Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Raising trophy, uh...er...carp.

Had this little bar north of where I grew up that had a "Goose & Coon" BBQ at the end of goose/duck season. The cook also pressure-cooked a bunch of carp and made a tasty little dish(like a weird scampi)out of it.

Trying to remember if the food was really that good or if it was just the many drafts of cold beer that preceded the eatin'..........

I am going to bet....beer.

Truth be known ....... it was the beer.

Why does everybody gots to blame poor 'ole beer?

Roadtrip,

Are you interested in going on a road trip? I'm making plans to view some ponds with common carp and you would be most welcome to join in.

Here's what I've picked up thus far from some great Texas pond folks who share our interest in a common carp pond.

First, the suggestion was made to create flats areas in the pond about 18 inches deep and stair-stepped down to the next flat another 18 inches deeper and probably another one still. Very near these flats areas construct a deep narrow trench. The carp will stay in the deep trench and move onto the flats to feed....just like the bonefish do in saltwater. The stair stepping is to protect against drought and having no flat as a result and the trench is to provide the carp what they prefer naturally.

Second, it is important for the flats to have patchy vegetation...to assist in fishing for them....and this probably means that the white amur will be needed to help along those lines. Hydrilla was suggested as ideal vegetation, but that carries with it a heavy burden of control.

Third, the flats should be silty instead of gravel or straight clay. This is both what they like and the best choice for sight fishing because a gravel surface will give your presence away quickly.

Fourth, do not stock any BG or sunfish in the pond. They compete for the same food sources as the common carp. I'm thinking a LMB heavy pond with the carp, without any BG, and of course with Tilapia just might be the trick to keeping carp numbers in check and an overall balanced relatively clear pond.

Fifth, ther are many ponds in the DFW area with excellent carp fishing that remain relatively clear year-around. Interestingly, I'm told those ponds also have very good LMB fishing...but I've got to see it to believe it.

That's what I've found so far from fellow Texans who have interests in carp and a pond stocked with them....lots more research to do and a road trip to take and a trip with the top carp guide in Texas very soon. Please recognize that the 5 points above are based on "hearsay" and not from my own personal experience.....but it comes from perhaps some of the most knowledgable carp people in our State.

The prior post that suggested looking at Europe is a great idea, I believe. Also, Greg's post was most informative and I'd really be interested in hearing his thoughts or anyone's about the no sunfish approach to a LMB/carp pond.

Roadtrip, please let me know if this stuff is of interest to you...or if you are only interested in white amur...if there's no interest in this research, then I won't post it here. Thanks.

Meadowlark, sounds good to me. I'm interested in stocking both types of carp. I have 2 ponds that would work. One already has carp, common for sure, maybe some amur. I've seen 'em spawning. The other pond has no carp, but would be a good candidate for the amur. The water is clear, the bottom silty, lots of milfoil, and lots of shallow flats, lots of lmb. Also lots of sunfish, including some very big bluegill and redear. I'll pm you my contact info and we'll work on getting together on this.
My next step will be a survey on the pond with the carp to get an accurate idea of carp population and health. I've seen a few this year in the 6-8 lb. range, in past years I've seen some in the 15-20 lb. range.
I really appreciate everybody's responses to this post.