Missouri River

Missouri River - Boonville MO

One of my carp fishing goals is to catch a 30# or larger carp from the Missouri River or one of its tributaries.

The main river would be extremely tough most any time of the year, but finding a solid current break or a smaller connecting driver or creek seems like a potential strategy that might work.

I've fished a spot on the Lamine River in the past and caught some low teens sized carp. I can't wait to try again sometime in the pre-spawn part of spring time.

Biggest Carp of Spring 2019

26 pounds 6 ounces

After a couple of days with rainy weather and below normal temperatures I took advantage of better weather and headed out to catch some carp. Day 1 yielded no bites or fish. Day 2 produced one bite and this 26 pound 6 ounce fish. It saved my spring fishing efforts so far, which have gotten off to a slower than expected start in 2019.

When I hooked this fish in 9 feet of water about 40 feet off the bank I was convinced it was a catfish. It thumped several times and then gave ground and then thumped some more. When Bill lifted up the net to show the bigger than expected head on the fish things turned happier for me.

It was difficult getting the picture just right though because he kept flopping and squirming. It happens that way sometimes.

Carp Fishing Memory

My wife took these pictures early one morning shortly after I finished setting up to fish on the Detroit River. I didn't end up catching anything, but I recall a nearby neighbor catching a very large pike off the end of his retaining wall. I could hear the surprise and excitement in his voice from 200 feet away.

Carp Fishing in the Rain

I'll go ahead and admit that I like fair weather and sunshine for fishing. But sometimes the will to fish outweighs the desire for comfort.

$75 Reward: Referrals to Help Me Catch 30# Carp

I've made this offer in the past and received some suggestions, but none that turned into a 30 pound carp on a new body of water I've never fished before.

Rules:

- Somewhere I have never fished before.
- Accessible from shore without a boat.
- Within an hour drive of Ann Arbor, MI.
- First recommendation of the spot qualifies for $75.
- Only one winner will be paid.
- If I go there in 2019 and catch a 30# carp, you get $75.

A 14 pound Mirror

I was trying to catch a carp at a local lake back in 2014 when another fisherman let me reel in this nice little mirror carp.

I've been hooked ever since.

I'm still fishing with him on a regular basis 5-years later. I have made several new friends due to carp fishing both online and on the bank.

Early Years of My Carp Fishing

For 4 years this 26 pound carp
 was my personal best carp

First fish of 2019

I caught fish #1 and fish #2 for 2019 Saturday at the Michigan Carp Anglers spring fish in at Lake Erie.

My biggest was 22# and the second fish was an upper teener that I did not weigh. I didn't get good pics of the first fish (mat shot and release video).

22 pounds on my first fish in 2019

Upper teens for the second fish 

These fish were caught on flavored field corn with fruit and berry flavors.