Spearing Carp

[Land of 10,000]

Was reading through the 2018 VT Fishing Guide and Regulations and noticed and was surprised you can't spear or shoot carp.  I assume this is not a misprint....As far as I know most states/waters want to eliminate carp.....  Comments welcome.

Also noticed that bowfin now have a 5 fish limit which is new this year.   Gar & Mullet as well.

[VTMatt]

Never saw the hype of shooting and killing fish for fun. I fish for all of those species. More alive means more to catch.   

[bootstrap]

just the antis covering more ground. i release everyone i catch, about 2 feet down in my garden.

[EyERipLip]

I don’t personally participate however carp are invasive and need to be regulated somehow. Too bad most people just waste them. What bothers me is the people I know who bow fish who “accidentally” shoot fish that look similar to those you can shoot. Heard some real terrible stories.

[ice fiend]

You can bowfish for them unless I’m wrong and pike shooting is still allowed

[troutcrazy]

just the antis covering more ground. i release everyone i catch, about 2 feet down in my garden.

Seriously?  Does it work well?  Is it nasty?

[EyERipLip]

I can’t beleive they let people shoot Pike with guns. To each there own I guess

[DirtyDan23]

I can’t beleive they let people shoot Pike with guns. To each there own I guess

One of the only states in the country that do! Haven't ever seen anyone fish this way but I've heard they don't actually shoot the fish. Its the concussion in the water near them that sends them to the surface. Either way.... weird

[Gunflint]

The Asian carp are a huge threat. They actually leap into the air when a boat drives by. There have been several people injured and even a death in Minnesota on the Mississippi when the carp have leapt up and hit a high speed boater.

In any case, the following video is "almost" on topic. I found it hilarious.

[mudchuck]

Funny how one person's trash fish is another's delicacy...in Europe & S. E. Asia a carp is a sought after fish, especially around the Christmas holiday.
I'm not one to seek them out, (too bony for me) but I know several friends from Eastern Europe/Vietnam/Thailand that will go out of their way to obtain a carp locally to consume.

[ice fiend]

I bet if you took one to a Chinese restaurant they’d probably give you their first born child for one lol if not a free meal

[Gunflint]

Even more to the point, China is very polluted and it would be easy to imagine that the carp found there have high mercury, etc. I would guess that the carp caught here would likely be more healthy. Still, I have speared many in Minnesota but never eaten one here although, I did have some in China when my host ordered for me. Was not too bad, but the context seemed to matter.

[bootstrap]

i'd rather eat dirt

[JMailbox8]

I've eaten sheephead before. I took my friend's boys fishing and one of them caught a decent one and wanted to try it. Cut the meat in chunks and pan fried it. Wasn't too bad. To be honest it wasn't much different than white perch. As far as carp goes, I would guess it's not much different. If presented the opportunity, I would try it.

[Light liner]

I've eaten sheephead before. I took my friend's boys fishing and one of them caught a decent one and wanted to try it. Cut the meat in chunks and pan fried it. Wasn't too bad. To be honest it wasn't much different than white perch. As far as carp goes, I would guess it's not much different. If presented the opportunity, I would try it.

Sheapshead makes a good chowda

[fishy1]

Sheapshead makes a good chowda

the best chowder lots say but mostly the smaller ones. i have ate it and its very good.

[SHaRPS]

Funny how one person's trash fish is another's delicacy...in Europe & S. E. Asia a carp is a sought after fish, especially around the Christmas holiday.
I'm not one to seek them out, (too bony for me) but I know several friends from Eastern Europe/Vietnam/Thailand that will go out of their way to obtain a carp locally to consume.

As stated about Europe, carp is very popular in Poland which is where my folks are from. However, they are raised in small ponds and eaten when still small and young. This eliminates that "muddy" flavor many believe them to have. If you have a Polish market near you odds are you can buy carp in a can with olive oil, if you choose to. You live once, give it a whirl. 

[stick eyes]

shooting carp and stunning pike are two different things. In the 60's and 70's in the st.a area going for northern in the spring was common. usually a 30 30 rifle. shoot near them ..stuns them...grab them  and you've got a good meal.  shooting carp in this area started later and most just leave them to rot...