MJL

Fantastic report Cliff and big congrats Bly on the new PB.

Do I really have to sell my soul to the devil to catch fish like that? Couldn't I just lease mine to DSN until I catch all the PB's I want?

Great write-up Lorne. The business end of the rig doesn't look all that different from what I used years ago as a kid...I've moved onto other rigs but thinking back, it was simple and very effective.

See you at the Can/Am in 19 days. Earlier if we run into each other at Hammy Harbour

Thats suits some but, let bullies rule the river? You have to be kidding.

 

Some will run, some will hide, others will try to turn the tide.

 

forrest

Fair play if you're 6'6" and 280+lbs...All the best to you for making a difference.

Being less than half that size, I'm still waiting for Simms or Patagucci to bring out their Kevlar stab-proof line of waders and wading jackets.LOL

Grew up fishing the eastern tribs and have seen people do some crazy things over half dead chinnies when they're in the rivers.

Big congrats Cliff

Actually makes me want to dust off the pier gear and burn some calories tossing spoons this weekend. It'll give me a chance to try those spoons BPS fooled me with called Little Leos...I felt like a dumb@$$ when I got home and looked at the package.LOL

So many memories from that spot when the powerplant was still there. I spent a lot of time there when my dad worked in the plant. Fish would come out year round because of the warm water discharge. In other places I've caught carp well into October - I usually switch to fishing steelhead around that time. If the water isn't iced over, you can pretty much catch them year round.

I'm guessing the place is still infested with gobies. If you use canned corn, there's a great possibility that you're going to get picked off quite a bit...The gobies annihilate any soft baits like canned corn, bread, worms, doughballs, etc and tear them to pieces. If you're stuck in the city and without a car, go over to the nearest bulk-food store for bait. Chick peas, black-eye beans and kidney beans make excellent hookbaits when you buy the dry ones, soak them overnight and then boil them for 10-15 minutes - You can flavour them if you wish (I find the canned versions a little too soft). If you're lucky enough to drive to a farm-feed store, maize (AKA cattle corn) works well if you soak 24hrs and boil for 30min. These baits are attractive to carp yet they're durable enough to withstand the gobies. The alternative is to tie up your corn in a spawn sack often used by steelheaders for their roe bags.

For a relatively inexpensive and available chumming mix (aka groundbait) that can be purchased at a bulk-food store; bread crumbs + brown sugar (or molasses) + 12 grain cereal + cornmeal + enough water to dampen the mix is effective at attracting and holding carp in an area you're fishing. Both the scent and the cloud in the water attracts fish and gets them rooting around for the small bits of food. Adding a handful of whatever you're using as the hookbait adds to the effectiveness of the mix. Everyone has their own secret recipes for groundbait - Myself included

Best of luck

Kick @ss report Tibbs

Sturgeon fishing is one thing I'd love to do in the future. Looks like all of you had a blast on the trip. Dying to get out there myself. Thanks for sharing.

Congrats on the catch...I'm surprised you didn't have the camera...In all the times we fished together, you were my net and camera guy

I remember my first mirror carp. It was a fully scaled mirror, black in colour and each scale had a silver lining to it. Like DSN, I didn't have the camera. I usually get 1 every couple of years. Before the carp die-off in the Kawarthas, my dad used to get at least 1 per year there.

A few mirrors that I managed to take pics of

From earlier this year

From a couple years ago

From a time before I owned a digi-cam...Scanned this one

A baby mirror - about the size of a Kleenex box. Caught lots of mirrors around this size.

For salmon I normally use fluoro leaders from 8-12lb.

Totally agree with Solopaddler on fighting technique. Side pressure most of the time with the spool locked giving line only when you really have to.

A few years ago I used to be strictly a mono user (12-17lb) and loved it. The last 3-4 years I've been using braided lines more and more because I find they handle zebra mussels, weeds, snags, bridge pilings, etc much better. I can only think of a few venues I currently fish that don't have any of these problems. Braid also handles better in heavy current situations than mono which tends to stretch a lot - If you're using bite alarms, you'll get a lot of false indication because of the stretch especially at long range. At the moment I have 50-65lb PowerPro on most of my reels now and can count on a single hand over the last 3 years the number of fish which have broken me off.

I've never had serious problems with hookpulls using braid. I actually had more hookpulls using mono. The majority of my carp rods either have a progressive or a slow taper which handles braid nicely. A looser drag setting also helps.

