Carp

[ilk fish]

On Sunday went to one of the large freshwater ponds in Sydney, and got myself

a lovely carp.

Great scenery and sport fishing, as I used a 2lb (1kg) mainline and a 1lb(0.5kg) trace.

The rod was a Daiwa procaster IM7 and the reel was a very old but unbelievably smooth

Shimano bantom overhead. This outfit was smoother than silk.

I guess alot of people would write negative comments in regards to carp.

But remember, I know of lots of people who once try carp fishing, dont mind it at all.

Further its a boost to the fishing, tourism and food industry.

Even the fisheries department admits that other factors such as poor irrigation management,

livestock grazing near riverbanks, etc etc degrade our water system as well.

I realise that carp are overpopulated in our freshwater systems. Hence if we have specialist

interest groups fishing for carp, I am sure that their numbers would be controlled.

PS I am disgusted with those fertilizer carp companies, you think about it, isnt it in their

interests to degrade the carp to such a level. Hey they definitely love big numbers of

carp in our waterways, otherwise how else would they get their cheap source of fertiliser.

[kikila]

Carp fishing is certainly good fun and a great way to hone your angling skills . The thing to remember is that carp are a noxious pest and it is illegal to return carp back into the water , I know the fine used to be up to a thousand dollars ; which is a lot of fishing gear.

[Guest madsmc]

I don't mind getting into a bit of carp bashing myself. That's a pretty lightweight outfit you're using on them ilk, what size carp are you landing with it?

I can't quite understand how people could eat them though. The smell alone is enough to make me want to donate them for fertilizer. They're nothing but a common pest that deserves to be eradicated using any means possible.

Shane

[OWZAT]

G`day Fellas ,

Carp were ist In`troduced into Australia , by left wing extremeist greenies and communist Sympathizers .

Since the fall of Communisim 20 years ago , these red Raggers have somehow managed to Infiltrate the NP & Wildlife organizations as well as others , thereby managing to introduce Marine Parks into the country as a result of this.

If their plan comes to fruition , then in its final stage , these tree hugging commies will have everything protected , even as a last resort " The Humble Carp" , so before all is lost Fellas , " Catch and Kill a Carp before its too late" .Mick

[Gibbofisho]

lol at mick, lucky you're here to restore tha balance mate!

[Guest Jewel]

"I guess alot of people would write negative comments in regards to carp.

But remember, I know of lots of people who once try carp fishing, dont mind it at all.

Further its a boost to the fishing, tourism and food industry."

I have tried fishing for them and I like it, as for eating qualities, I find soap to be more palateable!!!

Im even humane enough to bash them on the head before I toss them into the bushes for the water rats!!

The more folks catching the vermin the better I say.

They are also quite good sport with a shotgun or a bow and arrow.

[kikila]

They are also quite good sport with a shotgun or a bow and arrow.

WHAT NO HANDGRANADES

[Guest Boppa]

. The thing to remember is that carp are a noxious pest and it is illegal to return carp back into the water , I know the fine used to be up to a thousand dollars ;

Gday all

I think you will find that to return carp back to water in NSW is not illegal last time I spoke to Fisheries this was the case

In Vic it is definitley the case

Boppa

[ilk fish]

I don't mind getting into a bit of carp bashing myself. That's a pretty lightweight outfit you're using on them ilk, what size carp are you landing with it?

I can't quite understand how people could eat them though. The smell alone is enough to make me want to donate them for fertilizer. They're nothing but a common pest that deserves to be eradicated using any means possible.

Shane

Hi Shane

The carp aren't big, they are roughly 3 to 4 kilos, the trace line is platyl strong (dark brown color), its

exceptionally reliable and even though its very fine (1lb breaking strain) its very wear resistant).

The main line is maxima 1kg, its the best 1kg line I have ever used , totally recommend it.

[Laredo]

Gday all

I think you will find that to return carp back to water in NSW is not illegal last time I spoke to Fisheries this was the case

In Vic it is definitley the case

Boppa

doesn't matter, i'd kill them anyway

[Little_Flatty]

Yeah Carp aren't probably an evil fish that most people would think of them as. But good sport as they are and as much as some people enjoy eating them they are still definitely out of place here in Australian waterways.

Take possums in NZ - they are a pest over there but over here in Aust they are much loved little creatures.

Anyway we won't be faced with a carp shortage anytime soon so fish away boys and girls

Mike

[Guest johblow]

There is strong evidence apparently, to the point of it being fact, that carp destroy the habbitat of our beloved yella belly and co. I have to assume that this is true, and thus i say the more carp killing, the better. AND ANYHOW, why on earth would you want to catch an over sized gold fish instead of a yella?

[Lab]

Hi fishing for big carp on 1kg and 2kg is great fun.. there is a few over 10lb off the dam wall at Manly Dam to be caught.. would not eat one though..

[Flattieman]

15lb+ carp are fun on 4lb line. I'm yet to see conclusive evidence of environmental degradation caused by carp.

Flattieman.

[Guest madsmc]

I'm yet to see conclusive evidence of environmental degradation caused by carp.

If it's good enough for the CSIRO to declare them a pest species, then it's a good enough reason for all of us to go a catch a few and do our bit for the environment.

What impacts do Carp have on the river?

Compete with some native fish for food and spawning sites.

When in large numbers, can increase the turbidity (browness) of the water through their bottom dwelling feeding.

