Ditch Tarpon.
Carp are usually the most abundant species in urban environments, and they are big, strong, and fun to catch. Carp are common in urban settings because they can survive in harsher conditions. Urban water is always less than perfect, and carp have a greater tolerance for low oxygen levels and pollutants than most native fish. They are often associated with degraded habitats, including stagnant waters. Known as “the poor man’s bonefish,” they are extremely easy to spook and take skill to catch
Matching your clothes to your surroundings can increase your chances of sneaking up on these fish. Blue shirt on a sunny day, light gray on a cloudy day, or green if there are a lot of trees around you. Anything you can do to help hide your profile into the background. Once you see the shadow of the fish in the water, keep low and sneak up the best you can. Move slowly and take your time.
If you are able to sneak up and make a presentation, you will want to land the fly a decent distance beyond the fish so they do not hear it hit the water. As the fly slowly sinks, you will need to find the delicate balance of stripping it in front of the fish without moving it in too quickly. It needs to look like the fly is naturally drifting into the strike zone.
Downstream presentations are key in catching carp on the fly. Do not use the traditional upstream presentation used for trout fishing. An upstream presentation will make you work over the fish. The fly will land too close to the fish and spook it, the line will land on top of the fish and spook it, and the tippet is stripped back into the fish and will spook it. Cast your fly down, across, and in front of the fish. Then pull your flies to the fish and drop them in the strike zone.
Most fly fishermen love to wade in the water, but carp have extremely sensitive lateral lines and will spook at the slightest disturbance. Stay out of the water as much as possible when stalking carp. If you have to get in, do so slowly and quietly.
Walking too fast is a another common mistake. Walking fast means you make lots of noise and stir up fish before you ever get to them. Walking fast also means you are not looking hard enough. Carp are elusive creatures and will show themselves with subtle hints. Walking slowly allows you to see tails, muds, wakes, nervous water, or silhouettes.
Present your fly to the hungry fish. Trying to quickly get your fly in front of a cruising carp will most likely spook other carp in the area. Once you have spotted fish, assess the situation and figure out which fish is feeding and in the best position for a presentation. If there are multiple fish to choose from and you want the bigger fish, wait for the best opportunity to ambush that specific target.
