World Classic Baits Order Arrived Today

My order arrived today via USPS. Some don't use dip, but I am a believer in it. Even if it only improves catch rates by 10%, I think it's worth it. If you catch 100 fish; 10 percent is an extra 10 fish. Using that analogy, my 140 fish last year would have been 126 fish without using the dips. That may or may not be true, but I'm not willing to take the risk!

World Classic Baits Order

I have been holding off on placing an order for carp bait supplies while checking out different options. I could not resist any longer and placed an order with World Classic Baits for supplies for upcoming sessions.

I have been using pineapple and 4 season flavors successfully for a couple of years. This year I am going to add peach to the mix and try the new 3D selects as well.

I'll report back on how it turns out after a few sessions.

A Favorite Picture from Last Fall

I put a 16 pound brisket on the smoker this morning a little after 6 a.m. I had hoped to do some fishing today, but changed plans to make some of my favorite barbecue based on a lack of readily accessible open water. With the warmer temperatures last week and this one; next weekend is looking pretty good to do some carp fishing. I plan to scout some areas tomorrow. For anyone who wants to fish with me next weekend, drop me a line and let me know and we'll see what we can work out.

While we're waiting for next weekend, here's a picture of a nice fish I caught last fall near Lake Erie.

This one was very close to 20 pounds

 

Firing up my faithful insulated upright water smoker
for a brisket cook today

WKORN and the Carp Hound Videos

Ruler of the Ramp 2015




Inaugural voyage of the Carp Shark 2015.



Cool dad and the 31 pound grass carp

How to Tie Carp Rigs

 

The video from Fox might give you some ideas for tying up some carp rigs while we wait for the ice to melt.

Looking for New Carp Fishing Rods?

Hurricanes from ResistanceTackle.com
 

If you are thinking about purchasing new carp rods, but don't want to break into your savings account to do it check out the prices Resistance Tackle has this weekend on their Willow, Hurricane and Lightning carp rods.

The Willow is on sale for $78.75

The Hurricane is on sale for $83.99

The Lightening is on sale for $65.99

I have owned 4 of the Hurricane 3.0 test curve since late spring 2014 and have fished them steadily. I really like them.

From the Resistance website:

They are slim, light, responsive and have Fuji fittings throughout. They are an absolute pleasure to play fish on and that’s a fact! Their unique power progressive curve loads seamlessly along the rod length when casting and delivers a crisp tip recovery. This adds yards onto the casting abilities of the average angler.

I agree that purchasing these rods helped with my casting immediately. I was using entry level rods in 2.5 and 2.75 test curve. The 3.0's gave me more confidence and improved my casting from the first time I used them. I typically fish with 2 oz. leads with pack and estimate that I can consistently cast 75 to 100 yards. I don't have the technique needed to cast much farther than that, but for the venues I fish I don't really need to anyway.

If I were buying new rods today, I'd buy the Hurricanes again.

Carp Fishing Weather

It's beginning to look like carp fishing weather, finally. Yee haw!

Forecast from Weather.com

It might be one more week before I can get out to find some access to open water, but it's definitely getting closer.

Nash Zip Sack for Keeping Carp



I placed an order for some supplies from Big Carp Tackle tonight. I got some saucer back leads for a couple of venues I like to fish that have some boat traffic from time-to-time, some hangers for my alarms, and a keep sack for those times when I manage to catch a big fish and need to hold it temporarily until I can find someone to take a photo of it.

I decided to get the keep sack in case I manage to catch a 30# someday when I'm fishing alone.

Photo courtesy of Nash Tackle
 http://www.nashtackle.co.uk

2016 Austin Team Championship for Carp

http://www.austincarpangler.com

The 2015 Austin Team Championship concluded yesterday, so now is the perfect time to beginning planning to attend next year's event. Linda and I flew to Dallas a couple of weeks ago and the round trip tickets cost $900 for the two of us. I think driving would be more affordable, but I'm sure it's at least 4 days round trip to drive vs. 1 day for a flight. Maybe the best strategy is for a couple of teams (4 people) to car pool there and share transportation expenses.

I've not attempted to mail fishing equipment for a tournament before, but I am guessing it's not cheap. I'm guessing $75 to get it to Texas and $75 to get it back to Michigan. I'm not sure what insurance for the shipping costs either, but if it's another $25 then just getting the equipment there adds $200 to the plane tickets and we haven't added lodging expenses yet. I am guessing hotel costs would add another $600 or so to the total tally. We're now approaching $2,000 a trip to the 2016 ATC from my house in Michigan.

I priced out the same trip renting a car and driving instead and my guesstimate is $1,000. Now that' getting a lot better.

If anyone reading this has made the trip to the ATC and cares to share the costs involved (I'm sure I've left some out), please do share your thoughts.