Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Massive Grass Carp?

We have a 3acre farm pond with LMB, the occasional spot (although I think the drought killed them off), various sunfish, some type(s) of shad, black crappie, and CC. There is one MASSIVE grass carp that has been around for probably 10-12yrs. I bet he's close to 4ft long and about as big around as a basketball. At this size is he still feeding on vegetation or is he feeding on smaller fish? Obviously if a fish this size is feeding on baitfish we've got a problem in a pond that size. Should I remove him from the pond?

Thanks,
Sam

Hey Sam ,

As far as I know GC don't eat fish? Hence the name. He will still eat grass though at that size just not as much. They say your GC are most productive in the first 5 to 8 years after that they don't eat as much, but man they just keep growning! I am no expert but I don't think you have to worry about him eating any fish. If he is that big though I may get rid of him and replace him with a 12 incher.

Only thing I'd worry about is it stirring up your water. Other than that he's a cool giant to see every once in awhile leave him Alone he's old

Is he as big as this rascal?

Zep, he may be even bigger than that beast.

Dang it man. They do get big don't they!!

And they say these things are good to eat. Has anyone tried them?

I've had fried carp and it's good if done right. The people who know how to cook them swear by it. Personally, I'm not catching carp to clean and eat, but to each his own. I have read the way to cook carp is to smoke it. They have something called a Carp-O-Rama every year near here where they get kids to catch carp, then they help them clean them, then cook them up for them to eat and the people who have done this all agree it's good eating.

Are we talking standard carp or grass carp?

I think the two have a different taste.

Just like drum you either like it or you don't.

Fishinbub, you mentioned "spot" having been in your pond but maybe not in there anymore because of the past drought. Regional names vary by species and the "spot" I am familiar with is a salt/brackishwater fish from the drum family... Don't think we're talking about the same fish though? Could you perhaps elaborate on what you know as "spot"? I am always interested in regional variances in fish names.

I was referring to spotted bass. There have been a few tossed in from Lanier in the past. 3-4yrs ago a couple got tossed in and actually started a reproducing population (caught about a doz or so around 8-12" a year or two later) but I think the hot, muddy water finally did away with them.

One problem with larger grass carp is that they will eat pellet fish food, so if you are feeding, you might be wasting some food on that one huge grass carp.

At this point, he's an old soul, so I'd let him be.