Phone

Barry C, I don't know the popularity or availability of Shimano in the UK. I believe it was last year they came out with a dandy. Unfortunately I'm not a reel guy so I don't know the model or actual size and price. Just bankside banter was bragging on them "for the money". Phone

Emma two, No, that's what we have. Cyprinus carpio and in fact lots of them. I didn't mean to imply that ALL waters contain heavy metals. That's what it sort of looke like when I re-read my post. Just some. Usually those in industrial areas with heavy watershed runoff. There are a couple ways to catch carp in the US. One, accidently when fishing "catch anything". Two, as a food fish. Three, you can fish for them "properly". Only the proper way (Euro) is considered sporting by many (ex-Pats). Still, I would challange any angler to catch a more sporting fish even if the angler is not a sportsman that can "show" for itself - carp rule. Not many 40 lb freshwater fish any stronger. In the US only the river salmon and the striped bass show better. Carp are hugely strong fish and because they are ubuqutious(sp) they are the "queen" of the common man's "specimen" as far as I'm concerned. If you're going to fish for specimen "bigger is better". I don't want to hear 2 lb bluegill (sunfish) stories. Problem with carp here is they have addapted in NA WAY to well. It's hard to find specimen fish for all the 15 lbrs. It requires an abundance of predatory fish to keep carp populations in check. Unfortunately we "catch and eat" the predators (or kill in the C&R process). C&R is by no means failsafe. Then in some places carp have just "taken over". That's no fun and I'm sure the concern you, and others, are addressing. Certainly we must be good stewards. I'd hate for Worms to read this but we are in the throws of addressing a real problem with "invasive" Asian Carp (1975). Silver and Bighead carp "got loose" from expermential ponds in the Mississippi River drainage. They have the potential for "taking over" all other species (probably 80% of our rivers and the Great Lakes). Personally, I don't think the biology is right but I cannot deny the potential. I guess on the subject of eating fish. We'd better aquire a taste for Asian Carp. (Silver Carp are quite good - not eaten a Bighead - - - yet) Phone Eating one's own catch is a "thing of the past". We are far to affluent and lazy.

Emma two, Once again you make an insightful comment. At least it prodded me to this - - - Many species in NA are not good to eat. Not the fishes fault. For example, many places have huge warnings NOT TO EAT THE FISH. Carp absorb heavy metals in their unique liver for many reasons (i.e. feeding life style). These heavy metals are not re-dispursed in the water. So, anyone who eats a carp over about 8 lbs runs a "LIKELY" risk of heavy metal poisoning in the US. Phone

gosser, I mean there is no shortage of carp anglers for the available places to fish yet. Is there? I'm afraid I don't disagree with you on the stocking issue. However, I don't see many stories coming across the pond about fish kills from overstocking. Surely with guys like the "boo carp" crowd they couldn't keep all fish kills a secret. Just not my cup of tea but I can live and let live. Are you perhaps, to make a point, overstating the situation a bit? I do remember "specimen" carp were selling for "stupid" sums of money in the UK. Is that still true? Trust me, I know about "overstocking" carp ponds. We have "paylakes" with enormous over populations. The owners take very good care of their stock. Never-the-less they must add 3 - 4 thousand pounds of carp annually to maintain census. The prefer 20 - 40 lb fish because that's what the paying customers like. Nothing wrong with that IMO. As long as the angler "fesses" up to catching "fish in a barrel". These are gambling enterprises, angling is but the vehicle. Phone

gozzer, You mean like importing "native" Norway Rats. Who cares how they got here or when. You think there are to many? If the fish population increased %1,000 in an equal number of puddles how much do you guesstimate the angler population has increased? Are they offsetting and you just don't like it or is it out of balance from a "use/benefit" standpoint? Seems to me carp guys are still "standing in line" for a peg. They are still paying syndicate fees (in the face of rising costs). ETC ETC Is that true? Phone BTW - FYI I last carp fished in the UK in 1983 - 84(?). I don't know if I could get used to the "culture" of paying to fish since I am so spoiled.

