I have had many days when carp where the only thing hitting at the pay-lake. They are probably the strongest fighters in fresh water. The initial run is strong and furious.

Carp are largely overlooked as sport fish. They are thought of as garbage fish, rough fish, and pests. I have found them to be very sporting, putting up a great battle when hooked on light tackle. I have no use for them after I have landed them so I always release them.

Carp are omnivores, they eat whatever is available. They detect food with their acute sense of smell, and with the barbles under their mouth. I have two baits that I fish for carp with, corn and wheatie balls.

To fish with corn I like to use a #6 short shanked hook tied to 8# test monofilament. I thread 5 or six kernels of corn onto the hook. I don't use any sinkers on my line because I do not want the fish to feel the resistance from the added weight. I cast the corn out towards the center of the lake and let it settle naturally to the bottom. I always leave the bail open on my reel, because carp hit on the run. They pick the bait up and run. If you don't have the bail open you will lose your rod! I like to leave the line slack, with curls floating on the waters surface. When a carp hits the curls start moving out from the rod. When I notice this I close the bail on my reel and wait for the line to tighten, and then I set the hook!

To fish with wheatie balls I use two #6 treble hooks tied to 12# test monofilament.(I use heavier line because the treble hooks tend to snag a lot more than regular hooks.) I prepare the wheatie balls at home the night before the trip, by placing the wheaties in a food processor turning them into crumbs. I place the crumbs in a large zip-lock bag. Then I add a small amount of beer to the wheaties and work it through the bag until it is the right consistancy. I then seal the bag and place it in my tackle box. I like to use wheatie balls that are about the size of a large grape. I form it around the hook in a teardrop shape and throw it out on the bottom. Again I don't add any weight to the line.

Have yor drag set lightly as the carp makes its initial run. As you pump your rod you can slowly adjust the drag to wear the fish out.

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