chrisjpainter Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Has any one tried it? I was down at my local lake today and pulled out a 14lb common carp with dog biscuits and a specimin 2lb test curve rod, but I've always wanted to have a crack at them with fly tackle. The trouble is i don't know what i'd need, strength of rod, lines or anything like that. Can anyone on here help me out? On this particular lake, i've never had a fish weigh less than 8lb off the surface. Many thanks Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 You need a Lincolnshire bread fly tied with cotton wool coated in fab seal to stop it getting wet Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Done it a few times. I'm lucky to have a few ponds on our farmland. I had just set up at one of them with my fly rod when my cousin turned up to do a bit of fishing himself. He looked at me and my fly tackle, told me i was an idiot and what the devil did i seriously expect to catch like that. I banked a 9lb carp with it before he had his line in the water. Also have a pond at my house that has 10lb grass carp in it. Thought I would try in there and got one within 10 minutes. As said, bread flake imitation fly. Cheating really as the carp are often fed. Good fun as a one off all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 sounds good. what strength rod do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlander Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Give it ago its great fun, Ive done it a few time with floaters on my 7/8 set up. got a few funny looks from the other lads on the lake at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Give it ago its great fun, Ive done it a few time with floaters on my 7/8 set up. got a few funny looks from the other lads on the lake at the time. oh but it makes it better when you get the funny looks! My floater set up at the moment is pretty similar to fly fishing anyway. rod. real and line direct to a home made dog biscuit. no float no weights, just the hook and the bait. I get some odd comments and surprised looks, but when i'm bringing in 10-15lb fish and they're sitting there with three rods, buzzars, alarms etc. all sat silently, it makes me feel disgracefully smug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 Deer hair 'mixer' fly and standard reservoir kit will do nicely. http://www.sovereignsuperbaits.co.uk/Fly_Fishing/Carp_Flies/carp_flies.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evo Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 chris, I fish boddingtons reservoir every year, some great fun to be had with a fly rod after carp mate, one of the most enjoyable ways to catch them bud, but be prepaired to hold on as the fight on a little fly rod is terrific atb Evo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 sounds good. what strength rod do you use? A fly rod holds its "lifting / fighting" power further down the blank, don't be deceived by the flex it the rod at the tip to midsection. There is no AFTM rating for power only line weight I suggest in Stillwater a 6 or 7# rod with some grunt in its lower section might be just the job because you still want some finesse, no good going for some beast of a rod! having taken large seatrout and salmon on such an outfit in proper rivers were the fish can also use the current! I assure you there are rods out there of this sort of line rating rating that are up to the job once your fish is hooked - though choose carefully as some will unfortunately be like overcooked spaghetti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted June 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 A fly rod holds its "lifting / fighting" power further down the blank, don't be deceived by the flex it the rod at the tip to midsection. There is no AFTM rating for power only line weight I suggest in Stillwater a 6 or 7# rod with some grunt in its lower section might be just the job because you still want some finesse, no good going for some beast of a rod! having taken large seatrout and salmon on such an outfit in proper rivers were the fish can also use the current! I assure you there are rods out there of this sort of line rating rating that are up to the job once your fish is hooked - though choose carefully as some will unfortunately be like overcooked spaghetti That's great advice, thanks Kent. I've been looking at an 8# rod, but that's because orvis have a rod reel set up going, but they don't have anything in between a 5 and 8, but i'll hav a look around to see what other options there are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 That's great advice, thanks Kent. I've been looking at an 8# rod, but that's because orvis have a rod reel set up going, but they don't have anything in between a 5 and 8, but i'll hav a look around to see what other options there are. that might be ok if it casts a lighter line ok, the best I can think of off hand might be a Sage XP if you can find one SH - deceptively powerful though better in the hands of someone who can generate good line speed easy, beginners rods need more forgiveness of poor timing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I would have thought you would be better off with an 8 weight outfit. As fly fishing for pike is the new rock and roll there should be plenty of options out there. Unless you are a really proficient caster I would avoid super fast actions, they are great when you hit it right but a nightmare for all the miss-timed casts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 I would have thought you would be better off with an 8 weight outfit. As fly fishing for pike is the new rock and roll there should be plenty of options out there. Unless you are a really proficient caster I would avoid super fast actions, they are great when you hit it right but a nightmare for all the miss-timed casts Some 8# rods have less lifting power than some 6# rods. The reason a say lighter is your presenting flies like daddies and imitation floaters, heavy