Mike Pike

Good points MJL. If that fish had just shown up on the bank with that weight for the first time, it was probably recently planted there. However, I think it was a 'known' fish that anglers had been targeting, but there are too few details unfortunately. As far as European carp records go, it's what they have in Britain as that's the type of fishing that's evolved there. They don't have public access to rivers nor do they have the abundance or size of lakes that we take for granted here in Canada. They fish primarily in former gravel pits, if they have have a membership or have purchased a ticket to fish the day. Some of these waters have a very low stock of fish and catching the 'proper ones' involves a lot of dedication and determination. Unlike our pro fisherman who tackle fame and fortune in their $$$$ bass boats, the swankiest piece of equipment a British carp angler may have would be his wheelbarrow to haul his gear around the lake. lol

I wonder if there was a way they can test the fish to determine whether or not it was born and raised in British waters. Since the Angler who caught the fish has a sponsor, there is probably more scrutiny on the catch and it's legitimacy as a British record. Unfortunately, it looks like the Angler will never truly be able to enjoy his accomplishment due to the circus surrounding it now.

Nice job going to plan B and getting rewarded! Yes, the harbour can be full of 'em at this time. I see salmon jumping regularly while sitting and carping on Pier 8.

Wow, fish looks even bigger that 28lbs to me.

That's really great to hear! A lot of money for a single day event! So, how did you do in the axe throw? ( I set up kinda close and was glad everyone was pretty accurate.. lol )

Hey, I was carping down at Hammy Harbour on Saturday and was watching all you guys run by me, throwing axes at a target, and continuing on to another challenge. Looked pretty grueling, so congratulations to you, Biteme.Esq! ( I get exhausted just hauling all my carp gear around.. lol ) And great to hear how much you guys raised for Special Olympics! Good on ya!

Lew, your garage is nicer than my home. Bet there's always a bud around who'll share a boat with ya, Lew.

Welcome to the board and to carp fishing. I can't comment on locations out your way in Mississauga but as MJL said, the carping in Hamilton Harbour is pretty good and your choices of places to fish are good here, as well( see MJL's list ). Pier 8 usually heats up around this time of year. There is a lot of parking and shore access, so it would be a good place to try if you are traveling east for fish. Goodluck.

