Need info on catching Catfish and Carp

[cichlid]

Me and my friend are trying out night fishing. Last night we made dough balls out of garlic powder and red jello (because we aint have red kool-aid). What I need to know is what are some good baits that can catch both catfish and carp in my lake. What are times to go fishing for them? Where do you want your bait to be in the lake out deep or somewhat shallow. What do you do when u get a sure nibble?

[Norfolkboy]

Hi, I imagine over here things will be different, but will try and help you anyway.

Baits that can catch both carp and catfish are: luncheon meat (spam), boilies and dead fish.

Catfish feed best as the suns going down, through the night, until the sun comes up again. Carp will feed at all times.

Have 1 rod fishing to some features (lily pads, reed beds, overhanging trees, gravel patches etc..) and 1 rod in the margins (shallows)

Over here, we don't get "nibbles" from them, if you don't have your rod on a rest, it's likely they'll get pulled in
What I do (this is with a rod on a bite alarm with an inidcator) Pick up the rod while winding in slack, and strike.

Good luck and hope this helps a little

[cichlid]

we use sinkers how far of a distance from sinker to hook would u suggest? I think we should catch one nobody ever goes nightfishing in my lake. How long does the typical cat or carp take to catch? We were there from 9 to about 1230 and got our bait nibbled off and my last cast as soon as it hit the water i felt a distink tug on my pole and knew i had one but i was unsure if I should set the hook or let him swallow it then try and reel him in.

[Norfolkboy]

Up to you really, I've never fished for cats, so can't comment on rigs for them (big hooks ) Carp, I fish it quite close to the hook, between 3 and 6 inches from the hook

[cichlid]

I will try having a 3 inch's from sinker to hook again tonight because thats what I did last night and got that big pull. I'm also using a treble hook is that a good idea?

[Norfolkboy]

Well, over here I don't know of anyone who uses treble hooks for carp, the odd angler may use them for cats, but over here size 6- 10 hooks for the bigger carp, and size 2-4 hooks for the cats

[cichlid]

I didn't have a good hook and when I was using a hot dog tonight on one of my first casts I got a big hit and at that instant when I pulled back my hook snapped! I came back after that because we didn't get anything else.