UNDERCOVER WITH THE CARP MAFIA

Big fish bring big smiles!

You know, the term 'rough fishing' can mean a lot of things. There are rough waters, rough fish and rough characters. One of the cool things about 'rough fishing' is that there is always potential to catch big fish...something that I think we all like to do. And, if you are not careful, you might even take a liking to this crazy sport, better known as carp fishing.

To the untrained eye, these dudes look darned near like upstanding citizens.

I recently hooked up with the local chapter of the Carp Mafia and was allowed to get in on some of the latest carp scoop and permitted to fish with these assorted low-lifes. Most of my angling friends do not even know that I associate with such a bunch of bottom-feeders as these, so let's keep it quiet...OK?

Most Carp Mafia members keep their true identity secret.

Truth is, most self-respecting, card carrying CM associates live secret lives as closet carpsters, and that way they can actually exist as almost decent citizens of society. In their own twisted world of hair-rigs, bite alarms and corn, Mafia members often go to great lengths to keep their bottom feeding secrets to themselves, speaking in hushed secrecy and whispering tones when discussing the pursuit of the great golden fish.

This high ranking CM kingpin hides behind a veil of scales and slime.

But behind the secrecy, behind the chum balls and behind all the preparations that go with serious carping, most Carp Mafia chaps are actually somewhat tolerable and do take baths regularly. And...they catch fish!

What is there not to like about catching fish this big?

Decent carp about to be banked.

The fight is coming to an end.

So...when you get a bunch of guys together that are old, in the way and just want to sit in the shade and chew the fat, you actually get a good time! So, when my other, 'uppidy' fishing friends make fun of us carpers, I just tell Rico and the boys, and everything is taken care of. Believe it or not, this just may be my future in fishing...knees bad, can't see well, and won't walk too far from the truck. Throw in big fish that are spooky to catch and sometimes exceed 20 pounds...and, well...what's not to like about it all?

Undercover carpers yuck it up for the camera.

What on the surface may seem like a dull sport and a questionable quarry is actually quite exciting. What seems bad is good, and good can be bad. Kinda like the new life we all can experience once we accept the forgiveness and grace of the Savior...Jesus Christ. I like 2 Corinthians 5:17 where it says...'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come' What a great, GREAT thing to know, that Christ has changed our lives permanently. I wanted that, and I recieved it permanently on Aug 14, 1975, when I gave my life to the King. No longer a bottom dweller, but at the top of the food chain, feasting on grace, forgiveness and love. No secrets, nothing undercover...just a child of God. Seek Him today and you, too, will have that new, and full life that comes when you walk with the King!

SEEMS CLEAR TO ME

Crystal clear gillin'! The ledge below is in 15 feet of water!

I have been having a lot of fun lately fishing for pre-spawn bluegills at a local quarry where the water is amazingly clear. You can make a 40 foot cast with a tiny jig, tract it as it falls through the water column, and watch a big bluegill come up and attack it at the 25 foot level...clear as a bell! Crazy! Plus, there are plenty of bass and some major-league crappies cruising about also. But not all the fish are deep...

This shelf holds many spawning bluegills and bass.

As you can see by the picture above, there is a fairly substantial shelf that many fish utilize for spawning. Looks shallow, but this is actually 10 feet deep or more. The darker water is way, way deep!

Back she goes!

Not a huge bass, but lots of fun on the ultra lights!

This was the best bluegill of the trip...a fine hen just over the ten-inch mark.

This wasn't the first time I had fished here. I enjoyed some summertime bluegilling here a few years back. But it seems that some of the gills have gotten a little bigger. And there always seems to be 2 to 3 pound bass swimming around. Neat, yet eerie place to fish with such deep, dark water and limited shoreline fishing available. Here are a couple more shots of my recent success at this small, public water...a gem!

More chubber gills!

A bonus largemouth bass!

Another 10-inch gill from a previous trip.

Almost all the fish took the 1/80th ounce Pink Thing hair jig & worm.

Yes, fishing in these clear conditions can be both exciting and challenging. You see the fish, they are coming to your bait, you get excited and maybe set the hook too soon. As I was watching all this action from above, I couldn't help but wonder how clearly God sees all of our actions and reactions throughout our life. And, when we are about to make a wrong move, or take the wrong bait, how He must cringe and labor as His heart gets broken, many times in our lifetime. He sees everything in perfect clarity, cheering us on when we do well and suffering pain when we don't. Like the true, Godly Father that He is, He has compassion for us, and emotions run high when He sees us stumble and fall. He loved us so much, that he gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us ( John 3:16 ) so that we could spend an eternity with Him. We can not reach heaven by working and tithing and serving or even doing any good deeds. We can not 'earn' His acceptance, because 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." as it says in Romans 3:23.

Falling short, getting back up, asking forgiveness and believing in grace...seems clear to me. Praise be to Jesus!

I'm coming back to this place!

GODS LOVE IS DEEPER THAN ANY OCEAN, OR QUARRY, FOR THAT MATTER.