Carping in Kingston

[golfisher]

Joined this board a while back, but kept to myself so far as most discussions seemed to revolve around Eastern Ontario. Too bad this board wasn't around when I was living in Ottawa and Kingston and had to actually buy a couple of books just to learn the difference between a baitcaster and a spinning reel. With so much good info here, I could have spent more time fishing than burying my nose in a book and still getting skunked.

Anyways, I am heading to Kingston this weekend to take care of some business at my good old alma mater, and I figured that since I have to drive almost 3 hours to get there, I might as well stick around for a day or two and get some carping done, particularly as carping in TO is a whole lot tougher than in inland lakes. So here is my question (and I feel a bit guilty about letting my first post be a question): Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I should go for carping in and around Kingston? I remember catching a carp at Kingston Mill eons ago, but that was purely accidental. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

[bottom feeder]

Welcome Golfisher
Youdont mention where you hail from now.
Sorry I cant answer your question but dont feel bad your first post is a question.Got to start sometime
Norm

Good luck

[SkeeterJohn]

I can't say i've ever fished down as far as kingston for carp as i mostly target them nearer to cornwall and that's a bit out of your way.

At this time of year any shallow water that has good access to deeper water is a safe bet. Also trying to fish some transitional bottom structure like a shelf or drop off is also a good idea. Carp nearly always follow contours so baiting these types of areas can be productive.

What are you using for bait?

Sorry i can't help with exact locations and finding others out there fishing for them is unlikely. There are some big fish out there though... My best this year was only 32lbs but locally a 51lb 12oz was caught and i beleive last year a bow fishing comp turned up a 48lber near gananoque.

[golfisher]

BF, thanks for the welcome. I hail from the so-called "centre of the universe," or as I would like to call it, God's punishment for my past transgressions, a.k.a. Toronto.

Johh, thanks for the tips. Carping still has some way to go before it becomes more widely accepted here in Canada, but personally, nothing beats the screaming sound of the line peeling off the reel, pulled by a 30 lb freight train. They aren't exactly the prettiest fish, but fishing was never a beauty contest for me anyways. I usually use doughballs, corns, and occasional boilies; most of my success so far has come from doughballs made out of the same groundbait ingredients, uncooked, dangling about six inches off the feeder on a hair rig, which, in my opinion, is the second greatest contribution that Brits ever made to mankind next to Shakespear. Bolilies, on the other hand, have not been that productive so far. What's your favourite bait?

I know that St. Lawrence has one of the greatest carping opportunities, but the area is so vast that I have no idea where to begin. If Kingston Mill doesn't fan out, perhaps I will give a try to the stretch of Highway 2 between Kingston and Gananoque.

Cheers,

[SkeeterJohn]

Try using corn feed aka dry maize... soak it in a bucket of boiling water over night and add a cup of sugar.. as the corn rehydrates it takes in the sugared water making a very sweet concoction the fish seem to like.

I find a bucket does me the whole day which sounds like a lot but if you move a couple of times it goes quickly.. I buy my corn in 55kg sacks for about $14 just watch out for mice over the winter if you happen to store it inside

I've done ok on boilies this year but they can work out to be exspensive if bought commercially... i can get a 5kg bag for about $40+tax... while others can go for $20 for 1kg... making them myself is an option but i've made so many over the years buying them is easier these days.

Good luck although catches in the summer tend to be less than in the spring... i mostly target them from april-july then switch over to bass, pike, muskie... they make a nice filler while waiting for other seasons to open.

[kingston-Mike]

hey Golfisher..

Kingston Mills is still good for Carp. Though I don't target them myself, I've seen many taken from above and below the locks. I've seen both worms and corn used for bait. Anywhere on the Rideau would be good with easy access to the water. My favorite being Lower Brewers Lock for Bass and Pike, though they'll be a bit *soft* with this heat, but lots of Carp there down by the point just below the dam. You can also try the Collins Bay Pier off Bath Road going out towards the west end of town. Can also do the pond next to the Dupont plant on King street West (aka Front Rd).

This is what I love about Kingston, in as little as 10 minutes I can have a line in the water. Take a nice drive up the #15 or Montreal Rd for 20 minutes for some country style fishing! The early mornings will allow you to avoid the crush of people.

Enjoy!

[golfisher]

John, I've tried maize before, but without much success. Maybe I should give it a few more tries. I began carping this spring as a filler before other species opened, but I got hooked big time, and now carping takes up 90% of my fishing.

KM, Kingston does offer a lot of fishing opportunities close by. I remember catch tons of spring perch below the Kingston Mill lock and some decent pike. Enjoy it while you can; I didn't, and I kick myself for this now that I no longer live in Kingston.

Thanks to both for the help.

Cheers,

[tonyholt]

this reply is probably a bit late now but I caught at 30lb carp at Caigers resort near gannanoque september 2005 - their first carp, i then caught two more. baited up with some corn that had been left to ferment and then used your canadian plastic corn as bait!
good luck

[1lastcast]

I agree with Kingston-mike,

Dupont plant on King street West is a sure spot. Not sure if it has any hard water still there.

Welcome back to K town.