lines crashing over there heads aint going to work in your favour. Carp are decent scrapers but they don't compare to double figure seatrout etc in very clear running water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 As above regarding rods and line weights etc. The one thing to worry about though at this time of year is the amount of time a standard trout rod will take to land a fish. The softer rods are more forgiving but they are also a little softer on the fish unless the user really leans into the fish. This has it's risks for obvious reasons but the main worry for me would be the amount of time it would take to land a decent hard fighting carp. At this time of the year when oxygen levels are low, playing fish out for long periods can have serious repercussions for the fishes well being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted June 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 Wise consideration Bazooka. I was hoping to have a rod that's usable - if not ideal - for the odd bit of trout work on holidays, but I think the best option would be something like an 8# and then get a 5# or so as well. What a shame eh! I love shopping for myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted June 19, 2014 Report Share Posted June 19, 2014 I usually use a #8 rod and often use it with a #9 line, almost always weight forward. Might well be a dogs backside of a combo but it works for me so that's all that matters. I use the same setup for trout on a pay'n play lake and also for pollack and mackerel too. (I can see the purists already screaming at the screen ) Mackerel on the fly is very much in season right now and a reasonable sized one will give very good sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 Wise consideration Bazooka. I was hoping to have a rod that's usable - if not ideal - for the odd bit of trout work on holidays, but I think the best option would be something like an 8# and then get a 5# or so as well. What a shame eh! I love shopping for myself Little tip for carp fishing with a fly.Feed them up and get them taking from the surface on floating biscuits.Once they are confident taking the offerings, make sure you have some replicas tied up with deer hair and tied in a muddler type way. Plenty deer hair tied, trimmed and shaped like the bickies.Make sure the bickies are as near as possible in colour and texture to the tied muddler fly's. Great sport taking carp from the surface gulp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 Please stop it....I have a bedroom to decorate but I am now planning a fishing trip for the weekend lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 I usually use a #8 rod and often use it with a #9 line, almost always weight forward. Might well be a dogs backside of a combo but it works for me so that's all that matters. I use the same setup for trout on a pay'n play lake and also for pollack and mackerel too. (I can see the purists already screaming at the screen ) Mackerel on the fly is very much in season right now and a reasonable sized one will give very good sport. Having fly fished all over Saltwater and fresh, I have to say the Fly cast dictates the line weight and the rod used is dictated by the line (its has only passing links to the lifting power of the rod). Those who uprate a line one size for the rod generally need casting instruction. Like I say the heavier line is a disadvantage as regards presentation to clever fish in still freshwater, some (not all mind ) saltwater fish like mackerel might actually be attracted by a big heavy smlash down of line over them just don't expect the same from a carp on a pond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 We have a little pond on our shoot with some nice carp in there, I am going to take my little #4wt rod down and some floating bread flake "flies" and see if I can land one... I have caught salmon to 60lb on the fly so will see how a little fat carp compares... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 We have a little pond on our shoot with some nice carp in there, I am going to take my little #4wt rod down and some floating bread flake "flies" and see if I can land one... I have caught salmon to 60lb on the fly so will see how a little fat carp compares... Bedroom decorated already then?? I've never really considered mackerel on the fly, but sounds like fun! I live almost as far from the sea as it's possible to get, but holidays will have an extra intrigue to them now. Keep it coming people, this is proving educational! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Bedroom decorated already then?? I've never really considered mackerel on the fly, but sounds like fun! I live almost as far from the sea as it's possible to get, but holidays will have an extra intrigue to them now. Keep it coming people, this is proving educational! Always found mackerel tricky on the fly and have been totally slaughtered when those around me are retrieving feathers much deeper under the prey shoal and FAR FASTER ! The ones I have had have always been a bit of a surprise out of the blue sort of thing. Scad (often termed horse mackerel) I found very easy and great fighters on a light rod, I don't have them round here but if I did I should spend serious time on them one of the hardest fighting fish pound for pound (never seen one as big as a full pound though) anyplace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscarsdad Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 Bedroom decorated already then?? I've never really considered mackerel on the fly, but sounds like fun! I live almost as far from the sea as it's possible to get, but holidays will have an extra intrigue to them now. Keep it coming people, this is proving educational! Nope...been fishing this morning though! (Report and pics will be up in a minute). I know the feeling...I am a long way from the coast in any direction but I still like to make the trek! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.