One thing I don't like about PowerPro is that it is far less stealthy than mono or fluorocarbon and more visible to the fish as they feed around your rigs. It also floats when you don't want it to. I've also seen grooving on hardloy or hi-alloy guides (Never had a problem with grooving on SIC or alconite guides)

As far as fish safety is concerned, there are several other contributors to mouth damage beyond the usage of braided mainlines. Some types and patterns of hooks have been noted to cause serious mouth damage; the use of high test-curve rods on smaller fish; There is also an on-going debate whether barbless hooks actually cause more damaged than barbed hooks where the damage is done during the fight rather than during the removal of the hook. When I use braided lines, I don't notice any more damage to the fish than when I used mono.

With that said, for snag-free/zebra mussel-free waters, I still use heavier mono but for everything else, I'd use braid.

Amazing catches C&C.

I totally love the markings on the muskies. Catching a muskie is definitely on my life's to-do list.

Congrats on the PB!

I've only fished in Long Sault once. It was last August. My dad and I got into a decent number of carp from 5-22lbs on our trip. From what the locals tell me, July/August is a slow time for the larger fish (30+lbs). Still plenty of tiddlers around for action. The larger fish start moving back into the area in September and October. If you're going out that way, stop into the Long Sault motel and ask Jeff or Colin for a few tips.

Hope this helps

For a lot of my fishing near fallen trees, submerged shopping carts, submerged picnic tables and bridge pilings, I use 50-65lb PowerPro mainlines combined with rigs tied with 20lb mono/Fluoro or 20-30lb braid.

MJL.. u GOTTA get out of the city brother!

 

Come on down to London anytime and i will take you to a GREAT carp river with NO "accessories". lol

At the moment southern Ontario is my playground. Already have the Thames and a couple lakes down that way on my to-fish list.

Urban Fisherman, I think that tiddler you caught might actually be a species of quillback instead of a carp. There's something not carpy about that dorsal fin. A rare catch.

Ditch the Froghair leaders. I've never had positive experiences with the stuff. I've used it in 4lb all the way up to 15lb and IMO it's just as bad as Berkley Vanish. I found Froghair fluorocarbon (and the mono) leader materials had poor abrasion resistance and poor knot strength (I always lubricate the knots with saliva). If I'm using fluorocarbon as a hair rig material, I use Seagar and P-Line in 15-25lb - Never had a problem with either.

I have found that in some areas I fish - especially in clear water and highly pressured from other anglers - carp sometimes spook at the sign of braided mainlines and/or leaders...Ironically they don't seem to mind when it hangs vertically when I'm float fishing.

For a lot of my fishing near fallen trees, submerged shopping carts, submerged picnic tables and bridge pilings, I use 50-65lb PowerPro mainlines combined with rigs tied with 20lb mono/Fluoro or 20-30lb braid.

Great going C&C

That's some great multi-species action. Wouldn't mind getting into a few sheepies like that myself.

WTG

Awesome report and pics. The scenery in that area is absolutely stunning.

Most likely you already have gear suitable enough to land carp. I've used my float rods and heavier salmon/steelhead rods for years and landed fish to 36lbs+ with them. I've used reels without baitrunners for years and backed the drag off enough to simulate the free-spool nature of the baitrunner function.

Personally I'd recommend not skimping out on a decent baitrunner if you choose to go that route. I'd stick with Shimano or Daiwa. The Baitrunner function allows line to peel off the spool during the first run. A malfunctioning baitrunner can lead you to losing your rod + reel + anything else attached (Like a rod pod + bite alarms - I've seen these go into the drink too because of a malfunctioning baitrunner). A smooth drag is also important for fighting large carp.

Hope this helps.

Great fish man!!

how heavy was your sinker when fished whirlpool, its absolutely beautiful.

Thanks

We were using leads that were 4-6oz in weight to hold bottom. In the past I found anything lighter tended to drift into snags or get kicked up when the jet-boat came through.

Great report GCD!

Those buffalo are totally cool. Awesome catch for sure. I hear they can grow to 70+lbs in the southern States. Definitely on my life's To-Catch list.

Great report and pics!!!

 

What size and type of hook do you prefer for fishing corn and chick peas?

