The European Carp is a freshwater fish that is found in many countries. It is generally regarded as a noxious pest because of its feeding habits and breeding capability. The Carp is a magnificent looking fish which is robustly built. They are like the bull of the freshwater being deep bodied, golden back and creamy white underbelly. They have a teloscopic down turned mouth when feeding. 
The Carp seen at the right here is a perfect illustration of what they look like. This particular strain is called the common carp. They can grow really big and offer great sport to the freshwater fisherman. In SA we have a group called the South Australian Fresh Water Anglers Association and there are many fine anglers in this club. The Carp was introduced in 1876 and since then they have been distributed both naturally and artificially to many regions in Australia. In SA it is highly illegal to return Carp back to the water alive.
The Carp is found in many countries around the world but in Australia it is found in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland and South Australia. They like to scrounge around through the mud and weeds feeding all the way. The Carp's feeding technique is called roiling. This is where they suck in the mud and food, spit it out again and then take the food out of the mud. Liking these areas and slow flowing or stagnant waterways it is commonly found in dams, billabongs, swamps and small streams as well as big rivers and lakes. They quite often swim around in water of 6"-12".
These fish will eat almost anything they can find including weed, shrimps, small insects, fish eggs, yabbies, worms and freshwater mussels. They will be caught on many unusual baits however and many Europeans have invented and are forever inventing new baits like a Squid flavoured 18mm pop-up boilie! They are classed as noxious and as I have said it is ILLEGAL to return them to the water alive. If you are caught doing this you will recieve a hefty fine.
Fishing for Carp is not hard whatsoever. 1kg line is great fun with 2kg being a practicle class to fish. I like to use a 6kg trace (for bigger fish) with a Mustad 92554 or Gamakatsu Octopus 1/0 on the bottom and a mustad 7766 tarpon size 4 snooded about 3-5cms above. This rig hooks most fish that bite when you leave your reel in gear. Depending on location I will use sinkers up to 45grams in order to place a bait up to 80 or 90 metres out.
Carp can be enticed closer with a berley of breadcrumbs, coconut and chook pellets. if you want you can add corn or flavourings to it because the carp has a bit of a "sweet tooth". In the berley it is almost vitally important to add some of the bait you will be using. eg- chopped worms, corn, chickpeas. This brings me onto the next point of bait.
Carp will eat anything and people are forever coming up with new baits. My favourite are listed below.
Only 4 baits? Well yes these baits can usually be counted on to catch fish for me. They are cheap, easy to obtain and they work. On corn and worms big bags of Carp, in excess of 100kg can be taken with relative ease in some cases. Other baits that are in Australia and work are such things as.
There are many flavourings that can be added or sweeteners that can be added to improve the attractiveness to the Carp. One of the most popular is Tutti Frutti flavour or Canteloupe.
Despite what people believe the European Carp has an enormous growth potential. The biggest found in Australia to my knowledge is over 70lbs. The South Australian state record is over 30lbs coming up near 40lbs. The Carp generally speaking grows to 30lb if it is lucky and not caught but as I have said they can reach enormous weights given the right living conditions and food supply.
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© 1997 EDITOR- Bradley Heath
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