Combobait
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Posts posted by Combobait
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4/9/09
Eels, channel catfish, white catfish, striped bass, golden shiners, bullheads on bread/corn kernel combo - smallmouth bass hitting on retrieve - all these in Hudson River.
Brown trout and yellow perch in NYC reservoir system - Westchester County.
Snapping turtles - phooey! - in a variety of locations.
Combobait
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9/13/06
And a fully-scaled mirror by the looks of it! Nice Fish! - Combobait
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9/7/06
Love those channels! When the stripers disappear from the Hudson River in Spring, were it not for the carp and channels, I wouldn't even bother. And when the carp go on the spawn, it's channels or damnation. - Combobait
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7/28/06
Certainly a nice looking fish. - Combobait
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7/15/06
Bit of a Hudson setback - down around Beacon there's been an invasion of small blue-claw crabs - can't keep any bait on the hook for more than a few minutes.
One of the local guys carp-fishes by loading one of those Kahle-bend catfish hooks with corn kernels - perhaps 15 or so -- he gets cleaned right out. Never saw anything like it. - Combobait
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7/1/06
A few years ago, I observed a group of largemouth bass, size about 8-9 inches, making repeated group attacks on a bunch of small fish -- perhaps recently hatched carp or bluegills. They didn't herd the small fry quite as neatly as the catfish in the story, but they did seem to be hanging around the periphery of the small fish, and would rush in periodically. - Combobait
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6/19/06
Welcome aboard Dale! - Combobait
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5/31/06
Sounds like a great experience - and I think those peacocks can get pretty big..
I wonder if that was an alligator or a caiman. They are supposely more likely to chase down fish than people. From what I recall, crocodiles are something else again. - Combobait
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5/26/06
This is one of the reasons that mates, anglers, etc. are warned never to take wraps of leader around hands or body while trying to land or boat a big fish.
-Combobait
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5/5/06
Nice going. Love those Hudson River Carp stories. -Combobait
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DOC seem to be looking for something easy to blame rather than get the farmers all rilled up!
4/30/06 I think you've got something here. I know of one water district where the managers seem to blame carp -- the reality is that with severe water level fluctuation, overuse of the site by an exploding population for everything conceivable - jet skis, etc., they cannot get anything to naturally propogate -- except the carp take care of themselves. RESULT: Blame the carp for all the problems.
Politicians are not the only people who behave like politicians. - Combobait
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4/23/06
Very disappointing to see things like this still going on.
This may have had its place when there were a lot of trophy cats, many fishing venues, and people needed the food.
Everything I read indicates trophy cats, and waters, are being dammed up, etc. - and some of the few left require guides to get an interested fisherman into them. One annual safari to Lake Marion is far short of a desireable resource/access level.
If there's any doubt carp are needed -- here's yet more confirmation. -Combobait
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With carp fishing showing up more and more in the fishing magazines it is safe to say we've been discovered and things are moving our way.
It can only get better.
-Ken
4/3/06 I would totally agree with Ken's optimistic assessment.
Carp are big, hardy and widely dispersed freshwater fish -- accessible to those with moderately solid and moderately priced tackle. We could go on - but I'll stop for today at just calling them a spectacular resource. - Combobait
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Cuss it--YES. Break it off--maybe.
Rays are freakin WORK-especially the barn door sized ones.BUT--keep one thing in mind. Big Cobia can be hooked in the surf, and many times will fight just like a ray--right into the suds, and then go berserk and show ya what you're really dealing with.
Ya gotta admit--surf fishing is da bomb. Sun, sand, and babes in bikinis. Quit now before it ruins ya.
3/24/06 Sharking off the pier in North Carolina was how I used to spend my entire 2-week Summer vacation years back. Not too much sun and bikinis, because it was done at night. Probably the only beach-area vacationer who was never seen in daylight. Used 2 heavier conventional rods with Penn Squidders - 300 yds. of 25 lb. test - got spooled at least once. Brother got spooled shore-fishing last year in Florida - large bull sharks get right into the canals if the canal opens into ocean. -Combobait
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Hey guys,
I've been away for a while at the beach, staying in Apalachicola, FL. Yes, the river where two 40 plus carp have been caught in the past year. Though I haven't been doing any carp fishing (partly because I don't know where to begin, and I don't want to blank on my vacation), I have been fishing in the surf and in the bay around St. George Island.
I've caught three new species so far (4 total): southern stingray, hardhead catfish, gulf kingfish, and southern kingfish, so it's been pretty good fishing. The only "big" fish has been the stingray (I'll post a picture).
A lot of salt water anglers I'm sure would cuss at the stingray and cut the line, but I (like probably most of you carpanglers out there would) enjoyed the experience. I can see though how catching lots of them would get tiring because of the way they fight, how much caution needs to be taken while unhooking and releasing, etc.
BTW the two species of kingfish are locally referred to as "whiting," but they are not the same fish other parts of the country call whiting. These look like small mostly white redfish/drum.