Dang! I was having a ton of issues posting pics due to 'file size' and I've finally found a work around( Yup, not the sharpest tool in the shed here ). Anyhoo, I have a few outings I am now able to share, so sorry about the delay and I hope you enjoy anyway. This was a carp session I enjoyed a couple of months ago on the north shore of Hammy Harbour at one of my favourite early season carp spots. I set up at my usual swim and enjoyed the S/W winds blowing on my face, kicking up water in front of me and hopefully stirring up the carp. However, things were pretty quite and I thought I should do a little hiking to see if I could see any fish moving about. Fish or no fish, I love strolling around the harbour early in the morning. It's pretty peaceful before all the boaters awake, start fussing about their vessels and start plying the waters. Besides the fishermen, the only other active creatures in the early morning are the birders and their subjects. Along my walk, I peered into the water and although the wind had built up the waves along the rock jetty, I could still see a carp swimming along in the margins. That'll do! I quickly went to get my gear, and relocated in this new spot with the hope of some action. I threw a handful of corn not more than a few feet in front of me where I had seen the carp 'give away the game.' Then, I cast my bolt-rigged maize on a hair in the middle of the offerings and went to set the rod down on the pod. Before the rod even touched the holder, it jerked violently in my hands, responding to the carp on the other end and I was holding on to one angry fish! It began kiting to the right and made it's way back in towards the jetty 30 or so yards down from me, then headed right back out into open water. After a spirited tussle, I netted this spunky little fella of 14lbs. Well, I was well please the pressure was off and I set about adding another handful of corn into the area and, once again, pitched my baited rig into the marginal water. This time, I actually had time to set my rod down onto the pod, but before I could click on the free spool, the next fish had taken my bait, bolted out into the open lake, and I was away again! This fish also gave a good account of itself and by the time I had played it closer to the net, the wind had died and the lake had calmed enough for me to be able to see the action under the surface. My fish was being followed by several other smaller fish and I suddenly realized what I was seeing. I had hooked a female and it was still being pursued by several smaller males looking to make a love connection. Yup, the spawn was on! The fish was a fatty of about 17lbs and I was happy to have caught her. Once I had taken the photo and release her, the spawning activity had increased around me and it was pretty amazing to watch. The rolling and thrashing was occurring above the water almost as much as below it! Furious spawning fish would suddenly erupt out of nowhere, splashing and dashing all over the harbour. One thing that was evident was that during the spawn, there were still catchable fish. My little feeding zone was being cleaned out so I chummed some more and cast my presentation back out and waited. And waited. And waited. Well, at least I had time to sit back with a cool bottled water, relax, and just enjoy my surroundings. The beauty of the harbour here is that you can set your seat in one direction and take in the activities at the steel mill. Or turn your seat to the other direction, and look at miles of undeveloped shoreline. Just while I was stretching my legs, the bite alarm screamed a one-toner and I was in again! This time, the fish kited to the right and my line dangerously rubbed along a rocky point of shoreline jutting out from the jetty. Fortunately, the fish decide to run back out into open water then kited to the left. As it got closer to shore, I once again observed the smaller carp close alongside my fish and matching it, move for move. By the time I was able to get it safely into the net, a fisherman just down from me who had observed the action had come over and kindly took a picture of the 21lb fighter. As the noon day sun rose and the heat of the day started to take it's toll, I decided it was time to pack up and reward myself with a cold one. A fun day and I can't wait to get back and see if I can catch a few more of the harbour's battlers!

Dang, I just updated to Windows10 and discovered my Microsoft Backgammon is no longer available. I loved playing against live people all over the world anytime, day or night, even though the game had A LOT of glitches. Now I know why Microsoft never bothered addressing any of 'em. Oh well, guess I gotta buy a board and play the old fashioned way. lol

Does anyone know if that sarcastic sign and accompanying ugly, trashy looking tape has been taken down? If those are 'friends" of Humber Park I'd hate to meet the enemies. It sounds to me like birdwatchers took it upon themselves and with no authorization to erect those eye-soars, demonizing fisherman while they were at it.

They can write but I believe it was under duress.

Ya, I've been carping for years and have yet to catch my first mirror and they got 'em back to back. Wow!

Wow, some gorgeous fish there, and lots of 'em! Family, cottage and carp; can it get any better. Kids look like they're having a blast. Nice bonus mirrors!

Fantastic photos, Mike. And some real nice specimens there too. Nice job.

Wow, that's another beauty Pump. Good shootin'. You barley get your hand around the tail. Nice specimen.

Now THAT'S a selfie! Billiant shot Mike!

Plus, it would just be cool having Thor on your team.

I want one! My one expedition went unrewarded last week. Congratulations guys.

Which asses did you vote for? lol

Don't you hate having to target 'alternative' species? lol Good shooting!

Something to be said for workin' 9 to 5. Congratulations. I've never worked shifts and don't think I ever could have! lol

Even in the winter when their metabolism slows, carp will still eat( although much less ), Garcia. The other time when they are tough to catch is when you observe them spawning. When you see them in the shallows, rolling and splashing in a group and generally making a ruckus, those are spawning fish! Pretty neat to watch but not to fish. I observed this last spring one day and just moved off to another location in the bay where the carp weren't in such an amorous mood and I still managed to catch two fish that morning.

Way to go Garcia. Me thinks your fish will be just fine, and congratulations on getting your first of the season. Keep at it!

Real nice looking carp there, Loncar! That would be a day of fun, and congratz on getting your season off to a nice start.