Does anybody have any experience with trying to get grass carp out of a pond? I put 10 in at initial stocking of my new pond in October, 2019. I just have picked up from the forum that they will really limit the amount of cover and opportunity to do some lilly plantings and some other plantings I would like to do. My understanding is they don't take any sort of bait for a rod and reel?
Thanks for any suggestions.
RJ, I've heard people have had success using small cherry tomatoes. Never tried it myself, though.
I have 1 or 2 of them that I plan to remove this year. I'm curious for others responses. My reason for wanting them gone is i underachieved they stir up the bottom slot. I plan so far is when they start coming up at feeding time (I'm pretty sure they are there then but so murky it hard to tell). Both of my older to girls (17 & 18) have fishing bows. So it will be good partice for them. If it's just catfish I'm good with that also cause I'm planning on removing them also.
Wish I was good with a calusa cast net. They seem to cruise together when I have seen them in ponds. As for my pond, I haven't seen them since putting them in the pond in October, however, my pond is 2 hours from my house, so I don't get to spend as much time observing as I wish. They were only 8-10" when I put them in....even though I have bow hunted for 25 years...doubt I could hit them with my aim!
GCarp are VERY EASY to put into a pond and real darn hard to get them out. Young grass carp are pretty shy by nature and not readily visible. If you are feeding pellets the GC after 1 - 3 years will learn to come to the feeding area. I had a 20" (2yr) Gcarp learn to come very close (3-4ft from me) and shallow at the dock where I fed minnows 12"-2ft deep. I then caught it using a pellet bait (Stubby Steve bait) under a bobber while fishing very close to the dock at feeding time for the tilapia in the fall. I think if you don't harass and in any way scare the GC it will learn you are not a threat. Then use that to your advantage. They are not dumb. Threaten them and then they become very human shy and more difficult to catch or shoot.
Well Bill, as you may recall, I was the one that changed my mind and have decided to attempt a SMB/YP/Walleye pond after my initial stocking of forage fish for an eventual LMB pond. I stocked the FHM (50#), RES (100), BG (400), and as mentioned, these 10 GC in my new 1 acre pond in October. I don't have the exact $ invested handy, but I think it is in the $800-$1000 range. No predators have been introduced. After changing my mind and wanting to do a SMB pond, it was suggested that I add (later) HSB to help control the BG. Well, now with TWO strikes against me...the BG stocking AND the GC stocking, should I nuke the pond and start fresh? It would kill me to think of doing that, however, I am so early in the process, there won't be an easier time. I can get over the wasted money. One other variable/consideration is worth mentioning. The pond is being fed by a very, very small ditch. I have never seen anything bigger than a minnow in the ditch. HOWEVER, I did spot a 4" LMB in the pond. It obviously got in there via where the ditch feeds into the pond. I plan to build a screen (I have access to some really nice material for the job) as soon as I can this spring to prevent fish from coming and going into the pond via the ditch.
All things considered, what do you think....build the barrier, nuke the pond, and start with 100% focus on my SMB plan? I am hijacking my own thread....should I move this question to another thread? I am still new at this. Thanks for everything.
Try getting them pellet trained, you'll notice their feeding as you'll hear a "slurp" followed by bubbles. Once you establish a feeding pattern you can use a pellet fly rig - some on the forum have been successful harvesting GC this way. I've also heard folks using cherry tomatoes and brussel sprouts - no clue if they are suspending mid column or fished on the bottom - but also might be worth a try. Use stout tackle - per Cody they could become hookshy very quickly so don't blow your shot once hooked. Using a bow in the Spring when they are shallow and actively foraging is another method used. I have a few I need to remove myself, and will be trying multiple tactics this year and can report on my hopeful success, or lack thereof.
If they come to feed, a 22 rifle can solve a lot of problems.
Once you start shooting at them(GC), they will cease coming to the surface if they see a human. Been there done that. The good thing is GC won't reproduce, so if you can get out 2 each year for 3 yrs the pond can do okay with 3 to 5 GC. Fish usually see you before you see them due to the bending of light rays as they enter the water. You would have to set up a blind and shoot from it so the fish do not see you. They are instinctively smart in order to survive. Don't ever underestimate them.
At this point I would resign myself to having BG and LMB which when done properly can be a very exciting fishery when fed pellets and with a proper harvest to achieve specific goals as in big BG or big bass. SMB as larger stockers (8"-10") could be stocked periodically if you have your heart set on having some SMB, however don't count on them ever adding new smallies into pond. SMB at 8"-10" are rare as hens teeth and expensive.
You can still have some walleye in the pond but they too would need to be stocked as several individuals periodically. Instead of walleye and SMB, I would stock HSB (26) with your LMB (54) for around 80 predators per acre (30:50). Once you live 4-6 years with HSB, I think you will like them more than SMB. Big HSB are real tackle busters. Add a few 8"-12" WE occasionally as bonus table fare fish.