Close Quarter Combat - CQC

by John McKean

"BATTLE!" gleefully exclaimed my 25-year-old son, Sean. Well, I had to quickly scan around because, after all, the young man was a CQC (Close Quarters Combat) instructor who taught the deadly unarmed striking tactics of WW2 around the country to airline crews, military personnel and professional bodyguards. No, turned out that we weren't under imminent attack from terrorists but, rather, this "CQC" was a close-quarters-CARP! However, even Sean's well-honed hand-to-hand skills were being tested to their limits by the powerful runs of his hefty big-scaled adversary!

Carp, despite their unwarranted "trash fish" label, are actually premiere gamefish that fight much harder and far longer than most anything available to freshwater anglers EVERYWHERE. In most locales they are also the biggest, baddest fish around! With today's skillful techniques and superior gear they certainly need not be the "bait 'n wait" characters of our youth, the wily giants being better lured into carefully orchestrated stalking sessions and intense give-and-take competitions.

For some years now I've specialized in light tackle jig fishing for our "golden salmon." My system is a bit peculiar, yet keeps me always alert, active, and sure gets the ole ticker thumping when a big gal latches on! And, for those who have read this far and consider the website, yes, the Emmrod is of highest priority to this most excellent SPORT!

Let's consider the virtues of a short, strong rod for carp jigging. Though extremely wary when shoreline-bound critters (like us!) are around, carp are not especially shy about wild splashing and frolicking around lonely, far away shallows, often exposing their private, prime feeding areas. However, these honeyholes are always exactly where few humans care to tread - thick forests, brush, steep ledges, rattlesnakes (just kidding - so far!), etc.- the very reason free-roaming carp love these protected waters. So, my number one trick is to arm myself with a short, unbreakable rod that I can both hike in with and cast around and through dense shoreline cover. (Though I was told by an early carp fishing mentor that all that is really needed to dispose of a rattlesnake is a light tap on his head. Seems a steel Emmrod could give said snake a heckuva headache! YOU try that one- me and my Emmrod are outa there at full gallop!!).

First thing I do when arriving at a carp sanctuary is to "sow the seeds" that'll keep my quarry around and feeding, such seeds being a half can of corn kernels! These ever-hungry monsters constantly patrol their feeding grounds, but rarely stay within one particular sector unless plenty of goodies are available. Draw the herd close by and right in front of you (fish with extreme stealth, though! ) by careful chumming at frequent intervals. You have complete control of this “corn planting” and can, at times, enjoy the extreme thrill of watching one of these bescaled torpedoes slurping in the jig right at your feet!

To work my 'sowed garden' I employ a tiny 1/16, 1/20, or 1/32 oz. leadhead jig thinly tied with white or yellow calf tail fibers. This material is short and crunchy for a natural “taste” to a testing carp, especially when previously dunked in the corn juice from the can! Naturally, I also tip the no. 4 size hook (usually a fairly strong O'Shaughnessy) with a single kernel of corn.

A little underhand flip of the Emmrod easily propels the tiny, aromatic lure to just beyond the far edge of the freshly established food zone. Aim for as gentle a splashdown as possible –not too difficult unless you try this with a longer rod. I prefer either an open-faced spinning reel or an underspin type spincaster below an Kayak King or Mountaineer rod (although a spin reel beneath the Emmrod fly rod has special advantages to this style of fishing - but that's for another story!). Quality, fresh six-pound test mono will do the job for carp jigging, thanks to the spring and gentle give of the unique steel coils which offer it superb protection. However if your local carp hole holds 25- 40 pound buglemouths, maybe consider a braided superline in at least 20 pound test!>

After the cast, work the jig back in short intervals of time and space. Let it sit for 10 - 30 seconds then gently swim it forward about 3 feet, drift back to bottom, rest again, etc. Don't “pop” the jig as any unnatural speed will alert and spook the wary critters. Just allow the lure to blend in and keep it SLOW. Surprisingly, during the transition in bottom positions you'll sometimes witness a 20 pounder go into fierce attack mode during the swim; if ya got ‘em, bring your heart pills!!

A key reason for always maintaining a handhold on the comfortable little Emmrod, along with continuous jig movement, is the very nature of a cautious carp's take. It is very soft, almost imperceptible. Not anything like those wild runs of bait fishing from the old forked sticks, such runs often being the result of NOT detecting the hit for MINUTES, until the carp realizes he's hooked himself and bolts! Rather, a carp will vacuum in the light jig and take his good ole time deciding whether it's really fitting to his discriminating palate! If, by the way, you happen to be holding a much longer rod than a sensitive, firm Emmrod, chances are you'll never feel the subtle suck-in nor set the hook in time.

The time for hooksetting is the instant you even imagine something is different underwater! A slight tick or gentle line tightening during jig resting or dropping is the only clue you often get. Those suctioning lips blow in the entire package at once, so why wait? Just don't make the mistake of rearing back to chance pulling the jig right back out of his mouth; just grind down on the reel to achieve firmness on the line, then give a short sideways drag with your nice solid Emmrod. It'll take “Old Gold” a moment of realization to ascertain his plight, then HOLD ON! A huge advantage here is that you've surprised the beast and control his head at the onset rather than have to attempt to turn perhaps the hardest runner in fresh water.

When a big ole carp does bull his way toward open water, and he will, BACKREEL line to him rather than rely on a reel drag. Oh, it's a tough fight for sure, but this is exactly the challenge we seek! Besides, it's more fun with this total “hands-on” approach. And, no matter what, you know even a giant carp won't break THIS rod!!

My ole fishing buddy, "Karp" Kowalski, made a habit of searching out ancient short steel rods specifically to conquer his many huge river cats and carp. His success rate soared, but these old time outfits proved heavy and cumbersome, not really good for jigging. Now an Emmrod provides lightness and superb comfort for easy all day casting and to efficiently control the big blonde mamas. Try my CQC jigging method and enjoy a spirited close range encounter that will have you, thanks to the diminutive Emmrod, virtually shaking hands with an angry old warhorse!