Stalking for Carp help

[fruitloopy]

I like to do a bit of stalking occasionally to break up the monotony so I went searching around a local lake. I have seen a large mirror of maybe 8-10lbs and he (or she) is accompanied by a lovely looking ghost carp of around the same size.

 

I have now found out where they like to rest up during the day, right under a tree.

 

I dropped a worm in there on a float on Sunday and, after he thought about it for half an hour, took a solid bite on it. I struck and he was hooked. We fought for a few minutes but because of the restrictions and obstacles around me I was limited to how much I could play him. I was also on a 3lb line + 2.4lb hook length so I was trying to be careful as well. I was using a 13ft match rod which also caused problems because of the length.

After a few minutes of steering him away from the tree and into open water he took off like a train and took my hook with him!

 

I went back for him last night but I think he must have been sulking. I could see him a few feet away from my worm but he wasnt interested. I had a couple of bites from the mirror but maybe my heavier line put him off? I had an 8lb braid with 6lb mono hooklength, size 6 hook, one no8 shot about 5 inches from the hook and a no1 shot under a light peacock quill float.

 

My other problem is the rod, I only have 12 or 13ft feeders or match rods and its a bloody nightmare trying to get this through the tree's!

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for tackle, line, etc? I dont have a problem with the stalking part as I am sure I am not spooking them.

 

This ghostie is haunting my dreams now!

[BoldBear]

I went back for him last night but I think he must have been sulking. I could see him a few feet away from my worm but he wasnt interested.

Try presenting the worm differently it might still remember what happened the last time it was presented below a float; you could try a floating redworm or two instead of a lobworm, to make the worm(s) float: either add a small piece of red or drab coloured foam on the hook or inflate the worm head(s) with air using a syrynge. The worm(s) will dangle enticingly from the surface and be very visible. Perhaps a smaller size 8 hook (or even a 10 if the hook stands out too much)?. Or you could use other floating baits (Boilies, Chum mixers, bread etc.) either suspended from the bottom or on the surface. The line strength that you are using sounds fine.

I sometimes use a small nuetral bouyancy leger which floats or sinks extremely slowly but just gives me enough weight for casting (see figure).

 

 

My other problem is the rod, I only have 12 or 13ft feeders or match rods and its a bloody nightmare trying to get this through the tree's!

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for tackle, line, etc? I dont have a problem with the stalking part as I am sure I am not spooking them.

 

This ghostie is haunting my dreams now!

As for the rod; a 10ft - 11ft light stalking rod may be what you need (I usually use a 1.7lb barbel rod or a light 2lb TC Diawa power mesh, or an old Richard Walker 10' split cane MKIV Carp rod) but someone else might be able to suggest a more up-to date rod for close in stalking for this size of Carp. tight lines

Edited May 20, 2008 by BoldBear

[fruitloopy]

Good point on worm presentation as I thought it may be remembering what happened the day before, maybe I should have left it a few days before trying again. I think I read somewhere that after being caught a fish probably wont feed again for a few days.

I'm not sure about the syringe thing! But the foam sounds like a good idea.

 

What about freelining the bait either on top or bottom? I dont need casting distance as its right below me, I think I would be ok with recognising a freelined bait on top because I could see the take but as the water is a little cloudy I'm not sure how to recognise a bite on the bottom. I've seen Chris Yates just feeling the line between his fingers so maybe I will try that.

 

As for rods, I am looking at the Greys Stalker, either 7 or 9ft as it has a good review on here but money's a bit tight at the moment. I have put a wanted post in the relevent section but if anyone has one of these rods they no longer use could you let me know please?

 

Thanks for the advice boldbear!

[bingo]

I have a 9 foot Greys Stalker. It's a stiff rod. Good for tight situations but not a lot of give when playing near the net. Squeaky bum time! I actually use it mostly for pike lure fishing (purely because I did more pike than carp fishing last season). Also 9 foot is actually still quite long sometimes. 6 or 7 foot is sometimes better. I think Fox do a 6 foot one called the 'Twig'.

 

Be careful when fishing close to snags. I'm not criticising but sometimes fish are best left where they are if it's really snaggy. I've seen first hand the damage that can be done (by my own stupid self) and it wasn't pretty.

 

If money is tight then try the Chub Outkast Stalker. It's 9 foot long and half the price of the Greys (£40-ish). Nice rod too. I'd buy one if I didn't have the Greys.

[fruitloopy]

Is a boat rod or spinning rod any good for this purpose or will the test curve prove too much for the line/fish/hook, etc?

[BoldBear]

Is a boat rod or spinning rod any good for this purpose or will the test curve prove too much for the line/fish/hook, etc?

I would have thought that a boat rod could be too strong, however a light boat rod may be ok if it has enough bend in it. but I would prefer a rod of at least 7ft if not longer. what do others think?

Edited May 21, 2008 by BoldBear

[dapper64]

Have you tried floating some bread crust over them,they usually can't resist it.

[Newt]

Boldbear - 6' rods are commonly used here in the States (anglers using gear bought for one purpose when they have occasional need for it) and they seem to work fine for this sort of fishing.

 

I think it may be more a matter of what we are accustomed to rather than how the gear can be used. To most anglers in the States, 8ft is very long.

 

Have a look at this page and the 2 piece 6'6" rod. Glass & carbon laminate so tough and plenty strong. Cost is only about £9 so it should come to you without any additonal import fees and as a 2 piece, shipping should be reasonable.

[BigKev]

had this one out from under a marginal bush on MKF's chilham mill . watched it suck in my sweetcorn struck and held on for dear life . 12ft 1.5lb tc avon rod that i use for tench fishing did the business . 12 lb line straight through to a size 6 super specialist baited with two grains of corn. i was only at the lake for a few hours went home very happy

 

 

28lb 10oz

[Rob Ward]

Is a boat rod or spinning rod any good for this purpose or will the test curve prove too much for the line/fish/hook, etc?

 

A spinning rod will be fine, you probably need to up your line strength to match the rod - 8-10lb.

 

If the Carp isn't suspecting it's being fished for you can have it in the net before it realises it's been hooked, get it's head up quickly and get the net under it!

Edited May 22, 2008 by Rob Ward