Urban Carping in Motorcity U.S.A.

After a nice outing last weekend and landing a nice fish just shy of 23# we decided to try it again today.

It was a day filled with boaters, a jet skier, ducks, a squirrel that ventured a little too close, and an unexpected visit from Mrs. Michigan Carp Fishing. 

We haven't had any significant rain in more than a week, so that coupled with warmer weather and sunshine triggered a massive algae bloom in our river of choice for spring fishing.

After a few small carp I noticed a lot of activity near a bridge in our swim. I've tried fishing in that area several times and it often ends in a snag and with a lost fish. But not today!

Urban Carp Fishing in May

Let's talk about knots. I have a reminder based on an experience I had on Saturday.

At one point while fishing on Saturday I had to tie on a new in-line lead. The scissors I've been using have become progressively dull and while trimming the excess braid it took a few attempts. That caused a fraying on the braid and it was cut shorter than usual. (I typically leave an 1/8" or so.)

I should have cut and re-tied but I wanted to re-cast quickly since the fish were biting.

To shorten this story, I hooked the 6th fish, fought it awhile and reeled in the line with no fish, no hook and no lead.

Three possibilities I can think of:

1) I hooked a pike or small muskie 

2) My lazy knot tieing caused the knot to slip a little and ultimately fail

3) Something like a razor blade or lawn shears magically appeared in the water between casts and snagged me causing a cut-off

I lean more towards #2. 

Learn from my mistake, double check your knot and leave a little extra in case it slips.

Here are some photos of fish that did manage to land in the net.