Kayak Magazine

Here's a little follow-up on grass carp in Central Florida lakes. The reason for the hefty fines for possession is NOT because they are endangered--just the opposite. Their numbers have to be closely regulated in a lake because they can and will eat almost every plant available, not just the Hydrilla that they were introduced to control. Seems like no one wants them to be "accidentally" introduced to a new body of fresh water. Here are a few of the concerns (from the Sarasota County Wateratlas).

"Be aware that if too many grass carp are stocked, it can result in the loss of nearly all aquatic plants in a lake or water resorce, which will adversely affect the entire system.
It is difficult to accurately estimate the number of grass carp needed to control plants in a lake.
Removing large amounts of aquatic plants —whether it be from grass carp, manual removal, or herbicides — can result in decreased water clarity. (After plants are removed, sediments are often re-suspended and cause decreased water clarity.)
Once grass carp are stocked in a lake, they are nearly impossible to remove."

Be keerful out there!

_________________

hi Apalach,

Yep those Cop can surely give ya a tussle.

Carp Fishing is very big in Europe and is gaining ground in the U.S.
Yes they are a trash fish but they can give you a run for your money and are quite a challenge to catch. They are very fussy eaters, easily spooked and will drop a bait at first taste of a hook and they are gone.

Carp fishing can be alot of days fishing and no catching unless you have a large population and/or have been chumming regularly. Solitary ones or small groups are a challenge to catch.

But you hook a big one and wow prepare to wear yourself out.
Largest unrecorded record carp was 260 pounds. A guy in Illinois caught one 96 pounds.

_________________
I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Wow! What a carp!

_________________
Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll sit in his boat (or kayak)and drink beer all day.

ProAngler155 said:



Are you sure you did not mean .... HOLY CARP?

_________________
I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.

Yeah your right HOLY CARP! Imagine trying to get that into a Mirage ProAngler. If you did, at least it would still be under the 600lb. the PA supports.

_________________
Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll sit in his boat (or kayak)and drink beer all day.

You may end up a few miles from where you hooked him before you tired him out. What a RIDE it would be!!!

_________________
I would rather be kayaking and think about work than to be at work thinking about kayaking.
A Thrill Ride is being dragged around in your kayak for 40 minutes by an extremely large fish.