Carp Flies and technique?

[Not2Day]

I'd like to try to catch a carp on my fly rod but don't have a clue what fly or how to present it. I usually just blindly run at new stuff and after failure I look for info on what I should have been doing . I figure this time I'd ask first. So, what can y'all tell me about carp fishing with the fly rod?

[flyfisher]

The best times to go after carp are when you can see them actively feeding. Usually you will see the tails breaking the surface and clouds of dirt on the bottom. If you are lucky, you may even see them feeding on top which is the easiest time to catch them.

When they are feeding on the bottom the key for me is to cast ahead of them and let it sit there until they come by. I usually use small wooly buggers, crawfish patterns or clousers in colors that match the normal forage.

When they are feeding on top it is way more fun I then use an attractor type fly like an adams or elk hair caddis and approach it just like trout fishing. See the rise, time the length between rises and make your cast accordingly.

They can be really frustrating but they are definitely alot of fun once you hook into one

[FishyboY]

pretty much what flyfisher said, but usually when they are actively feeding i place the fly about a foot in front of them, and let it sit for a few seconds, then give it a small strip and let it sit, usually they eat it when the fly is still, but when you do a very small strip the fly gets the carps attention. this is how it has worked for me, but i have also caught them leaving the fly completly still.

[Ruffells]

Another good way is also to bait a small area next to carp with corn and just cast your line lightly to the spot with a small hook and some corn. I have heard stories of people doing the same thing but with home made doughballs with huge success. Just google carp balls, or dough balls for carp or something along those lines. They'd stay on the hook better than corn and give off new scent. Heflin water shed is suppose to have some huge carp, but the most and biggest carp I've seen are in blue spring creek by the Honda plant (easy put in and is a great place to bass fish too). If you ever want some one to accompany you chasing carp OTF, just let me know. I'll have plenty of time coming up here soon, since I'm included in the layoff lol.

[WhiskeyWrangler]

Sorry to hijack the thread.... but....

See the rise, time the length between rises and make your cast accordingly.

I am a big noob to the trout sconce. Can you explain this technique a little?

Another good way is also to bait a small area next to carp with corn and just cast your line lightly to the spot with a small hook and some corn.

I done this to great success on spin tackle.

[Ruffells]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDQf9L48 ... ata_player

That's what he means by the rise. Just timing and placing you cast to the carp rising to insects. That would be much more fun to do then the bait and wait method lol. But the carp won't always be actively feeding, so sometimes it will be the most productive.

[WhiskeyWrangler]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDQf9L48N5s&feature=youtube_gdata_player

That's what he means by the rise. Just timing and placing you cast to the carp rising to insects. That would be much more fun to do then the bait and wait method lol. But the carp won't always be actively feeding, so sometimes it will be the most productive.

Oh, so, having the fly in the strike zone at the time when the trout is paying attention. And still water it would be making the fly noticeable (with movement) in the strike zone when the fish is positioned looking up at the surface of the water. Not when it is in it's dive back down to position. Right?

[Phish]

The best times to go after carp are when you can see them actively feeding. Usually you will see the tails breaking the surface and clouds of dirt on the bottom. If you are lucky, you may even see them feeding on top which is the easiest time to catch them.

When they are feeding on the bottom the key for me is to cast ahead of them and let it sit there until they come by. I usually use small wooly buggers, crawfish patterns or clousers in colors that match the normal forage.

When they are feeding on top it is way more fun I then use an attractor type fly like an adams or elk hair caddis and approach it just like trout fishing. See the rise, time the length between rises and make your cast accordingly.

They can be really frustrating but they are definitely alot of fun once you hook into one

That is right on the money!
Just be patience! Carp are freaking tough to catch!

[flyfisher]

What i meant by the trout fishing piece is pretty much what has been said before. Basically a fish is going to rise and eat a surface insect than return their location and finish "chewing" then rise again.

It is a little more prominent in teh trout world as they can be like clockwork. Rise, 20 second rest rise, 20 second rest, even when other bugs are floating by.

Carp fishing is very fun and frustrating but well worth it when you hook into one.

The last time i was out, i saw a few cruising but since iw as fishing for largemouth i had a EP baitfish fly on so i tossed it over. The carp came and took a look, mouthed the fly but i couldn't get a hook into them.

Woudl have been a lot of fun for sure but you win some and you lose some

[Phish]

Had the same thing happened last Friday on the 3wt with small EP but with a white sucker. Wasnt fast enough to set it.