Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Does anyone ever target carp in the winter?


Stick500

Recommended Posts

I'm a newbie to this winter spearfishing deal, but I was wondering if anyone ever goes after carp instead of pike in a winter spearhouse? I know that carp congregate in huge schools during the winter but I am under the impression that these schools are typically in the deepest part of the lake.

But what about some of the shallow lakes? Is it possible to set up a spearhouse and have a carp spearing rodeo for a day in some places? Since it's winter, the flesh should be excellent for smoking. Just wondering if any of you guys have ever heard of anyone doing this or if you've accidentally hit on one of these schools.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never caught one in the winter. Seen them on camera a few times but they are never interested in my baits. It's like they never even notice them. Caught many sheepshead but never a carp.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have never seen a carp in the spear hole but I have caught a few on the minnesota river thru the ice some years back.

The first on that I hooked into I was jiggin for eyes and I thought I had a state record on and what a fight it gave then seen the big gold carp thru the hole. not an eye but a fun battle it was and yes it bit my line. I was useing a pimple and a minnow head.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

yes, sorta.

I don't specifically go looking for carp, but spear every one I get a chance to. After a few years on a lake I have an idea when and where I might find them. My best has been 7 carp in a day, done it twice. That number doesn't compare to the barrels of carp the bowfisherman produce, but it's still fun

My plan is to move my house tomorrow to where I have had previous luck with carp this time of the winter. Hopefully things pan out. The lake does have a 30 foot hole, but I set-up in 6-12 feet, with 6 usually being better for carp. They seem to be interested in a decoy a lot like pike, but are spookier, and seldom STOP for a look see. It is cool when a school of carp come through, and than just like duck hunting ya got to pick out one and aim for that one, not flock shoot.

A carp spearing rodeo will probably never happen where I am. Once I hit one, the school spooks away for a while. Might not be long, but could be. To get 7 carp, I would have to throw the spear a minimum of 10 times. Misses happen with carp. Throw in a couple of pike on the day, and the result is throwing the spear 12 times. 12 spear tosses is way funner than just 2 spear tosses in a day.

As far as HUGE schools of carp...I've not seen them on the lake I spear, but once during late winter a couple of years ago the carp did thin out the ice and made a carp-hole in the lake ice. I moved my house 20 yards away from it, and had only moderate success. Their was no way to set-up directly on it with out pontoons. Usually on that lake they seem to swim in singles and smaller schools hugging the shallow shoreline.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

around here you can get alot of carp. there hard on a spear though. usally any noise like vehicles or drilling your spear hole will spook the big schools away but if you wait a day or two they will come back.

the most i have ever got in a day is probibly 6 or 8 but if they start swimming through i will usally leave the house.

they can be fun to spear though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

thanks for all the tips- I've got a pretty tough old-fashioned spear so I'm not too concerned about bending it up!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see carp in the same areas I see pike in this area. Biggest was a 36 lb carp that my cousin and I got a couple years back. I hit it in the tail as it came across fast and then he stuck it in the head. Even with two spears in it we barely got it up the hole but it was fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

mj you have that lazer cut right? should bend back to normal, I bent some tines on a carp last year, bent back fine and still works great!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I stuck it with my spear which isn't laser cut. I bent it back into shape.

The laser cut I bought was for Mollie and her family.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was excited about it. It's the biggest fish I have ever caught or speared by a long shot.

A nice pike would satisfy me alot more but it was fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see carp in the same areas I see pike in this area. Biggest was a 36 lb carp that my cousin and I got a couple years back. I hit it in the tail as it came across fast and then he stuck it in the head. Even with two spears in it we barely got it up the hole but it was fun.

That sounds like some excitement!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My laser cut gets bent on pike too sometimes depending on angle and size. They are pretty easy to bend back and they still work fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • SkunkedAgain
      Hogs! Hogs!!!
    • MarkB
      My 2 cousins and myself just finished up a windy 4 day trip to our favorite lake. It was the last of the year and was eventful to say the least. When we arrived, water temperatures were 61 degrees and when we left yesterday morning the water temps had dropped to 54 degrees. The fishing was fantastic, once again, and we caught walleyes, bass, and northerns on minnows and crawlers(northerns only on minnows). We found the fish adjacent to shallow rock piles(14') in 20'-28' of water. Our best fishing hours of the day were ~5:30 -twilight in the evenings and until ~ 10:30 in the mornings. Although those two time periods were prime time, fish bit all day. For us, the bite was very light and we probably missed or lost as many fish as we caught. Some people think I'm nuts when I say bead color can make a difference and it certainly did this trip. My cousin's "go to" green/white bead combo did zilch on this trip. It was one translucent red bead and a plain size #2 gamakatsu hook with a 3' leader that produced the fish. We ended up with 137 walleyes and 19 bass for the 4 day outing. We caught far more 17"-19.999" walleyes on this trip than on our previous trips and our numerous slot fish measured from 21"-25". My younger cousin caught 4 slot fish in ~20 minutes one evening. We fish exclusively for walleyes and additional species are incidental. With that said, we caught some beautiful smallmouth bass on this trip and they were right down there with the walleyes, usually in the rocks. As usual, everything is catch and release except for the fish we eat while there and the 12 walleyes(3 individual limits) we take home to the wives. While cleaning some eaters we kept for supper, we always check the stomach contents. One of the walleyes had the jig that is pictured below loose in its stomach!  No attached line, no embedded hook, just the jig! It baffled us as to how in the world it could have gotten there . As you can see, the jig is in good shape so the fish must have swallowed it recently .   The boat traffic was minimal this trip and we had a couple days where it looked as if we had the lake to ourselves. Sunday was a brutal day with wind gusts to 50MPH!. We stayed in and ventured out finally at ~5:00. It turned out to be the best 2 hours of the entire trip. This time, the baby loons were around, the eagles were abundant, the changing leaves made the entire lake area look like a painting. If I could make only one short trip a year to the lake, now would be the time. What capped off the trip was the magnificent display of the Northern Lights. We can't wait for next spring to return, God willing, and, in the meantime, good fishing.  MarkB🙂 The jig found in the stomach of a walleye we ate.   My young cousin with his best of the trip.   a chunky 17" smallmouth   19.5" smallmouth
    • leech~~
      Well, since they both say Propane on them.  Not propane QT++ their probably both the same gender!  🤭
    • Wanderer
    • Brianf.
      What an amazing extended weekend. The fish were happy and cooperated nicely.   We also had the unique experience of fishing under Northern Lights each of the last three nights in pristine weather conditions.  I wish everyone could have that experience, even if just once.  The pics below don't do it justice, though you get the idea.  The walleyes are putting on the feedbag and some are getting rather plump.  We caught mostly slot fish with several 'overs' in our bag.  Our two biggest weighed 8lbs 5oz and 8lb 3oz.     The crappies were active at dusk and beyond.  Almost all of the ones we caught were 14" or bigger.  The biggest we caught was a bit over 15".  We lost two muskies at the boat and caught a 38" pike after dark - quite surprising.   Every fish we caught was immediately released btw.  Water temp 54/55 when we left.  All-in-all, another great fishing experience on Lake Vermilion - for which I'm so incredibly appreciative.        
    • JerkinLips
    • leech~~
      The price and the label.  It's that same exact gas.  
    • Finns
      I don't use gas anymore, what's the difference between them?
    • Fish Head
      Great to hear from you again Mark! I've always liked your posts over the years. 
    • leech~~
      Yep, it's just you know and I know every dad who takes his kids or family camping for the first time.  Is buying the camping gas no matter the cost, cuz it says "Camping" on it! 🤭🤭
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.