Part 1 – Pre-baiting tactics

As winter approaches and the St. Lawrence begins t freeze over, carp fishing effectively ends.  As the fish enter their period of dormancy, it is time to reflect on the issues or the season past.  As of late, I have had several calls from anglers with questions concerning fishing on the St. Lawrence.

Perhaps the most frequently question posed to me is “where to go”.  The St. Lawrence is a vast waterway encompassing some 800 nautical miles.  For the most part, it is a very deep, swift, international shipping corridor providing cargo access from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes and all ports located therein.

All of the carp fishing venues are located on both sides of the river in the Lake St. Lawrence region.  This is an area where the river is contained by the presence of hydroelectric dams which creates an ideal habitat for carp within thousands of acres of flooded farmland.

The townships of Massena, Louisville, Waddington, and Lisbon in upstate New York on the American side and Long Sault, Morrisburg, Maria Town, and Iroquois in Ontario on the Canadian side surround these prime fishing areas.

Several venues operate on both sides of the river.  The only significant difference between the US and Canada is that anglers are limited to one rod per-person in Canada and the US allows two.

Where is the nearest International Airport?  The closest airports to these venues are Ottawa/Ontario and Montreal/Quebec in Canada.  They are each a short drive from the St. Lawrence and most venues provide transportation to and from these airports.

What equipment do I need?  This can vary greatly depending on the venue selected, time of year, water conditions, etc.  I cannot stress enough that you should address this question in detail with whichever guide or venue operator you select.  As a general rule this is what I personally suggest: 12 ft. rods in 2 ¾ to 3 lb test curves.  Remember, these are lean, hard-fighting river fish accustomed to current conditions.  Your rods should be capable of casting a 5 oz. lead (if needed) a moderate distance and fighting 40 lb. plus fish on multiple 100 yard runs.

Good reels are a must!  I have seen the bearings in many reels seize under these fishing conditions. To put it into perspective, ask yourself this question:  ‘Can my reels hold up to 30-40 carp runs per day, each fight 5-20 minutes in duration, for the entirety of my trip?  If not, you may want to consider new reels.  Big pits are generally not required but may prove advantageous.

What type of line should I use?  I suggest braided line over monofilament.  Braid holds up much better and produces far less ‘cut offs’ than mono.  We have a pesky little nuisance here called zebra mussels.  They attach to any underwater structure and are razor sharp. Interestingly enough, they are the preferred feed of carp most of the year.  The braid I use is called Power- Pro, in 5- to 65 lb. test strength.  It has the diameter of 10-15 lb. mono, is very castable and is almost indestructible.  Remember, braid can cause significant wear on composite rod eyelets.  Glass or ceramic eyelets should always be used with braid.  If you elect to use monofilament line, I would suggest Berkley Trilene ‘Big Game’ in 20 lb test strength.

Now the issue of hooks?  There is a lot of controversy on this subject.  Configuration, tensile strength, barb angle, etc.  I will base my opinion on factual observations and not marketing promotions.  I have caught and guided clients to catch tens of thousands of carp.  The worst injuries that I have witnessed carp sustain were caused by barbless hooks.

Because the fish are tireless and dynamic fighters, changing directions multiple times during the fight is the norm. When this happens, a barbless hook twists and spins in the direction of the rod top on each turn causing a sometimes horrific wound.  I personally do not condone the use of barbless hooks and urge anyone concerned with the welfare of this wonderful species to act likewise.

I suggest hooks in size 2 or 4 with a single barb or multiple “micro-barbs”.  The hook should not be too soft or it may bend, especially when using braid, as there is no stretch.

Inversely, case hardened hooks may break under similar conditions.  A grade 6 (American tensile strength) rating seems to be the magic number and has proven itself time and time again on the St. Lawrence.

What types of lead should I use?  Leads should range from 3 to 5 ozs. to conform to any swim condition.  I do not have a personal preference between in-line and clip leads.  Each seems to work effectively.  I highly recommend the usage of the rig tubing on either configuration.

In closing, let me say that most venues provide or rent all of this equipment and or sell terminal tackle for minimal charge.  This helps greatly with the weight limits now set by airlines.  Next month – rigs, bait, and baiting.