200 carps in two weeks! yikes! What is your address? (Even though carp isn't gamefish, so not everyone is thinking what I am thinking...) I am sensing an unofficial WCF carp outting in your backyard for the near future!! j/k. We wouldn't invade your space like that--unless you make the invitation... *hint*hint* j/k
First, to avoid the tearing of the mouth in the carp you are catching, try switching to regular bait hooks instead of treble hooks. You may not catch as many fish, but they will be much easier to get out of the mouth without hurting them.
To target gamefish, I think most of us would recommend simply using larger hooks and different baits. You will probably need to fish a little more actively than tossing the rig into the water and waiting. You are right in that most of the lures you just toss out will eventually float back to shore, so you'll have to work them a little before they do (twitches and jerks as you reel them in).
A personal suggestion would be to try some heavier plastics/rubber lures, like stick worms (that look like dying baitfish), your wife will probably not complain too much about those--except maybe about their cost. The heavier plastics will sink at where you've dropped them and stay put longer on the bottom. I'm sure if you leave it there, they will eventually be next to shore due to the current, but they should stay put longer. You'll still want to do the twitching and jerking action though. The carp shouldn't go after the plastics, especially if you are using 1/0+ size hooks to rig them.
Many of the guys here are much more familiar with the Fox, so I will leave it to them to provide you with more helpful suggestions on location and stuff.
Welcome to WCF, good luck and do keep posting your successes in the backyard. We are all very envious.
First, to avoid the tearing of the mouth in the carp you are catching, try switching to regular bait hooks instead of treble hooks. You may not catch as many fish, but they will be much easier to get out of the mouth without hurting them.
To target gamefish, I think most of us would recommend simply using larger hooks and different baits. You will probably need to fish a little more actively than tossing the rig into the water and waiting. You are right in that most of the lures you just toss out will eventually float back to shore, so you'll have to work them a little before they do (twitches and jerks as you reel them in).
A personal suggestion would be to try some heavier plastics/rubber lures, like stick worms (that look like dying baitfish), your wife will probably not complain too much about those--except maybe about their cost. The heavier plastics will sink at where you've dropped them and stay put longer on the bottom. I'm sure if you leave it there, they will eventually be next to shore due to the current, but they should stay put longer. You'll still want to do the twitching and jerking action though. The carp shouldn't go after the plastics, especially if you are using 1/0+ size hooks to rig them.
Many of the guys here are much more familiar with the Fox, so I will leave it to them to provide you with more helpful suggestions on location and stuff.
Welcome to WCF, good luck and do keep posting your successes in the backyard. We are all very envious.
