[Flatheadmaniac]

We have talked on here about baitrunner/baitfeeder/live liner/bite'n run/fullrunner style reels for CATCHING carp on hook and line..but as you know there are other rods and reels that are used in carping that never get a hook tied on them and are never used to land carp...but are very important to "all-around" carpers who use all the possibilitys allowed to locate, chum and catch carp.
Ive seen a few questions about "SPODS" what are they and what are they used for..BUT what about "feature" finding methods such as "marker floats"???
I know from all the UK info. ive read that lots of serious carpers over there use 5 rods for carping most of the time(this might just be for "syndicate" lakes?)..they are allowed to use 3 hook-baited rods to CATCH carp, then one rod for spodding and one for "feature finding" with a marker float.
From what i gather(please correct me on this) but they first use a marker float tied on the end of a line with a sliding heavy sinker or a special design sinker free running between the float and rod..they cast this out trying to find features to fish(ie gravel
spots, clear areas in weed beds, ect.) and also to find out what type of "bottom" they are faced wth(ie mud, silt, weeds, rock, sand, ect.). When they find what they are looking for they let out a little line until the marker float comes to the surface to "mark" the spot. Then they grab the spodding rod and cast "spot on" or as close as you can, to this marker float, putting out as much chum, feebies, ect. they want to atract the carp to thier hooked bait. After spodding they then grab a hook-baited rod and cast to the marker float trying again to get right on(spot on) that marker!
They do this for each of the 3 rods.
NOW you know i was going to get to a question..lol

I have fished with you before..i know your thoughts and why you like to spod..but i havent SEEN you use a marker float to feature find or mark a spot that you want to cast to...do you use one..if not why?..or if you do.... is it a very important part of the big puzzel in catching carp for you?
Also while "day-dreaming" about the upcoming C.A.G. events, i have been considering buying a spod rod and a spod rocket of some kind..i have seen first hand how effective it was for you on Erie..but at the same time saw Richie just using pack baits and doing very well?
Do you think just a Fox Spod rod and a stubby Rocket will be a good all around chioce?

I know alot of anglers that spod use the "big pit" style reels(not baitrunner big pits) for thier spodding and marker floats..do you think either one of the last two reel on the 'Okuma" page located on this link would be good?
http://digitaldagger.com/
Now i do have a "big pit" style spinning reel thats just for casting long distance and such..but its a Daiwa Emblem Z and its about a $200 reel and bought it for Hybrid hunting..i know this reel will work..but i wanted a dedicated reel that will be just for carping work like spodding ect. Will just a regular spinning reel that holds a good amount of line work just as good?

Ok ive yapped on long enough, catch ya later,
Scott

 

[Flatheadmaniac]

forgot to tell ya carp anglers..

That Daiwa has brought one of thier Bite n' Run carp reels to the US market this year..not a bad price and for those who like Daiwa tackle you might be interested?(click on Daiwa reels)
http://digitaldagger.com/
For those serious Daiwa fans looking for higher quality...heres thier top of the line Grand Wave Bite n' Run reel thats the brother of the UK Infinity(would cost about $500 american $ to purchase)
http://store.yahoo.com/tackle/daiwagrandwave1.html

rrbski's C.A.G. friend Don Rogers bought two of these Grand Wave reels for carp fishing thise year ....geez, ive seen his carp gear too..this guys SERIOUS about carpin!!

 

[cwcarper]

I always carry a plumb rod with a marker float attached to it. I just use an old Ambassadeur 6000 on a spare rod -- works as a good backup rod too if something goes wrong with my standard setups. I use those ping-pong ball sized styrofoam floats in fluorescent orange. I run my mainline through a heavy bell sinker (2-3 oz), then tie off to a barrel swivel. Then I tie an 8inch section of line to the swivel, put the float on the line, then tie the end to another swivel to keep everything self-contained.

Currently, I don't use it exactly as you described because I don't leave it out as a target to cast to or for baiting the hole, but I do use it to find features on the bottom and most importantly to get good depth measurements. In fact, every time I fish a new water the first thing I do is check the depths with my plumb rod -- it's great for finding ledges, humps, etc., and is accurate within about 6 or 8 inches once you get accustomed to using it. I think it really helps me learn the layout of the waters I'm fishing.

As far as the spods go -- I have the Stubby Spod on a 7 ft spinning outfit with a large capacity spinning reel -- another spare rod and reel I have sitting around. I don't really use the spod much, especially since I've gotten my sling shot, but that's mostly because I haven't done much distance fishing lately, where the spod really excells. Takes practice, though, and I"m just not that good with it yet. Can be very handy to concentrate your bait in one area, though.

As far as recommending rods/reels for either of these applications -- I'll let Bob take care of that. My advice to most people would be to experiment with the spod/marker float on gear you already own, that way you can decide if you're really going to make it a major part of your fishing style before paying more for equipment specifically for this purpose that might not get used that often. Spods are relatively cheap, but spod rods aren't. I know you're a tackle maniac, though, so that bit of advice probably doesn't apply to you .

 

[rrbski]

Marker Float....

Scott...everytime you've fished with me...I arrived friday night and you came saturday morning...plumbing around with the marker rod had already been done. Once I find the spot I leave the marker out just long enough to cast my spod too to get the range...then I clip the line in the line clip so distance will always be right...and pick a feature on the other side of the body of water to cast too. Then bring the marker float in...no longer needed. To cast my baited rods out accurately...I just leave the spod out there floating and can see to cast to it. After a few casts I get the feel of the cast and don't have to use the spod to mark.

Richie and packbaits. Packbaits are very effective at catching fish without groundbaiting/chumming. But, packbaits over a spodded/chummed area work even better sometimes (I was using that Oat packbait). If you remember I always spodded a couple 3 loads of bait (cracked corn and hemp) out after each fish. Now...as far as Richie He was slick and smiled a couple times after his casts. He was immediately to my right...and caught ALL his fish on his left rod (closest to me)...with that heavy NW wind we had my spod would sometimes drift his way when the winds were picked up....he was casting the right boundary of my spodded area But.....having said that...sometimes, depending on number of available fish etc...a packbait without any chum works better...that's why it's best to start out with a light chum and adjust according to fish and how they are reacting to it.