One of the things I wanted to do more this year was Carp fishing, I did it a lot as a kid but I haven't targeted them much since. I almost forgot how fun it is to fish for them. I usually like to set up three or four rods with top/bottom rigs, I like hook sizes from #2 to #4, #2 prefered, some people like smaller hooks but I think I get a better hook set with larger hooks, speaking of hook sets, thats one thing that can be difficult when fishing for carp, they put up such a great fight, constantly making quik bursts in different directions that its common for them to rip the hook out of their own mouth, I find that keeping a loose drag and taking your time bringing them in helps, you basically have to tire them out. I always preferred just using canned yellow sweet corn over other baits just because I think its easier, it stays on the hook well and works good, especially if you throw out some handfuls of corn for chum to attract them. I actually set up a small garden shovel and attached a paint roller stick to the end, that way I can heave the corn far out to where my baits are.
You should check your baits once and a while though, there are times when tiny fish will find your bait and steal it without you even knowing it
What I look for when targetting Carp is an area that is usually shallow, maybe 2'-6' and calm, I usually don't do well on windy days. Ofcoarse it also has to be a part of the bay that is fresh water. I usually target them in the rivers closest to me, Middle river, Back river, Patapsco, Bush, Dundee amd Gunpowder, most of the parks from those areas are some of the best spots to target them. like most fish they will be more active when the current is moving (I like when the tide is coming in), But you can still get them on a slack tide.. also after a rain they will usually feed more, eating seeds, berrys,worms, ect..that fell into the water.
Youll usually have to wait a while for the carp to find the bait, sometimes over an hour. But I think thats part of the fun, set everything up, then kick back and relax until you see a rod slowly bending, then set the hook ( firm but not to hard) and get ready for one of the best fights on light tackle that you have ever experienced!
One thing I like to do after setting up my rigs is to cast lures around while im waiting for a Carp, Other species like Large mouth, Rockfish, Catfish (you can get some nice ones hitting your corn BTW), Yellow and White perch are usually in the same areas that you catch carp. If you set up the rods with bite indicators or just a simple bell on the rod tip like I do, you will know when your having a bite without having to sit there and look at your rods.
