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California Ghetto Carping
California Ghetto Carping “CGC” a group that is making a difference in young lives that are growing up
in the toughest of urban settings, “The Ghetto”. This group started by Sergio Talavera “Big Serge” a former
gang member who escaped the gang life clinging to his life after a nearly fatal stab to the chest. His part-
ner, Eddie Salmeron, from Compton, who Big Serge got through to just before doing something that he
would regret doing for the rest of his life. These two men are now fishing for young lives in the Ghetto on
hopes of making a difference. As Big Serge says “there are 3 outcomes to street/gang life, death, prison or
living with the terrible choices you have made. They started CGC to give hope to Ghetto kids on a better
way of life there. Not only are they helping to guide young lives, they are now spreading the word in Los
Angles about the greatest sports fish “carp” in the USA. Making a difference with children of this magni-
tude is of the highest order. A legacy to grow and be passed on for many generations to come. Teaching
them a passion that will last a lifetime. We all know carp angling is like a drug itself that when it gets a
hold of you, it is impossible to shake. Their hoping carp fishing will be their drug of choice and the key in
their lives to make a difference. CarpOholics Anonymous was created to spread the word about our great
sport, but what Big Serge and Eddie have started is taking this idea to a whole new level. They need all the
help we as carp anglers can give them. Helping theses groups and others like them will help influence as
many young lives as possible. Not only are they influencing young lives but, members are pulling record
breaking carp from an urban environment, urban carp angling at its finest! In the following paragraphs,
you will meet each member of this group who braves MacArthur Park and others like it in the early hours
of the morning when criminal activity is still active to catch carp and hopefully the young life watching
giving them hope. Please go visit the groups GoFundMe account ( https://www.gofundme.com/3oks4ao
) and help them spread the word and save young lives in LA. I did and will, again and again, to ensure
these guys get the help they need to keep the program going. See you on the banks. Tight Lines and wet
nets Yall!
Jeff Skelton
Rick Slinker