jug
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Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
Never fished the lake at Keystone State Park before, Im here right now for the first time trying to catch some carp. Does anybody do any good here carp fishing? They seem to have shut off at Twin Lakes lately so Im trying some new spots til they pick back up. Also are there any cats in Keystone?
post edited by jug - 2013/07/09 07:14:30
I'M ON A MISSION IM GOING FISHING
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Invicta
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/08 21:01:39
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You're talking about Keystone State Park right? The carp fishing was pretty good out there last year but this year I have yet to get one out there. There are cats in there but not nearly as many as there used to be, we used to pick up the occasional channel cat but I haven't got one out there in a few years.
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jug
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/08 23:44:24
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Yeah i was there today for about two hours fishing for carp. Got one hit but it dropped the bait quickly...must have felt the resistance of the heavy sinker. Im on vacation all week so ill prob try again in the next couple of days.
I'M ON A MISSION IM GOING FISHING
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flyingmoles
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/09 07:19:44
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I assume you're using a hair\bolt rig. For some reason, this year I had to increase the length of my hair rig, 2.5" to 3", and drastically reduced the size of the hooks I use to #10. I seem to be picking up fish on the spookiest bites. Might be worth a try if you're getting light bites.
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jug
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/09 10:45:02
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Yes bolt rig, but with a stinger hook at the end of the hair. The hair is about 2". I use Gamakatsu circle octopus hooks, either size 8 or 6. Im about out so maybe ill try the 10's for a while. The carp were hitting hard and running prespawn but now like you said the bite is light. Maybe i need to switch up the bait too. Ive heard their taste changes throughout the year.
I'M ON A MISSION IM GOING FISHING
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flyingmoles
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/09 13:37:54
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Taste definitely does change. I like to fish canned meats late and early in the year. Pre-spawn, I start to sweeten up my bait. Post spawn, I totally switch to sweet particle baits like flavored corn, nuts, and peas. Can't go wrong with, day old, Everything bread from a bakery. Use the top crust for bait and crumble the rest in a bucket, make it damp and use it for free bait. Some parts sink, some parts float. It clouds up from the surface down. I do pretty well on it.
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jug
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/09 15:21:28
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Nice man, I'll give the everything bread and maybe some Treat or Spam a try. I always heard of using canned meat but i thought it was more for catfish. What kind of nuts do you manage to get on a hook or hair? Also, have you ever tried hot dogs? Ive heard of using the boyuant ones as a kind of "pop up" bait for channels.
post edited by jug - 2013/07/09 15:23:13
I'M ON A MISSION IM GOING FISHING
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accordbw
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/09 18:03:18
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Can you take a photo of your rig with bait on. Sometimes small changes can really make a difference. Usually the rig is the first place to look and then we can go from there.
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flyingmoles
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/10 06:32:41
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Probably the easiest and best thing you could do to get on more fish would be to get on youtube and go to Accordbw's channel. There's nothing I could tell you, that he doesn't have a much better way of doing.
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jug
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/10 17:34:02
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Thanks, thats a great channel. Looks like Ive got some quality stuff to study. I actually use two different rigs. I go out with two medium action poles with a slip sinker rig and a heavy action pole with a bolt rig. And all three poles i use a stinger hook, usually 1.5" - 2" below the first hook. I leave the drag loose and let the carp run until i get to the pole. Been using 8 lb test stren mono since i was a kid but with the carp ive been catching lately i think its time to move up to heavy line and gear.
If I get a chance between videos Ill take a pic. I greatly appreciate the help guys.
I'M ON A MISSION IM GOING FISHING
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accordbw
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/10 19:15:06
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Thanks for the compliment. I do a lot of videos to show various rigs and techniques and baits of course. I figured you found my channel. Usually If you search bwingy my channel comes out since that is the name on it but did a quick search with accordbw and it came up also. The hardest part about the internet is trying to figure out exactly what needs to change. In all seriousness a half inch adjustment in a rig can turn a day of missed fish into hauling. Its all about the way the rig turns in the mouth. There are so many variables also down to what tackle you use also. I personally use 15lb test just so if need be I can horse the fish away from structure in the water so they don't get hung up. Probably the biggest thing I have learned through the years with any type of fishing is to check the hook points constantly. It is better to throw away a 50 cent hook than to lose a fish of a lifetime. Even the slightest dullness can make the difference. If you can get a picture up I will try to see if there is anything I would suggest to improve on. maybe I can let you know when I travel out that way sometime and hang out also if you would like.
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fishink
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/07/27 14:18:38
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How is the bite on slip sinker rig going? Canned meats and innards (free from many butchers) will pick up plenty of carp in late summer. I first learned that while going after catfish as a teenager.
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jug
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/08/03 00:04:15
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Sorry ive been away from this thread. Was trying to upload pics of my rig from my phone but the size kept exceeding the limit. Gonna have to get on a computer to upload the pics. Accord, definately let me know of you make it out to southwestern pa. Im always up for partnering up with a fellow carp fishermen, especially someone more knowledgable i might be able to learn from.
Fishink, havent been doin much fishin the past few weeks. Last few times i was out the bite was definately lighter and less frequent. I tried it all, hair rig, stinger hook, baited hook. They just arent as carefree as they are prespawn. What a difference from just a couple months ago. Anyway ill be back with pictures as soon as i can. And hopefully ill be back out to do some more fishing soon.
I'M ON A MISSION IM GOING FISHING
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shmoe
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/08/05 16:56:41
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carp? bread... its always worked for me.. i smash the white part around the hook and leave a little hang off... ive caught lots of bass by just reeling this in.. but the carp have always loved bread anywhere i go. Those river carp are strong! definitely stronger than ones ive caught in lakes and ponds.
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bcain
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/08/06 02:29:56
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shmoe, you are right about river carp being stronger. I lived on the Mon River when I was a kid and those carp in their always seemed way stronger than some of the lake carp that I have caught.
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shmoe
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Re:Carp fishing at Keystone Lake
2013/08/06 15:44:39
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i took my fly rod out (prob 3rd time ever so im relatively new to a fly rod) hooked up 5 times on carp and couldnt land any of em.. Ill get em next time, just not used to the drag.. no more horsin fish in thats for sure.. but the carp will be good practice for dem steelies
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