Carp schooling near surface

K

kaptein delarey

Sealiner
I did a short artlure session over the weekend and came across schools of carp (10-20) just swimming around at or just under the water's surface.

Well, I know that you can dip or cast to catch carp, but what do you do when they're swimming about as described above?

I first tried casting a white medium Sada curly tail rigged on a size 16 hook. I attached a small splitshot behind the lure (I needed some weight for casting) and cast past the school and reeled the curly on or just below the surface, either past and even through the school of carp. They didn't really take notice of the lure, and in most cases got a fright from the splitshot hitting the water.

Next I tried the same technique, but switched to an orange curlytail. The carp immediately seemed more interested in the new colour lure. They would notice the lure, make a turn to inspect and follow closely behind, but no takers.

I even tried to slow down my retrieve, which resulted in the curly tail sinking to the bottom of the dam - and the carp losing interest.

So close, but oh so far.

I'm thinking a fly rod with floating line might have worked, but I don't own one, yet.

So, any suggestions on what to do with spinning gear?

Or, were these carp caught up in spawning and 'un-catchable'?

Cheers
 
T

The Owner

Senior Member
Usually these carp are very difficult to catch on a spinning setup. If you can reach them with a very long dipping rod and a splitshot and fly rig you stand a chance to get one, but best method is definetly on fly. They are not necessarily in spawn mode, may just be looking for insects on the surface.
 
K

kaptein delarey

Sealiner
Thanks for the input guys.

I am looking into getting both a fly and dipping rod, so that remains future options.

I've done a bit of thinking and research and came across the 'popper & dropper' rig used in fly fishing.

http://mayportmirror.jacksonville.com/community/clay/2010-05-20/story/sporting-clay-popper-and-dropper-setup-can-be-irresistible-bream-and

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=54137&forum_id=23

http://www.basilmanning.co.za/barry-s-blog/interesting-articles-written-by-barry-wareham/throwing-paddle-tails-jerk-shad-plastic-squid-and-flies-with-surf-spinning-gear.html

It might be worth a shot to modify this rig to be used with a spinning setup.

First of all I would take the smallest floating popper/surface lure I can find and tie this onto my main line.

I would then tie a leader onto the floating lure where the back hook used to go, and tie my curly/fly to the end of the leader.

My thinking is that that the floating lure provides the weight for casting, added interest (the carp were turning to take another look) and a way to slow down and even pause my retrieve.

I could even add a small ball of polystyrene/cork/foam onto the leader or hook for a floating or suspending action.

Probeer is die beste geweer ...

I'll report back on the results ... if any.

Cheers
 
K

kaptein delarey

Sealiner
Thanks for the input guys.

I am looking into getting both a fly and dipping rod, so that remains future options.

I've done a bit of thinking and research and came across the 'popper & dropper' rig used in fly fishing.

http://mayportmirror.jacksonville.com/community/clay/2010-05-20/story/sporting-clay-popper-and-dropper-setup-can-be-irresistible-bream-and

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=54137&forum_id=23

http://www.basilmanning.co.za/barry-s-blog/interesting-articles-written-by-barry-wareham/throwing-paddle-tails-jerk-shad-plastic-squid-and-flies-with-surf-spinning-gear.html

It might be worth a shot to modify this rig to be used with a spinning setup.

First of all I would take the smallest floating popper/surface lure I can find and tie this onto my main line.

I would then tie a leader onto the floating lure where the back hook used to go, and tie my curly/fly to the end of the leader.

My thinking is that that the floating lure provides the weight for casting, added interest (the carp were turning to take another look) and a way to slow down and even pause my retrieve.

I could even add a small ball of polystyrene/cork/foam onto the leader or hook for a floating or suspending action.

Probeer is die beste geweer ...

I'll report back on the results ... if any.

Cheers
 
D

Droomvanger

Senior Member
Swemmende karp is gewoonlik nie voerende karp nie. Soms sal jy sulke vis sien voer bv op die oppervlakte, bv by Albert Falls. Vlieggery dan die beste.
 
P

Pipeman

Senior Member
Coming from a flyfisherman don't waste your time with carp that are daisy chaining. If you can clearly see them taking food on the surface it might be worth a try.

Carp are also very leader shy and if the tippet is too visible the will stay away from the fly! Tailing carp is still the easiest to catch
 
P

Pipeman

Senior Member
Coming from a flyfisherman don't waste your time with carp that are daisy chaining. If you can clearly see them taking food on the surface it might be worth a try.

Carp are also very leader shy and if the tippet is too visible the will stay away from the fly! Tailing carp is still the easiest to catch
 
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