American Carp Culture :: Contest Winner

One of the best things about fishing, aside from banking trophy carp, is getting to stand alongside mother nature. Her brush can paint some pretty fantastic pictures across the canvas we call life and this month’s American Carp Culture winner allowed us a glimpse into her majesty.

Randall Hooker’s (@bait_buckets) deepening dusk shot had us staggered here at The American Carp Society. What a beautiful shot of an angler battling against the dying light or preparing for that active night to come. Its the roiling sky above that really sets this photo apart — a brilliant shot Randall. Thank you so much for sharing.

notable captures

There are have been some spectacular catches coming in to our inbox. Here are some that had us picking our jaws up off the floor.

American carper vol 4 in the works!

Currently working on our next edition of The American Carper we are pleased to share that things are progressing nicely...The support from our members has been fantastic over the years in anticipation of this annual publication and this year is no exception. Featuring a wide variety of Interviews, pictorial layouts , anecdotes and stories from the very best representation of Carp Angling in the USA, this beautifully constructed and presented portfolio of words and pictures will continue to evolve and grow. This year's edition features both Euro traditional and Fly Carping Interviews and stories as well as unpublished memories from behind the lens .....a few pics of what's to come:

the american carper podcast set to launch

We are happy to announce that Sean will be hosting a bi-Weekly podcast on iTunes called ‘The American Carper’ that launches Tuesday July 7th.  Each episode will feature unique interviews and stories with the very best in US Carp angling that have a shared passion for the species.  

Featuring questions, competitions for merchandise and education on the fish…. from the serious to the lighthearted…. tune in and join the community that represents the next generation of US Angling

We encourage you all to subscribe, give it a listen and share with your friends to help further the sport and our cause at The American Carp Society…Where the fish is the star.

Official guides across the usa

The American Carp Society has officially sanctioned, experienced guides within the USA that adhere to the very highest levels of fish care and professionalism. For some Anglers, traveling across the World to a foreign country or across the USA to fish another state to fish can be a very daunting task. The sheer choice of States to visit and bodies of water to fish can be overwhelming, along with the coordination of licenses, tackle and bait.

American Carp Society sanctioned guides are independent of The American Carp Society but are professionals that we have screened and who share the same values as ourselves…they are the very best in their chosen field. 

Whether you are traveling from overseas or are already a US Angler wanting to venture into the sport of carp fishing for the first time….or a carp angler simply visiting another state, a professional guide may be of help to you.

scouting for carp

There is a difference between catching a carp every now and then, versus consistently bringing fish to hand. A defining factor that sets these two types of carp anglers apart is scouting. Good carp anglers know where to look for carp on any given body of water and know what signs to look for that will tell them where to begin the hunt.

When fishing a new area, scouting begins before you get to the water. Spend considerable time scouring over Google maps looking for areas of the river or lake that look like shallow water flats. In order to successfully sight fish for carp on the fly, shallow water areas are required to see feeding fish and present the fly accurately.

Once you’ve reached the water, take time to study the environment both above and below the surface. If the water is clear enough, look for areas with lots of deep divots in the mud. If carp frequent an area, these “carp craters” leave a telling sign that you’re in a feeding zone. Look on the surface for carp tails, or large wakes made from swimming carp.

On the banks look for areas of good structure or food sources like bushes with berries. Carp will key in on these spots. The most important part of scouting is to not be afraid to try new areas, and getting skunked every now and then. Searching for less pressured water will always pay off in the end.

ACS ‘Carpsidious’ fly

As with everything, preparation, planning and research has been the key to the success and innovation of our US made Carp products for our members. As Fly Angler’s who target the species with passion, many of our members have approached us with increasingly more ‘fly’ questions and requests and so we thought it only appropriate to do something special for them.

The American Carp Society has been quietly working with one of our good Fly Carpin’ friends and master fly tiers -  Daryl Angler of Nervous Water Flies, on designing a specific American Carp Society pattern for our Members….tested and tried we are pleased to announce that we will be revealing the official ‘American Carp Society’ fly: Carpsidious

With more in depth information forthcoming in The American Carper Volume 4 we take a quick look here at some thoughts by ‘Sid’s’ designer Daryl Angler:

US CArp lake map - member pins

You may have noticed a new color of pin on the US Carp Lake Map — Orange!

The orange pin represents anglers who have elected to have their information available on the map. This could be a simple as your Name and City, or you may wish to include your email and Instagram handle, so other members visiting your state could contact you for angling information or arrange a fishing meet-n-greet.

We’re asking that all members take a brief moment to update their account profile with what information you’d like to share with other members. We will then go back and add you to the map!

You can update your information by clicking the “Your Account” button in the bottom right of your browser window while visiting the American Carp Society site, or by visiting the “Member’s Portal” at www.americancarpsociety.com/members.

asterbury tigernuts

Coming to the store July 13th…

The American Carp Society’s Tigernuts are hand grown and harvested by US Farmers and then soaked and ‘hand boiled’ in small batches here in the USA to ensure a high level of quality control before we infuse our special Asterbury Creme Flavor.

Soaked and aged in a natural preservative that is also a proven attractant and with a hint of ‘Asterbury Creme’ flavoring, plus some other special ingredients, these hook baits will go a long way and last a long time.

Each tub contains a season’s worth of hook bait tigers of varying sizes that can be ‘corked’ to be fished neutrally buoyant or ‘popped up’ if required….they have quietly been used by our bait development team and a few friends over the past 2 years to devastating effect.

• MADE IN THE USA AND AVAILABLE IN LIMITED QUANTITIES.

complete your collection

The very first edition of ‘The American Carper’ - American Born & Bred, capturing the spirit and passion of our organization through the carefully crafted word and picture. Featuring the USA’s top carp anglers sharing their passion on the species through their personal writing and photograph.

Whether you’ve just joined The American Carp Society, you’re a veteran who missed the first volume, or you would like share the passion of carp angling with another — now’s your chance to go back to the very beginning.

The American Carper - Vol 1 - American Born & Bred will be on sale for the month of July at a special price of $29.99. Don’t miss this opportunity to complete your collection, as once they’re gone, they’ll not be printed again — truly a collector’s item for those passionate about trophy carp.