TARP Program

[FOXZILLA]

Fill me in... what is the TARP program? Sounds interesting. Not bragging, well maybe I am, but I caught a 34" bow in the Congo bottom area of the Caney in the late '80s while skipping school.

[Alphahawk]

My son wants to put in for those this year. I have caught 14 on the list that would qualify and expect to do the same this year also. bd...I can put you on the Carp in July or August...I assume you would be using a fly rod...if you use a Streamer you can get one a whole lot bigger than the 34 inches...now what you are going to do with it after you hook that beast is up to you...but better have a lot of patience.....LOL


Regards

[Reel Tune]

Originally Posted by bd-

I need to see if I can get a certificate from the Turtle Angler Recognition Program.

bd

I think you will have to contact the turtle man for one of those certificates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn8EQ0azXpQ

[Reel Tune]

Originally Posted by FOXZILLA

Fill me in... what is the TARP program? Sounds interesting. Not bragging, well maybe I am, but I caught a 34" bow in the Congo bottom area of the Caney in the late '80s while skipping school.

Follow this link http://www.tn.gov/twra/fish/tarp/tarp.html. There is a list of species, and minium length requirements for each species. You catch the fish on rod and reel, then take a picture of it on a measuring device and fill out a form and put that form and $5 in an envelope and they mail you back a certificate with your name and species on the certificate. Then they put your name on the list with the info. This way you can be recognized for a great catch and not have to kill the fish to show your buddies, or hang in the garage, or your trophy room.

Jeremy

[bd-]

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I assume you would be using a fly rod...if you use a Streamer you can get one a whole lot bigger than the 34 inches...now what you are going to do with it after you hook that beast is up to you...but better have a lot of patience.....LOL

The tough part about carp is that seeing them and catching them are two entirely different things. It is more difficult than you would ever believe to get one to eat a fly. People laugh about carp fishing but it can be very demanding.

If you know a summer spot where fish that size hang out (common carp, not buffalo), I'd definitely be interested in having a look. That said, my experience has been that unless they are up on a shallow flat feeding where you can see them and put a fly right on their nose, it is very hard to get a hookup.

bd

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by bd-

If you know a summer spot where fish that size hang out (common carp, not buffalo), I'd definitely be interested in having a look.

bd

Hey no freebie's for July.

Alpha charge him.

[bd-]

He can show you too. You still have to catch them.

bd

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by bd-

He can show you too. You still have to catch them.

bd

I will figure it out...

Hopefully by July.

[baxterboy]

I have earned 3 TARP's.

1. Rock Bass on a guided trip with Mike Dial in a stream.
2. Smallmouth in the Cumberland River.
3. White Crappie on JPP.

Like BD, I'm hoping to hit the Master Angler, but I need 2 more species. I had a TARP channel cat several years ago but I didn't have a witness or measuring tape so I didn't send it in.

I think it's a great program and the photos are nice garage decor. Mrs. baxterboy wouldn't allow me to hang them in the bonus room.

[Fish Whisperer]

@ BD and Travis, the most carp I've ever seen have been around the Harpeth and Cumberland confluence and that area near Cheatham Dam... I saw some guys filming a bowhunt close to Cheatham Dam while camping down there..

[bd-]

Nearly all the fish I've seen at the Harpeth/Cumberland confluence are buffalo and not common carp.

As far as the Fly South carp tournament goes, the buffalo count too so that's not an issue, but for the TARP it has to be a common carp.

Either way, the fish I've seen at the confluence of the Harpeth and Cumberland and close to most of the tailwater areas tend to be milling around near the surface sunning themselves. They aren't actively feeding fish - they can still be shot with a bow, I guess, but they're not really catchable with a fly or lure.

To catch a carp or buffalo on hook and line, you pretty much have to find fish that are actively feeding and put a fly or bait in front of them.

bd

[SAMBOLIE]

Is there a category for gar ?

[bd-]

No, but there are TARP categories for carp (34 inches) and freshwater drum (28 inches).

bd

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by bd-

Nearly all the fish I've seen at the Harpeth/Cumberland confluence are buffalo and not common carp.

As far as the Fly South carp tournament goes, the buffalo count too so that's not an issue, but for the TARP it has to be a common carp.

Either way, the fish I've seen at the confluence of the Harpeth and Cumberland and close to most of the tailwater areas tend to be milling around near the surface sunning themselves. They aren't actively feeding fish - they can still be shot with a bow, I guess, but they're not really catchable with a fly or lure.

To catch a carp or buffalo on hook and line, you pretty much have to find fish that are actively feeding and put a fly or bait in front of them.

bd

Very few realize how hard it can be to get a Carp to hit.


Regards

[bd-]

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Very few realize how hard it can be to get a Carp to hit.

Yes indeed. As I mentioned above, one of the fly fishing shops in town holds a carp tournament every year in July. People laugh until they try to catch one on a flyrod - then they get a little more humble about it.

bd