Dales, Perhaps the #1 favorite food fish that is also a sporting fish is the walleye (zander). We have any number of "trout" used as food fish. But no doubt the #1 for the "catch anything" Saturday angler is "channel catfish" for the pot. The most unusual food fish is the gar (longnose gar usually). They have a row of flesh along each side of the backbone that is wonderful. Something between shell fish and fish fish. That is until it cools off. Once it has cooled down the flesh turns into something akin to a rubber band. All it does is get larger and larger in your mouth as you chew. Salmon are probably the #1 commercial fish that are also sporting fish. (maybe? - could be catfish - just a guess I'd now say that's about a tossup). Carp were introduced into North American in 1840's as a "food fish". Carp are OK flavor wise (as are our native buffalo fishes) but a real pain in the arce what with the floating bones where the filet should be. (Just FYI, carp are part of the minnow family and I suspect most minnows taste similar. Buffalo are "suckers" and I would think the same of the sucker family of fishes. You have listed several of both, minnows and suckers. Phone

Worms, I'll take a moment to re-load. I don't want you to get overheated. From what I'm reading from you then, it's not the species, it's their location. You use "invasive" for theatrical purposes. Am I right? Phone I like your sig. Davy R, HA HA!!!!!

Vagabond, Let me first say I don't have any idea of how much experience was involved with the original explaination. Another possibility, and "first thought", perhaps the most common in the US, is line that was compromised at the knot before it was even cast. Mono often looks frayed when it is, in fact, stretched apart. As for eels, not even a consideration in most waters over here. My "second" thought (from a thread started in 2005??) was indeed a "non-target" fish (or creature like a turtle). The "most common" fish to fray line over here whilst predator fishing with live bait is the "dastardly channel catfish" of about 4 inches. Second, is the "dastardly channel catfish of about 40 lbs. So, #1 bad knot; #2 non-target species. Phone

Steve, Now, the $64 question. Do you know which one you cannot use on Redmeire? Phone (the ugly American idiot)

Worms, Well you can rest assured every time we catch a carp and remove it from the water we are contributing to it's earlier and earlier demise. No, no, you're not getting off the hook that easily. I would like an "introductory date" we can use as a cutoff for "native vs invasive". Surely you must have one?? As for me personally, as a younger git I was all in favor of a becoming a killing machine. Usually I didn't distinguish between "native and naturalized" - I distinguished between moving and dead. I didn't have to be annoyed, in fact, I was usually delighted. Only rule in my family was you had to eat what you shot - fish or foul - no wasting. Seems to me these puddles and my favored quarry they contain are legal. Seems to me there are more and more of them. Seems to me you're just grumpy because we like it. In America "other species" anglers say carp are negative in one respect or another all the time. Hog wash! They assimilate as well as any freshwater fish and better than most. What's that got to do with "who's ox has been gored"? Seems to me your just (a British word please) because it is your ox, mine's fine. Phone

All, This is a most difficult thread to participate in. "Do you do anything in fishing that you know you should not?" is the subject. Most replies are about what you "may not" do. We don't have very many "may nots" and what few "may nots" we have are enforced with big guns and confication of ALL your gear including your truck. "May not's" are often enforced by fellow anglers - we rat on each other. "Should not" is a matter of local custom. I have goofed that up on four continents but rarely on purpose. (I've told it before, someday I'll tell it again. Do you know the difference between a "stringer" in the UK and a "stringer" in America?) Phone

Blund, snigger, shigger! I am in no no no way mechanical. I usually cut the tip off carefully so as to not splinter the rod end (hand held metal saw). A new one will then slip on. You still have to use the heat up glue stuff everyone it talking about. As for the butt end I just jigger the chit out of it - first one way then the other and deal with the mess. Unless it is a 50 mm you'll find something that will work. Electrical tape comes to mind. (Mr. Harrison is gasping and sending rolly eyes) Phone Edit: Ohh, your 13' rod is now 12' 11'' and 3/4

fishtec, A neophyte on fishing maggots. Don't misunderstand, I have plenty of experience with maggots - just not as fishing bait. So - - - - my question. How do/would you keep 10 pints from hatching before you would use them? Seems it would be a 'ell of a chore putting a fly on a hair?? Phone

