It's not Michigan, but the carp are big. I have in-law's relatives in this area. I need to take a fishing vacation to this area sometime.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Carp on the Fly Blog
There are hundreds of thousands of blogs on the internet. Some of them are better than others. Many of their authors started with the best of intentions, but later lost interest in writing articles on a regular basis. Some contain a lot of pictures and others are exclusively text on a white background. Some are personal blogs about one family, a profession, or a hobby. Others are a simply diary of whatever happened that day.
Blogs about fishing are a smaller subset and again, some are better (or worse) than others. One of my favorites that falls into the better - and some might argue best - category is Carp on the Fly.
As the name suggests, it's a blog about fly fishing for carp. Until I started fishing for carp, I never dreamed that someone would target carp exclusively with a fly rod, but after spending time reading Carp on the Fly I fully understand the allure.
The blog dates back to 2006 and is loaded with fly fishing tips and tons and tons of carp pictures. The photography has improved dramatically in more recent years.
Readers that visit the blog with hopes that the author might divulge actual locations for pursuing the fish - don't say I didn't warn you. The actual locations are a closely guarded secret. (The author lives in Oregon, so the Columbia River is obvious. It's a long river, so put on your walking shoes, boots...and waders.)
I'd like to try fly fishing for carp on the Huron River some day, but I've had surgery on both knees and walking the river presents a problem. For now, I'll just live vicariously by reading Carp on the Fly.
Blogs about fishing are a smaller subset and again, some are better (or worse) than others. One of my favorites that falls into the better - and some might argue best - category is Carp on the Fly.
As the name suggests, it's a blog about fly fishing for carp. Until I started fishing for carp, I never dreamed that someone would target carp exclusively with a fly rod, but after spending time reading Carp on the Fly I fully understand the allure.
The blog dates back to 2006 and is loaded with fly fishing tips and tons and tons of carp pictures. The photography has improved dramatically in more recent years.
Readers that visit the blog with hopes that the author might divulge actual locations for pursuing the fish - don't say I didn't warn you. The actual locations are a closely guarded secret. (The author lives in Oregon, so the Columbia River is obvious. It's a long river, so put on your walking shoes, boots...and waders.)
I'd like to try fly fishing for carp on the Huron River some day, but I've had surgery on both knees and walking the river presents a problem. For now, I'll just live vicariously by reading Carp on the Fly.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Loon Feather Point Park - Ford Lake - Ypsilanti, MI
I have been having some fun exploring new ideas for local places near by home for carp fishing. I plan to try my luck at Loon Feather Point Park in the future.
The internet can help with the research. It's a valuable tool, but there comes a time when you need to physically drive to the location and see it up close.
From the Google Map, Loon Feather Point Park looks very, very promising. It looks like there is lake access off of the main channel, but after driving out to the park for a look the location presents several challenges. The path to the water is pretty steep. It's wooded and from the shoreline there is a distinct possibility of falling into the water while landing a big carp. There are a couple of areas to cast a line from, but it's not really feasible.
The park has a hexagon shaped pier that sits on concrete pilings. It has an aluminum floor and metal railings, but it's pretty small. It would be challenging for more than 3 carp fishermen to operate from the pier simultaneously, so an early arrival to the venue would be necessary to guarantee a fishing spot.
In summary, what looked like a promising possibility from Google Maps turned out to be less than expected up close and in person. But under the right conditions, I'd give it a shot and through in a few lines.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Sunday Carp Fishing
The weather was perfect for carp fishing on Easter Sunday. There was a very light breeze, bright sunshine and I had 5 or 6 hours for fishing.
I decided to try a new spot today, so we headed out to North Hydro Park, which is located below the Ford Lake dam in Ypsilanti.
It was a fantastic day to be outside with temps nearing 70 degrees. This is a spot that I plan to return to again soon. It's got plenty of shoreline, plenty of shade, restrooms nearby, plenty of parking and it's only 4 miles form my house.
Here's a picture of my rod pod.
I decided to try a new spot today, so we headed out to North Hydro Park, which is located below the Ford Lake dam in Ypsilanti.
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| Hair rig with a boilie tipped with a piece of fake corn |
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| Hair rig with 2 pieces of maize and a piece of fake corn |
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| Hair rig with a pink pop-up dumbbell boilie |
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| Hair rig with a pink pop-up boilie dumbbell tipped with a piece of fake corn |
.jpg) |
| 8.5 pounds |
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| 6 pounds |
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| 14 pounds |
Here's a picture of my rod pod.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Good Friday Carp Fishing
The forecast for a 60% chance of rain didn’t deter me. I had
Good Friday off from work and I took advantage of the opportunity and spent the
day fishing for carp at Sterling State Park near Monroe, MI.
