Carp Fever!

Question
Dr. Neil Stern,

After a friend loaned me the video carp angling 101 put out by the american carp society I've seen to caught carp fever and really want to get out there and try it.
I live in Southern Minnesota and alot of the lakes around me seem to be weedy, is it even worth it trying to fish carp in these weedy areas?   One of the reservoirs thats close to me seems to be a good bet for carp I've seen them jump/feed and doesent seem to be much for weeds another smaller reservoir also seems to be a good bet, however the netting reports seem to indicate suckers in there more than anything.  What are some tips on looking for a good area on a lake/river to fish?  I also live near the Mississippi river where there is extensive backwater areas as well as the main channel, what would be better the backwater areas which is usually weedy or the main channel which has strong current?  One area on the main channel is right near a coal-fired power plant, would that be an area worth checking out?
On the subject of using corn for bait...which would be better sweet corn from a can? or feed corn that has been soaked with maybe some molasses in it?  I'd also like to try a method feeder sometime.
I did buy a long kyoceram carp rod with a big pit reel with baitrunner feature,  however on the smaller reservoirs this seems like overkill,  I have my old shakespere 7' fishing rod but it doesent have a baitrunner feature, Is there a way to make this work with a bankstick with bite indicator and hanger?

Sorry for the overabundance of questions...Just excited to hit the lake and hoping for some kind of success!  

Answer
Great to see such enthusiasm, I love it,,,,,
you will find that cooked Deer Corn will last longer on the hook, I usually make up about 5 pound batch for short sessions,,,,,,, put it in a pot and boil for an hour and a half, keep covered with water, after it's finished boiling I add flavoring, mostly vanilla, or butter nut, cover the pot and let the flavoring steep into the corn,,,at the lake I throw out a few spods, and use 3 or 4 kernels on the hair rig...
I also cum with range cubes ( cattle Cubes#,,,reading the water you are about to fish is critical,,on calmer lakes look for fish crashing, bubbles coming up from the bottom, tree overhangs, and places where water drains INTO the lake, also plumb the shore line and our from it, to determine if there are any shelfs or ledges,,look on the shore for broken shells Freshwater clams, and or signs of crawfish, around rocky areas...I suggest that you go to
www.carpanglersgroup.com
join up as a forum guest # no charge) and additionally ask questions of others that are in your area,,,I'm certain that you'll find someone that will show you some productive waters,,,with respect to your equipment, there is NEVER OVERKILL when fishing new waters, cause you simply never know,,,,,,I had a 34#er from a lake that had never been fished,,,you just never know,,,,,,, now if you just want sheer sport, sure, use the zebco, and have a blast,,,...as for that Shakespeare set up..... all you need to do is set the drag very loose, secure the rod at the but and watch it closely,,,,,,,,