Q&A for How to Catch a Carp

Probably not preparing for the weather. It's going to rain sometimes. Always keep rain gear ready. Having backup equipment is also really important. Make sure you have two rods with you because things happen. Polarized glasses are an absolute must. Those allow you to see into the water. Mindset is the other thing to prepare. Go with a sense of adventure. Know that you're probably going to make mistakes, we all do. You might not catch fish and that's okay but you're going to learn something in the process and if you do catch fish, that's a bonus.

Search Google for fishing license plus the name of the state. In most places, you can get your license immediately. A lot of states also have a phone app, so your fishing license is digital, which makes it easy.

Yes, they are very effective in some cases. Plugs have been good for me, also certain flies made for carp will prove themselves effective in the hands of a skilled carp angler.

As a general rule, yes, but not in all cases if the rod isn't strong enough. A rod that caught a 60 lb salmon will catch a 60 lb carp though.

A lake. It is possible in a river, but carp prefer vegetation and slow-moving water, which are readily available in lakes.

I stick to the regular bait such as corn, luncheon meat, and maggots.

You might not be in a good spot for carp. The best places for carp are the places that are shallow with very little current and that have some weeds nearby. The carp might also prefer a different kind of bait, so if you're sure you're fishing in a good spot for carp, try another kind of bait and see if it affects how many carp you catch.

Toss out a few handfuls of corn and oatmeal. (Pack them.together like snowballs.) It is important to toss all the bait together in one spot. Hook up your line and cast right on top with another said corn oats ball packed into sinker. Hook with corn sit and wait. Have your bail open or bait runner on.

J hooks are common among carp anglers, however it all comes down to preference. Barbed hooks on either hook are better than non-barbed hooks.

You can use as many as you'd like. Some carp anglers use three hooks on one line. Carp are smart and will eat around your hook, but may get tricked by a second hook.

You don't have to have a net, but it makes reeling in the carp much safer, for both you and the fish.

Check your state laws. Many states do not consider carp as a game fish. There may be no minimum size or harvest regulation.

Black is harder for them to see, but the color doesn't really matter. You do want to use a small hook, however, because carp have small mouths.

Whole kernels of sweet corn or dough balls work well for bait, and bottom fishing is the best way to catch them.

Absolutely. Many carp anglers prefer baitcasters because the drag is easier to adjust when fighting the fish. They also hold more line for their size and many come with "clickers" to indicate when the line is being taken off the reel. This is a useful feature when using a rod holder and fishing multiple rods.

It may depend on where you live. I live in Washington State's Lower Columbia Basin, and anglers have told me that the carp here love dough balls. Mixing cheap white bread with flavored gelatin power seems to be a popular choice.

No, it's not a bad idea.

Generally, carp is not eaten because it doesn't taste very good, but it really depends on your personal preferences.

Yes and they do less damage to the fish because you can't snag them also you don't even have to set the hook.

I landed a 12 lb carp just this morning on a standard-sized eagle claw with a dough ball formed on it. These carp are easy to catch where I got them though. They feed tenaciously in the wash and eddy pools from a small waterfall in a park near where I live. 15-20 lb fish can be seen frequently frenzying in the wash.

Be as quiet as you can be. Cast 2 to 3 ft or more upstream from where the fish are feeding, or 2 to 3 ft from where the fish are going. Stand 5 ft from the water and make sure your shadow is at the back of you.

Be very quiet and try not to splash in the water. The carp are very good at detecting vibrations.