Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Nuisance Grass Carp

In my 2.5 acre pond I enjoy feeding my coppernose bream. Problem is that about 8- 15 pound grass carp also enjoy eating the feed. They stir up guiet a fuss and (it may be in my head) but the bream don't seem to feed as well once they get there. I don't know if I would have a grass problem without them, but am considering shooting about 3 or 4 just to get some peace. What do you guys think?

Yep I'd thin them down. They are getting too big to be that effective and they aren't doing much good if they are more interested in the pellets. Thin them down and add some smaller ones.

It may be they may skidaddle after you take out one or two and they are shot at.

Ted,

I agree with Cecil. When the GC prefer the feeders over the vegetation, it is time to rotate them out. In my ponds, the rotation cycle is every three years.

they can make some big spashes...

do you eat them when you rotate them out?

Yes, they are actually very good eating...but I have lost some to "sinking" in addition to some that have died from time to time trying to escape over spillways. I've also hooked, but never landed one of those 15 pounders.

I approach GC differently than many/most...I try to stock for prevention/maintenance before a problem develops rather than having to stock for a cure after a problem gets out of hand. Curative stocking rates are generally 20 or so per acre, but my preventive rate is no more than 2 per acre. Works for me by keeping the weeds under control, not eliminating them...some weeds are good for fish, the best structure you can get....and rotating 2 GC is much easier than 20.

Berkeley makes a putty-like carp bait (similar to the catfish stuff) that works really well, and once you hook one they take off and run like heck, especially on relatively light spinning tackle. I've got a couple of GC that are literally 60+ lbs, Greg can attest to that, and while I have yet to hook up one of those, I will one day and it should be interesting.

They scare easy. This is a rather big problem for us. ML, while I agree with your stocking plan, in many cases if lake is shallow that number will not handle it. Many suburban ATL lakes are shallow due to upstream development. we use about 5/acre if possible to control. Back to my point if you simply shot one the others will not come around for awhile at the feed trough. Once they come back shot another, etc. They are extremely intellect (in the fish sense).

Yes if you can get a small one they are tasty, white firm meat. When larger or a common carp no way would I eat one. The big one tasted like dirt.

Good points Greg. Totally agree that the stocking plan should fit the environment. One size fits all does not work in fish.

The biggest scares I have had around ponds have been from GC. A large GC, say 15 to 20 pounds, that you may walk upon next to the shore, will "explode", throwing water and creating a large commotion. It takes you back at first.

Yep in our neighborhood ponds like Troy is talking about the folks all think they have the next world record bass and "he just takes off everytime we throw a lure near him." If your not ready will scare the heck outta ya

I couldn't believe that after shooting one, the others left and haven't been seen in about 4 days now. Smart fish.
The bream really seem to appreciate it.
Ted

yep we learned that trick a few years back, pretty smart fish. They will show back up but it will be awhile I think.