When I arrived, the wind was non-existent and the sunrise was beautiful. The water in the lagoon was smooth as glass. Those are my favorite conditions for landing some good sized carp.
Instead of maize, my go-to-carp-bait, I committed to using a pink pop-up dumbbell exclusively until I either caught a fish on one (or got bored trying). I have always wanted to fish with pop-up boilies, but my confidence in them is low. I saw an article in an online carp fishing magazine a few weeks ago touting the effectiveness of the color pink in attracting carp and decided to give it a try . I am so glad I did.
Later in the day I landed another small common carp in the 5 - 6 pound range and a 2 pound bullhead catfish.
If the nice weather holds out, I might fish for a while tomorrow too. If I catch, I'll post some more pictures.
I think this picture turned out nicely so I wanted to share it.
When I arrived, the wind was non-existent and the sunrise was beautiful. The water in the lagoon was smooth as glass. Those are my favorite conditions for landing some good sized carp.
Instead of maize, my go-to-carp-bait, I committed to using a pink pop-up dumbbell exclusively until I either caught a fish on one (or got bored trying). I have always wanted to fish with pop-up boilies, but my confidence in them is low. I saw an article in an online carp fishing magazine a few weeks ago touting the effectiveness of the color pink in attracting carp and decided to give it a try . I am so glad I did.
I use pack bait made from cream corn and panko with a hair
rig on a #6 hook. I had no activity on the rods for 90 minutes, but patience
paid off with a short run. Carp on!
A few minutes later I landed a 17 pound common carp as a
reward making it my biggest fish in 2014. |
| Sterling State Park near Monroe, MI |
Later in the day I landed another small common carp in the 5 - 6 pound range and a 2 pound bullhead catfish.
If the nice weather holds out, I might fish for a while tomorrow too. If I catch, I'll post some more pictures.
I think this picture turned out nicely so I wanted to share it.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Review of the Metallica Net from PSFishing.com
While conducting a mental inventory of my carp fishing gear a few weeks ago I decided to upgrade to a larger and stronger landing net. I conducted a quick survey of my favorite carp fishing group on Facebook to solicit recommendations. Based on several positive comments regarding the Metallica Net, manufactured by Balzer, I purchased one from PSFishing.com.
I've fished with it a couple of times now. Based on my experience with the net so far, I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality landing net for a reasonable price.
Like most nets that are popular for carp fishing, the aluminum handle will not allow for picking up a 20 lb. carp with the handle in a horizontal position. But with proper technique, the net is plenty strong enough for daily carp fishing use.
I've fished with it a couple of times now. Based on my experience with the net so far, I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality landing net for a reasonable price.
- The net has rubberized mesh 1/2" in size.
- The net is 110" when extended for fishing and 42" when collapsed for transport and storage.
- The rubberized mesh helps cut down on odor as well.
- The head is 35".
- The net extends and collapses with ease.
- The handle extends easily and it's easy to grip.
Like most nets that are popular for carp fishing, the aluminum handle will not allow for picking up a 20 lb. carp with the handle in a horizontal position. But with proper technique, the net is plenty strong enough for daily carp fishing use.
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| Linked from PSFishing.com |
Sunday, April 13, 2014
North Hydro Park - Ypsilanti
I am lucky to have so many bodies of water close to my home. Today I decided to scout a local fishing spot that I have not yet visited - North Hydro Park in Ypsilanti. The park is located east of the dam on Bridge Road.
It's mostly shaded with lots of fishable shoreline. The current is a little strong for my liking as of today, but a little later in the spring when the current weakens a little more I am going to head out the North Hydro Park for a day of carp fishing.
View Larger Map
It's mostly shaded with lots of fishable shoreline. The current is a little strong for my liking as of today, but a little later in the spring when the current weakens a little more I am going to head out the North Hydro Park for a day of carp fishing.
Why I fish for carp
I spent yesterday fishing for carp at Sterling State Park near Monroe, MI from 7:45 a.m. until almost 4 p.m.
During the course of the day guys fishing to the right and to the left of me caught good sized and good fighting common carp on light tackle. The guy to the right was fishing for bullhead catfish (and caught 5 or 6), but in the process he caught a common carp that fought like no bullhead catfish would. The guy to the left was fishing for walleye, but caught a few freshwater drum and a common carp on very light tackle. The drum were in the 7 - 8 lb. range and fought well, but the common was a monster. I enjoyed watching the guy fight the carp for more than 10 minutes. At first I thought it was a lost cause, because the carp was wining (by a landslide), but even the light tackle (and perseverance) eventually wore the carp down.
These two examples illustrate why I fish for common carp exclusively now.