gozzer, Thank you my good man. Alas, flattery does impress me. SpecimenSean, You say you don't often "do that". Seems to me you "do that" all the time. I understand your passion, although I don't share it, and the carp guys are winning. The UK is decimated by carp puddles. WE WIN! Why do you insist on antagonizing hostile or unfriendly banter? Your intensity is entertaining but frankly disingenuous. (and I'm on your side). Worms, That is "cut and paste". Say something new to impress me. I will understand it better when you tell me when any particular species becomes or became "naturalized" in the UK. Warning, you will be on thin ice, as in the end of the ice age was what? maybe 10,000 years. I would like it better is you simple said you are in favor of selectively removing and destroying in a scheme "according to Worms" without rhyme or reason. At least "because I say" doesn't hide behind hocus pocus science. Phone

gozzer, I'll never say myself - does it feel like a "salvo"? Phone

John, You say, "However I do agree that there is too much disagreement between anglers". Since the 1940's I've pondered exactly what is "just the right amount of disagreement between anglers. I've noticed, around the world, but in the UK especially you are a competitave lot. You don't like that? I love it. Sports Angling is a competition with limited rules. I like that too. Always room for a little bankside banter IMO. gozzer, worms, Just a spelling error enemy - that's what I meant, enemies. Phone

Dales, I invented number TWO Fortunately for you guys I am always right. Phone PS: Don't forget it!

All, "millions" plural - that would be up to but not including one billion. That's a LOT. There must not be an honest man in the whole UK. Phone PS: What sort of fish are pictured in the poster (species)?

gozzer, worms, I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully. You misunderestimate my carp fishing friends and me. We are a powerful force not to be messed with. As our enemas you are innovative and resourceful, but carp anglers are resouceful enemas also. You guys never stop thinking about new ways to harm our carp and restrict my fellow anglers, be warned - neither do we. Fight! fight! On topic. Do you ever use clouding agents? In all my experience with limnology I've never seen a "breeze" affect/effect the actual current throughout the lake. Sure the stuff floating on top moves over the waves and in the immediate margins the bottom is affected but VERY little at the thermocline. Who made that "circular flow" stuff up? I like to fish facing the wind because I can only cast 20 - 25 yards. I mean most freshwater is not like ocean fishing, even over here. Also, I might add FWIW, it is my observation (now that I'm old) that "catching fish" has very little to do with knowing the science of how and more importantly why. Is it like - - in the UK a swimming coach must also be a world record holder in the butterfly. Great fishermen use great technique and confidence but rarely is it original. It is learned. I could be wrong. Phone Edit: Just occured to me. Circular flow would work in small shallow ponds. Again, I could be wrong. Still, I'd like to see what a balanced clouding agent "said".

gozzer, Ocean pit - "This is a Monster Lake" at over 100 acres - - -" . That's what goofed me up. Here is a description of my home puddle. The Lake of the Ozarks measures more than 90 miles (140 km) in length and has several tributaries supplying it. In total, it has over 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of shoreline in four different Missouri counties. No bream! Phone

John Weddup, Never one to fear a case of "foot in mouth" disease I shall ask what may be a stupid question. Is "the Ocean" a brackish freshwater lake open to the real ocean? Is it tidal? We don't do bream (that much) on this side of the pond. They are minnows related to carp - right? Phone

All, Perhaps the first question should have been, "are you in the UK?" I agree with Emma two too. The broad scope of continents(sp?) and species on AN wasn't taken into consideration very well. I wonder if he even realized I am in North America? Although I am a species specific carp fisherman my number one bait is grits. And, "bait" is what you would call "method mix". The object used on the hair or hook to catch the carp is called the "pickup". Only a few purists as "Eruo" anglers use boilies. They, boilies, are usually far to slow (although they may(?) be "best" for specimen carp). Even purists are developing a Euro/American style that mix and match what is "working" on any particular session. Fortunately, the object is still to catch carp. Phone

Vagabond, Ha ha!! I like it! Phone

Elton, I'm just curious what others think? JMO I believe the carp or any "other course fish" would rather be in the water. What would be the "average" time in minutes a carp is out of water after a capture? Phone

gozzer, You quit picking on us carp guys! We are harmlessly demented. I wrote a proposal for a "study" of the benefit of trying to keep carp verticle. You know, not exposing one eye or the other to the sun at right angles. I was shot down as having no commercial benefit or purpose. Wish I'd have thought of "carp sunglasses". As a side note commercial chicken farmers put red sunglasses on pullets. I believe it is to keep them from pecking on one another though. Still, first time I saw it, I cracked up! 100,000 chickens with sunglasses - in Arkansas no less. Phone