Dozens of Carp at a lake near Spokane

[Guy Gregory]

I'm curious about how such a huge population of enormous fish, so close to Spokane is "somewhat unrecognized" as a fun as hell fishery.

Nobody talks….

 

[Buzzy]

They are trash fish. Not worth anyone's time fishing for them. No fun at all. Stick to trout, way more rewarding and much prettier.

A 30 pound trash fish that probably kicked your rearend.

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

I gather that the first rule in the "carp fishing club" is to never talk about the "carp fishing club". That being said....the responses that I have gotten in this thread, lead me to believe that the trick to success is to actually visually present the fly, directly in front of the fish and set the hook at the moment of "slurp"....... I knew that posting this thread would be a source of enlightenment, and I was not wrong. I thank all responders, and am hopeful of more input.

 

[krusty]

True Spokanites don't share the location of 'zipper-lip' trout lake waters, let alone the location of our beloved carp water.

 

[mcswny]

he hook at the moment of "slurp"

Count to three after the slurp.

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

A simple question...For those anglers in the Spokane area targeting Carp......exactly how big do these fish get? For me, a 24in Brown Trout is challenging for my 10 ft 4 wt.....but what I saw last week were fish in a much bigger weight class. I release all the sport fish that I catch, so landing them takes a backseat to hooking them, but dang these monsters might motivate me to buy a heavier weight rod.

 

[krusty]

A simple question...For those anglers in the Spokane area targeting Carp......exactly how big do these fish get? For me, a 24in Brown Trout is challenging for my 10 ft 4 wt.....but what I saw last week were fish in a much bigger weight class. I release all the sport fish that I catch, so landing them takes a backseat to hooking them, but dang these monsters might motivate me to buy a heavier weight rod.

I don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

mcswny thank you so much for your post #45 it probably just saved me years of frustration!

 

[krusty]

A simple question...For those anglers in the Spokane area targeting Carp......exactly how big do these fish get? For me, a 24in Brown Trout is challenging for my 10 ft 4 wt.....but what I saw last week were fish in a much bigger weight class. I release all the sport fish that I catch, so landing them takes a backseat to hooking them, but dang these monsters might motivate me to buy a heavier weight rod.

I don't know what you're talking about.

 

[mcswny]

A simple question...For those anglers in the Spokane area targeting Carp......exactly how big do these fish get? For me, a 24in Brown Trout is challenging for my 10 ft 4 wt.....but what I saw last week were fish in a much bigger weight class. I release all the sport fish that I catch, so landing them takes a backseat to hooking them, but dang these monsters might motivate me to buy a heavier weight rod.

Typically, a 7 or 8wt.

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

I'll come right out and ask it. How much did the biggest carp that you ever caught in this area weigh?

 

[mcswny]

I'll come right out and ask it. How much did the biggest carp that you ever caught in this area weigh?

Oh I’ve never landed one . I finally had my first eat last weekend. But I wouldn’t fish with anything lighter than a 7/8.

 

[Evan B]

I'll come right out and ask it. How much did the biggest carp that you ever caught in this area weigh?

Haven't weighed any. But guessing 20ish

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

When I saw the size of these fish. I knew that my normal "trout rod" would be comical. The fish I saw in just one quick kayak trip were "impressive" to say the least. As I type these words Evan B says 20ish... that is the kind of information that keeps me on this website ...thank you sir (Evan B)

 

[Evan B]

Most are typically like this which I'd put in the 10-12lb class.

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

Ok... Evan B that is, without a doubt, bad ass. Nuff said.

 

[Brute]

Consider a Mahi Mahi with the intense colors it comes out of the water with. Now think of the carp. What fish has more beauty? Personally I can not answer that question. Carp, to me, have an inner beauty that is often overlooked....creatures without teeth hold a special place in my heart.

Mahi mahi are prettier…on the grill

 

[Evan B]

Mahi mahi are prettier…on the grill

You can get those in the PNW too

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

Them damn Dolphin Fish,,, they are like a shooting star. So bright and colorful but only for a short amount of time. Ten minutes later they are kind of grey and don't taste very good. Magnificent fish to be sure....but the photos provided by Evan B show another majestic fish here in my backyard that deserves every bit of respect to the Mahi Mahi (IMHO)

 

[Buzzy]

I'll come right out and ask it. How much did the biggest carp that you ever caught in this area weigh?

I've never weighed a carp but two years ago I was fishing with Chief and caught a carp, I guessed the weight and was pretty close at just over 6 pounds. He has a scale and weighs fish in his net. I'd guess that the biggest carp I've caught were less than 20 pounds but probably pushing 20. Here's @Engee with a pretty good sized carp:

No offense to @mcswny, I don't wait three seconds. If a carp eats, I set the hook. Quickly. But he's spot on with rod weight.