the website, tell us a little about yourself....
http://www.carpanglersgroup.com/forum/index.php?/forum/215-co/ (Main Colorado Forum section)
http://www.carpanglersgroup.com/forum/index.php?/forum/216-co-meet-greet-questions/ (Meet and Great section)
There are now a steadily growing number of CAG members from Colorado. We are generally all active on various facebook groups, if you are active there, drop me a message/friend as well.
Best Regards & welcome again !
John -
A warm welcome to Michael Thompson, another new member to CAG here in Colorado ! T'would seem that this year all the "stealth" Colorado carp anglers are all joining up ! ?
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Welcome back to Steve !
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He reminds me of those big commons, early season, you know they are out there, but where !!! ?
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6 hours ago, Amy Demrovsky said:
Glad to be part of the group!
You are most welcome. One of these days you got to get Mark into the electronic age and online ?
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Just wanted to post a quick note of warm welcome and highlight our members from Colorado. Looking forwards to meeting up and fishing with you all this season.
Our ranks are growing and now include;
Amy & Mark Demrovsky
Mark Caldwell
Bob Crook
Holland Oats
For those that don't know them, Amy, Mark, Mark, Bob have all featured in CarpQuest videos in 2018 and are frequent posters on the CAG Facebook page, Holland is still elusive and i've yet to fish with him on the banks and get him on photo/film !
Tight-Lines,
John
Champion of the Queen Award 2019 - Dean Brookes
in Public Announcements
Posted
Well deserved, congrats Dean !