Brookesy
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Posts posted by Brookesy
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RebelCarp,
I use both the retainer and sack. The retainer is much safer and easier to use but as it keeps the fish in the upper 2 feet of water should only be used for short periods. Typically, if I catch a fish I want to picture, I will put it in the retainer for around 15-30 minutes (up to an hour is usually fine as long as the water temperature is not too high) in order to set up the camera, matt and weighing gear so that I can do it all quickly and avoid keeping the fish out of the water for too long.
Bear in mind the retainer will also allow the carp a chance to reoxygenate after the fight, which I prefer but if you keep it for longer periods the fish will be much livelier on the bank.
Retaining sacks are safe as long as you follow some simple guidelines. Firstly, they need to be secured and should also have an H Block attachment just in case they come loose. That way you can locate the sack.
Make sure you sack the fish in a good depth of water (over 4-6 feet is preferable) as the fish will sink down the the lower depths after a short time. Shallow water will have less oxygen and also be much hotter so DO NOT sack a fish in less than 4 feet of water.
Make sure there are no rocks or obstacles around the sack.
Check the fish regularly to make sure it is not on the surface.
DO NOT sack fish for long periods (generally I will sack a fish for a max of 2-4 hours if it's in the middle of the night or the weather is bad). If I am fishing with a friend then I usually take a picture in the dark and regularly do this on my own.
Do not sack or retain fish for long periods are you are asking for trouble. I know of several "pro-staff anglers" who have caught fish just into dark and have sacked fish until the next morning (10-12 hours) just to get a daytime trophy shot.
Finally, only keep one fish in the sack or retainer!!! Again, common sense but I also know 'prostaff' who have kept multiple big fish in the same sack!
Just use common sense, check regularly and keep the time the fish is kept to a minimum.
Good luck.
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Lead clips can be expensive, but if you don't want to lose the lead everytime use the type without the locking pin. That way they will slide up the line should they get snagged.
I use lead clips only in weedy or snaggy areas. In extreme weed they work well, but in lighter weed an inline is fine.
I use inlines for pva solid bags and mesh or method as in these situations they will not tangle.
For longer range work a helicopter is ideal. As Parksy mentioned they are also good in deeper silt. Not sure what the problem with pulling hooks is with his set-up, as personally I lose very, very few fish, however I generally use them with 7-12 inch hook-links so if you are using shorter this may be the cause.
Randy, if inlines are working for you stick with them
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Awesome stuff Randy. Love a big common
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After an Easter Sunday Brunch with the family I decided the weather was too nice to sit around indoors. I grabbed my float gear again and headed out the door for 4 hours of fishing.
The biggest problem I have encountered when trying to target a single species is being selective and goldfish are no different. The first task after introducing some initial bait was to feed off the Bluegills! I did this over the course of the first hour by fishing with trout worms. The second hour I started to catch my target species and I could now switch to sweetcorn.
While I did hit a wall for 30 minutes with a number of small catfish, consistent feeding bought it the better fish and I finished with several good goldfish, half a dozen carp as well as an awesome little ghost mirror and goldfish with a red head! Still searching for a 3lber
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Brooksey, catch and release means that they can grow bigger.
I always catch and release, even trout!
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Ive never gone out for goldfish but i have been lucky enough to catch a couple of big ones , the first one was 9lb 5 oz and i caught it in a deep clear lake on an 18mm boilie i could see it at least 10ft under the water whilst i was playing it and at first i thought it was a koi. I was informed afterwards that at that time the IFGA record was 6lb 5oz.
The second one i caught within a couple of months after from our local lake and went 7LB 9oz
It was a few years ago now though and pics have been posted before. A friend fishing the same place a few weeks ago caught sight of a large orange fish clearing the water and theres no coloured koi in this place we know of so it could well be the same one,small lake BTW.
Some impressive fish
The ones I am targeting are common goldfish and I don't believe they get much bigger than 2-3lb's. -
These are from Midway II (a North Carolina Paylake). This is the land of the free and everyone should be able to make a living, but I do disagree with decimating natural fish stocks from wild waters and also the obvious lack of fish care on display. However, like I have said in the past, while I disagree (same as bowhunting) it is legal and if it lights your fire then good for you
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With the harsh winter combined with all of the local rivers in major flood my fishing has really suffered. The winter was very tough in the Northeast which resulted in only a handful of sessions, where in past years I would be out once or twice a week. The snow melted and the rivers rose and I have already abandoned two overnight sessions when the spots I visited were unfishable.
It's at these times fishing becomes a challenge. I have fished sessions in the past where I have done everything right and blanked and then I have fished like an idiot and caught, but generally the more effort you put in and the better you fish the greater the results.
Yesterday, I had a few hours free in the evening and decided to target a big goldfish or two. The area I chose has all sorts of species and lots of small carp, but generally if you feed consistently the goldfish will move in. They are very finicky feeders and bites tend to be subtle dips or rises of the float rather than the sail away bites you get from the carp!
Anyway, effort was certainly put in as over the first couple of hours I moved 4 times as the bluegills were very killing me! Due to their mouth structure a classic hook pattern (14's Kamasan) was not cutting the mustard so I switched to a bigger hook in a different pattern (10 baitholder pattern). This allowed me to batter the bluegills and remove them from the swim (they were released, but away from the area I was fishing).
