Fishing has been very frustrating for me this year, especially my carping sessions. I been hitting Lady Bird prolly once every week or two all year. Ive tried just about every swim on the lake with minimal success. Last year we tore them up all year long but this year has just sucked.

I am a budget fisherman so I know I have to have a little bit more patients than most avid carp fisherman because of the bait and gear that I have available. But sheesh, I've blanked my last um-teen sessions.

This is what we did last year and worked then but not now:

Pre-bait: Range cubes from the feed store
Rods: Various
Reels: Various
Line: 20lb mono
Hooks: 2/0 snells that walmart sells
Weight: Whatever it takes to keep it still
Bait: Corn right out of the can
Rod holders: Rebar, PVC, duct tape combo

When I get to a swim I usually toss out a couple handfulls for the range cubes, then proceed to get set up. I rig up my poles like this... 1/2oz-1oz sliding egg sinkers on first, then tie on a barrel swivel, then loop through the pre-tied snell hook and feed it back through itself to attach. 3-4 pieces of canned corn and cast out. I usually fish 4 poles, 2 surf rods that I just wing out as far as i can and two rods closer to the bank. Most sessions are 4-6 hours depending on what time I make it out there. I toss another handful of cubes right around where my two closest poles are bout once an hour or so.

Is there anything "economical" that I can do to improve my chances? My fishing budget it pretty small and my gear pretty much has to come from walmart with my unspent lunch money. The wife keeps me stocked up on generic corn.

What would you do differently in my situation? Or do I just keep on plugging ahead while waiting on cooler weather?

Oh and if any of yall are ever in Austin and want to share a bank, Im ALWAYS ready to go! Looking forward to the Emma CAG event this year!

Thanks guys

deeper water. may be over baiting with the cubes.

I think a 2/0 snell is too big of a hook for carp. You might get a few runs on it but most will pick it up and spit it right back out. Try to drop down to some thin circle hooks. LBL has some fishing pressure so hook size is the key. Also try adding vanilla extract or strawberry jello mix to the corn. Pm your address to me and I'll send you a pack or two of hooks

Also you can buy deer corn. 6 bucks for a fifty pound bag will last a long time

Yep- 2/0 is WAY big. You want a Size 6- Extra Strong if it's available.

Read up on tying Hair Rigs and tie your own. We can show you how at the CAG event too, but I learn best from photos. Just Google "How to tie a Hair Rig". To bait with the hair rig, you can use a straightened out Crappie hook. To keep your bait on the hair rig, use dumbell type zip ties.

For bait, get some of that Deer Corn. Boil it, and you can use it to chum and also for a hook bait on your hair rig. Flavor it for the hook if you like.

The Rod Holder may be what's holding you back. The fish know if you've spent money on a proper pod with alarms and such, so they may just be waiting for you to invest in some of the peripherals...lol

Good Luck!

Chad

Maybe I have the size wrong, I can only put 3-4 pieces of corn on the hook at its completly covered.

Also, If you're fishing with Sweet Corn, string a few kernals up the line a few inches above your hook.

You may just be fishing at the wrong time.

Try dawn and dusk during the hottest times in summer.

Just remember, carp in LBL don't feed as heavily in the heat of summer.

If you're using snelled hooks from WalMart, the line is too heavy. carp are line shy, and those heavy snelled lines are a neon warning sign to them. If you aren't wanting to use hair rigs, pick up some #6 circle or bait holder hooks and a spool of 8# test. I use 8# braid as my leader (hooklink in carper speak), but I'm also making hair rigs with it. 8# mono should be fine.

Since you said you're on a budget, WalMart sells 700 yd spools of 8# Zebco mono for something like $2.50. Maybe not the best quality line, but I have spools of it from 30# down to 6# that I use for making fly fishing leaders and haven't had any issues with it.

I fished LBL like 6 times this year and never blanked. To me, the secret is METHOD. I had used a method mix that someone on here gave me. It has oatmeat, grits, cream corn and the magic ingreient...chili powder.

Of coourse you wants some hair rigs and maize as well. I always tossed range cubes as well.

Big Ted, I used that same method mix (virtually - deer corn instead of creamed) and put in some strawberry kool-aid and knocked em dead.