For most of my carping, I use hair rigs tied with hooks size 6-10 (6 for snaggy/weedy/heavy current waters and 8-10 for most of my general fishing). I use carp hooks made by Kamasan....Mostly a confidence thing for me. They're beefier than the Octopus style of hooks made by Gamakatsu or VMC and they're sticky sharp.

Example of one of my rigs.

I was able to get this week off from work. The project I was working on ended last Friday and the big boss told us to take a break after the terrific job we did. With that said, during the weekend I prepped some bait (mostly particles), sorted out my tackle, tied up rigs and gathered up various bits and bobs of terminal tackle I had laying around in my bedroom. I had absolutely no plan of where I wanted to hit Monday. Sunday night at 11pm I decide to hit the Toronto islands in the morning.

Monday

I left the house at 6:10am - a little later than usual - my house keys were playing hide and seek with me. I managed to reach the docks just in time for the 8:15am ferry. While waiting for the ferry to disembark across the harbour, I catch glimpse of this below

It was grazing on algae with reckless abandon. Perhaps this could be a sign for what the day will bring me.

View from the ferry. I never tire of the Toronto skyline.

I wandered aimlessly looking for cruising fish in some of the canals and bays. The canals and bays that were loaded with hundreds of fish 3 weeks ago were now almost completely devoid of all but a few stragglers. I stopped to fish the main channel that runs through the Islands. The dozen or so fish which I saw cruise by did so without regard for my bed of bait just below. The only thing that was feeding was this swan which continued to munch up my loose fed maize and seed mix. It hissed at me when I tried to scare it with the net.

I spent 5 hours watching fish go up and down the channel. Occasionally one would stop for a quick mouthful of food before continuing on. At 2pm I had enough. I packed up and headed to another canal.

Upon my arrival at the new spot, I accidentally spooked two carp which were indeed vacuuming up the bottom next to a weed-line. I baited up along the “carp highway” and kept a low profile on the bank.

Tips pointed at the bait. Slack lines all the way!

My first fish came at 3:15pm. It hit twin chick peas on a hair. 16lbs 8oz of sheer delight!

There were several dozen fish in this canal. Like the fish in the main channel, these fish were more interested in cruising up and down atop the thick weeds and sunning themselves. At 7:45pm while I was packing up for home, the alarm shrieks and I’m finally into another one. This one fought like a demon possessed and gave me a proper battle.

Left the islands for home at 8:15pm with a slightly lighter back pack and a carpy smelling net

Tuesday

I had access to the car and in the afternoon and I hit up a local swim which I haven’t fished for 6 years. The ministry totally drained the lake a while back and from what other anglers have told me, it’s slowly getting back to how it was before. I opted to leave the heavy carp gear at home and instead took with me my float rod, an assortment of small hooks and shot, waggler floats in various sizes and a can of Pescaviva sweet corn (Tutti Fruity). I haven’t float fished for carp the last 3-4 years and was hoping to try it again.

Watching for dips and lifts on the float.

First fish of the session

Biggest fish of the session

It was quite fun fishing for these tiddlers and will probably have another go at them in the future.

Wednesday

Didn’t have a car so I headed to another local swim to see what the action was like. Caught the 6:15am bus and took it to the subway, took the subway a few stops and hopped onto another bus. Got off the bus at 7:15am and walked a KM to the swim. Upon my arrival I see a mass orgy of carp splashing and chasing each other. Cr@p!

I decided to try it out even with the prospect that I probably would have to sit and watch fish porn for most of the day.

Some fish porn

Spent a couple hours watching fish chase one another. At one point I had to return 2 carp back to the water which stranded themselves on shore. I had tons of liners but couldn’t see any fish actively feeding. I packed up and walked to another swim which wasn’t too far away.

Watching for fish activity

Unfortunately fish at this swim were also spawning and paid no attention to my baits. Spent 2hrs waiting and finally packed up and headed to a third swim.

Fish were also spawning at this swim however there were 10-12 fish actively feeding in the margins very close to shore. Tails were up and they were clouding the water quite a bit. I tossed in a handful of maize 5ft out to see their reaction to the bait…There was none. They continued to feed tight to the shore ignoring the bed of bait behind them. I believe they were feeding on their own eggs which were laid on the rocks in the margins. I put my hookbait tight to the shore line in 1ft of water and waited to see if they’d notice it. I used a single grain of maize + 1 rubber corn for my own visibility. After watching a number of fish pass by and feed around it I got one fish to take at 12:30pm – About bloody time!

