Q&A for How to Catch a Carp

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What are some of the most common mistakes people make when getting prepared to fish?

Kathy Sparrow, MA
Fishing Instructor
Kathy Sparrow is a fly-fishing instructor and adventurer at heart. Kathy is the co-founder and previous manager of the Kingfisher Inn, a fly-fishing lodge on the Lower Laguna Madre in Texas. She is the author of "On the Mother Lagoon: Flyfishing and the Spiritual Journey" and "The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout” a novel conveying the feminine perspective of fly fishing. Kathy is also a Certified Canfield Trainer in Canfield Methodologies. She guides individuals through the process of embracing change by expressing confidence, awareness, and courage through the tools of writing, fly fishing, and intentional conversation. She has a MA in English with an emphasis in Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of Texas-Pan American.

Kathy Sparrow, MA

Fishing Instructor

Expert Answer

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.

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How can I find the fishing license requirements for my region?

Kathy Sparrow, MA
Fishing Instructor
Kathy Sparrow is a fly-fishing instructor and adventurer at heart. Kathy is the co-founder and previous manager of the Kingfisher Inn, a fly-fishing lodge on the Lower Laguna Madre in Texas. She is the author of "On the Mother Lagoon: Flyfishing and the Spiritual Journey" and "The Whispered Teachings of Grandmother Trout” a novel conveying the feminine perspective of fly fishing. Kathy is also a Certified Canfield Trainer in Canfield Methodologies. She guides individuals through the process of embracing change by expressing confidence, awareness, and courage through the tools of writing, fly fishing, and intentional conversation. She has a MA in English with an emphasis in Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of Texas-Pan American.

Kathy Sparrow, MA

Fishing Instructor

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

Do lures work to catch carp?

Kody Lee
Guide, Fishing Trips
Kody Lee is a Guide for Fishing Trips in Washington. He has worked as a guide since 2015 and has fished his entire life.

Kody Lee

Guide, Fishing Trips

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

Can a salmon rod catch carp?

Kody Lee
Guide, Fishing Trips
Kody Lee is a Guide for Fishing Trips in Washington. He has worked as a guide since 2015 and has fished his entire life.

Kody Lee

Guide, Fishing Trips

Expert Answer

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.

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Question

Is there a better chance of catching a carp in a river, or a lake?

Community Answer

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

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Question

What bait do you prefer?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Why don't the carp bite when I use corn as bait?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

At my local pond, when it floods, I have these huge carp come up to eat, I have tried lots of things, a normal fishing pole, a rope and rounded hook but nothing seems to do it, any ideas why and how I can catch one of these beautiful fish?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What is better treble hooks or J hooks?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How many hooks on 1 line can you use for carp fishing?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Do you have to have a net with you?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How big does a carp need to be so you can keep it?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Would a black or silver hook be best for catching carp?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What is the best bait for carp, and is it best to fish for them on the bottom of a pond if it is wintertime?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I use a baitcasting reel to catch carp?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Is bread suitable bait during the summer months?

Kim Kremer

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Is it a bad idea to use barb hooks?

Community Answer

No, it's not a bad idea.

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Question

Would carp taste good if I ate it?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Do circle hooks work for carp?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What size hook should I use for carp fishing?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I keep from spooking carp while fishing?

Community Answer

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.

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Carps get scared of everything. How can I avoid scaring them?

Community Answer

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

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