Yes, thanks Bill. I'll do my best to catch one before they go dormant this Fall.
I used to catch 6-8# carp a lot for fun as a teen. We seemed to do better with lighter line, because it felt (to me) like the carp would sometimes suck in the dough ball and spit it out a few times. When you thought they had it, a gentle hook set also seemed to have a higher catch rate.
But that was for LITTLE ONES! I have no idea what gear to use for 40" monsters? Carp are very strong fish. If there is structure they can use to break you off, then I think you are going to have to rig heavy.
However, if your pond is mostly open, I think you could land them on spinning tackle with 10# line and your drag set perfectly. Just plan on walking around the pond to wear them out for 20 minutes of fun!
You probably also need a big catfish landing net, because an exhausted carp will also get strong again when it feels mud on its belly right before you put it on the bank!
