The thirty eight pound fish again. Leave ultra light rods at home for the smaller carp. These carp have incredible strength and thrusting power. A shake of their heads will snap twenty pound test if they wrap your line around snags and obstructions. You do not want to play these fish for long periods of time as many claim to do on light tackle. Time is against you. Drag set is critical as the fish needs enough give to run as they bid for freedom. Too tight a drag will enlarge the hook hold and the weight of the fish shall free it. Hold the rod high to absorb the shock of the fight. Use a net to land the fish and beware of that last effort along shore when you think the fish is beaten. He will explode when he sees you. Be as still as a tree when playing him in, and have your net man squat low profile so as not to alarm the fish as he approaches the net. A foolish netter will lose you fish. Good netting is a not often discussed skill. Practice netting when you are fishing alone.

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