Several times in the past year I've purposefully fished for carp (using corn) but been skunked each time. I never saw any carp jumping or moving around in the water, so I don't even know if there were any in the area. I know that if I see carp there are obviously some that might be catchable, but I don't know if the converse true. If I don't see any sign of carp, is it a waste of time to fish for them?

Did you see some of the photos from the last carp tourney,one I recall was of somethingsmellsfishy's
jon boat loaded with carp bait!!!So the converse is not true chum properly and you will draw them in!!!Others may elobrate on this it could be from chumming a few hand fulls of corn to 50-100lbs of range cubes!!

Hi Smile_and_Nod !

I have fished grapevine lake alot of times and caught carp and buffalo with no visiable signs(crashing).I prechumed before I fished with range cubes and sweet corn and I fished with my secret Dough Bait.

I've caught when they're visibly in the area and been skunked when they're visibly in the area. If the bite's not there, chum with some corn, range cubes, or whatever you're fishin' with. Patience is a virtue in carp fishin'....sometimes the bite is immediate and sometimes you wait for hours for a bite. Sometimes after waiting for a long time, you can start catchin' 'em left and right. Don't feel bad about being skunked....unless you're fishin' in a carp-filled water or you're God, getting skunked is inevitable. Some people fish for a day or two strait without a fish. Luckily, that's not the usual outing...especially when it's warm outside.

Crashing is always a sign of fish in the area...But not always a sign that they are feeding.

Just because you don't see fish doesn't mean they aren't out there, or aren't feeding!

In the last 3 weeks or so, I've been fishing several times a week at GV, and have caught carp or buffs every single time.

But, 95% of those trips, I haven't even seen a single carp crash.

But I still catch them. So I can definitely tell you that even if you don't see fish crash, they might still be there and feeding hard.

Chumming is often the key to getting them into the area, and keeping them there and in a feeding mood.