Carp
is a common name for various
freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish
originally from Eurasia and southeast Asia. Some consider all
cyprinid fishes carp and the family Cyprinidae itself is often known
as the carp family. In colloquial use, however, carp usually refers
only to several larger cyprinid species such as Cyprinus
carpio (common carp), Carassius
carassius (Crucian carp), Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp),
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (silver carp), and Hypophthalmichthys
nobilis (bighead carp). Carp have long been an important food fish
to humans, as well as popular ornamental fishes (see koi and
goldfish). As a result, carp have been introduced to various
locations, though with mixed results.
Carp originated in Western Asia
and were introduced to Europe by the Romans. Carp are easily reared
and a good food fish. 90% of the carp harvest are now farmed (See
Fish Farming Carp) for both sport fishing and human consumption.
They are also made into fishmeal for other animal feeds.
Carp vary from olive green or
yellow green to golden overall and have silver to yellow markings on
the underside.
Carp are omnivorous and feed on insects, insect larvae, plankton
and plants, snails and other aquatic creatures. They mainly bottom
feed, stirring up the mud and gravel on the bottom of lakes and
streams, so they have a very good sense of small as they cannot see
very well in muddy or cloudy water.
Female carp reach sexual maturity at
around 5 years of age, and males around 4 years of age. They can
live over 50 years. The heaviest Carp landed in the world is over
100 lb.
Sir Isaac Walton said about carp in
The Compleat Angler, "The Carp is the queen of rivers; a
stately, a good, and a very subtil fish; that was not at first bred,
nor hath been long in England, but is now naturalised."
Bait for Trout and Other
Freshwater Fish (including Carp)
Ingredients for Carp
Baits | Carp Fishing Bait Recipe:
Breadcrumbs (as base)
Semolina (as base)
Additional Flavourings:
Crushed Hemp Seed - The hemp oil is an effective fish attractor
Dried Insect Meal - Made of flies, worms, shrimps and bugs
Ground Fish
Fish Oil
Sugar cane molasses
Dried mixed seafood - water snails, shrimp, small crayfish, daphnia,
water flies. These are good soaked in anchovy extract for a few days
before grinding and adding to the basic dough mix
Almost any kind of nut - soak first for at least 12 hours and boil
for 30 minutes
Corn kernels - Fresh or canned
Meat Baits - Spam, Luncheon meats, Pepperoni, canned cat or dog food
moulded into balls.
Cheese
Maggots
Sites that have great information about Carp Fishing - On
this page you will find some great sites with loads of information
about Carp Fishing. Many also have forums and communities about Carp
Fishing. This list can save you hours of searching the internet for
sites - the great ones are all listed on this page!
Wholesale Tackle Suppliers - Worldwide listings by country
of fishing tackle manufacturers, distributors and wholesale tackle
suppliers
Fishing Tackle Stores - Worldwide listings of local tackle
stores, also listings on tackle shops that have an online store.
Carp Fishing UK's aim is to provide you the best carp
angling information on the internet, we hope to provide a user
friendly, easy to navigate angling website with plenty of
information for carp anglers of all experiences.
