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Im curious as to the effect that Carp Spawing has on catfish
location. Ive had quite a bit of early season success for cats
in the shallows as well as during the typical Catfish spawning season.
However, this past weekend the carp spawn was way up and
the catfish action dropped dramically. Do they go deeper
during the spawn. Ive yet to figure this time of year out.
Any thoughts ?
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Atta Boy !!!!
Any size to em ? I noticed a change compared to three weeks ago.
Thought maybe they went deeper or something. Its always good to compare notes with other catfisherman. What did you get them on ? I did manage two. But not like it was
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[cool][#0000ff]Over the years I have observed the annual carp frolic many times. I think I am convinced that all other species get the heck out of Dodge when those crazy buglemouths start rolling and thrashing in the shallows. I would too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have had quite a few mornings, on both Utah Lake and Willard, when I started at daybreak and caught fish fairly consistently, only to go blank once the carp moved in to shore or along the rocks to start spawning. At Utah Lake I usually move out into deeper water and sometimes get back into the fish. At Willard, I tie on a big nasty jig, on a stout rod and pick out the biggest carp as it swims by. Then I carefully "present" the jig to "force feed" the carp. Lots of fun stick bending and better than going fishless for the rest of the morning.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One strange thing that seems to happen during the spawn is that a lot of carp lose scales in the pandemonium. Catfish come back into the spawning area after the carp leave and they suck up those leftover scales. I caught two cats this past week with lots of fresh carp scales in them. I have seen that almost every year.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of the benefits of the carp spawn is that cats seem to pattern more on carp meat for awhile. Sometimes a strip of carp meat will work better now than minnows or other typical cat baits.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you are fishing for walleyes or white bass, and the carp move in...fuggeddaboudit. Those wimpy fish boogie when the carp show up.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Looks like a major spawn this year, with several days of warming weather. That means that about the middle to end of June we should be seeing bunches of little carplets swarming the shallows. That is a good time to net a bunch of them and freeze them for bait. They are dynamite bait later in the year, after most of the minnows have grown too large for many of the predators to munch easily.[/#0000ff]
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[#505000]Two were modest eating size, the other was a hog. I'll post pics and a report a little later today if I get some time.[/#505000]
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