Also, You can drill holes in Range Cubes and use them on your hair. Paul Swider Special!!

Im somewhat confused. Whats the use of having 20# or more spooled on the reel if you have an 8# leader? Isnt your rig only as strong as the weakest link?

True, but better to have a weak link in case of breakoffs. That way the don't drag around alot of line. Hair rigs are best there and I have blanked fishing with method mix befor on 1 rod and caught not using it at all. You may just not be getting in the sweet spots on many of the swims.

I only tried the jello flavor once...in Arkansas and blanked hard. I'll have to try it at LBL and Lake Austin.

As for the cream cornb, i use it because it actually negates the need for water. I am sure there are a thousand different things we can do, and I look forward to trying all of them!

There are several schools of thought when dealing with Main Line and Hooklengths. I'll tell you what I do and why.

For fishing LBL and Lake Austin, I use 40# Main Line and 30# for my Hair Rigs. I do that fortwo reasons: Fish Safety (If the fish beaks off, he will not be dragging a 4oz method feeder around to tether him to a snag, where he'd likely cause futher damage to himself up to and including death; and most of the leads (sinkers/method feeders) I use cost $1-$4, and I can't afford to lose those along with my rig everytime I get snagged.

On the baitcasters that I use for smaller waters, I use 25# Mono, with a 20# Braid hooklength. I prefer Braid Hooklengths because I like the loops and the no-stretch factor. Again, I use a lighter hooklength for the same reasons as mentioned above.

I use the Braid in Austin because of the weeds/snags, and because I often fish at longer distances and like the sensitivity I get with the Braid over Mono.

That's what I do, but you can develop your own likes/dislikes/preferences on you own.

Chad

+1 Chad. I go with a lighter hook link than the main line.

Using a lighter hookline makes sense, i just didnt understand goin from 20#+ down to 8#. 30# to 20# makes sense.

August,

I only use 8# braid for a hooklink, but I only use a 12# main line. Chad uses a braid hooklink, not mono. 20# braid is thinner and more flexible than 8# mono, so less likely to scare the fish. In your case, a 15# braid would be good, but you mentioned budget so I suggested the 8# mono. I would not use anything thicker or stiffer than 8# mono as a hooklink because I feel it would scare the fish off. I hope that clears things up some.

As for why I use 12# main (mono for now, might go to braid)and 8# hooklink, it's for the fish. Carp mouths don't have the bone structure other fish do. My way of thinking is I'd rather have to play a fish out more, and maybe lose some to weeds and other snags, than tear its mouth wide open because I applied too much force. Just my way of thinking, your mileage may vary.

Johnny, now your making sense I suppose I've never thought about what happens if I horse one in on the bigger tackle. But honestly I think that the way I still play with my drag offsets the need for lighter line. By the time my quarry gets anywhere near me its to tired to do anything but take a break on my mat, then its in for a little massage and a few minutes of assisted swimming till its ready to go on about its business.

I fished for a few hours this afternoon. I flavored two batches of corn, one vanilla and one coolaid. I missed one good run totally and had one other wrap around a bridge pillar. I think they liked the vanilla more. Oh, and I found that the bluegill seem to like flavored corn. I landed 4 of em today and I had to rebait every 10 minutes cause they were robbing me blind.

Ill get this figured out one of these days.

BONUS: the wife said today that I have never before come back from a fishing trip smelling so good, lol. And my fingertips are still dyed red from the coolaid, good stuff.

