The merits of carp are easy to extol: Superior intelligence. Large carp are simply the wariest of all freshwater fish, by reason not just of superior brain power in combination with sheer age, but through their acute senses of hearing, feeling, taste, and vision. Immense size. Fish over 100 pounds probably exist, and 30s, 40s, and 50s are common in some waters. Immense power. A 20-pounder will routinely crack off 50 yards of 10-pound line, and will do it again and again. Supreme beauty. Specimens from clear water are stunning. Such views are difficult for many North American anglers to accept because they've heard otherwise for so long. But for the enlightened who target this supreme gamefish, no other fish seems quite so worthy of pursuit.

Tackle

Rod: 7- to 12-foot medium-heavy-power spinning rod.

Reel: medium-capacity spinning reel.

Line: 8- to 12-pound-test mono.

Rigging

Set rigs for carp are similar to those used for catfish and other species. The simplest rigging involves a sliding bell sinker stopped by a bead against a small swivel. The leader can be an 18- to 24-inch segment of either mono or fused-filament line. The business end of the leader is a hair rig that rests on the bottom or slightly above with the aid of a small piece of styrofoam. For bait, it's tough to beat hard field corn. Cover it with water and allow it to soak for a few days, then boil it for an hour just before you fish. A teaspoon of vanilla or other flavoring for each pint of bait often attracts more carp.

Presentation

Where legal, baiting or chumming greatly improves your odds of catching numbers of carp. If the bait is grouped in one spot, however, fish will quickly consume it and move on. Spread the bait out in an area roughly the size of a tennis court and it will attract carp to the area and keep them occupied for a longer time. A small slingshot can be used to launch baits further from shore, but still within casting distance of a long rod. It doesn't matter where you place your rig within the spread, but often hot spots will become apparent as the day progresses. Cast to different spots after you hook or miss a fish to locate the best areas.