carp fishing – Syndication Server

Massive carp named Carrot strikes again at French lake

A 67.4-pound carp named Carrot, because of her striking coloration, has been caught again at a lake in France.

It was not the largest carp to have been caught at Bluewater Lakes this week, which is remarkable. But the bright-orange behemoth reeled in by Andy Hackett on Thursday was definitely the most striking.

The 20-year-old female carp, which resembles a giant goldfish, weighed 67.4 pounds before she was released to fight another day.

Bluewater Lakes, located in the Champagne region of France, is billed as the country’s premier carp fishery. It’s so popular that guests have to book well in advance.

The carp caught by Hackett, nicknamed Carrot, is prized among anglers because of her coloration (most giant carp are pale or brownish).

Carrot was stocked 15 years ago “as something different for the anglers to try to catch,” Jason Cowler, a spokesman for Bluewater Lakes, told FTW Outdoors. “Its’s not the biggest resident in the lake, but by far the most outstanding.”

ALSO: ‘Sharknado’ moment commands spotlight at surfing contest

Cowler said Carrot last season was caught “around nine times” and on Feb. 22 she broke the 60-pound mark for the first time, weighing 61.5 pounds.

Angler poses with 92-pound carp caught this week at Bluewater Lakes

She eluded capture until Thursday, when she tipped the scale at 67.5 pounds.

The Bluewater fishery boasts a substantial population of carp weighing 50-plus pounds. Since Hackett’s catch, anglers have caught carp weighing 92 pounds (named Miggsys) and 85.5 pounds (Peaches).

[listicle id=1980234]

Bow fisherman shatters carp record; ‘A straight-up monster’

A Missouri bow fisherman has shattered the state record with the recent catch of a 125-pound, 5-ounce bighead carp at Lake Perry.

Matt Neuling and a friend shot the fish simultaneously on the morning of July 24, initially thinking it was a much smaller grass carp. But only Neuling’s arrow stuck.

When they saw more of the fish they realized that it was a colossal bighead carp, an invasive species in Missouri.

“We just couldn’t believe it,” Neuling told the Missouri Department of Conservation. “We knew what type of fish it was, but we had never seen one that size.

“This thing is a straight-up monster. A five-gallon bucket could easily fit in its mouth. If my buddy wasn’t with me, there was no way I could have pulled it out of the water.”

The previous Missouri record bighead carp caught via alternative methods weighed 104 pounds, 15 ounces. (Alternative methods include archery, throw lines, snagging, spearfishing, and other types of fishing that do not involve a rod and reel.)

For the sake of comparison, the International Game Fish Assn. lists as the all-tackle world record a 90-pound bighead catfish caught at Guntersville Lake in Tennessee in 2005. (The IGFA only recognizes fish caught via rod and reel.)

The MDC explained in a news release that carp of this size are at least 10 years old. Bighead carp are native to southern and central China but have gained a foothold in portions of the United States.

“This particular fish is an example of just how well an invasive species can thrive if given the opportunity,” said Andrew Branson, an MDC biologist. “We encourage people to harvest these fish to help remove them from our waters.”

The MDC collected the head of Neuling’s carp for study, and said Neuling used other parts of the fish as catfish bait.

–Image courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation

Angler lands record carp, shown little respect

An Idaho angler has shattered the state rod-and-reel carp record with the catch Monday of a 34-pound common carp on the Snake River.

An Idaho angler shattered the state rod-and-reel carp record Monday with the catch of a 34-pound common carp on the Snake River.

Henry Charlier’s catch below the C.J. Strike Reservoir beats the previous record, set last December, by nearly four pounds.

While that might be impressive, considering that catching large carp is quite challenging, the response was mostly tepid after the Idaho Fish and Game Department’s announcement on Facebook.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Is there a serial grizzly bear poacher on the loose in Idaho?

A sampling of comments:

– Dang… i just got one at 35.6 pounds the other night while sturgeon fishing. I just threw him on the bank for the scavengers.

– If you cook em right they’re delicious. Just kidding.

– Use it as fertilizer.

https://www.facebook.com/IdahoFishGame/posts/10159223903262622

As Idaho Fish and Game pointed out in a news release issued Wednesday, carp fishing, while immensely popular in Europe, has now gained widespread popularity in the United States.

The typical capture method is archery equipment and bow fishermen can selectively target larger fish. (Idaho’s archery record for common carp stands at 67.65 pounds; C.J. Strike Reservoir in 2011.)

But in 2016 the state opened a rod-and-reel category, making it easier for anglers to set records.

Common carp are native to Asia and Europe but now inhabit waters throughout most of the U.S. They’re an invasive species and considered “trash fish” by some anglers.

–Image showing Henry Charlier and his record carp is courtesy of the Idaho Fish and Game Department