Unless anyone going for an IGFA light line record - why risk any fish you are seeking ending up dead -- because of lack of thought on your behalf?
I have a recurring nightmare about getting snapped whilst float fishing at distance, with 6lb line. I'd caught a 22 1/2lb Carp the night before -- my new PB, and was feeling so cool. The line snapped at the reel, and all I could do was watch that broken line (mono) shooting off into the water -- roughly 40yds of it. A terrible heartbreak - on a water that had some huge fish.
Often folks consider any snap off - on the strike/hook set as 'Wow - it must have been a monster' -- when the actual fact is, it was probably a smaller fish. Carp -- especially smaller ones, have an acceleration rate likened to a F1 car, and - by the time you actually grab the rod -- the fish might be doing 20-mph. Trying to stop it dead in its tracks with striking/hook set is just a recipe for disaster -- unless you have your drag set correctly -- and are fishing with a rod that can totally absorb that onslaught. Even then -- low quality line will often just break.
Even fishing with bolt rigs (basically self hooking if built correctly)I've seen lots of ripped Carp mouths from those insisting on striking hard -- with mono - or braid -- not a pretty sight!!
So -- the use of a 'weak link', carefully built into the rig you are using is definitely very very important - to assure the fishes safety in the event of a snap off.
I have one reel loaded with 65lb Power Pro braid - and often use 50lb PP hooklinks -- with a 36" 25lb lead core leader -- my weak link.
I fished mono most of my life (I'm 57 this month) - until exclusively using braid about 3 years ago. I've lost fish to snags -- but NONE to just 'plain getting snapped' -- however, my gear is set up to avoid those circumstances ever arising.
A very deep subject for sure -- however -- a pretty concise 'rule of thumb' to prevent senseless disasters.
Somebody recently posted the fact that they liked using a heavier than reel line fluoro leader for stretch whilst casting, and a heavy hook link. This makes for a 'death/tether rig' if the mainline were to break - leaving the fish to tow around many yards of main line, and as the rod is not getting totally loaded during the cast (due to line stretch)_-- it is not delivering its best performance. Only a braided line can honestly do that -- no stretch = maximum performance.
Lastly -- but definitely NOT least -- I'll harp back to the IGFA light line deal I mentioned. Is there any more thrill fighting a big carp on light line -- well yes, maybe in snag free waters, where you can spend an hour landing it -- a lot of fun. For everyday use -- I have what it takes to be the boss if needed(and even that fails on occasion!!) and keep the fish from snags. I want to personally meet each & every Carp I hook -- not have regrets.
The fishes safety comes first in my Carp angling ethics -- and I sincerely do not mind helping anyone just starting out find a happy balance.

From the mouths of great men! Too many "elite" carp anglers put fish safety over all else, including common courtesy and the rules of social interaction. I too believe in fish safety and to me this also includes landing and releasing the fish as quickly as possible with the least amount of stress. I often don't bother with a photo in the heat of summer. Or even unhook and release in the water. Lets just be sure to teach it as Brid has done here and not preach it as we've all seen all to much...

All to often I've seen fish break off in the weeds with a lot of line. Fish we were unable to get free may be unable to get loose themselves. So the lighter hook link is important. That said I have also many times gotten snagged on a recently broken off mess and brought it in with no fish attached, so the fish do get loose but at what cost to its mouth is unknown. I plan to give braid another chance this season so that I can have a heavier line without losing line on the spool and lighter breaking strain at the business end. I think 10lb's lighter should ensure that I am not leaving a fish with a leash.

SSF, well said your own self... I am re-spooling with 50 pound power pro braid, with 30 pound braid hook links.

I have had no issues with 12lb copolymer main line. I think i will target something with the same diameter. Last time I tried braid I went pretty heavy and I hated it.

