Carp Bait

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I had two good size carp on the line using hot dog pieces as bait. I didn't manage to land either, I think I need to revise either the hook size or the bait peice size / hair length. They both managed to shake loose.... and escape with a free hot dog dinner.
 
I had two good size carp on the line using hot dog pieces as bait. I didn't manage to land either, I think I need to revise either the hook size or the bait peice size / hair length. They both managed to shake loose.... and escape with a free hot dog dinner.
What size hook were you using?
The bait on the hair should come to about 1/8 of an inch or less from the apex of the curve of the hook.
proper hair length.png
 
Looking at your sketch, I think I may have had the hair length too long, plus I'm not sure using a 8 aberdeen was the best choice. I have a feeling both fish were lightly hooked in the lip, giving me the impression of fish on, before taking off.
I'm thinking of upgrading to a hook with a wider gape. Is 8 good for size or should I try a size 6?

I'm presenting the bait cut off in slices, then each slice halved and partially cut out, so I can fold the hot dog skin around a piece about the size of a chickpea. I'm threading two pieces onto the hair through the tougher skin.
The inside pieces that I am clipping off I am fine cutting and using to lightly groundbait the area i'm casting into.

If I'm way off on this, feel free to point me in the right direction....
 
What size hook were you using?
The bait on the hair should come to about 1/8 of an inch or less from the apex of the curve of the hook.
View attachment 8531

How do you set that up, when I fish for carp with corn... I hook the corn onto the hook, sometimes it comes off, so I put on like 5 corn on one hook, didn't know you could set up a hook for carp like that, I gotta try it out sometime.
 
I honestly feel that a #8 hook is too small for carp here unless you are targeting small carp. I think a #4 long shank with a turned down eye is the best choice for fishing the hair rig. This is just my opinion of course.
 
i just got back from milne park in markham. tried my hair rig out today...didnt get much fishing in. but im planning on going back out in an hour or soo...maybe il go to rouge..i herd theres some nice carp there.

i was using corn on my hair rig...but u knw what was annoying, i used an old jig as a bating needle...works fine but when you slide the bait back on the hair..the barb really rips through the bait..kinda annoying. neways i didnt even get a bite..:(.. might get some hotdogs :p..give it try.
 
i just got back from milne park in markham. tried my hair rig out today...didnt get much fishing in. but im planning on going back out in an hour or soo...maybe il go to rouge..i herd theres some nice carp there.

i was using corn on my hair rig...but u knw what was annoying, i used an old jig as a bating needle...works fine but when you slide the bait back on the hair..the barb really rips through the bait..kinda annoying. neways i didnt even get a bite..:(.. might get some hotdogs :p..give it try.
Not much you can do about that except you could try grinding the barb down a bit. Also use the cheapest canned corn you can find. The kernels tend to be bigger and tougher.
 
ya i thot id grind the barb down a bit. btw hammer..i was wondering. what do carp usually like hanging around...shallow or deep? are they like bass where youd target structure?
 
ya i thot id grind the barb down a bit. btw hammer..i was wondering. what do carp usually like hanging around...shallow or deep? are they like bass where youd target structure?

The same stuff that holds other fish will also hold carp. The edge of weed beds, drop offs, shelfs, current breaks, inside bends, all can hold carp. It can be helpful to look for signs that carp are feeding, like bubble trails, dimples on the surface and carp rolling or jumping. Shallow or deep really depends on other factors like water temperature, O2 content, food availability and more. Carp are not afraid to venture into very shallow water if they are undisturbed.
 
nice..thanks alot.
i did see alot of bubbles today...didnt see one carp tho. saw a turtle lol...wat about time of the day?..
 
nice..thanks alot.
i did see alot of bubbles today...didnt see one carp tho. saw a turtle lol...wat about time of the day?..
With carp it is hard to say. With predatory fish mornings and evenings are good because the angle of the sun allows them to pick out single prey from a school. With carp that does not apply.
 
When I was at the mouth of the humber on Friday the carp were active and rolling on the surface right up to lunchtime (cloudy day)
 
do you guys use peanuts (bird nuts at all)

if you soak them in sweetened water (with lots and lots of sugar added) and then boil them up for 20 mins they make a very very instant carp bait.
 
is treated hemp seed or tiger nuts (chuffa nuts) available in canada? both are some of the best carp baits you can use.
 
Yes and yes. PM sent.

Hi, I was just reading through the milne dam/toogood pond forums and I saw that you know a good amount about carp rigs and general knowledge of the fish. Im an avid angler and have always been in bass-pike tournaments but was wondering if you could shed your knowledge to a young gun like myself. I was wondering what kind of rig I could buy(not rod/reel I have every type of rod known to man!) and what bait best goes with it. All I know is that carp are picky eaters but the fight they give is such a blessing to go through.
 
Hi, I was just reading through the milne dam/toogood pond forums and I saw that you know a good amount about carp rigs and general knowledge of the fish. Im an avid angler and have always been in bass-pike tournaments but was wondering if you could shed your knowledge to a young gun like myself. I was wondering what kind of rig I could buy(not rod/reel I have every type of rod known to man!) and what bait best goes with it. All I know is that carp are picky eaters but the fight they give is such a blessing to go through.

You can buy " hair rigs" from most places that sell carp gear. If you google " hair rig" you will see pictures of it. They are easily made . So you have a choice. The standard bait to use on a hair rig is corn, Canned corn is a good bait but it is soft and small fish will rob you. Most guys use either store bought prepared corn , like the stuff from CUKK or Demon Baits, they are a lot firmer or they boil feed corn bought from a co-op, it is a lot firmer.
I fish another rig called a paylake rig. I tie a hooklink/snell about 4 " long to a 2/0 straight eye wide gap hook. This goes to a swivel above which I have a sliding egg sinker. I use puffed corn cereal on the hook and then I pack bait around it. The bait I pack around it falls apart and acts like chum.
 
Hi, I was just reading through the milne dam/toogood pond forums and I saw that you know a good amount about carp rigs and general knowledge of the fish. Im an avid angler and have always been in bass-pike tournaments but was wondering if you could shed your knowledge to a young gun like myself. I was wondering what kind of rig I could buy(not rod/reel I have every type of rod known to man!) and what bait best goes with it. All I know is that carp are picky eaters but the fight they give is such a blessing to go through.
BREAD BALL WINNER! lol sorry. i have been out carp quite abit, my first year too and i have been getting alot! i made my own bait, but also just use regular corn on the hook, insted of buying chum i make it, out of old bread in an old peanut butter jar, and add flour, corn syrup and corn meal...
i find it has done wonders, it also stays on your bait feeder alot longer(one or two cast) you can go on youtube and find other was to make the bait.. i hear if you get cow corn from the farming store and sock it in water for 24 hr it works good as well,
 

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