Carp fishing in the us?

[returnofthefish]

thats funny, I was there earlier and watched a guy catch a carp. i took a pic and posted a report

[The Quadfather]

Nate, is that you with the carp, or is that your "Carp fisher in training?"

[natetreat]

That's me! Hahaha. Yea I caught four today, the guy I was with caught two and lost one.

[Centershock]

I have been amazed at this thread. First, the premise that trout are so easy to catch. I suppose that if you catch hatchery fish at the dump point, that would be true. But then again, fish for carp in an area with lots of carp and they are just as easy if not more so.

Second, I am also amazed at the concept that the bait is so "special". Carp will eat anything they can get in their mouths. I have caught carp on lakes with a fly rod, while they were eating black ants or Cicadas. It was not as hard as fishing for the trout. Carp did not care if the fly drug or was not the right size. I have tossed cotton balls tied on hooks when they were scooping cotton wood cotton from the surface. Worms? Yes!. Corn, absolutely. In Europe, they chum with maggots and corn to get the carp to come to them. In Washington, that will land you a ticket.

Third, if carp are so great eating, then why is it that I cannot get my Polish, Russian, or Asian friends to take some of my bow caught carp. Taste like Talipia? Like heck they do. Talipia have no taste; that is why chiefs like them, they add whatever flavor they want. Carp have a distinct flavor. It is not bad if you know how to clean the fish, and if it is taken from clean water, but it is not like Talipia and it is not to my liking.

Forth, the concept that carp are hard fighting is, well, beyond me. Yes, a 10 pound carp fights harder then a 1 pound trout. But then again, a 10 pound tire fights harder then a 1 pound trout. Still, tie a three pound SMB to 3 pound carp and the carp is dead meat. Nevertheless, the fact that carp get so big, and are so "plentiful", does bode well for someone that does not want to work at catching fish and just wants to sit back, drink beer, and call if fishing. Big Whoop!

So, if I catch any of you being bucket biologist with carp, I will NOT call the authorities. No sir, I WILL call my friends and let them take care of you. I assure you, better turn yourselves in before my friends get to you! Carp can destroy a water system by eating all of the vegetation, rooting up the bottom, destroying native fisheries bio-systems, and overall messing with balances. They may be fine in foreign waters where they evolved, but they are NOT fine in America.

Last, as I get off my soap box, if you love to fish for carp that much, then perhaps you live in the wrong country. Feel free to go back to Europe of Asia where they are prized. If you love this country, and still want to catch carp, then I will forgive you - catch all you can, keep all you catch. If you think that you should spread carp to your favorite water, then see above first.

LOL

[natetreat]

Almost forgot about this thread. I love me a good carp fight, plus they are super cool looking. Anytime you can catch a fish 10+ pounds 5 minutes from your house is a fun time for me. They're not that easy to catch in our westside waters, especially without chumming, so yea, they're still pretty sporting to boot. Eating? I'll usually pass, but you can't argue with using them for fertilizer! They'll grow you tomatoes nice and fat! I won the fair when I was a kid growing my sunflowers with a giant carp right under it. Tripled the size of that thing.

[c_saeteurn]

green lake has a bunch of carp. line with a hook at the end no weight, bait it with corn and let it sink to the bottom. best time is at night

[FishingFool]

Found this carp floating in the middle of Lake Sammamish today. Pretty big too. Maybe 20-22".