Evan C.

Happy to hear you got some fish. The smaller buffs are fun but wait until you get a 40+! As far as the deer corn, the normal prep is soak for 24hrs and then boil until you can split it with a finger nail. I have found however that I have had better results by boiling it longer (keep adding water as needed) until the proteins start to jell up and the corn "pops" kind of like wet pop corn. I also add a lot of sugar and sea salt to mine - fish seem to love it. Also if you are looking for bait options go to a feed store - the bait options are just about endless. Cracked corn is about the best feed (for cheap) I think as it holds the fish longer (smaller particles). Basically prep is the same as field corn but you can soak it for less time. There are endless packs out there, my favorites are grits and panko/bread.

In windows photo gallery you can resize photos so they will upload. Its what I use. You can just send them to me at ecartabiano@gmail.com - always enjoy fish pics!

Sorry about the delayed response, I don't seem to get notifications of posts of this type. The biggest reason to join CAG is for this right here - the connection. You also get access to the members only section of the forum which has lots of good info. And you can enter the FFF which is something I really enjoy as well as other member only events. However, I will be relocating to Texas later this month so the Carolina's will be without a state chair for at least the short term. Feel free to keep up the conversation however and I'll be happy to help anyway I can.

Evan

This the spot. You can drive right down to the water and it's free. I just asked at the marina. You should join CAG!

https://goo.gl/maps/jA7BbPtafoG2

Also I may have told you but lake Wateree in SC has some really big fish. I'll send you the spot to go in the spring...don't know if anyone knows of it..?

I understand the "wife" factor! Many carp carp anglers do I think. I'll let you know if I am out that way during the week. Todd Davis is not to far from there and is a great resource for place all across SC and west NC as well (former State chair) - Hawgmaster on the forums.

I am over by Raleigh in Louisburg. I have a fish-in next weekend on Kerr Lake if you are free.

As far as the Catawba, this spot can be good for buffs in the spring. This spot I have seen some very nice fish come out of (I hear the snags are bad).

Let me know if either of these might work. I'll find some more if not.

Cheers,

Evan

Oh one other thing, Lake Badin is not that far and it has reports of 40s from it and lots of smaller fish and HUGE buffalo as well.

Lake Wylie has good fish but sadly less than in years past due to paylakers taking the fish. Still worth a shot I think however. If you keep the bait going in for a good period of time you will catch fish - carp as well as buffalo and catfish. That being said some places are better than others and a boat really helps.

Also, smaller ponds (such as those in sub divisions) often stock carp and some times there are some really nice ones as no one fishes them. Access is the problem and you just have to scout around to find them. 

Check out this page to find some places to start looking: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/WheretoFish.aspx

One last thing: the carp in these waters don't always like boilies and catfish always do. Tigers, peas, and corn are safer bets to start off with.

Feel free to call me: 615-927-1738 if you want to chat.

Cheers,

Evan

So that is a good area to be for both carp and buffalo. The Catawba river has both and some big ones at that. Lake Wylie is well known (as you know) but all the lakes in that river system (NC and SC) have good fish. In SC Lake Wateree has some very big fish and a nice state park that you can camp at - on the water. There are often carp in the smaller lakes and ponds that would be closer (and easier to fish) but I have not fished in that area. The NC state record carp was caught in a pond near there. Let me know if this helps and feel free to fire me more questions.

Evan

And it was not