CARP

[boneaddict]

Does anyone on here ever go carpin' with their bow?
Is it even legal anymore?

I see them suckers by the thousands at banks, and have thought about diving back into it.  I used to do it on the Columbia, but no longer have the set-up for it.  I traded the bow rig in for the fly rod.  Ugly snappers, but sure fun on the rod.

[jackelope]

yeah people do it...not me, but i know people do it. there's a guy on MM goes by choclab...he's from kittitas and does it a lot in those little ponds outside of ellensburg from the shore. those little ponds off of canyon road before you get into the canyon are loaded with them.some people are real serious about it. i was never sure what they do with them after they shoot them....leave them to rot??

[boneaddict]

Feed the magpies I guess....I'll take a gander.  Thats alot closer than Banks or the Columbia.  I had the occasion to take a hawg out of the Columbia.  They can be HUGE.  Many have broke me off flyfishing.

[sisu]

We used to use suckers back where I grew up in the garden. We'd bury them about 4 feet deep and plant the tomatoes on top. So why couldn't you do the same to the carp?

[jackelope]

i think some do put them in the garden.

[Choclab]

I shoot a ton of carp every year with my bow. It is a blast! It is legal and you have to have your fishing license is all. Other than that, its no limit and when-ever...night or day. I use an old compound with an AMS Retriever reel on it. You want fairly low poundage, like 40 - 50 lbs. You can buy an AMS Retriever reel from Cabelas or the AMS website. They are really handy, and will save you a TON of time reeling in your line (cause you'll shoot ALOT). The Retriever screws right into your sight threads on the side of your riser. If you don't have holes (recurve) they have an adapter. 90% of people don't use sights because they don't help with the water refraction. I also use the AMS saftey slide on a fiberglass arrow. You never ever want to tie your line "hard and fast" to your arrow. With that I mean don't tie your string to the hole in the front or back of your arrow. You always want your line infront of you. Never behind your rest. If you ever make it through Ellensburg I would be more than happy to take you out and show you some tips and tricks. Carp are an invasive species and need to have there numbers kept in check. If you have any more Q's just post em' up and I will try and answer them as best I can. Feel free to PM or call me too. Here is a pic or two of my bowfishing rig. The bow is an old Martin Cougar set at 50#'s

Josh

[boneaddict]

Is this more of a Spring sport while they are spawning, or Summer time when they are basking, or does it matter?  Thanks for the info and pics.

[Choclab]

Both really. As long as it's not windy and warm, you are good to go. I shoot until Sept. and then it's deer and elk. It is a great way to pass time during the dog days of summer

[boneaddict]

"as long as its not windy"   So, its a one day season in E-burg for the year.

[Choclab]

"as long as its not windy"   So, its a one day season in E-burg for the year.

You ain't lyin'. The wind gets to me about mid-summer. We usually go in the morning befor the wind starts to pick up. I try to plan most of my activities for early morning or late eveing. The wind dominates the mid day....The wind here......well.....blows...lol

[boneaddict]

I've got some of that myself.  Sort of like a blast furnace in the summer, but I tell you what. Some evenings its awefully nice as it really helps cool it off.  (Wenas)

[Choclab]

I bitch and whine about the wind, but if it didn't blow we would all roast to death

[Fletch]

If it didnt blow in Eburg it would be Moses Lake! haha...they have a carp tourney here in moses every year...something like 10,000 lbs of carp in the 2 day event...they get a big dump truck and a front end loader..after weigh in they haul them out and bury them...one year a phillipino family came with 4 full size pickups and filled them to the rails with carp...to make jerky with...I wonder how that tastes? anyway alot of carp shooting in the basin to say the least...

[Machias]

Actually I'm fairly certain carp is one of two or three fish you can fish for without a lic.  I'll double check that, but fairly certain.

[Machias]

Yep: 
Fishing Licenses are not required for:
• Common carp, crawfish, bullfrogs, smelt or unclassified
marine invertebrates (see seasons and limits).