Ann Arbor Botanical Gardens

Some koi at the University of Michigan botanical gardens.

There's also a cool bonsai exhibit to see too.

How to Edit Carp Fishing Photos

It's amazing what a simple cell phone and a free photo app can do to edit carp fishing photos.

Here's a demo of some editing I did this afternoon using Snapseed with a very typical carp that can be caught in most any public fishing area where I live.

You can take a very average fish and below average photo to make something interesting and convey a different mood to create something more interesting.

This is the original photo from my Samsung Galaxy S9 smartphone.

I used a Snapseed filter as a first step.

I used Snapseed to brighten the colors and crop it to remove distracting objects.

I used a different filter to tone down the bright colors. Then I adjusted the crop a little more.

I brightened my face so it was lighter.

Most of the time I would have been quite happy with photo #3, but in the end I think #5 is my favorite.

It's easy to overdo it, but on cold days when its too cold for carp fishing playing around with photos is fun.

Veteran's Day Carping at Lake Erie

I had the day off for Veteran's Day and decided to enjoy the last bit of decent weather before fishing prospects deteriorate for winter.

I caught these 9 carp. Most were little guys, but on November 11th with 62 degree weather and very little wind conditions were excellent.

Having a good, solid outing before winter somehow makes the winter months, when I'm not carp fishing, a little easier.

Personal Best Detroit River Carp

I've been focused on catching a new personal best Detroit River carp this year. In fact, for the past 3 years, I've been on a quest to catch big carp from the Detroit River. My goal of 30 pounds is now within reach.

In early summer of 2021 I landed a 26 pounder. Yesterday I bested that carp by a pound and a half! 

Out of the thick, morning fog, and in 34 degree temperatures, this 27 lb 8 oz entered the landing net. 

This fish took the hook bait timidly at first, but immediately bolted for the main river channel once I tightened the drag on my reel and lifted up on the rod.

A few minutes earlier we landed this nice catfish.

You never know what you might catch when fishing the Detroit River. There are good chances to land any of about 15 to 20 species of fish with catfish, carp, walleye, sheepshead, silver bass, perch, rock bass, smallmouth bass, pike, muskie and more are readily available. 

I met a gentleman who caught a 7' sturgeon while catfishing from a popular public pier. The gentleman stood 6'6 and the sturgeon was significantly longer (taller) as lay next to it. 

Note: If you do catch a sturgeon carefully land it and return it to the water quickly. Targeting sturgeon in Michigan has regulations governing that activity. Become familiar with those guidelines.

Detroit River Carp Fishing - October Edition

I caught this Detroit River Carp 2 minutes after casting my 3rd rod this morning. It turned out to be the only fish today. 

I think the cold front also cooled off the carp bite for today (in the river anyway).

Two Black and White Carp Photos

Here are some black and white carp photos from the weekend.

Small Carp Wanna Eat Too

 

Sometimes we lock in on catching bigger carp when we're fishing and experience disappointment when a small one arrives in the net.

But small carp get hungry too. Most of the time, the smaller carp fight much harder that the big guys and gals.

Here are two smaller carp from Friday.

Carp Fishing Necessity - Rain Gear

Some unexpected weather rolled in this morning creating some challenges but I still managed a couple of Detroit River commons.

One of my best fishing investments ever is the rain gear I'm wearing in these photos. The $70 jacket and pants are about 8 years old and are there when needed. I always carry these in my carp wagon, no matter the forecast.

My Newest Carp Hooks

 Besides Gamakatzu, I like these next best.

They run small, so a 4 is like a 6 in Gamakatzu.

Fall Carp Fishing Rocks

I love fishing on days like today. 

Here are some of the bigger fish.

The largest was 22#'s which is about the top in that spot unless you get very lucky. I've caught bigger there but it's not easy. 

It looks from my phone gallery that I caught 16 total fish. I could only fish a single rod. The bites were just too fast. 

All but one was caught on the same rod.

Ultimately, I had to stop because fishing alone, pulling fish through heavy weeds, taking photos, etc. took it's toll on me.

I was getting bites before I even sat back down in my chair.

At one point I just landed the largest of the day and John Mellencamp's "Hurt So Good" was playing on my MP3. It was certainly fitting.

I kept hoping for a 30 pounder but it didn't happen today.

Detroit River Carp in a Weedy Session

Carp fishing on the Detroit River is fun. The river is so big it can sometimes seem the odds are astronomical. 

With some practice and perseverance carp can be caught from any of the public parks along the shoreline.

The weeds were a nuisance, but I took it as a challenge. 

Here are some photos from the reward.

I enjoy black and white carp fishing photos. There is something so simple about them that it's satisfying.

Detroit River Carp Fishing

I caught this low teens common carp at the Detroit River recently.

 

The public parks along the Detroit River have plenty of fishing access.

Two Carp at Lake Erie

After taking a few off from fishing I headed back out on Saturday morning.

Unfortunately, the algae bloom on this water is in full swing. It's actually unhealthy to allow people or pets to be in the water. Luckily, fishing requires minimal water contact. 

But, I've noticed that the bite slows down during algae blooms.

