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DrTheopolis
in this slough. 3-4 were 15+ lbs
I'll preface this post by saying that I've caught thousands of fish in my lifetime, and probably close to 100 different species... but I've never caught a carp, and I've decided it's time. I just moved to Oregon 3 weeks ago so I've been exploring the area, and there seem to be a lot of places for carp fishing.
Last week, I was walking my dog around a little pond/lake in the area (I think it's called Commonwealth Lake, in Beaverton) and saw a half a dozen carp ranging from about 3 to 6 lbs. One swam right up to me within 2 feet of the bank where I was standing. I thought it'd be fun to fight one of those on my light tackle, so I did some Googlin' and went back this morning with a can of corn and gave it a shot.
I only saw two this time, both had to be 5 lbs or more, and I casted my improvised carp rig towards them. Both went up and sniffed it, one even seemed to open its mouth like he was gonna eat it, but neither took it. I expected them to be a little less finicky.
Can anybody offer me any help? My rig was pretty ghetto looking, but I used what I had handy -- trout rod and reel with 6 lb test, a small weight with a lil corky floating a size 6 egg hook loaded with shoepeg corn. I was mostly just planning on sight-fishing and casting at the ones I saw. I tried to be stealthy but they may have seen me.
Appreciate any advice on how to pop my carp fishin' cherry... is there a place and technique I can expect to have easy success? I could've snagged one, or shot it with a bow and arrow, but that doesn't really seem like fishing to me (still fun, but I want to feel like I outwitted a mud-sucking fish).
Funny, but about half the world thinks carp are desirable. That sure is hard to believe. I have C&R (Depends on the state reg.) carp while fishing with my bass rig and they were a handful. Read somewhere that carp are the freshwater version of bonefish. Might be a real hoot on a 9 foot 8wt. flyrod.
OK, out of curiosity, I called my friend. His wife said you have to take care of the fish long before you ever cook it.
1. Hit it in the head and put it on ice right away. Carp do not taste muddy, but if you let them sit on a stringer on the bank or in a fish box, the will produce a chemical that makes the meat taste bad.
2. Be very careful removing the guts. There is a gall bladder in a carp (I did not know this) and if you even Nick it, it will ruin the fish.
3. To get the best meat, just cut the loins (from the back to the stomach cavity) and avoid the rib cage.
4. Simple egg and flower salt and pepper coating.
5. In about 3 tablespoons of oil, sweat 2 cloves of garlic and 1 tablespoon of ginger until the aroma is very strong. Then remove garlic and ginger so it does not burn.
6. Cook fillets for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
She scales the fish and leaves skin on to make the fish moister.
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oh wow, I didn't realize how late I actually was to this conversation...but still..Carp. Tualatin. Yeah!