Nice bugle mouth bass………
Yah fer sher dare FISHINFOOL! We git tarred of bein’ talked too as well yah know………..!!! LOL! :O) I guess I won’t be so intimidated when dad says I fish like a girl anymore!!! LOL! No offense BASS GAL…………….that’s a bigger catch than most of us are able to handle…………..just don’t ask any of us to admit it! :O) Congrats to ya!
Ahh, finally we get to see the infamous “Bass Gal” kind of ironic that she is holding a Carp. I’ve never caught one near that big but thay are a blast right up untill you realize that it’s only a carp.
ha, ONLY a carp? what is that supposed to mean? They’re ONLY the most popular gamefish in the world.
Most popular gamefish in the world? I suppose a mudhen is the most sought after waterfowl in the world also. LOL
hey, you don’t have to believe me, check out http://www.carp.org or http://www.carp.net these fish are great fun and highly prized in many parts of the world like Europe where some people actually pay to fish for them in certain pay lakes. If you’re still not convinced, check out In-Fisherman’s video “Freshwater Giants of North America” and see some great fishermen like Al Linder and Doug Stange fish for elusive trophy carp. Al and Doug praise the carp, even calling it the most intelligent fish in freshwater. What a shame the carp is so misunderstood. You try to catch a 40 or 50 pound carp some time, it isn’t easy. For some reason it hasn’t caught on in North America.
I think in years to come it’ll catch on more. Up until the last couple of decades, fishing was almost exclusively about “catch and keep” with all intentions staring at a dinner plate. Our culture (if you can call it that) developed it’s preferences on the taste buds, more so than sport. If it didn’t feed you, it was a waste of time. Also, the ease of cleaning and cooking played it’s part. Catfish, bullhead, carp…………I’ve heard the rumblings of how difficult these fish can be to skin or clean. Many rough fish are thought of as being too boney or the meat is mushy in it’s texture. Through the centuries and decades, this was pretty much it. “How good is it and how easy is it” formed the popularity of our current game species.
I’ve had bullhead………….loved it! I’ve had smoked carp………….good but greasy.
The horizons are broadening and the opportunities available are being looked over once again. With the arrival of sportfishing to our culture, carp will also one day be relegated as a “trophy game fish”. They grow to huge proportions and fight harder/longer than most other freshwater species. It’s not uncommon to see kids throwing doughballs or corn along the banks……………..they understand “the fight” and just want some action. I don’t see them getting any giants, but they get ’em up to 15lbs! Those kids are going to help fuel the future of carp fishing in America.
#1 gaming species here? Maybe not in my lifetime, but in the true definition of sport fishing, it could happen.
yes i agree stillakid, 30 or 40 years ago people didn’t practice catch and release much. But my question is, if carp have no good qualities, then why were they imported to the US? Obviously carp are consumed by many americans and also viewed as a good sport fish by some. Over time somehow they got a bad reputation but I bet if any walleye or bass fisherman got a hold of a 30 pounder they would think differently. Maybe not #1 here, but unquestionably carp are the #1 most sought after fish in the world, primarily Asia, Europe and Africa. I do think carp’s popularity will increase in the U.S. In my area they have a Mississppi river carp festival every year, and this year nearly a thousand people entered the fishing contest (a 21 pounder was the biggest). Top prize was a boat and motor, second prize a “carp mobile” (actually a mini van w/ a carp airbrushed on each side). Underwater cameras, tackle and other prizes were awarded, so it’s a good sign. Fishing for carp is challenging and fun.
Nice prizes! Makes it somewhat enticing! When? Where? How much? :O)
I would guess its the coon rapids carp festival held yearly at the coon rapids dam……
when it comes to carp… well maybe Im jaded…. I grew up in Iowa.. carp and catfish were the main stays… Ive caught carp over 30 pounds on hook and line…. shot them larger than that with bow…….
maybe because they are underfished, I dont know… but they are no challenge to catch…. sure hooking the larger than 30 pounds is a bit harder… but if you fish where they are you will catch them……… for me the difficulty and mystery of other game fish.. perhaps the mystique is what attracts me most… and dont sell a river walleye in warm water short when it comes to fight….. no pound for pound they are not the equal of carp…. but if its fight you want….. then your going to have to fish for salmon, or stripers….. maybe sturgeon…. so Im going to stick by MY chosen target species!!
I read a few years ago that there were some english fisherman coming over here fishing mille lacs for trophy carp… they were spending big bucks to pursue them…… when it come to asia I dont think they are much of a sport fish (but truthfully Ive not read much about asian sport fishing!)….. but Im sure they are a food source….. so while I dont disrepect either carp or carp fisherman…… Im not planning on converting….. though once in a while.. I will see a river spot filled with finny behemoths… and I WILL toss in a line for a bit of a tussle….. they dont often dissappoint….
and hopefully since they are an unexploited fishing resource there will be a epiphany of fisherman to focus on them…..
Yes, the Mississippi River carp festival I’m talking about takes place at the Coon Rapids Dam in June. The main challenge is getting there early so you can get in line and have a better chance at getting a good spot. They hold everyone behind a line and when it’s time to start it’s basically a mad dash. This year was chaotic, with so many people it’s pretty hard to find an area all to yourself. This dam is heavily fished, so catching a carp is no piece of cake. These fish are very wary, and are used to seeing the usual baits so you have to get creative. Often a carp will taste your bait but then spit it out before you can set the hook. Many people sat out there all day without a single fish. If you’re in the right area, you stand a fair chance. I only caught 2 carp the whole day and I have a lot of fishing experience. Check out these sites for some advanced carp techniques. http://fishing.about.com/cs/carp/index.htm
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