FS Digest

I recently revisited this creek that I used to fish at for chub whenever I’d get bored, and discovered it has carp and pike as well there! I was wondering, as I’ve personally never caught either of those types of fish, how would this be done, especially in a creek setting? I’ve seen lots of advice on how to in still water, but this creek has a bit of a quicker current. If you could also give me advice on the carp, that’d be cool too. (The creek is anywhere from 1-3 feet deep in the area where the pike/carp tend to stay, no vegetation in the water)

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by coal_the_slaw

FS Digest

For the most part, carp are bottom feeders. So worms and shrimp usually tend to catch them. But they've been known to hit swim baits as well. I've caught pike on anything from worm to bass jigs, just depends on their mood, water temp, spawning season. If you're down south, spawning is over and they will grab anything that suits them, so I'd start with worm, then move to swim bait, then jerkbaits, then crank baits. If you're Midwest, it's about spawning season for them and they really don't eat at all. If you're up north, they are in prespawn and are hungry af, just about anything will work. Both of these species of fish put up a good fight once hooked, so also make sure your rig is hefty enough to handle them. 12lb test line usually does the trick. Both fish are fun to catch. Good luck!!!!!

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by tuxedotshirtj3sus

FS Digest

I forgot to say where I was, my bad. Indiana, central Indiana. I tried just about everything in front of them, some top water lures, sinking, (I don’t have spoons spinners or buzzers), rubber, worms, etc. they just didn’t seem too interested, not sure why. Just kept facing upstream, just chillin

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by coal_the_slaw

FS Digest

Spoons and crankbaits slay pike. Rapala original floater always works well, but pike chew them up pretty quick.

Good casting spoons work wonders too. len Thompson spoons in red and yellow five of diamonds are hard to beat. If you can get them.

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by bronchoped1

FS Digest

Would “original floater” be their topwater minnow? I don’t have spoons, I have one crank but it’s pretty big compared to the pike. These pike are probably... I don’t know, maybe foot and a half to two feet judging by how they look.

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by coal_the_slaw