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Something different, learned a lot too...
Carp eat Powerbait nuggets, accompanied with some corn kernels anyway. They also eat worms in various forms (Including Scrub Worms). A group of 'Bidgee boys fished just downstream from us and landed bugger all, even with massive surface action dead ahead of them. How did we do so well, three fish over a couple of hours is far from it unfortunately. However, our rigs were disturbed on numerous occasions due to attention to detail, presentation and location.
I cant recall the last time I went fishing for Carp (Wait, yes I can). Needless to say it was in my mid 20's and close to 10 years ago with very limited success. Our Kayak Fishing Adventures are normally based around superior species so we rarely tangle with these genus (Sans Tallowa trip). With monster swells down the coast and a very unpredictable forecast for the alpine region we chose to stay local and stay off the water.
With the native population shut down and Redfin a diamond dozen are only option was to watch TV or chase some Euro invaders. Trekking down towards the lower 'Bidgee we followed a feeder creek below the main Tuggeranong spillway fishing as we went. Small pooled areas greeted us on many corners and whilst probably holding fish the normal activity signs were non-apparent. Still we fished them for moments in time, not without trying.
As we hit the 'Bidgee it obviously opened up a new can of worms. Loud and noisy Carp could be heard splashing in the distance. We set up on a prominent mark fishing both the exit of the creek and the muddy main. The fishing was slow for an hour but eventually the kernels did the trick, bringing localised fish into our vicinity. The first rig to take off was an experimental one, one chartruese Powerbait nugget accompanied by two corn kernels.
The noisy drag of the small Seido reel woke me from my boredom slumber. Any fish was a good fish as these were being kept to manifest into Snapper tucker for a later date. Jason pitched a heavier presented Scrub Worm into the faster current that was picked up while we were taking happy snaps of fish number one. By the time he got to rod it was almost all over with the Carp close to reaching a monsters snag.
Setting up the video quickly I was able to capture some of the more intimate moments Jason shared with this fish. It was rubbing, wrestling and struggling but stayed up top (Going deep would have easily earned it freedom). It took a good tussle to bring it in, some fancy rod work was definately required (More Snapper bait). The action died down somewhat after that, I had some close calls with moving lines, dropped baits and one clever Carp.
In the end the smart ass lost, mouthing the kernel husk one too many times. Three or four times previous I had watched line move off and even the rod bend (Each time feeling the bait slip out of its mouth). Just before we packed up I witnessed it again, this time though I fed more slack and waited and waited and waited. The line sort of froze after a couple of minutes so was suprised that when I placed weight on the retrieve a small Carp came to the bank (About the size of a decent Redfin).
Darkness set in and the weather grew even colder, we bid fairwell to the 'Bidgee. People shun Carp and I understand why, menacing feral species that not only help destroy native fish habitat but also bring scourge among our lands. I saw a different side today, the side of sport. Sure they pull hard and take line, but thats not exactly what I am refering to. Over the next couple of months I will try to explain my conclusion, whilst further studying the art of Carpology.
Carp eat Powerbait nuggets, accompanied with some corn kernels anyway. They also eat worms in various forms (Including Scrub Worms). A group of 'Bidgee boys fished just downstream from us and landed bugger all, even with massive surface action dead ahead of them. How did we do so well, three fish over a couple of hours is far from it unfortunately. However, our rigs were disturbed on numerous occasions due to attention to detail, presentation and location.
I cant recall the last time I went fishing for Carp (Wait, yes I can). Needless to say it was in my mid 20's and close to 10 years ago with very limited success. Our Kayak Fishing Adventures are normally based around superior species so we rarely tangle with these genus (Sans Tallowa trip). With monster swells down the coast and a very unpredictable forecast for the alpine region we chose to stay local and stay off the water.
With the native population shut down and Redfin a diamond dozen are only option was to watch TV or chase some Euro invaders. Trekking down towards the lower 'Bidgee we followed a feeder creek below the main Tuggeranong spillway fishing as we went. Small pooled areas greeted us on many corners and whilst probably holding fish the normal activity signs were non-apparent. Still we fished them for moments in time, not without trying.
As we hit the 'Bidgee it obviously opened up a new can of worms. Loud and noisy Carp could be heard splashing in the distance. We set up on a prominent mark fishing both the exit of the creek and the muddy main. The fishing was slow for an hour but eventually the kernels did the trick, bringing localised fish into our vicinity. The first rig to take off was an experimental one, one chartruese Powerbait nugget accompanied by two corn kernels.
The noisy drag of the small Seido reel woke me from my boredom slumber. Any fish was a good fish as these were being kept to manifest into Snapper tucker for a later date. Jason pitched a heavier presented Scrub Worm into the faster current that was picked up while we were taking happy snaps of fish number one. By the time he got to rod it was almost all over with the Carp close to reaching a monsters snag.
Setting up the video quickly I was able to capture some of the more intimate moments Jason shared with this fish. It was rubbing, wrestling and struggling but stayed up top (Going deep would have easily earned it freedom). It took a good tussle to bring it in, some fancy rod work was definately required (More Snapper bait). The action died down somewhat after that, I had some close calls with moving lines, dropped baits and one clever Carp.
In the end the smart ass lost, mouthing the kernel husk one too many times. Three or four times previous I had watched line move off and even the rod bend (Each time feeling the bait slip out of its mouth). Just before we packed up I witnessed it again, this time though I fed more slack and waited and waited and waited. The line sort of froze after a couple of minutes so was suprised that when I placed weight on the retrieve a small Carp came to the bank (About the size of a decent Redfin).
Darkness set in and the weather grew even colder, we bid fairwell to the 'Bidgee. People shun Carp and I understand why, menacing feral species that not only help destroy native fish habitat but also bring scourge among our lands. I saw a different side today, the side of sport. Sure they pull hard and take line, but thats not exactly what I am refering to. Over the next couple of months I will try to explain my conclusion, whilst further studying the art of Carpology.
