Carp habits?

[Stuartwp]

I was sitting on a large rock at Truman lake last week not catching any crappie when three "logs" materialized in the water in front of me in about ten feet of water. These carp looked like they where three feet long. They where headed in one direction but they didn't seem to be in much of hurry to get anywhere. For spite I dropped my crappie jig in front of them only to watch them duck under it and continue on. I had seen several carp working the banks and since they are rooting aroundin the mud I am guessing they where activaly feeding. Just so happens a may fly hatch ws going on at the time too.

I was wondering if these "crusing" carp are feeding and if so, are they catchable in that type of situation?

[jim m]

good question Flem. from my observation crusing fish like you describe are very dificult to catch. some times they will take a dry fly or floating bread. I can only catch when they got there head down and actively feeding. sometimes you will see a large amount of them on the surface with their mouths working, and I think at that time they are feeding on plankton or some kind of algae, but who knows

[MoCarp]

I agree with Jim --just crusing carp are tough to catch--but if the are Tailing they usally have senced something good to eat--it could be numerous silt organisums--it could be the root of some long washed in plant " chuffa nuts from turkey food plants"

or some left overs from a shore lunch sandwich

but if you can see them they can see you and they usally will not hit a thing--if they felt a hook before

many call them the golden bone fish for good reason--aproach them like stalking bones and you might just have some fun!

Mo