I did manage a couple fish in the 19 hours of fishing.

I really like the colors in the photos. I give credit to the blue shirt I'm wearing.

6 Reasons Why You Should Go Carp Fishing in 2022

It’s fair to say that the popularity of carp fishing continues to grow year by year. With it, more people are taking up the hobby and many of those are opting to do so on a regular basis. 

Carp fishing is an angling subcategory that involves catching various species of freshwater fish. The focus is on larger fish with adult common carp being the primary target for most anglers. 

You may be asking yourself why anyone would want to go carp fishing in 2022… But let’s get into why you should go carp fishing in 2022:

It’s a cheap and accessible hobby

Carp fishing is a relatively cheap and accessible pastime that has the potential to become much more. 

If you start small with a basic setup and minimal expenses, you can scale your setup over time as your experience and requirements grow. 

For most people, it will cost around $150 to get a basic carp setup going. You can get everything you need for a successful carp fishing trip for around $200-$250. 

It’s a popular hobby among various demographics, especially in the UK and the rest of Europe, where it’s a very popular past time.

You don’t need a lot of equipment to get started

In order to get started with carp fishing all you need is a basic setup and a rod and reel. 

To help you get started, we have put together some recommendations that include everything you need to get started carp fishing. 

There are many different types of rigs and bait you can use to help get your first carp, but the most common are pole and line fishing, feeder fishing, and hook and line fishing. 

The main pieces of equipment you’ll need are the rod, reel, hook, line, bobbin, and hook bait.

It’s great for people who are just getting into fishing

Carp fishing is great for people who are just getting into the sport of fishing. Because carp are Big Fish and easy to catch, they are the perfect fish to get started with. 

When you’re just getting started, the most important thing is confidence. And once you’re confident with your equipment, and have learned the basics of fishing, you can move on to other types of fishing. 

Carp fishing is a great sport for kids too. It’s low-impact and great for young anglers to build confidence and develop skills.

Carp aren’t easy to catch, making it a challenging activity

You can expect to spend a few hours on the water, and catch nothing, or you can catch loads of fish. You just never know what’s going to happen.

When you go carp fishing you’re always in for a surprise, which can be both frustrating and exhilarating. You never know what the weather is going to be like, or what the fish are going to be doing. In fact, there are many ways you can make the carp bite better. 

If you’re looking for an extreme fishing challenge, carp fishing may be the perfect thing for you!

The feeling you get when you catch a big one is second to none

The feeling you get when you catch a big one is second to none. It’s a great feeling to bring in that first carp of the season. It’s not easy to catch a large carp, especially if you’re targeting bigger fish. So when you do catch one, it’s extra special. 

When you catch a large carp, it’s not just about the fish.

• It’s about the experience. 
• It’s about being out on the water, enjoying the scenery, and enjoying nature. 
• It’s about having a good time with your friends and family. 
• It’s about being challenged, and overcoming that challenge. 
• It’s about being part of a rich and unique pastime. 
• And it’s about making memories that will last a lifetime.

Because you don't always have to eat the fish you catch!

This is one of the main reasons why carp fishing is so popular with sport fishermen. That is, people who enjoy catching and releasing fish for others to enjoy catching again later.

There are multiple species of carp that are growing popular as a sport fish, including: grass carp, common carp, and mirror carp.

Conclusion

Carp fishing is a great hobby with a rich history. It’s a challenging pastime that you can do with friends and family. 

If you’re looking for a new challenge in the outdoors, or want to get into a new pastime, carp fishing could be for you. 

Ready to get started? 

Then keep reading the carp fishing blog for how to articles and photos of carp I've caught.

Ask questions and share photos of fish you've caught.

Best Fishing Line for Carp Fishing Beginners

Last weekend I spent some time at Meijer looking at options for beginning carp fishing anglers. Today I stopped at Walmart to survey their options.

As expected, Walmart had a much bigger selection of rods, reels, and tackle. 

I was looking for Quantum rod and reel combos, but didn't find any.

The selection of fishing line was very impressive.

They had lots of PowerPro braid in stock and monofilament in 15 - 20# sizes that would work for carp fishing.

The selection of rods and reels are also fairly impressive with several catfish combo options and Ugly Stik choices.

If buying a combo, verify how much line is on the reel. I would verify the reel holds at least 120 yds of line suitable for carp fishing.

What Fishing Line Do I Personally Use?

I like 50# PowerPro. Some feel it's overkill and it might be for catching catfish. As a carp fisherman who has caught carp up to 37#'s. I also fish in waters with lots of snags. A lighter line may break easier in these snaggy conditions. 

Almost every time I go carp fishing I end up snagged on objects in the water. The strength of PowerPro provides the capability to retrieve the lead and other tackle. 

Although the hook sometimes bends when it releases, at least I get my $4.00 leads back. I can either rebend and reshape the 50 cent hook or replace it. It's 50 cents vs. $4.00.

The braided fishing line doesn't "give" or "stretch" like monofilament line does. This provides more control and the ability to fish with lighter drag, which is important to me when carp fishing because carp have a very tender month unlike other sport fish.