FISH BUSTERS’
BULLETIN

Common Carp is Both Exotic and Common 

Common, yet exotic; snubbed, yet revered – the common carp is truly an oxymoron. They are native to other countries and were stocked here by people. Many Florida anglers disdain them, but they also have some dedicated aficionados.

They evolved in the Caspian Sea and expanded their range naturally to the Black and Aral seas and west to the Danube River in Germany. That all sounds pretty exotic to me and not at all common.

As one of the earliest fish to be cultured, carp were a major staple in Eurasian diets and among the most genetically modified fish species ever. Monks selectively bred variants, called mirror carp or the nearly scale-less leather carp, that were easier to prepare for the table. In the 1820s, the Japanese began breeding beautifully colorful koi, with fancy flowing fins and other genetically selected features, which sold for thousands of dollars apiece. One famous scarlet koi lived for 226 years from 1751 to 1977.

Although stories vary, it seems most credible that five common carp from Germany were imported into the United States in 1872 for commercial purposes. In 1877, the U.S. Fish Commission imported additional carp from Germany, and for 20 years or so stocked the species as a harvestable food fish throughout most of the United States. More recently, introductions of common carp resulted from use of juvenile carp as bait fish.

Within Florida, common carp are known to be breeding only in the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers in North Florida, where they are found in diverse habitats, from steep natural banks to gentle banks and near dike fields, sand disposal areas, rocky outcrops and backwater sloughs. They are not nearly as abundant in Florida as most other states, possibly because of our short, mild winters. Isolated collections of common carp in South Florida are believed to be the result of released bait; however, use of carp for bait in Florida is illegal.

In the United States today, the common carp is often regarded as a pest fish, because of its tendency to destroy vegetation and increase water turbidity. Adults feed by sucking up bottom silt, and selectively removing insect larvae, crustaceans, snails and other small food items; and organic debris (muck) itself may be an important component of the diet.

Because they have been present since the first fisheries population surveys, any impact on native fishes would be difficult to determine. Having been established for so long, common carp would be virtually impossible to eliminate.

In Europe, they are eagerly sought by anglers, because they are difficult to hook, and put up a tough fight. According to some accounts, the only European sport fish more popular are Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout.

In the United States, groups, such as the Carp Anglers Group and American Carp Society, have sprung up to promote sportfishing for common carp.

Pavel Hastik of Florida took third place in the Summer TOKS Big Four International (www.bigfourcarp.com) by landing four carp weighing a total of 100.06 lbs. He caught these carp from the Apalachicola River, the heaviest weighing 28 lbs. The Florida record is 40.56 pounds, and IGFA reports the world record was caught in France and weighed 75.69 pounds.

If you decide to angle for them, the best baits include dough balls, canned corn, bread crusts and worms fished on the bottom. They are classified as nongame fish, so there are no bag or size limits, although a license (or legal exemption) is required, and you should not release any alive. Use 2.0-6.0 hooks, with a sinker and no float; typically start with your bail open if you are using a spinning reel and be prepared for a long run and strong fight. Other sportsmen pursue carp using bowfishing techniques. In North Florida, this is legal using crossbow or bow and arrow from a boat or from shore, except at the spillways of the Jim Woodruff Dam on the Apalachicola River. Night bowfishing tournaments with lights are popular and do not require a permit.

Carp are very tasty; in fact, they are considered a delicacy in many countries. However, they have two rows of small, floating bones above and below the lateral line. Breaking the floating bones by either scoring the fillet or grinding it up is important to making your meal enjoyable. Boiling, smoking or barbecuing are popular methods of cooking them.

So the name may be common, but nonetheless they are exotic and fascinating fishes.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356). Report violators by calling *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone, or 888-404-3922.

This article originally published on November 3, 2009.

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