Printed with permission from Cattail Chronicles
By: Gerard Urbanozo
“Chum is a way of using food to lure fish to the area you plan on fishing. Canned corn is a popular chum since it is readily available and works effectively. ”
Carp are considered to be one of the most damaging invasive fish species. Originally introduced to the Midwest waters in the 1800’s as a food fish, carp can now be found in 48 States. In the U.S., the common carp is most abundant in manmade impoundments, lakes, and turbid sluggish streams and less abundant in clear waters or streams with a high gradient. They are also highly tolerant of poor water quality.
The common carp has a dark copper-gold back with sides that are lighter, a yellowish belly and olive fins. They have 2 pairs of short barbells on their upper lip and their dorsal and anal fins have a leading spine that is serrated. They spawn from early spring to late summer in water ranging from 60-82°F and prefer freshly flooded vegetation as spawning substrate. They prefer to spawn in shallow weedy areas in groups consisting of one female and several males. A single female can produce up to 100,000-500,000 eggs, which hatch in 5-8 days. The spawning ritual involves a lot of thrashing in shallow water contributing to turbidity problems. Carp are omnivorous and feed over soft bottom substrate where they suck up silt and filter out crustaceans, insect larvae and other desirable food items. Carp are very active when feeding and can be observed around shallow areas where they uproot plants which in- crease turbidity and nutrient concentrations. Increase in nutrients causes algal blooms and reduction in light penetration that impact aquatic plants.
Finding the best place to fish for carp is fairly simple. Do a little bit of scouting by walking around the lake until you spot them. Carp will spook easily along the shoreline and will bolt, leaving a mud trail in the shallow water. Scan the surface of the lake since carp will jump and feed at the surface. Once you’ve identified potential carp holding areas, use “chum” to attract carp closer. Chum is a way of using food to lure fish to the area you plan on fishing. Canned corn is a popular chum since it is readily available and works effectively. There are endless varieties of food, which may be used to attract carp. These clever fish have a “sweet tooth”. Add vanilla extract and sugar to the corn as scent and flavor enhancement. Take a handful of corn and throw it about 20 to 30 feet into the lake. Carp will usually find the scattered corn on the bottom of the lake within half an hour. The chummed area may turn slightly muddy when the carp are actively feeding.
A seven-foot, medium action-spinning rod with 12# test will work for most of our inland lakes. Carp usually average around 3-6 lbs. with several fish over 10#. A properly set drag will allow you to take on a carp that weighs more than the breaking strength of your line. Keep the rig simple. Start with a size 4 to 8 short shank hook and a small split-shot 12” above the hook.
Thread the corn kernels on the hook and leave the tip exposed. Cast it out to the area where you placed the chum and put the rod securely on a bank pole holder. Leave a little slack on the line and then most importantly walk away from your rod or sit quietly and don’t move. Carp are very sensitive to noises, especially from people walking along the bank.
When a fish takes your bait, it feels the hook in its mouth and will try to spit it out. The exposed hook point will usually snag inside the carp’s mouth as it tries to expel the bait. The carp will panic and try to swim away as it feels the re- distance from the line and sets the hook on itself. At this point pick up the rod from the pole holder and take your time reeling in the fish. After successfully landing the fish, add another handful of chum to attract more carp into the area.
There are various methods and baits that are effective on catching carp. The “hair rig” is the most popular setup used by avid carp anglers. The bait is not on the hook, but it is threaded on a short line behind the hook. This allows the carp to take the bait along with the bare hook, causing the carp to bolt and instantly set the hook.
Try this technique and have fun catching carp in your lake. Dispose of your catch properly by composting, cooking or donating your catch, and never throw a carp back into a lake.
Tips for creating bait:
- Use a short shank hook and incorporate a loop or “hair” into a snell knot.
- Insert corn kernels into a needle threader.
- Slide corn kernels into the “hair”.
- Place a small piece of plastic or tooth- pick at the end to secure the bait.