When was the last time someone caught a 20 lb. walleye or a 30 lb. bullhead catfish? Aside from the pending world record walleye caught recently in Lake Erie, the average size most people catch is closer to 5 or 6 lbs. As for bullhead, the average fish ranges somewhere between a pound or two; with the world record at 7 lbs. dating back to 2009. But at Sterling State Park, Detroit River, Ford Lake, and Belleville Lake where I live the average sized common carp is almost always above 10 lbs. and it's becoming quite common to catch them near 20 lbs. with regularity. My friends catch 30 lbs. + carp with regularity now, although I am still waiting for my first above twenty at this point.
I grew up catching perch, crappie, bluegill and bass in local farm ponds, but after becoming addicted to carp fishing I doubt I can ever go back to fishing for those smaller sized and lesser fighting fish. After all, I've never caught a 3 lb. bluegill, a 12 lb. bass, or 30 lb. crappie. :-)
Many people approach me and ask what I'm fishing for when I am out on the bank, but when I explain that I'm fishing for carp most folks turn up their nose at the thought. Carp are not an inferior fish. Common carp (introduced to U.S. from Germany a century or more ago) are here to stay. In fact, I'd argue that the common carp is a superior sport fish to any other common fresh water species I can think of readily accessible without a boat.
So if you are out fishing and run across someone fishing for carp, don't automatically dismiss the pursuit as inferior. Keep an open mind and observe. You might discover that you like the idea of catching stronger, faster, and tougher sport fish.
Please don't knock it until you've tried it! It might surprise you too.
During the course of the day guys fishing to the right and to the left of me caught good sized and good fighting common carp on light tackle. The guy to the right was fishing for bullhead catfish (and caught 5 or 6), but in the process he caught a common carp that fought like no bullhead catfish would. The guy to the left was fishing for walleye, but caught a few freshwater drum and a common carp on very light tackle. The drum were in the 7 - 8 lb. range and fought well, but the common was a monster. I enjoyed watching the guy fight the carp for more than 10 minutes. At first I thought it was a lost cause, because the carp was wining (by a landslide), but even the light tackle (and perseverance) eventually wore the carp down.
These two examples illustrate why I fish for common carp exclusively now.
When was the last time someone caught a 20 lb. walleye or a 30 lb. bullhead catfish? Aside from the pending world record walleye caught recently in Lake Erie, the average size most people catch is closer to 5 or 6 lbs. As for bullhead, the average fish ranges somewhere between a pound or two; with the world record at 7 lbs. dating back to 2009. But at Sterling State Park, Detroit River, Ford Lake, and Belleville Lake where I live the average sized common carp is almost always above 10 lbs. and it's becoming quite common to catch them near 20 lbs. with regularity. My friends catch 30 lbs. + carp with regularity now, although I am still waiting for my first above twenty at this point.
I grew up catching perch, crappie, bluegill and bass in local farm ponds, but after becoming addicted to carp fishing I doubt I can ever go back to fishing for those smaller sized and lesser fighting fish. After all, I've never caught a 3 lb. bluegill, a 12 lb. bass, or 30 lb. crappie. :-)
Many people approach me and ask what I'm fishing for when I am out on the bank, but when I explain that I'm fishing for carp most folks turn up their nose at the thought. Carp are not an inferior fish. Common carp (introduced to U.S. from Germany a century or more ago) are here to stay. In fact, I'd argue that the common carp is a superior sport fish to any other common fresh water species I can think of readily accessible without a boat.
So if you are out fishing and run across someone fishing for carp, don't automatically dismiss the pursuit as inferior. Keep an open mind and observe. You might discover that you like the idea of catching stronger, faster, and tougher sport fish.
Please don't knock it until you've tried it! It might surprise you too.
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| Even the small ones are strong fighters |
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Sterling State Park
My original plan today was to take a short drive to Ann Arbor to fish at the Huron River Bridge Park off of Barton Drive, but I got a better offer.
I arrived at 7:30 a.m. and picked my spot near the parking lot. I like Sterling because you can fish 10 feet away from your vehicle. Instead of unpacking all the equipment, you can leave it in the vehicle until it's needed.
I started getting activity on the rods within about 90 minutes. They were mini runs for awhile and then there was a screamer that starting ripping off line! I had the drag very loose so when I started reeling, the fish kept gaining. But a small adjustment to tighten the drag evened everything out quite nicely and I started gaining ground.
Bill helped with netting and we snapped a couple of pictures before returning the fish to the water.
I didn't weigh the fish, but I'd estimate it would have weighed in the 11 - 12 pound range. In my experience at Sterling, that is a smallish sized common carp. There have been a lot of 17 - 20 pound carp landed from that location.
So I decided to join my friend Bill and headed down to Monroe and spent the day fishing at Sterling State Park.
