Carp NOT HITTING anything

[Taterman]

Me and my wife fished a local pond yesterday (midday). Bass weren't hitting and it was hotter then hell so we I threw out some corn soaked in Koolaid. We walked around to the far side of the pond and there were huge carp all over the place. They were within 2' of my corn below a bobber but wouldn't touch it. I threw some bread in the water too and they wouldn't eat that either.
Anyone have a plan B?
I want to bring my bow but I think people would freak out because there's picnic areas in there.

[Westwind]

Were the carp in spawning mode(chasing each other and thrashing in the shallows)? If so, then likely they would not be in a biting mood until they are done. Maybe try a stealth approach and rig up a slip sinker to fish your bait on the bottom and stay back from the pond's edge so they cannot see you. Single kernel of corn on a #8 salmon egg hook after tossing in a handful for chum.

[schnoodle]

You can get them to bite during the spawn by throwing a small hair jig, fly, or small plastic like a mini-mite or crappie tube in their face. It is kind of like fishing for salmon during the spawn, you just have to annoy them until they bite.

I've actually had very good luck doing this but never catch carp through traditional chum, throw out a hook with corn and wait technique.

Good luck...

[Taterman]

I don't think they were spawning. They were just hovering out in the middle of the pond. It's a really shallow pond that's long but only about 60' wide. Every time I would would gently cast near them they would drift away very slowly so I wasn't spooking them too much. It got very frustrating.
I did try a slip sinker on the bottom too but no luck after chumming a bit with corn. The bottom is mostly covered in muck.

[The Little King]

based on what I have sene the past few nights there not spawing yet, the females were still stuffed with eggs. I did see quite a few starting to group up

[justo72]

I think they weren't going for anything because they were in spawning mode. When I went fishing yesterday they were cruising the shallows, but only a few spots on the lake did used them start to thrash.

[Ichthyguy]

The carp were going crazy on shorline out at Shabbona about a week ago. I think when the water temp hits about 68 degrees they get going. I know the koi in my pond start earlier because how quickly the water warms up.

Once you see the carp having a smoke on the sandbar you know he is done spawning. Throw him a sandwich... he'll bite!

I would assume if they are not eating corn, then they probably won't hit anything.

[Taterman]

It's a small and very shallow pond. I assume if they are going crazy at Shabbona now then they are done spawning.

[Fonzie]

Were the carp in spawning mode(chasing each other and thrashing in the shallows)? If so, then likely they would not be in a biting mood until they are done. Maybe try a stealth approach and rig up a slip sinker to fish your bait on the bottom and stay back from the pond's edge so they cannot see you. Single kernel of corn on a #8 salmon egg hook after tossing in a handful for chum.

+1


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