CornaCarpio's Carp Culling Capers!

5.5 lb is better than 0 lb!

 

There's plenty of Carp out there!

 

The high-octane 'summer' of Carp continues! 75cms of bottom-dwelling fury! A relatively long and skinny model with a massive tail that took the bait within 5 minutes of setting-up! Trying new spots has really paid off for me so far this season (all legitimately within 5km too). I lost an absolute horse of a fish while I was down there, it was probably 80 plus cms, but was just too big/heavy to maneuver with my relatively light telescopic set-up. It was absolutely tireless and eventually my knot gave up and I was left to rue 'the one that got away'...it's the second decent fish I've lost this week due to poor knot tying (and of course the wear and tear these big Carp do to my tackle). Feel like I need a bloody surf rod down there at the moment! Sometimes I think it would be nice to sit down and relax and catch some 'normal' sized fish

Speaking of knots, does anyone any any suggestions above the traditional uniknot? I have been watching a fair few YouTube videos during lockdown...including those on knots.

 

Got one down at the creek today after a trying few days. Not the biggest (although a very respectable 69.9 cms), but it did put up a decent enough fight, going on a massive run and making a sizeable dent in the line on my spool at one stage. Should have got at least 2, but one took off with my hook - a common theme for me these days...in fact, I've lost more fish than I've caught this past week, but I guess that's part and parcel of fishing sometimes. I also heard one of my rods 'crack' when I lifted it up from by 'rod holder', i.e. bike as it got caught on the front stem (it was very windy today). I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before it breaks completely...and when it does I might 'upgrade' to the 'surf' telescopic rod they've got at Kmart - it comes with a big ass reel (excuse the Americanism), thick line (20lb+) and is hopefully about 10ft in length...that should be enough to put a bit of 'hurt' on all the big bertha's I'm getting at the moment, 'cause right now the odds are stacked in the Carp's favour, not mine...

 

Took my bike in for a service on Friday and I still haven't gotten it back yet! Yesterday the weather was a bit crap, but today was primo fishing weather! Not wanting to catch PT, but wanting to catch a fish, and willing to go for a short stroll, I did what I haven't done for a long time - fish the 'local' section of the creek in Burwood. I haven't fished it much since I've found more 'profitable' sections of the creek around the Glen Iris area. It has been mentioned before that Burwood is a difficult place to fish - and it is - compounded by the 'public' area, dogs, dog walkers, joggers, and the general unwillingness of the Carp to bite, but there are Carp there. Nearly all my catches in the early days of this thread came from the Burwood area, and I will always remember it as the place that not only ignited this thread, but my urban fishing career!

Anyway, todays session mimicked a lot of my early days and my fishing escapades in general - went down the creek, started getting bored, thought about heading home when I got a slight tap on the rod then BANG! Not the biggest Carp I've caught this season (on the contrary, probably the smallest), but put up a great fight and I was just happy I got something.

CC

P.S. In other news, one of my telescopic rods finally snapped (I'd like to say on a big Carp, but no, it was on a snag after already damaging it) and has been replaced my a 10ft telescopic 'surf' rod from K-Mart. So when I get a bit more mobile, hopefully I can tame a beast or two...

 

Got my first Carp out of the Dandenong Creek on Thursday!

Taken on corn under a float.

 

Got a Cod out of Taylor's on cheese - my first! Got a couple of Carp as well. A bit of a subpar performance, but I attribute it to the lake being packed - everyone trying to get in on the 'golden tag' which rendered my 'secret spot' unavailable...