Increase erosion of stream banks, channels and levees by undermining them, causing them to slump.

Can infect native fish with the anchor worm (a parasite) that can prevent spawning and can be fatal for large adult Murray Cod and golden perch.

At the end of the day I think most of us would much prefer a healthy river with good populations of native species, rather than an ever increasing number of an introduced pest.

Shane

[Flattieman]

I understand exactly what you're saying. It's just quotes like this (NSW DPI site) that annoy me:

"Carp are often found in degraded areas, although it is not clear whether they cause the degradation or are simply able to survive in areas where native fish have been eliminated. While in some cases carp have probably been blamed for degradation that is actually the result of human activities..."

QLD DPI:

"Carp have been blamed for increased erosion of banks. However, this is difficult to prove as many other factors also cause erosion, such as felling trees on river banks and poor farming techniques."

VIC DPI:

"Carp have been blamed as a major contributor to the decline of native fish populations in northern stream systems through their explosive spread and abundance in the late 1960's-early 1970's, but it is fair to say that this rapid expansion of carp reflected its ability to colonise suitable waters. Native fish had already suffered declines in range and abundance before the introduction of carp, largely through the impact of man on the aquatic habitat."

carpbusters.com.au:

"Large decreases in native fish numbers and other types of river degradation have been blamed on carp. There is no clear evidence to support this and it is possible that human influences such as agricultural run-off and river regulation have degraded our natural aquatic systems to a point where carp are the only fish that can prosper."

I'm no raging carp-supporter, but I reackon that they've been used as scapegoats in the past in a few circumstances.

Flattieman.

[kantong]

I totally agree with your comments Flattieman. But we can all see there is an abundance of carp around, and I wouldn't like to see hard proven facts that carp were the main causes for such things as soil erosion or decrease native fish stock because if we got to that stage, it may be beyond our control.

We should compile a list of our favourite spots to catch carp, sharing is caring!

I personally have not targetted carp, but would love to have a crack at one. I heard in Europe, its some kind of sports fish to them! Australian Carp charters we come!!

[Flattieman]

We should compile a list of our favourite spots to catch carp, sharing is caring! I heard in Europe, its some kind of sports fish to them!

I've fished for them in Lake Yarrunga (Kangaroo Valley) - great spot there and you can also nail some nice bass. I agree with your "in Europe" comment - I know a Brit who gave me a book of a guy's tales about travelling around Europe chasing carp! He showed me the often insanely complicated rigs that they use, when we can catch 'em on a piece of unweighted bread, dough or corn.

Flattieman.

[kikila]

Heres an Email I got back from fisheries about the release of carp

Thanks for your enquiry. DPI Fisheries recommends that carp are not returned to the water alive and strict penalties apply for the translocation of carp. However, it is not illegal to return carp to the water unharmed.

Regards, David Masters

Fisheries Information-Advisory

PH 1300 550 474

[Guest Big-Banana]

I've fished for them in Lake Yarrunga (Kangaroo Valley) - great spot there and you can also nail some nice bass. I agree with your "in Europe" comment - I know a Brit who gave me a book of a guy's tales about travelling around Europe chasing carp! He showed me the often insanely complicated rigs that they use, when we can catch 'em on a piece of unweighted bread, dough or corn.

Flattieman.

Id say! I used to fish for them in the dam down the back of my place.

I remember when I was younger the dam was glowing gold from the goldfish within it. It was stocked to capacity. Pretty large dam too, then the old man added a few carp and in within 3 months there were no goldfish left. Carp rule the dam and there are some bigger ones up to around 6-7kg. Good fun though!

[Flattieman]

Id say!

Yeah - I was a bit surprised at first, but when you see footage of the Pommies chasing carp, it's pretty serious and a long, hard, cold sport. They spend most of the time sitting near their rods (in a tent or car) until the "buzzer" on one of their rods go off, then they spring into action. It's a 24-hour carp-a-thon sometimes.

Flattieman.

[Little_Flatty]

Yeah - I was a bit surprised at first, but when you see footage of the Pommies chasing carp, it's pretty serious and a long, hard, cold sport. They spend most of the time sitting near their rods (in a tent or car) until the "buzzer" on one of their rods go off, then they spring into action. It's a 24-hour carp-a-thon sometimes.

Flattieman.

Yeah I used to spend heaps of time fishing with Pommy coarse fishermen down at the Parramatta River in the nineties and they revere big carp like we all revere big jewies. Thing I don't get is how these fish could experience a 70% reduction in IQ upon arriving in Aussie waters.

Just imagine if Jewies went rampant in english estuaries and became a noxious pest? Bet we'd all be there in a jiffy to assist in the 'eradication'

[Flattieman]

Yeah I used to spend heaps of time fishing with Pommy coarse fishermen down at the Parramatta River in the nineties and they revere big carp like we all revere big jewies. Thing I don't get is how these fish could experience a 70% reduction in IQ upon arriving in Aussie waters.

Just imagine if Jewies went rampant in english estuaries and became a noxious pest? Bet we'd all be there in a jiffy to assist in the 'eradication'

Interesting thought... Don't you get any ideas, now!

Flattieman.

Edited May 31, 2006 by Flattieman

[Lab]

Hi i heard of a carp comp at lane cove coming up any one have any details?????

Cheers..

[Guest bluecod]

Tentative date is 16 July

lures or fly only

no powered boats

Send Boppa a PM for more details or to be kept informed