I personally like 30lb PP, which is nominally the same diameter as 12lb mono. It casts well, and lasts one heck of a long time!!
I have it on at least one 'main rod', and also on my spod rod.
Never hurts to just keep reminding folks though --- to be EXTRA careful when casting heavy weights with braid' With your fighting drag set correctly for the BS poundage braid/capabilities of the rod without breaking it, it's highly likely your drag will start yielding line during a cast -- especially if you are casting big distances. Wearing a finger stall (or any protection) can save a possible trip to the ER. Braid can cut like a razor blade - and it all happens so fast!!
If you go unprotected (not wise in this day & age :D) just be very careful -- and, if you feel the line starting to move whilst casting -- just let go!! I know it's a pain in the rump losing method/pva or whatever, with an 'aborted cast' -- however, discretion should become the better part of valour here. Safety first!!
I have adopted a method for using braid, where I use 2 fingers on the line for casting -- as you can feel the line a lot better than just using one, where the line is located in either the top - or knuckle joints. Look at your first two fingers -- and see those joints are 'staggered'. It feels goofy at first -- but, I've found it a whole lot safer!!
On my spod rod - which is definitely the heaviest weight I will be flinging -- I have the drag wound up as tight as it will go -- so, the spool will NOT turn during casting. Still -- with a spod full of wet bait, and a 4'5 TC rod that really loads up during casting -- even without any line slippage from the spool -- the 30lb braid is definitely doing its level best to turn into a good sharp switchblade -- and that stuff takes no prisoners!!
I've had minor cuts from both mono & braid -- sometimes just being slightly careless whilst tying rigs - and, because of the slightly abrasive nature of the braid -- it cuts faster and deeper -- very quickly.
Nuff said about safety measures -- now, let's get out and catch some stinking monsters this fall
Tight Lines All,
Brid.
PS -- As per my original thoughts on help -- I really am 'open at all hours' to share as much as I can with those genuinely needing a bit of guidance -- even with simple things. We are (hopefully!!) all still learning, every time we go out fishing It will be a very sad day for all, if anyone here feels they shouldn't be able to approach another angler for help, guidance or just moral support -- merely because of words spoken by a small minority.

Z -- i hope we haven't completely hijacked your thread?
If not, there are a couple of things to consider here. Depending on how you are fishing -- rig wise, it is not really a good thing using extremely fine line (strong or not) if you are hooking the fish anywhere but in their lips/hinges.
Hooking them inside the mouth cavity with light line runs the risk of cutting their mouths up pretty badly during the fight.
If they actually get to ingest the hook - beyond the Pharyngeal teeth - and don't snap you off, a world of hurt can ensue.
I've helped a lot of folks out -- to understand the 'mechanics' of well built hair rigs, and -- if one of my buddies from CA were posting here -- he'd agree 100% that -- when built correctly, there is definitely a good bit of science involved in getting consistent hook ups -- in the correct area.
First time I fished with him -- he was freelining - and missing lots of 'takes'. I was fishing bolt rigs, and hooking every run I got (quite a few that day!!)--- SO, as he was about to net my first fish -- I asked him "Do you want to make a bet about where this fish is hooked?" He laughed and said "Yeah Right". I told him -- "In the bottom lip -- or either side -- NOT in the top". Sure enough, my size 4 was firmly planted in the fishes left hinge --with the line outside its mouth.
We caught and landed a lot of Carp that day - netting for each other. He had hook holds ranging from top/bottom lip - to anywhere inside the mouth -- including a couple that swallowed the hook, and the line had to be cut off inside the mouth. Not a good thing - however they are incredibly resilient fish, can deal with a lot -- and at least were released alive :thumb.
All my hook ups were where I'd predicted they would be -- which reminds me -- he owes me $5 for that bet
Over a couple of cold ones when we got back to his house (2 miles from the lake!!) he asked me why I could be so certain, and I pulled out some gear and showed him exactly why.
Jeff is only a couple of year younger than me - and fished for Carp all his life - just like I have, but he did it mostly back in Ohio - and never knew about anything 'current'.
He's just starting to understand that there is a grand scheme of things to modern Carping, and - as he's (sometimes with a bitten lip!!) spent more time fishing with me, learned a lot. I still enjoy his calls asking for help on how to do lots of things He isn't abashed by the silly 'bad press' I'm given on occasion -- probably because he is a caring/sharing person like me, and fully appreciates his bettered success after buying some 12ft Carp rods (a bloody sight better than the Walmart specials he was using), a cheap pod & alarms -- and 'adopting' some of my hair rig/method/pack bait recipes.
He's hooked boy -- and there aint no turning back

So -- there are so many simple 'nuances' -- that appear inconsequential to those that don't know -- that can make huge differences between success or failure. Landing a Carp - NOT torn up by our actions, and getting it back safely is good Karma.
Second point is more about stress on bigger fish. Land them as quickly as you can --- and return them ASAP In warm weather/water, saturated 02 (oxygen) levels are greatly depleted , so -- having gear strong enough to deal with them without prolonging the fight helps them hopefully recover faster when back in the water. This is definitely very important with females that are heavily in spawn.
Thanks for listening to some good news!!