Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Finally hooked a Grass Carp!

Hey Gang,

Yesterday I finally hooked a Grass Carp-woohoo!

I can only say hooked because it broke off after about 15 minutes as we were trying to shore land it. I had the pleasure of seeing it quite well and taking a few pictures of the fight and comedy of the landing. I'll try to post as soon as the pictures are developed. It hit a big nightcrawler on 6# test with spinning gear and felt like a big ole Redfish, I'd estimate the length to be about 30 inches.We tried and tried to grabit but every time we'd lay a hand on it it would take off and make the drag sing-WOW that was cool! I'll be going to the store today to pick up a salmon size landing net in case it ever happens again.

Thanks to the fish,

Chip

That's a great description of a grass carp fight. You should try seining them sometime! A thirty-incher when faced with a seine will fire out of the water like a SAM rocket! If you're in the way, he WILL knock you unconscious!

Bruce,

I can imagine the SAM effect based on what I saw and felt. I never expected it to put up such a fight because normally they just cruise around like submarines. I am looking forward to catching lots of the HSB we stocked, I hope they fight equally hard. The HSB were stocked as 4-6" fish in May and they are already 11-12".

Chip

Finally got the pictures back of our encounter with the elusive GC. I wish I had a better picture of the shore landing attempt but the other son, Aaron was holding the camera and giggling like a little girl while his brother tried pulling him out of the water. Before he could regain his composure the GC had broken off and went back to his home.

Keep in mind that these boys are twin brothers and starting senior linemen on their HS football team but you'd have thought it was the first fish they'd ever seen; it was so funny watching them, never mind me trying to keep the GC from breaking off.

I measured the brace beneath Austin's feet for reference and it's 27". The GC was about 30" I'm guessing. Note the regulation GC gloves :-)
The GC was doing a "death roll" and I think the boys were mesmerized.



Here's one of the GC taking off into the sunset after Austin layed a hand on it. Can you say Ziiiiiiiiing?



Thanks again to the fish and the boys for a day I'll never forget.

Chip

I tied into several of those monsters, and each time the monster won. I still can feel the welt on my forehead from the rod smacking me dead in the face when the line broke every time I think about it.

Chip,
"Note the regulation GC gloves :-)"

I've several large GC in my pond, if someone gets one to the bank, why are the gloves necessary? This is probably never going to occur considering the size of my GC, but ya never know.

Anyone have an idea how long these critters live, mine are over 10 years old?

Tim,

The gloves aren't needed, I was poking fun at Austin. Although I wouldn't want to try and lip one that had a hook in its mouth. I bet it would shake you like a pit bull.

Chip

Chip, what did they catch it on?

Thanks.

Sunil,

I caught it on a big Canadian Nightcrawler.

Chip

Chip, thanks for the reply. Having never dealt hands on with a GC, I was wondering if there was something I needed to know. I've been cut by gill plates on other fish, and don't want to experience that again!

I'd like to know how to handle a GC also, if there are any special tips.

Thanks.

I just landed mine with a fairly large net. Once on land it was pretty docile (compared to BG and CC) while I measured, took pictures, and removed the hook. If returning it to the water, I'd be more careful than with smaller fish; they seem noticeably more slippery to me (maybe being heavier just makes it seem that way).