Grass Carp?

[fishva]

I have a simple question (how to catch grass carp), but I'm going to lead into it with a long story. Because stories are the best things about fishing.

 

Last weekend, I took my son camping. At one point on Friday, we decided to go on a hike around the small lake / reservoir where we were staying. Not too far into our hike, we came to a man-made waterfall that serves as an overflow system. The lake was low at the time we were there, but when it's full, water runs over the fall and into a creek. We walked down to the creek to look for frogs, tadpoles, turtles, and other interesting things.

 

The creek is never more than 6 feet across from what I saw of it, but it is really deep in some spots. As we approached it, we saw a pair of grass carp up by the surface of the creek. They must have been around 5 feet long -- I know that sounds like a fishing tale, but I'm 6 feet tall, was up within a few feet of them, and can say pretty confidently that they would have been a pretty even match at a guess your height carnival game. We were able to look at them for a minute or so before they saw us, splashed their tails in a frenzy, and disappeared into the deep part of the creek.

 

Now, I know that these carp rarely grow beyond 4 feet long, but these things must be in control of the creek system and have grown obscenely large.

 

I want to catch one.

 

They're illegal to possess here, and of course, I want to stay within the limits of the law. I just want to get one up to the creek bank, admire its giant scales, and let it go on its way.

 

I understand that they're vegetarians -- how do you catch these things? Corn on a hook? And do I need to bust out my surf fishing rig? The idea of fighting such a big fish in such a small body of water is so exciting to me.

[tbone1993]

Ive got up to 15lb on medium action spinning gear. Took me forever but I got it in. i suggest using corn or some other type of dough bait . They may be hard to catch so if it is legal just snag them and hang on lol

[SirSnookalot]

Grass carp (White Amur) can reach 100# in their native China, don't believe they that big here but any thing is possible I guess.  I've caught a few on jerk baits, pretty good battle.  I here people that target them use ficus berries and a fly rod.

[Bluebasser86]

They regularly get over 4' long in the lakes and ponds around here. They love cattail stalks if you can find a way to hook and present one. Berrys (strawberrys, blackberrys, raspberrys) and grape tomatoes work as well. They're very spooky and difficult to hook. Flyfishing can be very effective for them as well. Or you can just throw a 7" swimbait at one and watch it slam the thing like a giant bass 

[blongfishing]

My grandma has them at her dock. My papa jack would buy dog food in the green bag. Not the kind for dogs but I think it's like rational or something put it on a Aberdeen hook. Works like magic. We used corn sometimes too.

[Christian M]

If you just wanna hook into one and experience the fight, throw a rooster tail, or a weighted trebel hook at one in the shallows. Most likely you'll foul hook them on the dorsal or tail fin because their scales are like armor plating. For this you just need a spinning reel with a good drag system and Meduim to Medium Heavy action rod. Your line doesn't need to be anything too heavy. Maybe 10-20 lb braid, because no matter what, you're not going to horse one in. You just need to let it make runs until its tired out.

 

As far as actually hooking them in the mouth, it takes some patience and practice. Carp are highly saught after game fish in many parts of the world, and when you hook into one, you'll know why. Good luck!

[nascar2428]

If it is legal in your state, chum some corn then throw  a baited hook with corn in the middle of the chum with slack in the line and either your bail open or drag loosened. If you could chum an area for a day or two at the same time each day the fish will be waiting for ya.

[SirSnookalot]

A foul hooked fish is always more difficult to bring in.

[F14A-B]

I stuck one on a red worm/ spinning setup... About 2500 size... They were the target... And he bit and burned every inch of line off,fought that fish but could not overcome its determination with

Spinning gear.. They are massive, strong, and great sport!