[November 2015]

Due to an extended warm period, the fishing remains decent. I am still managing to catch multiple fish in each session in the central Ohio region. The areas that have been productive are:

Oshaunessy Reservoir-nothing remarkable in size but consistent low double digit fish caught with prepped field corn along with a small caged method feeder (primarily to attract) of oat pack

Griggs Reservoir-same as Oshaunessy

Alum Creek-no information

Hoover--will be fishing this weekend

[DIY Easy & Cheap Rod Organizer How-To Video]

A little more "durable" version would be to get some 1 1/2" - 2" pvc and cut some segments......just sayin'

[First hair, thoughts?]

About 3 weeks ago I started using a simple adjustable hair rig that does not have a knot at all. I don't have a picture but I found a crude drawing (see attached). Basically it is tied similar to a regular hair but the tag end you would normally tie an over knot for the hair is, instead, doubled over to form a big loop and run back through the hook eye. Then the other end of the hook length is wrapped like you normally would around the two strands. The shorter tag end is pulled to shorten the loop and the loop is pulled to lengthen. This works great as a universal hair rig because I can go from one piece of corn to several pieces and even two boilies all on the same rig. I habe not seen any down side yet. Again sorry for the crude drawing but it gives the concept. I might try and post a few step by step pictures if anyone is interested.

[Is it me......?]

I converted from fly fishing to standard carp angling in Mid July. I actually started out pretty good averaging about 4-6 fish per session. I was using corn and some homemade cornbread boilies with an oatmeal pack molded on the lead. Then about late July, we had a dry spell with significantly warmer weather. My catch rate dropped off significantly and I even blanked a few times. All my tackle has become more "proper" and I even started using commercial boilies to try and improve things but its like they got wise to my tactics. I know they are still in the area but the bites have dropped to almost nothing. Is this a hot weather slow down or did I just get lucky earlier? (confused)

[Carp Fly Fishing Convert]

Thanks for all your input. Went last night and the best session so far. 8 carp (5 were in double digits) with largest being 18#. I had one double.....while exciting it kinda sucked at the same time. I caught most on a diy bolt rig (no roll sinker with a bobber stop/rubber bead in front of the lead with a short hook link. I molded a ball of pack bait (oats, cream corn, sweet corn, grits, corn meal, milk powder, and vanilla exract) around the lead and imbedded the hook shank in ball. Probably nothing new but thought I would share. Thanks again for all the input.....definitely getting some alarms as I had to focus 100% on the lines since it was a night session.

[Carp Fly Fishing Convert]

If the gear is working stick with it! First upgrades should be a scale friendly net and some sort of mat or cradle, I have a carp cradle and love it, but a cheap yoga mat would be just fine also. After that a set of alarms would be a nice luxury, I use cheap ebay alarms that work fine. Other than that , keep catching!!

Welcome to the forum. I used to not use bite alarms when I first started but soon found out how many small runs or bites I was missing without them. They are also great for catfish and other species as well. There is a good variety of alarms out there for a good price. http://www.bigcarptackle.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?cat=44&q=bite+alarm You will need a bank stick as well and they are all universal or you can drill a small hole into your pod and screw them into it.

I would get some sort of small mat. Keep it wet as well because it keeps the slime on the fish which helps prevent diseases and also is a soft padding so as the fish flops it will not harm it. http://www.bigcarptackle.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=mat

In all honesty I would just focus on catching at the moment. The above two especially the alarms will help. The alarms if you are getting beeps and beeps your hook may be dull or tangled so it alerts you of that also. A mat is just good care for the fish and you can find one for a decent price. Everything else comes in time. I have a bunch of how to videos on my youtube channel for baits and such. Look of oatmeal pack bait on my channel below in my sig and that is an effective easy bait to use that is cost effective to get you started. Hope this helps.

Brian,

Thanks for your response. I do subscribe to your channel. How do you think I caught 20 carp in just a few sessions (look at me I'm also using "carp" terminology).....I am actually using your oatmeal pack bait recipe along with some grits and milk powder for small particles and cloud effect...thanks for that. Do you have an opinion on using some "cheaper" alarms like NGT together my feet wet?

[Carp Fly Fishing Convert]

Oh, caught this 17 lb today

[Carp Fly Fishing Convert]

I have been following this forum for a few years and within the past few months I have really gotten into the Euro style of fishing. I arrived at this point by first getting hooked on night fishing for cats, so my equipment is currently limited to more of a catfish feel. I have already caught 20 carp in two months with this equipment and the basic of baits (corn and homemade boilies) Since I am new to this, I thought I would list my equipment and have as many people weigh in on suggestions for stuff I should really think about getting or upgrading but the last thing I need is to go overboard in another hobby. I thought fly fisherman were gadget masters until I started reading about carp angling ?. Anyway here is my list and any feedback would be appreciated:

Rods: (2) 9' medium action Ugly Stik rods (haven't pulled a hook yet)

Reels: Okuma Avenger Baitfeeders (2)

(Haven't had any issues with these as some have reported)

Net: one of those big fish nets that is probably not very scale friendly. No unhooking mat

Terminal tackle: this is the only carp specific stuff I have

Rod Pod: homespun PVC that seems to work adequately. No bite alarms

I guess I am looking for suggestions or prioritizations of what will be truly worth acquiring or upgrading versus spending a lot of money unnecessarily. Thanks in advance and really love the forum.

Jeff