Once I found a decent area I fished for 90 minutes until dark and ended with around 30 bluegills, a nice golden sucker, a couple of decent golden shiners, 3 small carp and 4 of my target species; the common goldfish!
While not the 3lber I was after, two of them were over 2lb's so I was happy enough. Here's a few pictures of the different species. I am hoping the next time I post it will be of me cuddling a large carp
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BC Tackle now has a 10% discount on Dynamite Baits across the board. This is reflected in the current price. There are several classics available ranging from White Chocolate and Coconut, Banana Crunch, High Attract ranges and the cheaper Carptec baits.
I can personally attest to these baits effectiveness as I have caught numerous big fish on them in the past 18 months. If you are looking for a reliable and effective boilie then take advantage of this current offer and stock up for the spring.
Here's the link:
http://www.bigcarptackle.com/index.php/manufacturers/dynamite-baits/
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Similar to cracked corn just add boiling water and put a lid on it to steam it. Should be perfectly fine to use without boiling. The main issue with the bigger particles not being soaked and boilied is that they then swell in the carps stomach. Tiny grains are fine with a soaking in boiling water.
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The run away winner for the combined winter months was Vinsanity with his cracking and unique looking mirror, which once again proves that the size of the fish has very little to do with this contest.
Vinny will receive a $100 BC Tackle voucher and a free 1 year renewal of his CAG Membership.
He is also entered into the yearly contest.
Well done Vinny, and get posting in April contest.
I can't seem to post the picture, so if someone with better skills can post it to this link we can all gaze again at the beauty
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We are just finalizing the votes for Jan-March's combined competition, but in the meantime lets get posting for April.
No excuses now as even in the North the lakes are defrosting and the weather is warming. This months prize will be a $100 voucher @ Big Carp Tackle.
Just post your picture to this thread. Good luck to all those who enter.
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Depends what the underwater features are? Are there gravel bars, plateaus, depth changes etc. Generally on gravel pits I will be looking to fish the marginal shelf or locate softer silt and clay areas. I would also be looking to fish close to any weed growth. Basically, you want to locate the carps natural feeding areas and to do this you probably need to spend some time with a marker float or better still get on with a canoe and echo sounder.
Good luck.
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Stuck on 15 solid, professional entries......... WHERE ARE THE BOILIE MAKERS?
Busy making boilies. Can't afford the $1500 entry fee when I need thousands of $$$ to buy bait
On a serious note the casual tournament guys have been priced out and it may take a year or two to attract the high stakes competitive anglers. Good luck to everyone who enters. -
Good luck with the event guys. No fishing for me as I have soccer games all weekend due to last weekend being a rain out! Hope the fish cooperate for everyone
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Awesome, I've been up there mid September a couple of times and the fishing is always good. Think I'll be making this one for sure
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Iain, drove past several areas of the Merrimac last weekend and was happy to see them mostly ice free. Hopefully another week or two of warmer weather will get the fish moving around. I'll be there is the wife allows
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Depends on the distance you want to fish.The large spomb casts well and does deliver a lot of bait but the midi is far superior for distance. You can absolutely blast it well over 120 yards with the right rod and unlike the large spomb it doesn't sound like a dog has fallen into the water when it hits the surface.
Personally, I have all 3 sizes but the midi now gets the most use.
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Part 2 is now uploaded:
http://bigcarpnews.com/web/the-art-of-boilie-fishing-part-2-types-and-varieties/
Part 3 and 4 will cover methods and techniques and the final part will include recipes for making your own boilies.
Hope's it's of use to some of you
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Some great entries so far and I can vouch for Dave when he says we've had the winter from hell! Supposed to be the start of the spring next Thursday but think it may be another month before we can start fishing spring areas as with snow melt and ice it usually takes at least a week or two after it thaws! Oh well, we'll be laughing in the summer and fall when its 100+ in Texas and California
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Come on guys, only 45 votes so far!! Have a read through as there are some great stories in here and vote for your favorites. This is not an attempt to garner votes for myself, just would like to see a bit more participation from the CAG Members in appreciation of all those who shared their adventures
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With the horrendous winter and the fact most of us have been ice bound for 3 months we have not been up to date on the contest this year.
With this in mind we are combining January, February and March to start of this years competition. Anyone with catches from this period just post them below and we'll vote on them at the end of the month.
Just a reminder that buffalo carp and grass carp are not eligible for this contest.
As always, BC Tackle will be donating monthly prizes which we will announce at a later date.
Good luck to all who enter.
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Alex im stealing your pork chop comeback
Dean that tent story was a good one but I like your tire story more
Yeah, it wasn't funny at the time but in hindsight it would have been great to have got it on video. I have to skype a couple of my friends from back home as I've forgotten so many stories over the years as we were always involved in mischief and mishap.
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Brookesy, after a really frustrating week at work, many thanks for giving me quite a laugh with your bird stories...
Happy that it bought a smile or two. I have lots of other funny stories but unfortunately they are not for an open audience as they invariably have adult content!! For whatever reason, I have always attracted the crazies and it hasn't stopped since I moved to the States
Merrimack River
in New England
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Lots of fish being caught around the Lowell area. I would assume they would be feeding further north as well. Good luck.