So you still didn't see us fishing again......

[MOPanfisher]

When the carp get largwr, over the 20 lbs you mentioned, don't heir feeding habits change which would make them tougher to catch.  I admit in my youth I used to love carp fishing and as a result have made the "dive of shame" into the lake to catch up to a rod that had been yanked into the lake.  Never shelled out a reel but did on a few occasions clamp down on the spool to let a hook pull out before getting spooled on line.

[MoCarp]

1 hour ago, MOPanfisher said:

When the carp get larger, over the 20 lbs you mentioned, don't heir feeding habits change which would make them tougher to catch.

they still feed on the same things and in the same places, they just get jumpy, when a common can live well over 20 years, the see a lot and remember, big ol carp don't get to be big ol carp if they are bold, getting caught or shot at or get stranded during a flood, here in our waters night is usually best for the big fish, but with all the Bfing pressure seems late morning is when we catch the biggest fish, used to be 2 am was prime time, and shine a light in the water and your done for several hours.

1 hour ago, MOPanfisher said:

  I admit in my youth I used to love carp fishing and as a result have made the "dive of shame" into the lake to catch up to a rod that had been yanked into the lake.  Never shelled out a reel but did on a few occasions clamp down on the spool to let a hook pull out before getting spooled on line.

I would love to see a 30# carp caught on a flyrod, even a mid teens fish is going take line like a champ, Stockton has carp cruse the bluff banks mid day, prob looking for insects that fall in tho the lake, if a guy wanted to catch one on a fly that might be a good place to start, a big fish there is 15# pods of a dozen or so fish used to be found on the bluff banks from point 6 to the dam from about late may on, about the time cotton seed fluff stared showing up, wouldn't be easy stalking those fish, be like poleing the flats get too close and raise your arm SWOOSH they will be gone, def be a way to get a saltwater flats fix though

[Al Agnew]

Guys, while carp fishing isn't for me (for me there is a lot more to fishing than catching big fish, and a lot more to fish than growing big and getting smart), I do admire MoCarp's passion for the sport.  I agree with him that it takes special tactics and expertise to catch really big carp, assuming there are really big ones in the waters you're fishing.  If the pursuit of big freshwater fish that have the smarts to make them very tough to catch, and the speed and strength to take tackle away from you and tear it up, interests you, the carp fishing is well worth it.  I've had them take rods away from me (fortunately, all but one time it was on upper Big River and all I had to do was wade out and catch up to the rod).  The one time a carp permanently took a rod was funny...I was a kid, on vacation with a friend's family, and we were fishing below the dam at Wappapello, when I accidentally hooked something, and reeled in one of those old Zebco Snoopy rods.  I cleaned it up as best I could, and got it to where i could cast out about 30 feet with the thing.  Later in the week we relocated to upper Clearwatrer Lake, and we were fishing off the bank at the last bluff below the river.  I baited the little Snoopy pole with a couple kernels of corn and tossed it out its regulation 30 feet, and propped it on a stick.  About five minutes later, I glanced at it just in time to see it simply LEAP off that stick and fly 10 feet out into the lake before it even hit the water,.  

And by the way, MoCarp, I HAVE caught a grass carp on a 4 weight fly rod that probably weighed 30 pounds or more, though I didn't weigh it.  It was 44 inches long, though.

[Old plug]

 AL had no idea you were SE Mo lake fisherman. I cut a lot of my fishing teeth in that area. At one time My cousins daughter and her husband owned Choina landing on Wappapello. John Earnie who owned Webb Creek boat dock on Clearwater was also a personal friend. Everyone from the area I knew is fishing in the clouds or some fiery lake.

Like I have said before I use almost totally 12lb Pro bass mono. only reason for that is abrasion.  I really do not cotton to the notion you need a a real heavy rod and heavy line to land Big fish As a matter of fact. I about bet there is nothing in LOZ lake that can be landed on 6-8 lb test line barring any toothy creature, then just add a leader is all. I caught a 47lb Blue on 10 lb test. And believe it or not it was a deliberate attempt. I knew about this hump and there were big cat on it in the evening.I used a 7 " shad for bait. I got a lot of satisfaction from that. This last summer My neighbor and fishing friend caught a 71/2 lb Hybrid on a 4 lb test crappie outfit.That thing must have made 5or 6 good runs. We had him almost to the net twice and he turned and stripped 20 ft of line off the reel. My neighbor enjoyed it so much he fishes like that all the time for them. Reason I do not is that I do not have the pocket money he has to replace a lot of spoons lost from bouncing off the bottom. 

Below is a picture of my young son battling a big carp in that same area you fished on Clearwater. When they come in on warm spring afternoons that area are couple pictures of my young son fishing for carp  one day with us in that area. He learned about fishing heavy fish on light line and does it to this day catching sharks on light line every year down on vacation in Fla. I insisted very early that he learn how to play with the fishies. Win or loose. If something big gets off on me now days I feel more like congratulating the fish that becoming upset about it getting away.

 

 

 

 

             

[fishinwrench]

4 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

I was a kid, on vacation with a friend's family, and we were fishing below the dam at Wappapello, when I accidentally hooked something, and reeled in one of those old Zebco Snoopy rods.

A kid?   

You've lost track of how old your are, Al.  You were out of high school before the first Snoopy rod hit the market.  

[MOPanfisher]

Maybe it was a Snoopy cane pole.

[oneshot]

35 pound Buffalo and a 22 pound Common. Yes both went into the Frying Pan.

oneshot

[MOPanfisher]

Buffalo ribs for supper?

[fishinwrench]

14 minutes ago, oneshot said:

35 pound Buffalo and a 22 pound Common. Yes both went into the Frying Pan.

oneshot

I'll give ya 14# on the buffalo.  35 is quite a fish tale 

[BilletHead]

6 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

I'll give ya 14# on the buffalo.  35 is quite a fish tale 

      I think oneshot and MoCarp are using the same scales for fish tales,

BilletHead