I've found that carp rods work great for surf fishing.
I tried to post some pictures, but I was having trouble, it would only allow me about 170 kb, not sure what the problem is.
3/23/06 You may want to try seeing whether there's any sharking from shore. I know my brother catches tarpon from shore down in the Miami area. Manny Luftglass, who has written a book on Carp Fishing, has a book on "100 Best Salt Water Spots in Florida" - among them he mentions some shore spots on the upper gulf coast of Florida where there's some surf sharking. There's probably more of this than you'd imagine -- like carp though, there's some reluctance to promote or publicize it. BUT merit will out! A lot of people are interested in catching large fish and large fish only - PERIOD! Carp, gar, stingrays, sharks, large catfish from shore also fit the budget. - Combobait
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3/20/06
Isn't it wonderful he released it, aside from everything else?! - Combobait
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PA has 56 members. I bet we can pump that up to 75 by 2007!
Matt
3/18/06 - PA has passed NY? Oh, No! I demand a recount! - Combobait
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3/15/06
NY at 53! Our DEC deserves cheers too! They publish 6 or 8 pages of Carp Waters throughout the State on their web-site! The Hudson, St. Lawrence, Mohawk plus lakes, reservoirs. - Combobait
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So You Want to Catch A Big Fish
by Scott Wiseman
Ok. So you have been a panfisherman all your life. You have probably caught more than your share of bluegills, bass, and catfish, yet, you want something more. You want to catch a fish that will wear you out upon fighting it...a fish that is truly a monster. Welcome to the world of carp fishing my friend.
Carp fishing is gaining more and more fishermen every day thanks to groups like Carp Anglers of America(http://www.carpanglersgroup.com) and American Carp Society (http://www.americancarpsociety.com). Carp have long been thought of as a trash fish...with no useful existence in American waterways since their arrival here in the late 1800s from Asia. But while most "sport" fishermen do not fish for them, they all will tell you that pound for pound, carp are one of the hardest fighting fish in freshwater.
The carp's existence is misunderstood. Many people think that carp will trash a waterway, while the truth is MAN trashed the waterway until only carp are left because of their hardy nature. It is this authors opinion that unless you are eating the fish, bowhunting for carp should be illegal. People will say "They are a nuisance"....but deer and other mammals can be a nuisance too, yet, we are not allowed to just go out and shoot them and leave them lying dead on the riverbank. Selective harvest is a beautiful thing and should be maintained, but take the fish that you are killing and donate them to a food bank.
Carp (Cyprinus carpio) can be found in almost any waterway in America these days....from clear running streams to heavily polluted rivers to lakes and ponds. They exist in all 48 lower states and some provinces of Canada. They are found on every continent of the world except for Antarctica. Carp can grow to more than 3 feet in length and exceed 100 lbs. in weight.The carp is omnivorous and can adapt its feeding behavior and diet to feed by a sucking action, straining bottom mud for insects and detritus, or taking insects and other food items, including small plants, from the water surface. Males mature at 2-4 years, females 3-5 years. Females produce large numbers of small eggs. There is no migration associated with spawning, which normally occurs in spring and early summer. Spawning takes place in shallow water with much surface action; this activity and splashing spreads the adhesive eggs. Young fish hatch about 5 days later. Large females may breed more than once in a season. Spawning success and growth of fish varies considerably, depending on water conditions. Fishing during the spawn can be explosive with as many as 50-75 fish being caught in a day. In Indiana, this is usually around late April- early May.
To get started in carp fishing, you could probably use your existing bass and panfish equipment. Eventually, you will probably want to go with a medium to medium/heavy action 9 foot rod and a baitrunner reel, but for now your current tackle will do. Carp will sometimes nibble on bait....but more often then not they will run once they feel the hook. For this reason, if you are not using a baitrunner reel, you will want to fish with your bail open so as not to lose your pole in the lake. I would also recommend line no heavier than 14 lb. test as carp are very sensitive to feeling the line. I have personally caught 25+ lb carp on only 12 lb test. Adjust your drag settings too as you will not be able to horse the fish in, but will need to play it until it tires out. As far as other tackle goes, you will really only need a hook and a sliding sinker. It is important to use a sliding sinker and not a sinker that clamps on your line. In lakes or rivers with no current, it is best to use no weight at all...or as little as possible to get your cast out. Hook sizes vary from fishermen to fishermen, but I always use the Eagle Claw Razer Sharp size 2 hook (they are red in color).