Managed to land 1 more fish around 14lbs as I was packing up for home at 3pm. Had to leave for home earlier than I wanted to due to another commitment. Another tough and grueling day but hooking into the 2 fish made me forget about all the time I spent waiting.

Friday

At 7am my dad and I decided to hit either the Bay of Qunite or Niagara whirlpool. We ended up hitting the whirlpool – Sorry Jerry, totally forgot to message you in the mad scramble to pack the car.

After having such a slow week I wasn’t expecting much. I love the whirlpool for its sheer beauty and of course its carp which usually put up a stellar fight. We arrived at the parking lot at 10:15am and walked down the path with 40lbs worth of water, food, bait and tackle.

View of the path. Not looking forward to making the trip back up.

I’ve fished the whirlpool four times before for carp and steelhead and I’m still at awe with the scenery.

We set up our gear and patiently waited for a run

6000 Thunnus and her big sister

10 minutes of waiting my dad’s rod doubles over and he’s into a fish.

Unfortunately he loses it but my rod goes off after a minute or two and I land it

Another long and very slender torpedo which put up an amazing fight.

We only fished for 4hrs. In total my dad and I landed around 25 fish – a couple of those being large channel cats like this one which fell to pineapple flavoured baits. This one is my dad's fish. I unhooked it and set it free.

My dad and I had several double headers. The last 2 carp we caught was a double header and both fish proceeded to swim around one another till they tangled up. We ended up winching both in. Though most of the fish we landed were small (6-12lbs), we both got into a couple larger fish just over 15lbs. Fish came to maize, rubber corn, chick peas and jumbo corn. I even had several fish take the hook bait as soon as it hit bottom. It’s challenging fishing in the heavy current – especially in snaggy water – but it sure feels like bliss when you do hook into a fish. I’m dying to get back there again.

My legs and back are aching – they were aching before I went down to the whirlpool. According to the scale, I lost 5lbs this week with all the exercise from hiking around. Despite the trials of having put a lot of time on the bank for so few fish, I can’t think of a better way to spend my vacation time. Resting up today...Who knows what this weekend will bring?

Hope you enjoyed

In the States a lot of the lines are almost half (Some even less than half) the price of what we pay here in Canada. 300yards of 65lb PowerPro costs around $25 at Cabelas or BassPro (add $4 for 80-100lb). I always smuggle a few spools back with me when I travel over. Failing that, my friends bring stuff back for me for cheap when they travel to the US.

I'm not sure about shelf life but I still have PowerPro spooled on a few of my reels since 1999/2000. Still going strong.

Great report and pics. Awesome hauling!

Congrats.

Awesome carpers - thanks a lot for the tips. I'll be checking out those websites DanielM.

 

As for the hair rigs, do you think it'll improve my hook ups even if I'm not using carp-specific gear (eg: no bait runner)?

A properly tied hair rig IMO improves hookups. As Daniel has mentioned, when a carp sucks up your bait and tension is applied to the rig, the hook will flip (or turn over) in the carps mouth and grab onto any flesh available. This usually entails nailing the carp on its bottom lip (a spot in the mouth more conducive to higher landing percentages). Variations to the hair rig like the D-rig and blow-back rig involve making the hookpoint "heavy" as the carp tries to eject the bait. The bait itself adds "oomph" to the 'hook set'.

Despite popular misconception, a baitrunner will NOT help you land or hook more fish. It also doesn't present the bait any more natural than a reel without one. In many instances, for example, when fishing close to snags, I have my baitrunner disengaged and my drag set ultra tight - Mind you I am very very close to my rod. Fishing in heavy current I have my baitrunner set on maximum tension (which is almost like setting your drag to mod tension). If I'm using a running rig, I simply throw additional slack into the line and have my baitrunner set moderately light to prevent an over run when the fish takes. I have yet to find a situation where I need to set a baitrunner ultra light.

If you want to simulate the 'free-spool' nature of a baitrunner, you can simply loosen your drag on a standard reel.

A baitrunner will however help prevent you losing a rod when you set it down and turn your back to do something.

A few pics from my travels in search of carp.

Boilies

Some boilie fun

Spodding in some bait

Rods on a pod

Banksticks for easy traveling

Getting to the swim with all the gear