hammercarp Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Everyone has been having a great time fishing Redhill creek this spring and some good fish have come out including 6 mirrors. I had heard that there were some real monsters hiding out under the bridge there and when I checked it out sure enough I saw a big fish. I knew I had to try for it. Now the bridge is not a swim to be treated lightly . It is full of lots of nasty stuff . There are submerged logs, 3 inch re-rod sticks out into the water, there is a ton of branches that the beaver stuck in there as a winter food supply and other stuff like an old rug and even articles of clothing. I put my faith in my Ambassadeur reel and Ugly Stik rod to handle my appointed task, Which was to haul one out from the front of the bridge and away from all the nasty debris. Next I had to decide where to set up. I chose to place my modified Fox Stalker pod about 20 yards upstream from the bridge. This gave me a straight line from my reel to where my baited hook was. I wanted to be able to put upward pressure on the fish as soon as possible and get it to fight on the surface. If it got it's head down and used the current it would haul me under the bridge where I was sure to get cut off. I was also depending on the pulling power of packbait to draw the fish to the front of the bridge where my plan had a chance of succeeding. My first attempt was yesterday and I landed two fish with one in the teens. This was very encouraging. Today when I arrived there I was disappointed to see two trucks and a work crew. set up at the entrance. I stopped on the side of the road and watched them for a while. I decided to fish it as they were on the opposite bank and I wouldn't be in their way. I set up and it was not long before I got one about 8 lbs. This was followed a little while later by one in the mid teens. I was getting a lot of bumps, twitches and short pulls and I had noticed that both fish had been hooked in the upper mouth. I had had some discussions with Andrew/MACOMAN from The Match Anglers Club of Ontario about how puffs behaved in current so I decided to change things up. I used 17 lb Berkly XT for a hook link and made it about 4 inches long. This a much stiffer that the XL. A little while later I had a strong pull and I set the hook vigorously. Not quite a Texas Whip but with some force. I immediately felt the weight of the fish and heaved on the rod. The fish rolled on the surface and I saw I had a good one. I started to play the fish and to back up along the bank upstream to get the fish out of the danger zone.The carp then headed for a submerged log that juts out from the front of the bridges foundation . I heaved on the rod and the fish turned away and then moved out into the middle of the creek. Now I was in open water. Oh boy Oh boy it worked . Eventually I got the fish to the wall and into my net. I was surprised by the weight as I hauled it up the 6-8 ft and over the wall. and onto the bank. You are captured. I uncovered the fish and I knew I had a very very good fish here. I was pleased to see my Owner #02 wrapped right around the bottom lip. Perfect! I laid the fish out and it measured just over 39 inches in length and 29 inches in girth. I weighed it and the scale read 40 lbs. My sling weighs a little less than a lb so I had a new PB of 39 lbs. I got the fish wrapped in the sling and walked upstream to where I could slide it into the water. I went back and sat down to relax for a while and enjoy the warm sunshine. I thought about the hikes I had taken along this creek as a kid. Tomorrow, Good Friday was a traditional day for going on a hike here in Hamilton when I was a boy. I had even caught fish in it on a bent pin and willow gad. Fifty years later and I am still having fun on it's banks. I set up again and I got one in the teens. I decided to pack it in and so I went home. I would like to thank Mr. Tom Brooks for all his help and CAG for the wealth of angling knowledge it made available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian_b Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 39 lbs!!! Way to go Lorne..... Congrats on the personal best... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cplummer Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Holy crap.. what a HOG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Congrats Lorne ! That is a beast of a carp . You certainly know your stuff about carp fishing . Just reading your story had my heart pumping , I knew it was going to be good ! Would the battle be tougher if the water was warm ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 That is one fine specimen, Lorne. I'm sure there are a few bigger brutes still in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammercarp Posted April 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Bill yes as the water warms carp fight a lot harder. Bruce I aim to find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammercarp Posted April 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Thanks guys. And now for that 40+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 What is that little fish in your avatar picture Lorne ? Did you get a shot holding the beast or was it a little on the heavy side ? That fish will be over 40 lbs. very soon . If carp frequent the same area , I would be tossing my excess corn in there for a few months . It sure is a brute ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammercarp Posted April 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 I am sure she will be over 40 in a few weeks. Carp really feed heavy before the spawn and her eggs would mature as well. I did not get a picture of me holding the fish as I was by myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC Posted April 7, 2012 Report Share Posted April 7, 2012 Man thats an awesome beast there.......dont thnk I ever saw a carp that big. WTG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunder Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Awesome catch Lorne. I wish I was there to see it. Hopefully someone will be around to photo your next lump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLofchik Posted April 11, 2012 Report Share Posted April 11, 2012 Sweet pig Lorne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammercarp Posted April 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Thanks man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niagarangler89 Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 King of the carp! Great catch and great report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackz905 Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 that is a beasttttt my pb is only 22lbs i want a 25+ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horrorshowrot Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Congrats man. That puts my 10 lb carp today to shame! Way to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 6, 2012 Report Share Posted May 6, 2012 Wow''' That is one chunky carp........Thanks for sharing..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakfish Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Look at the gut on that pig!! Awesome fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinycarper Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Well done lorne, my pb is 23 pounds that would eat mine lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammercarp Posted July 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFishBass Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 What a monster!!!! Nice job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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