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| Today had the best fishing weather in Michigan so far in 2014. I couldn't wait to get everything set up and start fishing. |
I started getting activity on the rods within about 90 minutes. They were mini runs for awhile and then there was a screamer that starting ripping off line! I had the drag very loose so when I started reeling, the fish kept gaining. But a small adjustment to tighten the drag evened everything out quite nicely and I started gaining ground.
Bill helped with netting and we snapped a couple of pictures before returning the fish to the water.
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| First common carp in 2014 |
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| And I wasn't even wearing my lucky shirt! |
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Saline Michigan
It was sunny, Sunday and 52 degrees today so we headed out to Saline for some carp fishing.
I tried out my new Power Wheel rod pod from Bank Fishing Systems that Santa Claus brought me for a Christmas gift. I use Okuma reels, 50 pound braided line and NGT alarms. The rod pod works well, but the fish didn't want to cooperate today.
I had lots of mini runs on that left rod, but no hook ups. I fished with panko, seasoned with cream corn and butternut. My hook bait was two pieces of floating fake corn dipped in 4 Seasons from World Classic Baits.
After my first casts I noticed a lot of leaves on my hook and lead, so I switched from Pineapple Maize to fake corn and that seems to work better.
I tried out my new Power Wheel rod pod from Bank Fishing Systems that Santa Claus brought me for a Christmas gift. I use Okuma reels, 50 pound braided line and NGT alarms. The rod pod works well, but the fish didn't want to cooperate today.
I had lots of mini runs on that left rod, but no hook ups. I fished with panko, seasoned with cream corn and butternut. My hook bait was two pieces of floating fake corn dipped in 4 Seasons from World Classic Baits.
After my first casts I noticed a lot of leaves on my hook and lead, so I switched from Pineapple Maize to fake corn and that seems to work better.
Friday, April 4, 2014
National Carp Tournament - Waddington New York
My mother-in-law is from the Watertown NY area, but I had no idea the area was such a big area for carp fishing. We took a trip there a couple of years ago to visit, but didn't do any fishing. I may need to go back sometime.
Approximately 70 anglers from across the country will line the shores of Waddington on Sept. 13 to take part in the tournament organized by the Carp Anglers’ Group. Read more...
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Carp Fishing at Belleville Lake Michigan
On afternoons when the weather is nice I like to head out to the local lake after work for some fishing. In my case the local lake is Belleville Lake in Belleville, Michigan.
We've had some very cold weather in 2014, so when the temp gauge on my car displayed 55 degrees on Wednesday afternoon during my commute home I couldn't resist the temptation to head out for a couple of hours of carp fishing.
I have been trying to catch carp at Belleville Lake for several months, but so far I've had no luck. I know there are carp to be caught because: 1. The DNR survey from 2012 said there is a 30-35% concentration of carp in the lake, 2. I have seen two of the best carp fishermen in Michigan catch fish from the lake in less than ideal conditions (26 degree temperatures). If they can do it in bad weather, I should be able to do it when the weather and water temperatures are more favorable.
I'm not going to give up trying. I live about mile from this spot, so I can pop in for a couple of hours any time I want to.
We've had some very cold weather in 2014, so when the temp gauge on my car displayed 55 degrees on Wednesday afternoon during my commute home I couldn't resist the temptation to head out for a couple of hours of carp fishing.
I have been trying to catch carp at Belleville Lake for several months, but so far I've had no luck. I know there are carp to be caught because: 1. The DNR survey from 2012 said there is a 30-35% concentration of carp in the lake, 2. I have seen two of the best carp fishermen in Michigan catch fish from the lake in less than ideal conditions (26 degree temperatures). If they can do it in bad weather, I should be able to do it when the weather and water temperatures are more favorable.
I'm not going to give up trying. I live about mile from this spot, so I can pop in for a couple of hours any time I want to.
Monday, March 31, 2014
PS Fishing Carp Net
Last week I decided to upgrade my carp landing net for the upcoming season. After careful consideration, I decided to order the Metallica Net, manufactured by Balzer, from PSFishing.com. I purchased a similar net from Resistance Tackle last year, but I think I need something a little more "heavy duty". I particularly like the folding mechanism. It appears well built for the job.
Here are a couple of pictures:
When I took it out of the box for the first time, my first thoughts were, "I'm going to need to start catching some bigger fish."
I haven't fished with it yet, but I'm looking forward to catching some Michigan common carp that can fill the net properly.
Here are a couple of pictures:
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| From order to my door in less than 1 week |
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| 110" length, 35" head size and 1/2" rubberized mesh |
When I took it out of the box for the first time, my first thoughts were, "I'm going to need to start catching some bigger fish."
I haven't fished with it yet, but I'm looking forward to catching some Michigan common carp that can fill the net properly.
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