First carp on the fly

After reading posts/threads and some blogs on carp fly fishing, I was convinced it was a highly underrated species to target with a fly rod. In the past week, I would estimate I spent 4-5 hours stalking carp and casting over them. No takes, until 6pm today at a local pond. I landed my fly a foot away from this fish and he hammered it. Easily one of the most exciting takes/presentations, because stalking carp in the shallows is such a visual thing. I set the hook and had my heart racing expecting my 5wt to be bent in half and my reel to be screaming. Instead, the carp casually swam in to shore towards me and that was it. Seriously, what the hell happened? How has the common carp been nicknamed the "golden bone" or "poor man's bonefish"???? You spend hours stalking these hogs, and when you do get a take, it just totally sucks. This pond does not receive much fishing pressure, so I cant really piece together why this fish did not fight/struggle in the least. Was this a fluke or do carp sometimes roll over and submit when you hook them?

Patrick

Really, I have read many anglers praising the power and runs of the carp. This fish was shockingly docile. The second I set the hook, it half attempted to dive into some weeds, which I promptly steered it clear of. After that lame attempt to subvert me, I was thinking, "oh boy, now its really going to make a run for it and rip the rod out of my hands". It didnt. The whole time I was expecting it to catch on that it was hooked and really explode, but it never did.

The fly was a pink san juan worm. Alot of the blog guys suggest some heavily weighted crayfish imitations. I figured a worm imitation is a pretty solid choice in just about every fishing situation. Mostly, I think its about dropping your fly right on its nose-- no joke, you gotta be real accurate.

I didnt know what a lady fish was, so I googled it. It looks pretty weak, so Im not sure if I would expect it to be anywhere near the power of a tarpon. Atleast the carp looks robust.

haha, thats exactly what I was thinking! I was like these sob's are so fat that they are probably insane in a current, because of their large surface area. Yeah, this one was out of a big pond/small lake.

Yeah, I assumed this particular fish was a fluke; im not turned off at all! It has been alot of fun stalking up on these fish in the shallows. The tension of not spooking them and then having to make a great cast adds to the experience. I rarely sight fish, so this is something new and different. Any tips on how to increase my hookup rate? I was out for an hour today and had 3 great opportunities where I landed my fly on a cruising carp in about 2' of water. 2 out of the 3 chances, the fish casually swam over to the area my fly sank and then I saw the fish invert and i suppose potentially inhale and spit out my fly. Its so murky, I cant see enough to know if the fish has my fly. Both times I just strip set the hook and failed to hook the fish. Do you fish with an indicator or how exactly do you know the fish has your fly? Also, if you dont mind steelhound, what are some of your favorite patterns for carp in ponds/lakes? So far, I have just been fishing san juan worms and hares ear/other generic nymphs.

I fish 95% for carp now. I used to fish for everything else but found carp to be more challenging. The challenge comes from the larger fish of course and how picky they are down to the glint of a hook spooking them off. I never fly fished for them buy know many that do. Once in a while you get ones that just don't have a good fight to them just like any fish out there. I disagree with most carp only fight for 5 feet at first and 5 feet at the end but of course some will do that. lol If you saw some of the fish I have had and how hard they fought it would make better sense. I had one on last year that kept taking drag for around 50 yards and fought the whole time and then when it finally got close to the net went right back out again and this is with heavy duty stuff.I would say keep at it and I am sure you will get something more enjoyable soon enough.

Accord what kind of tackle were you using when the carp kept running 50 yds? Almost every one I've caught could be turned at will w 6lb test trout/panfish tackle. Was it in a river? Just curious, I hear about these fights and just keep down sizing my gear and they just never seem to run very far. Still love catchin em though.

I have had these fights all over the place from rivers to lakes. I think type of carp plays a big role also genetically speaking. Usually some of the hardest fighters have a very wide tails which equals more power. Some of the ones I have caught have had tails over 10 inches from top to bottom easily. I know this may sounds dumb buy maybe you are fishing too light to feel the fight? Are they just peeling out your line so you never really get the rod action? Not trying to sound like a smarta** so hope you don't take it that way. I remember my friend was using 4lb test and he didn't have as much fun than using something a little heavier so the rod was able to play the fish and have more control. I myself have a few setups I use. I have a 9foot setup for smaller fish and tight areas and my 12foot setup with big pit reels which are basically a surf type reel. Just to give you an idea of the strength of the rod a bass rod is rated around 3/4oz and my carp rods are rated at 3.5lbs to bend them. My reels are bait runner reels and hold up to 600 yards.

ORIGINAL: FishinGuy

Accord what kind of tackle were you using when the carp kept running 50 yds? Almost every one I've caught could be turned at will w 6lb test trout/panfish tackle. Was it in a river? Just curious, I hear about these fights and just keep down sizing my gear and they just never seem to run very far. Still love catchin em though.

I've been doing the majority of my carp fishing this season at mammoth lake. I live in jeannette. I'm actually extremely busy right now working, remodeling my kitchen and planning a wedding, so my fishing time is limited to stalking a few for an hour while my fiance jogs. I started carping w my catfish gear, med ugly stik lt pro w 20lb braid 8lb flouro leader and a bait runner. Also a med ugly stik tiger w 50lb braid n 20 or 40lb leader. I still throw the lighter one way out while I stalk w the lt tackle. I've just never had One run that far. No matter what I'm using.

Fishinguy,

I have only caught three carp, so by no means a large survey, but each one has been distinctly different. #1 did nothing. #2 fought like hell and made 3-4 fast runs. #3 was relentless and slow. If all carp fought like the second one, I am not sure I would pursue another warmwater fish.