Carp - sbr

[ratherbe]

Fishing the river this evening, spotted some monster carp up in the shallows. First time I've spotted them although I often pick up empty cans of corn...

Never caught a carp before. What is my best bet to knock it off my bucket list?

From the posts here it seems like it would be a good time if I could manage to get a hook into one. And clearly NJF has some experienced carp anglers!

[huntcountypussbuck]

Saw a guy about a week ago by the head gates getting some nice carp. Rig was a big spring that he molded dough bait on then six inches under that a single hook with a few kernels of corn on it. No weight at all. He was able to cast all the way to the other side of the raritan with a surf rod! Looked like he was a carp sharpie from other side of the big pond.

[Eskimo]

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The South Branch has a tremendous population of carp.
They move up and down the whole river, but there are certain places where they can always be found - as long as no one has walked through that or lingered too long in that spot in a kayak or canoe.

SBR carp seem to prefer soft muddy bottoms over the gravel or stoney bottom areas.


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[TheDreamCatchers]

The state record was caught in the SB. There is probably some in the Ken Lockwood reserve. Does anyone know about fallfish? Ive always wanted to catch them and Ive heard the SB is on of the only places to get them in NJ. Most people think their trash fish but the can grow to over two feet long. Anyone with any experience?

[Matt A.]

ive only caught fallfish in the delaware, fish the sbr a lot and never caught on there tbh

[TheDreamCatchers]

Originally Posted by Matt A.

ive only caught fallfish in the delaware, fish the sbr a lot and never caught on there tbh

Think there is some by Montague un the north part? Where should I go?

[MudCat08]

For carp, I found that the better month was in September when they were fattening up for winter, and maybe early october. you may still get them to bite but it may be slow. there is a pond called Hughes Lake in Passaic. There are some good sized carp in there. They will take corn. Otherwise just fish for them where ever you have seen them before. I've caught carp any time in the warmer months from spring, especially in summer and into early fall. I find they bite really well after a light rain, or even during a very light short shower. They also bite very well when mulberry trees are bearing fruit. use mulberries when this is happening. mulberries fruit in the summer but am not sure if any varieties also fruit in the fall.

For fall fish I have found the biggest ones in both the upper delaware river and in Ramapo river. the big ones are rarer in the Ramapo because it's a small river. but you will find lots of fallfish there of various sizes. They like hanging around riffles and waterfall areas with pools.