I made a recent post about carp, but it was light on details:
Grass carp are the toughest. They are vegans and will remind you of that just like people who are vegans. They are good at target practice and not much more. Watch for them sucking the surface if there are seeds or flowers dropping in the water. This is a great chance to catch them. Or you can try a mossy fly, like a small olive damsel - size 8 to 12. I tend to go small.
Common carp are another story. They can aggressively feed and charge flies, but that is also rare. But they’ll key in and tail on flies. I’ve seen them eat minnows, and I’ve caught them on a deceiver.
The lakes and rivers here in the Texas hill country hold a lot of common carp. I’ve had days walking the shoreline where it was similar to wading the Texas coast for reds. Tails everywhere and hungry fish. And great numbers as well - 16 fish between two people in a few hours.
But I’ve also had days with nothing but rejections.
For gear, I fish a 6 wt rod with a 12’ leader. Usually fish 8 lb to make the knot as small as possible.
Flies - there are carp patterns out there - Carp bomb, Eagan’s headstand, but smaller is better. Some flies have too big of eyes or lead for calm water. Those flies are for rivers and fishing current. Fish still water with light flies, but ones that can slowly sink. I like the headstand flies in orange and chartreuse so I can see my fly and if they inhale it (more below on that).
Lead them just a bit, no more than a foot. If it is a grassy bottom, you may need to put in on their nose.
The strip is like a tactic for permit on the fly - long and slow. Get the slack out immediately with no sudden jerks. Keep it tight, then a long slow strip. Pull tight on any small tug - they can inhale and spit the fly out quick, just like permit. It’s a similar feeling to someone quickly tugging on your shirt, or tapping you on the shoulder once. Keeping the line tight helps seal the deal. Watch for gill flares near your fly and give the line a bit more tug if you see this.
Carp easily spook and when they do, they emit a pheromone from their body to alert other carp known as schreckstoff. They emit this when caught as well. I’ve spooked carp and saw fresh fishing coming along and they’ll dart off unprovoked. But that clears up after a bit.
Here is how to identify grass vs common carp:
