Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Depends on how far you want to take this

I use to take an older heavier rod down to pools I know of, throw out some corn as chum, and put some boilers or strips of balongna on a small hook and have a blast.  Good way to practice back reeling with a spinning reel

Also caught many of the bonus carp fish while bass fishing - we call them bugle-mouth bass.  I've caught them on tubes, senkos, and grubs on ML powered rods and 10# braid or 6# mono

Or you can go the English way - but will warn you they take their carp fishing seriously - which means $$$'s

This website will help you with ideas for gear that range from the beginner to serious carp fisherman
https://www.bigcarptackle.com

I've often wondered with the abundance of carp in our rivers why more guides aren't out there trying to attract the Brits into fishing for them?

Kinda like crappie fishing on steroids?

Capt Mike, I've caught many a carp because they are abundant, huge, and just down right fun to catch.  When they take, it's like a runaway train.  I use a breadball recipe from my wifes family and it works like a charm.  I've also caught them during sight fishing using foliage during fall.  Kinda crazy I know.  Best way I've seen as far as catching for fun and challenge is on a light rod.  Baits are all over the place with corn as George said, wheat balls, etc.  I find that white bread works very well.  I can't even imagine how big they are in the Potomac!

Funny story while carp fishing

Know a nice pool that's accessible through a parking lot and is full of carp.  So full it's like fishing in a bucket full.

Had a family about 20' below where I was fishing and hooked a carp.  After pulling it in, I released it and the Grandmother came over and gave me a piece of her mind in a language I didn't understand.  But I got the jist of it.

10 minutes later hooked another carp and landed it.  I walked over to the Grandmother and gave it to her.  You could tell from the tone of her voice that she was overjoyed to be gifted the fish.  So much so she tried to hook me up with her grand daughter as my next wife.

Got the two rods in and one had a broken first eye. So I replaced it and did a rather shoddy job of it. But it will fish. Sometimes getting the recipe for pack bait can be like pulling teeth. Well guarded secrets I guess. Hoping for a bit warmer weather to try my hand at carp fishing.

Still do not know if corn on the hair rig is right thing or a pop up boile.

Capt Mike

Corn to chum and whatever your favorite dough ball, lunch meat, or boilee to fish

I've always wondered why more guides didn't target the Europeans and carp