Simple carp, grass carp, bighead carp, black carp, silver carp, and five more species are referred to as Asian carp. Many of them tend to lead up to 8 to 10 feet above the water surface. That’s why some people also call them jumping fishes. They have a legal history in Chinese culture.
The USA authorities imported them in the 1970s. The main goal was controlling the growth of algal and other vegetation. Later, they earned reputations as delicious human food. After several years, they became available in the Mississippi River, Missouri, and more big water sources.
Top Four Asian Carp Fishing Methods
These fishes have been a popular target for the anglers since they weigh 10 to 35 lbs during the lifespan. If you are one of them but aren’t aware of the techniques, here’s a short overview.
Fishing with boat and net
Well, one surprising fact is that most anglers get Asian carps by accident. Before heading to the fish-water, check the records of the river to know about the main spots. As we mentioned earlier, sometimes the fishes start to jump out of the water. There are many debates on the actual reason.
The most common one is that they get frightened by passing boats. According to a few fishermen, these fishes just want to clean dirt from the gills by flying high. Every year, lots of people get injured due to such activity.
But it will also help you to detect their location. If you see flying carps of a group of spawners, you are at the right spots. Cast your fishing net, wait for a while, and pull it up slowly. You will find plenty of carps and other fishes stuck with the thin threads. This process is best for deep water fishing. The majority of the carps migrate from shallow water to deep layer during cold day time and vice versa. So, choose the time accordingly.
Fishing with rod and reel
This is not the most effective way to catch silver carp and bighead species. They are mainly filter feeders even if the surrounding is dirty. They hardly care about baitfish and other predators. Therefore most of your lures will not work for them. However, sometimes luck can favor you when it comes to the other types of Asian carps. The most common trick is using the medium to big dough balls as well as other dough baits. Make sure to use large hooks that will surround the bait.
Cast the lure right before their arrival so that they can’t sense your presence. Wait until a fish turns to be the victim and get hooked.
Remember, you have to adapt skills to endure their fight; otherwise, they can escape within a blink of your eyes. The majority of the fishers use fish finders in search of a group of carps. Or you can simply follow the tips deceived in the previous method while fishing from a boat. You can also apply it standing near the shoreline, but it is a little bit difficult.
Check flower pads, weed beds, and water outlets. Pay attention to the places with covers or dense vegetation. You may snag huge quantities from such locations.
Bowfishing
Bowfishing is one of the most efficient ideas to harvest Asian carps. Let’s get into the concept if it is new to you. It refers to fishing with specialized archery tools to shoot barbed arrows towards the carps. A long line connects the arrows to the bow’s reel. Whether you are on a canoe or standing on the river bank, this way will deliver an absolute blast. First of all, you have to spot the fish underwater.
The silver and bigheads often roam in shallow areas, which make them visible from far. The grass carp are mostly found around the aquatic plants of the shallow water.
Besides, other kinds of Asian carps shift to the lower depths during spring and summer times. Keep your eyes on a group of swimmers as there is more chance to catch one. Note that they can run really fast. You don’t want to lose them while preparing the tools, right? So, always be ready to shoot.
Release the arrow accurately and drag it up on the ground. It is not suitable for the people having a less precise target and eyesight. We suggest picking a bright day with less wind. Because bow fishing on a rainy or windy day is nothing but a waste.
Fly fishing
It is the practice of capturing common carps with the help of artificial lures. Their key feature is that they can mimic the movements of the small fishes and other predators. The jerky and vertical motion can quickly attract carps. Some flies are perfect for topwater fishing, where many can be used in deeper layers.
The size and weight vary according to the need. Generally, active feeders within the 8 to 10 range can be an excellent choice. It is important to use the right combination of lure and fishing gear to get specific carps. Larger ones weigh heavier too and require strong steel hooks. Moreover, heavy-weighted fishes are more likely to fight for a long time.
You can’t beat them with thin and soft wire. Because they will break or bend within no time. Bring all the essentials to the fishing zone. You can trace the carps following the bubble lines or hard seams. Places having seam and food supply have a higher probability of containing a good number of big fishes. An impressive trick is applied to gather more fishes in an area. It is called prebaiting.
The fisherman keeps giving some harmless summer carp bait for a couple of minutes. The carps will obtain confidence in the water portion and will hardly move from there. It will make your job easier. Only cast your flies after seeing a bunch of fishes.
Now that you have a clear idea on how to catch Asian carp, you should start practicing. None can be succeeded without practical experience. Try hard if you fail. One day you will be an expert and maybe a record-breaker in the gaming tournaments.
