Sight fishing carp 6-6-12

[Yak Man]

I have seen more carp on the Dupage this year than ever before. It seems every pool, every turn, and every jam in every stretch is holding atleast a few. I counted 13 in a school just lazily cruising in one spot the other day. Ton of suckers it seems too. Anyone else notice this too, or is it just me?

Anywho, me and the woman hit the river for about 45 mins after work last night, to try and do battle with a giant or two before dark. Sight fishing light action spinning gear, with a #8 octopus hook and sweet corn is my rig of choice for these beasts. A little bit of floating weed cover and moss did make things a little more challenging, but the river has cleared up quote a bit from what it has looked like recently.

Saw a few giants, but fish were not very active last night. Hit a few in the head with my bait, and they just weren't in the mood. We did have a few takers tho. First two fish were smaller, in the 3lb range. She ended up with a pretty nice one that ended our outing. After a good 5 minute battle with this one, every fish in the area spooked out. A good note to close on.

[Fonzie]

Dandy carp.
Sweet corn is my bait of choice also.

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[Rikkdd924]

Nice one, were you next to the new bridge they built next to rt. 59? If so try using the mulberries from the tree right there.

[Yak Man]

I have heard other people mention mulberries before. I'll have to give that a try some time. And yea, that was off of Rt. 59. I fish the Duper from Plainfield, down through Channahon. Usually in the Yak, or wading. Every spot I hit seems to be loaded with carp this year.

[Rikkdd924]

When the mulberries start dropping I see around 10 to 15 stack up under the bridge. Ill hook 3 mulberries and no weight and drop it above them. I catch a couple then the rest are spooked.

[ja-knee-sea]

Best bait I ever used for Carp was called "Doc's Carp Getter"... It came in vanilla and strawberry scents... Smelled almost good enough to eat... Pick some of those berries and mix them with crushed corn flakes or in a dough bait concoction

[berk96]

I fished that same area Saturday afternoon and saw a TON of carp. I walked the trail up to the end and got in the water. I ended up catching a few smallies floating a 3" Smoke/Purple tube on a 1/2oz head into holes that were holding fish. There were quite a few smallmouth and even more huge carp from the ComEd high lines all the way up where I stopped wading just north of Chicago Bridge & Iron (according to Google Maps on my iPhone anyways). Tried, with no success, small shaky heads, wacky-rigged worms, and a 1/2oz football with a 3" craw trailer. All in all it was a good 4 hour wade, minus the sunburn!

I've never targeted carp, but I can only imagine the fun one could have on a medium action rod with light test. Might have to bring a couple kernels of corn next outing and give it a go!

[Taterman]

I'd love to try mulberries but I don't know where any grow near me. I looked at them online and they look just like blackberrys. Probably a stupid question, but would blackberrys/raspberrys possible work? I'm not sure what mulberries taste like.

[McChou]

I'd love to try mulberries but I don't know where any grow near me. I looked at them online and they look just like blackberrys. Probably a stupid question, but would blackberrys/raspberrys possible work? I'm not sure what mulberries taste like.

Mulberries are best fished where there is a mulberry tree near/overhanging the water ... I'm sure anthing smelling or looking like one near a fruiting tree would work. I've never tried just fishing them without a fruiting tree nearby to 'chum' the water for me though.

Side note- awesome job Yak Man - love carp fishing!