carp on clousers

[mar]

I did some exploring on the delta today hoping to run into some LMB's and spring stripers. Took my pram and fished the outgoing tide. I just drifted with the tide and blind-casted towards the bank. I picked up a 2-lb bass and a schoolie 3-lb striper the first 3 hours....slow fishing but at least no skunk. Found a little arm off the slough I was fishing and decided to explore. Marked a lot of fish suspended 5 feet from the top. A few huge carp started splashing around. Tossed the size 1/0 clouser for an hour or so...no hits. Switched to the other side of the slough and first cast, hooked up on a huge fish. First run took me straight to the backing. I thought this was going to be my biggest striper yet....got him close to the boat after a couple of blistering runs and saw a 'golden' shimmer. It was a carp, hooked in the mouth. Landed it after an epic fight and it was as thick as my thigh...maybe 12-15 lbs. The next hour yielded another 4 huge carp, all about 12-15 lbs. What a blast. Those suckers sure can fight. Bent my 9wt to the cork and dragged my pram around.
Me thinks I'll be back there again soon :-)

[Ed Wahl]

Yee Haw! Nantucket Sleigh Ride! I wouldn't have thought they'd hit a clouser, nice going. Ed

[Jay Murakoshi]

Now when people tell you those are garbage fish, you can tell them of your experience. No fresh water fish will put up a fight pound for pound like the carp.

I might have to pay the Delta visit

Way too go

jay

[Ed Wahl]

No fresh water fish will put up a fight pound for pound like the carp.

I don't know about that Jay, just think what a 12 to 15 pound Smallmouth would do. You could lose an arm.

The carp that I've fished for have all made a fool out of me. Can't say how many times I've had one rush over to my fly only to stop an inch away, eyeball it, then swim away. I think of all the warm water fish, this is the only one that you could describe as "thoughtful and deliberate". There's no such thing as trash fish. Ed

[Mike Churchill]

I saw a number of carp jump this afternoon in Sycamore slough. They didn't hit my 2/0 clouser though. :(