Having recently moved to SC, I was impressed by the number of people I see shore fishing in the rivers around Columbia. What also struck me was how few fish most people were catching. While this likely has something to do with the season, it seems to me that many people are missing out on a species that is abundant and relatively easy to catch with a little preparation. I am referring to carp (both common and grass). While carp often get blamed for many fishery ills, many are unfounded and the fact is that carp possess many qualities that likely contribute to their rank as a top sportfish world wide. The Congaree River in Columbia has much to offer the angler, and this includes both common and grass carp.
There seems to be a lack on understanding about how to capture these fish however. If I have time I will be detailing my efforts to catch these fish. But incase I don't I will briefly talk abut what I have found so far. The best luck I have had so far as been with pre-baiting (chumming) the day before I fish. Every type of pre-bait I have tried has produced. These include chicken feed with sweet corn, fish pellets, and boilies (a bait made for carp). The bait I have been using to catch the fish have been all over, but boilies of all flavors have produced well. I have no doubt that other baits will work but I have yet to try them. For the rig I either fish with a method feeder or a small PVA bag of pellets (see http://www.americancarpsociety.com/cyp-menu-page.html for some techniques). As far as what spot to fish, I have just been targeting the areas below rocks and other current breaks - it seems to be working! The ones in the middle of the river seem to be best.
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There seems to be a lack on understanding about how to capture these fish however. If I have time I will be detailing my efforts to catch these fish. But incase I don't I will briefly talk abut what I have found so far. The best luck I have had so far as been with pre-baiting (chumming) the day before I fish. Every type of pre-bait I have tried has produced. These include chicken feed with sweet corn, fish pellets, and boilies (a bait made for carp). The bait I have been using to catch the fish have been all over, but boilies of all flavors have produced well. I have no doubt that other baits will work but I have yet to try them. For the rig I either fish with a method feeder or a small PVA bag of pellets (see http://www.americancarpsociety.com/cyp-menu-page.html for some techniques). As far as what spot to fish, I have just been targeting the areas below rocks and other current breaks - it seems to be working! The ones in the middle of the river seem to be best.
Update:
Made it out Sunday afternoon for a few hours. The weather was great. I was using some boilies I had made in a shrimp/strawberry flavor that I fished in a snowman arrangement with a white pop-up. I combined this with a small PVA bag of pellets. First fish I caught was a 16in channel catfish. Not a carp but I am always happy to catch a fish. After a bit I had another run. This was a much bigger fish. When I got it to the net it turned out to be a grass carp. A nice sized one that would not fit in my net very well. I took some pics and put it on the scale. 45lbs 2oz making it the biggest grass carp I have caught so far. After that I caught 2 more eating sized channel cats before I had to pack it in.
Made it out Sunday afternoon for a few hours. The weather was great. I was using some boilies I had made in a shrimp/strawberry flavor that I fished in a snowman arrangement with a white pop-up. I combined this with a small PVA bag of pellets. First fish I caught was a 16in channel catfish. Not a carp but I am always happy to catch a fish. After a bit I had another run. This was a much bigger fish. When I got it to the net it turned out to be a grass carp. A nice sized one that would not fit in my net very well. I took some pics and put it on the scale. 45lbs 2oz making it the biggest grass carp I have caught so far. After that I caught 2 more eating sized channel cats before I had to pack it in.
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