Ok guys, Im starting to think about my trip to Tx and "what to pack" my biggest question is "would a rod pod be best or will bank sticks do the job"? Im assuming the banks will be hard from the dry sunny weather you get over there so banks sticks may be difficult to get in. Secondly, I use braid for most of my "big" carping its instant bite registration at long distance is brilliant BUT it can cut off easy with sharp underwater snags, so should I bring mono backup? and lastly sinkers (leads) I use 3-4 ounce for most of my fishing, I can pack about 10, will I lose many at Emma or Ladybird? if I will can I get em local....Answers on a postcard please.....I thank you from an unusualy sunny England......

For Emma Long park, 3-4 oz lead is fine, braid is good, 10 is plenty as you won't loose that many.

As far is pod or sticks, at Emma, banksticks are all you need. If you choose to fish Lady Bird lake for carp, depending on the swim, you may need a pod or at least a tripod adapter and buzzbar to match with your banksticks. Some swims can be rock or concrete.

I think a pod is more practical in urban fishing since you may be fishing a boat dock one day, a concrete sidewalk the next or right on the bank in soft dirt.
You'll be fine with braid there since there aren't too many snags. I think you'll be fine with 10 leads. There is not a place local to buy carp gear but possibly some of our LSCB members down there can help you out. My son lives there should have a few on hand if needed.

In a pinch, you can buy 3- or 4-ounce sinkers at the Cabela's store in nearby Buda, Texas. You won't find true carp sinkers for distance casting, but they're fine for short casts (30 to 50 yards). Here are a couple links to sinkers that are available (you'll have to cut and paste into your browser):

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0002176317511a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=sinkers&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=sinkers&noImage=0

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0002176312428a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=sinkers&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=sinkers&noImage=0

the banks at Emma are perpetually soft by the water because the water keeps them that way. I cannot speak for LBL yet.

Like they have all said, there is no local carp tackle store, but Cabelas on I35 in Buda is full of leads for other type fishing. 3 oz is all you need.

When are you coming in again? if I can, i would love to meet you there.

Thanks guys, Ill bring the pod, it seems the best option as LBL will be on my wish list. Big Ted...Ill be out on the 1st of September, I hope to meet fishlady at Athens for a bait swop and then to Austin for a few days Ill have a mo phone with me so maybe we can make contact for an afternoons fishing?

In a pinch you can also drop me a line as I live in Austin and can swing by and drop off leads or gear to get you through the day. Send me a PM a couple of weeks before you come donw and I will let you know where has been producing as well.

September eh? I may be able to meet you down in Austin, you should do some time at Lake Austin as well, at Emma Long, bigger chance for a big buffalo.

Thanks Agfisher02 and starless for the offers, i'll keep in touch with pm's nearer the time. The best bunch of carpers Ive talked to on the Internet.......Thanks again

i will try to make something like that

what days of the week are they?

Big Ted Ill prob be around Austin 4th/5th Sept Will contact via pm nearer the time before I leave

roger that