Those are nice ones!!!

The WV state record for a common carp is, 39.3 inches and 47 pounds. And length record is 41 inches and 41.5 pounds. Now, that's caught on rod and reel.

My biggest one on rod and reel was 30 plus. Forget, using 10 or 12 pound test line? They are fun.

My brother and I like to gig them from the boat too, we've both got a couple up around 33 or 34 pounds, that's about as big as I've ever seen carp.

This is my sons last nights outing Carp and Buffalo. He goes out quite a bit.

Flooding this spring stranded a bunch of carp in the pond next to my girl friend's house. They were in the shallows spawning so I threw on the hip boots and grabbed the 22. Just wanted a few for bait so I only shot 4. I stood still waited for them to swim straight toward me so I could get them in the head. Had one good sized one and 3 smaller. That was fun. Could have gotten out of had if I had a place to get rid of them. Last year someone dumped a barrel of them in the road ditch where we walk her dog. Had to smell that for awhile. The mink sure liked though.

What do they do with them?

I was at the lake last weekend and the carp were rolling big time. I'm assuming their spawning?

If they are chasing each other around and the water is flying and they are making a huge commotion, then they are spawning. I have not yet seen that here this spring but soon, I'm sure. Then it gets wild.

Nice fish Doug.
You smoke em?

Jags they will get dispersed in the Amish neighbor hood. They grind the fillets on them and make them into many different type of fish dishes.

I smoked a couple of small ones a few years ago and found them edible but I prefer other fish such as whitefish or tullibee. I gave some to friends last year since they wanted to try some and they definitely do not want more this year. I am still looking for takers. I am freezing these whole and may wind up using them for bait or feeding birds and critters next winter.

Went out of my place for about 30 minutes this afternoon and while I only saw two carp and got a shot at one, it turned out to be a pretty big one. Anyone want any?

I saw some giants cruising around the pier last weekend, they come up in the shallows to spawn. I need to get my bowfishing rig out and shoot some and freeze them and then chop them in chunks after they are frozen with an axe and then freeze the chunks in small freezer bags for bait next fall and winter.

That one would have given Trap Stick Man quite a tussle. Way back, when I was a youngster I used to catch a lot of carp and give them to an old timer
by the name of Clyde Burwell. He had a handsome daughter named Ida Mae but that has nothing to do with carp. Clyde could smoke those guys
better than anyone I ever knew, they were great. Wish I would have taken time to learn his method.
I suppose between my catching and Clyde smoking we fed our tiny little town for most of the year.
Is it always sunny and calm like that in Minnysoota?

Zim

There’s not much better on earth then pickled carp.

We have had a few nice days these past two weeks. Just cleared up this afternoon after a cloudy morning. These are the days when I can see better with my polarized lenses and this is why you see my photos on nice days.

Yes, I had a long battle on the hand line with this one. Having a sharp gaff is sure handy when it comes to getting a big one in the boat.

That is a nice big fish.