Bait - Bait for carp is a guesstimate at best, but whole kernel corn is a staple of all carp fishermen and is widely available and easy to use. Before putting the corn on your hook, you will want to toss a few handfuls out into the area that you are fishing to "chum" the water. (Check local laws about this...in Indiana it is legal to do) Simply string corn on your hook (and a little ways up your line past the hook if you prefer) and you are set. Baits can range from something as simple as corn to more involved baits like doughbaits, packbaits, and groundbaits. We will not get into the latter baits here, but if you want to learn more about them go to google.com and type in "carp doughbait recipes" (without the quotes) and you will have thousands of possibilities at your fingertips. Another very successful method is a hair rig. Essentially, the bait is strung on a line that is tied to a hook. Carp inhale their bait (or suck in/blow out) and when they inhale the bait, the hook gets lodged in their mouth, creating an instantaneous hook-set.
Carp can be fun...and be a challenge. If you want to battle a monster, fish for carp.
You can see the article (with pictures) here: http://www.scottwiseman.net/catchabigone.htm
2/9/06 - Very good article. It would be nice to see more articles and posts from you along the way. -Combobait
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2/7/06
At the risk of alienating NJ Rob, who is going to help me get a permit for Oradell Reservoir in NJ for sure, I have to say the same thing about a mirror that I tell my students in school when they argue for an "A" -- "If you have to argue to get an 'A', you shouldn't get one".
I'd already mentioned that I'd caught one of these odd scaled types in a small pond where I'd caught a larger carp that was most definitely a fully-scaled mirror -- actually a fully scaled "linear" mirror.
So keep fishing that spot - there's an undeniable mirror there scattering his genes around. - Combobait
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Quite a few years ago In-Fisherman did an article on the top ten toughest fish to catch around the world, and the taimen was one of them. Real tackle busters.
Cool fish.
-Mike/CT
2/3/06 Yes! I have a subscription to In-Fisherman, and that issue "World's Ten Toughest Freshwater Fish" is one of my favorites -- the issue also had one of the most favorable articles on CARP I ever saw.
Please note also that pollution, development and uneven (poor) management is killing off taimen habitat -- like it is with trophy catfish and others in the US.
I dropped the idea of moving out of NY upon retirement - phooey -- the Hudson River fishery has as many carp and decent channels as I'll find anywhere with even more shore access, and no people crammed in around dams.
Without exaggeration and putting bias aside, Carp are propping up the large fresh water fishing scene in the US and elsewhere. - Combobait
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Now that you NJ-PA guys have finally been given the opportunity to better yourselves and step up into the Mid-Atlantic slot, we oldtimers here would like to hear a little about yourselves, and what you think you might now do to pull your weight here.
1/30/06
Good God Ken -- Don't challenge or antagonize these guys - they'll start fishing in NY too, and I want the Hudson all to myself! Also, I purchase a NJ non-resident license so I can poach over there -- if someone starts looking closely, my cover is going to be blown! - Combobait
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Yes kelticarper did in the first response to him, kelticarper told him it is just $50.00 for three years. Mickey and Jim
1/14/06
OOPS! The CAG "Going Off Half-Cocked Award" has an early entrant this year - myself!
Many thanks - Combobait
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1/14/06
Did someone inform Hillbilly Angler that the dues for 3 years are NOT-NOT-NOT
$150?
I think it's $20 for 1 year and $35 for two -- I paid the latter the last time I sent in a check.. I'm unsure of the 3 year rate.
I looked through the reply postings, and didn't see any that addressed the dues question -- just method of payment.
It's great to have him aboard -- I just worry about another reader seeing that bigger figure, and dropping the idea.
- Combobait
Octopus Circle Hooks
in Beginning Carping
Posted
3/17/19
I've used ONLY in-line (non-offset barb) circle hooks for carp for the last 10 years! I use them in size 1/0:
(1) Eagle Claw Octopus in-line circle Model L7228 Lazer Sharp ("Tournament Approved")or
(2) Gamakatsu Octopus in-line Circle Model 221311 - red.
I went to these because about 10 years or so ago there was talk about the NYS DEC requiring use of in-line circle hooks for all species to protect the striped bass in the Hudson River (NY) where I fish.
I panicked - did some research (Cabelas) - and found the Eagle Claws - advertised as "Wide Gap" - bought them -- and never looked back. Added the Gamakatsus a few years later. Both of these hooks are super-sharp - real razor blades. If a channel catfish or carp just nudges the bait it's hooked -- just take your time, pick up the rod and start reeling - absolutely unnecessary to "set" the hook.
I realize what I've just said and do may sound way-out to some - and maybe in heavily fished waters like UK there may be a problem. In the Hudson, though, I just load the hook with a few corn kernels -- No Hair Rigs - a small piece of fresh bread squeezed flat. I use an old-style fish-finder rig - snell the hooks on a 9 inch piece of mono topped off with a barrel swivel - and run the mainline (mono) through a 3 or 4 oz flat ("No Roll") sinker. I'm sure an egg sinker will work as well.
1/0 too big? -- that was my first concern - but I've caught 1 lb goldfish on this size!
My review ("Carpshark") of the Eagle Claws is posted on Cabelas -- also posted there is a review of a striper fisherman ("Krizo")who praises them -- Krizo uses larger size while drifting live herring baits for Hudson stripers.