I've been a carp fisherman since I was about 10. I've converted a whole lot of people to the joys of the carp in the 34 odd years since then. About the best bait I've ever used is an old boilie bait my aunt taught me to make. Everyone was right about the need to chum, unless you have enough people fishing the same bait in the same general location which does the same thing. Please note that the spawning carp won't bite. You will pick-up a few but nothing like summer when the spawn is over and the water warms up. Mid summer at night/early morning can be killer. I have caught over 100 carp a night on the fox river. Note that the average size of the carp I catch out of the fox are 2 to 8lbs. with a few over 10lbs on most trips. Use 6lb test line with a 1/4oz lindy sinker, small ball bearing swivel and a 6lb 12-16" leader with a single size 4 gamakatsu hook. Mold the dough bait around the single hook and cast towards the center channel, near shore in backwaters or under overhanging trees. A quick bait that a friend uses is Wheaties cereal mixed with water till it forms a ball or canned bread dough. It works fairly well in a pinch. Mix in a little anise seed for extra punch! BTW... my largest carp from the fox... bottomed out a 25lb scale. I know I'll catch hell for this but even with carp please CPR. If you have a garden, keep a few and bury them about a foot down. Your plants will love you for it. Best of luck and enjoy catching one of the most bad-ass fish in the world. Don't beleve me, just wait till a 20 pounder opens up a big old can of whoop-ass and runs your reel.