Me and a buddy had a decent day Saturday was only our second time out bowfishing so we had a lot more misses than hits but we had a blast.
I need @bloodcrick to teach me how to bowfish. I have seen several YouTube videos and it looks like a blast. Are carp any good to eat? Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Carp can be eaten if fixed properly. Holiday time in eastern Europe will find live and partially dressed carp in the markets. I find it difficult to imagine all those fish laid out on hot concrete will be eaten. I mostly fish for carp and buffs- catch and release so they grow bigger and I can catch them again.
My uncle used to bowfish for them all the time in the river just walking through the shallows. He used to come back with 10 to 15 regularly. They would get put in the garden for fertilizer. Sent from my iPad using Bowhunting.com Forums
Sota, may I respectfully disagree with you? Common carp, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) is not an invasive species. Many make the mistake of lumping them with other fish as Asian carp, bighead carp and silver carp. They are the real invasive species! Common carp were deliberately introduced in the US in the 19th century to feed the growing immigrant population. Many eastern European countries and their American relatives have common carp as a holiday treat. You can go to many countries and see both live and dressed carp in the markets. They are classified in many places as a rough fish but states as Texas now have specific regulations on them. New York state recognizes the economic value and now includes common carp in the brochure listing game fish. Connecticut is considering specific regulations. Bowfishing in Great Britain is illegal. Why? Fishing for common carp in GB is part of the $7 billion industry in Europe. There are tackle shops all over Europe that cater to nothing but carp fishing. Weed? Not sure what you are referring to with that word. "They drive away all the good fish!" That is because the "good" fish require different aquatic conditions than common carp. Common carp can tolerate higher temperatures and lower oxygen content that other fish cannot tolerate. Hence, thee good fish migrate to other places more favorable. Undesirable? Depends on who you ask. "They eat fish eggs!" I have been fishing for over 68 years and never seen a carp near any fish nest- bass, bluegill, crappie. I have never had anyone produce an underwater video or any video to confirm this. Two years ago, I fished a lake that has a healthy population of carp. I watched a bass of 16-18 inches guarding a nest. The nest was surrounded by bluegill. In watched that nest for two days and never saw a carp near it. I have been fishing for carp and buff mostly for about 5 years. I'm going tomorrow with a grandson to meet a friend and catch (hopefully) carp and buffs. Many people lump common carp with other species that are truly invasive but there is a great difference. It is interesting the Top 100 bass lakes listed by Bass Angler Sportsman's Society are also some of the best carp venues in the USA. Go to www.carpanglersgroup.com for the full picture. I'm the state chair for Tennessee. Hard to pass up a 20 or 30 lb. fish. Let me know if you need anything else clarified.
