Carp Fishing Holidays
Carp is a native fish to Europe and Asia and is held in high regard compared to the views of carp here in the United States.
Carp weight up to 90 pounds and are found in large bodies of slow moving or still water. Carp prefer an environment with a soft or muddy bottom. Common carp is a thick bodied fish with no scales on its head but its body is covered by scales. Carp feed on insects, plants, worms, crustaceans and suck them in with a vacuum like action.
Angling value of Carp
Carp are eagerly sought after by anglers in Europe as they are considered highly prized coarse fish that are hard to hook. Carp is also valued as a source of food and is the typical Christmas dinner in some areas of Europe. In the United States, carp is considered a trash fish and is not thought highly as a food source. Their are some angling groups that see sporting assets in the species and are trying to bring attention to the carp as a sport fish. The common argument I hear regarding carp is that they are bottom feeders that will eat anything and are not worth fishing for less alone to eat. Catfish are bottom feeders as well and are known to eat anything and I love to catch and eat catfish.
Angling for Carp
Carp are bottom feeders and so the preferred method of fishing for carp is to use a bottom water fishing rig. A popular rig is to use a bell sinker with a weighted leader line that sits on the bottom.
Carp prefer to feed near some form of cover so areas around reed beds, sand bars, sunken trees and drop-offs are prime spots to place a line. A hooked carp will run for cover and an angler needs to be using a large reel, heavy test line on a heavy rod to absorb shocks and to keep the carp away from snags.