How to Catch a Carp

You're fishing something heavy hits your line. You try reeling in fast, but it won't move or surface. Chances are that you've hooked a carp or catfish, and only a few techniques will get these biggies in without breaking your line.

Method 1 of 3: Casting Corn Method 


1.  Make sure that using corn to fish is legal in your area. Some states it is illegal to fish with corn so know your local laws. 

2.  Set up your fishing rod. (tie hook to the end of the line and add a small weight.)

3.  Get a can of creamed corn and open it.

4.   Grab a handful of corn and throw it into the water.

5.   Put about 3 pieces of corn onto the hook and put it in the water.

• (Note: you don't have to cast the line. It just has to be about a meter or 2 away from you and be ready to put it in the water when needed.)

6.   Wait at least about 10 minutes. (make sure not to make any movement. Carps are very sensitive to movement.)

7.   If a carp has eaten your corn, you will feel one or two small tugs and that is when you very quickly raise your fishing rod.

8.   Hold the rod straight with the tip facing skyward.

9.  Keep the tension on your line, because if the line goes slack the fish can spit the hook.

10.   Don't let the carp go around a log or stone.

11.   The carp will eventually tire out and that's when you reel it in.

Method 2 of 3: Exhaust the Fish Method

1.  Let out as much line as possible after the initial strike and then set the hook.The fish will be off guard and thus increasing the chances of hooking the fish.

2.   Reel in slowly and steadily. These fish will pull back hard if they feel threatened. As the fish tires, move the tip of your rod back and forth. This may seem unorthodox, but the fish will lose it's ability to thrash with all it's fins.

3.   Remember that if no net is available, do not grab the carp by the lip as you would a bass. this is difficult and could tear the jaw of the fish. Put one hand under the fish in front of the tail, and one between the head and stomach. Hold it firmly, but do not squeeze. If it's a catfish, you may have to go in to the water and haul it out whole.

Method 3 of 3: Bait Corn Method

1.  Find a river. Carp can be found in most rivers all year round.

2.   Search for a spot to set up your fishing rod. A flat large rock would be fine. Set up your rod.

3.   Take a few pieces of canned corn and put it on the hook. It depends on how big the hook is.

4.   Cast the line and position your rod in a 45-50 degree angle. You can use a rock or a log to hold the rod up.

5.   Take about a handful of corn and throw it near the place where you cast your line. This will help to draw in the fish.

6.   Wait for the fish to bite.

7.   When the fish bites you will see your rod moving, grab the rod and immediately pull the rod up in the opposite direction of the movement of the fish.

8.  Keep pulling and at some times let the fish swim away from you but immediately pull back. The bigger the fish the harder it is to pull the rod.

9.  Wait and before you know it the fish would have gotten too tired to put up a fight. As soon as you feel the calmness of the line reel in your catch.

Tips

• Using creamed corn attracts carps by smell.
• If possible, have a friend or family member help you pull the fish in.
• You can also boil potatoes slightly and substitute that for the creamed corn.
• Be patient. Carp have good senses, often at times a lot of Carp are lost to impatience.
• Let the fish "win" the first round of the fight, if there is no place for it to swim into and snag the line. This will make it easier to reel in.
• Always pull the rod back in the opposite direction of the fish, if you keep the rod straight it will create an easy getaway plan for a carp.
• It's good to bring a net to hold your fish.
• Bring an additional fishing rod, this will raise the chance of a carp biting the hook.
• Bring plenty of hooks because the hook can be ripped off by a monster fish or even sea weed and kelp.
• Have a net that you can put your fish into then stick the net back into the water and secure it using a rock. This will keep your catch alive for some time.
• Remember the thinner the line and the smaller the hook the more Carp are going to bite. This will make it harder to reel it in because it is easier for them to break the line.
• A lot of times kelp or sea weed would get caught in the hook.
• You should loosen your drag when fighting the fish. Once you have it worn out and by the dock or boat, tighten the drag and "bring it home".

Warnings

• Don't leave trash at the spot you are fishing at, it can also get you into trouble because somethings like hooks can kill a fish or injure another person.
• Watch out for the hook and make sure it doesn't end up piercing your hand or leg.
• Watch out for ticks and possibly snakes or any other insect that may bite, do some research on the area you will be fishing at.
• Carp and catfish grow to large sizes. Make sure you can handle the fish before "committing" to setting the hook.
• Most rivers have regulations on the minimum and maximum size of certain types of fish, find out how big or small your catch has to be to stay out of trouble.
• Carp have certain sharp spines on their back, watch out not to stick your hand in one.
• Be careful not to slip and fall into the water, it's pretty deep even a few feet away from shore and can cause injury or death if you drown.

Carp are a very smart fish and if one sees your shadow it could be gone before you even realize it. So when you fish, sit down. Carp are skittish and will swim away if they see your shadow.