Passaic Carp Saturday 10/3

[xDirty]

Originally Posted by JDTuna

Thats actually an Avet SX. I usually use it for stripers, but it works well in this scenario.

What about the rod

[Chrisper4694]

I use a hair rig and never gut hooked one, I think they're too smart to gut hook haha. My biggest issue is ripping the hook through their lip when I try to slow them down headed for a snag...not really sure what to do in that situation.

[saxmatt]

Originally Posted by JDTuna

Thanks!!! I have actually done pretty well with circle hooks. I put the reel almost in freespool, then when they pick up the bait I engage the drag (like I do dead sticking for most fish). The reason I missed fish the other day was because I have forgotten to put the reel in freespool after fighting a fish, so when they hit they felt resistance and dropped it. The one plus with the circles is I don't pull the hooks on carp once they're hooked. Also, I wouldn't necessarily mind missing a fish here and there knowing they won't get gut hooked. Definitely a fun fish. I have also caught them sight casting with tiny jigs.

Circle hooks will definitely work but they're not ideal for carp fishing. I fish tournaments with 80+ carp anglers and nobody uses circle hooks. Circles work when they are running away but you want to hook them as soon as they suck in the bait or try to eject the bait. Circles aren't great for that. Try a 4-6" braided leader with a number 2-6 hook if you're using corn or boilies on a hair, or a 1/0 octopus with a puff. Also use a 2oz+ lead, the weight of the lead will set the hook for you. I've caught thousands of carp this way and have never got hooked 1.

[JDTuna]

Originally Posted by saxmatt

Circle hooks will definitely work but they're not ideal for carp fishing. I fish tournaments with 80+ carp anglers and nobody uses circle hooks. Circles work when they are running away but you want to hook them as soon as they suck in the bait or try to eject the bait. Circles aren't great for that. Try a 4-6" braided leader with a number 2-6 hook if you're using corn or boilies on a hair, or a 1/0 octopus with a puff. Also use a 2oz+ lead, the weight of the lead will set the hook for you. I've caught thousands of carp this way and have never got hooked 1.

Good points. I am (admittedly) a casual carp fisherman and I haven't really delved into the myriad of methods and tricks to target them. Luckily, these fish were taking the bait on the run so hooking them wasn't an issue. I'd definitely bet they are a lot harder to use with success in heavily pressured areas. I will give some small octopus hooks a try next time I'm out. Whereabouts are the tourneys you fish?

[JDTuna]

Originally Posted by xDirty

What about the rod

Its a St. Croix Mojo.

[saxmatt]

I fish tournaments up on the Seneca River in Baldwinsville NY and tournaments up on the St. Lawrence. If you want some really good hooks and other carp gear check out bigcarptackle.com

[TheDreamCatchers]

thats awesome. Its a rush hooking up with big carp. ive always caught them in the smaller rivers that empty into the passaic. Ive never tried for them in the main river

[ReelErIn]

Cool that pic reminds me of Carp fishing on the Garfield side when I was a kid
in da early 60's