Once upon a time, in time immemorial, fishing was a necessity and served people so that they could feed themselves. Today this is a popular hobby that attracts more and more new neophytes.
Sometimes a lot of money and effort are spent on equipment for fishing. But the same amateur fishermen are not always able to distinguish one species or subspecies of fish from another. But after studying its characteristics and habits, you can make sure that the fishing is as effective as possible. For example, what is the difference between carp and carp? The next article will talk about this.
Two brothers - "scrapers"
Both carp (the ancient name is “korop”) and carp are fairly well-known fish that have long been part of fishing prey. They can be caught in various bodies of water, and their habitat is wide enough to indicate that fishing is widespread. Moreover, you can also catch a real trophy specimen - a real dream fish, because both characters grow to enormous sizes, worthy of admiration. Perhaps this is also why carp fishing is one of the most popular today.
Scientific classification
Let's start with science. Both fish in question belong to the ray-finned class, the order Cyprinidae. The family is carps, and the genus is carps. However, carp is a species and carp is a subspecies of the same genus. We can briefly say how carp differs from carp: the first is the result of domestication and cultivation of the second. That's why these fish have so much in common. But despite this similarity, which is manifested in appearance, habitat, and way of existence, these barbels still have their differences.
Carp. a brief description of
Probably the first fish artificially bred by man in order to provide food for himself was carp. It is believed that its homeland was ancient China, and its selection dates back more than one millennium. In the Middle Ages, this fish was very popular in Europe due to its amazing beauty and delicate taste of meat. It was bred for decoration and served to the table, and even royalty ate it. What is the difference between carp and carp?
So, the carp was intentionally created by man. The main goal is to create fish that will grow quickly and gain weight. What is the difference between carp and carp? A parallel can be drawn: the same as a domestic hog, intended for fattening, from a wild boar. Both are pigs, but the first was specially bred to meet human nutritional needs, and the second is a dangerous representative of the forest.
What is the difference between carp and carp? Main differences and types
The carp always has scales. In carp - not in all individuals. This subspecies is divided into the following varieties:
- Naked - the scaly covering is completely absent.
- Mirrored - partially scales are present in the areas of the dorsal fin and body.
- Scaly - its body is evenly covered with scales.
According to the length of its body, the largest is naked, the smallest is scaly. There are legends about the gluttony of carp: this fish is considered the most insatiable. With such an appetite, they can grow to gigantic sizes, delighting fishermen of all ranks and stripes with their size.
Carp
It is the oldest member of the carp family. It has an elongated (compared to carp) body. Covered evenly with scales (usually golden yellow with black tints). Carp can reach a length of one meter or more.
To summarize: how to distinguish carp from carp?
Of course, an avid fisherman understands that these are two different fish in character and appearance. But a novice fisherman needs to know clearly: what is the difference between carp and carp, what is the difference? Let's formulate it point by point.
- Carp is a domesticated carp. Carp is a wild carp.
- One and the other fish are from the carp family, but carp is a species, and carp is a subspecies.
- The carp always has a scaly covering. Not always with carp.
- The carp is more elongated and grows in length. Carp - wide.
- The habitat of the carp is flowing reservoirs and rivers. Carps are usually bred in ponds (artificially or naturally).
- It is characteristic that for normal existence, carp needs less oxygen in the aquatic environment than carp.
- And one more thing - the gear that is usually used to catch these fish is different. Carp go on a feeder or float rod, and carp go better on a “running” tackle.
General description. Carp is a schooling fish, has a moderately long, sometimes high body, which is covered with unusually large dark yellow-golden scales. On the back it is darker, with a bluish tint, and on the belly it is lighter. The edge of each scale is bordered by a black stripe, and dark spots are placed at the base, which create the impression that the golden field is strewn with carnations with dark caps. The dorsal fin is dark gray, the caudal fin is red-brown, the rest are gray with a pale purple tint. The wide dorsal fin in front is equipped with a strong sawtooth ray. The same ray is present in front of the subcaudal fin.
Dimensions. Average weight 3-4 kg. Reaches a length of 1 meter and a weight of 35 kg. Lives up to 30 years. Carp grows very quickly. By the end of the first year of life, its length is already about 10 cm and its weight is 25-30 g. Under favorable conditions, by the end of the second year it weighs 450-500 g, and in the third year (puberty sets in) its weight reaches 2 kg. The size of an adult carp (and it lives up to 30 years) can be 100-120 cm in length and weigh 20-25 kg or more. The usual length of carp is 50-70 cm and weighs 4-6 kg. Gives huge offspring. A large adult female can lay 1.5–1.8 million eggs during spawning.
Habitat. Large lakes, lower reaches of rivers, backwaters and oxbow lakes. Likes to stand in the reeds, under trees and bushes. It loves warm water, but in all other respects it is as unpretentious as crucian carp: it is content with an insignificant oxygen content in the water, that is, it is not very afraid of water pollution by wastewater. Carp can be found along steep banks, near the riverbed, and if the river is not wide, then in the riverbed itself, on a weak current near a clayey or silty-clayey bottom. In lakes, the favorite habitats of carp are the same as those of carp. Underwater hills, saddles between depths, boundaries of shallows, capes above bays and backwaters, deep channels with reverse flow, uneven areas of the bottom with large stones - all these are ways for carp to exit and return to the site.
Nutrition. Not picky about food. Juvenile carp feed on plankton (mainly crustaceans) and benthos. An adult carp is a real “pig” among fish: it eats young shoots of aquatic vegetation, worms, insect larvae and insects themselves, various crustaceans, mollusks, and even attacks juvenile fish in reservoirs with little food.
Spawning. Spawning of carp occurs in May-June at a temperature of 16-19°C. They feed at temperatures not lower than 14-15°C. At this water temperature in some reservoirs in the spring, before spawning, a short-term intense feeding of carp is observed, but in most reservoirs it goes unnoticed. Sexual maturity is at 5-6 years.
Breeding. Three forms of fast-growing carp (cultivated carp) are bred in our reservoirs: common, mirror and naked carp. They are all a little more humpbacked than the carp. The common carp has larger scales. But its color is much lighter than that of the carp. When young, the common carp is very similar to the goldfish. However, they are easy to distinguish by two characteristics. The carp has a more elongated body, and on its yellow, fleshy lips there are two pairs of sensitive antennae, which the carp does not have. An adult carp can no longer be confused with anyone else. The mirror carp differs sharply from all other subspecies in its naked body: it either has no scales at all, or the scales are scattered in places, 3-7 pieces each. In naked carp, scales are located on the body in chains: along the ridge from head to tail and along the lower part of the body. Carp has many economically valuable advantages - relative unpretentiousness to environmental conditions, omnivorousness, rapid growth, high fat content of meat. In artificial reservoirs it is the main fish. When compiling a diet for artificial breeding, it is important to correctly calculate the amount of feed, because if overfed, the fish will ignore the bait, which will lead to a significant reduction in the catch, and if underfed, it will have a small size and a “non-marketable” appearance. Feed recipes and their quantities need to be changed quite often, based on the amount of fish, its composition, time of year and a number of other factors.
Fishing for carp. Catching carp is similar to fishing for carp. Carp stays in warm standing water, in holes, pools and bays with a muddy bottom, near reeds and snags. In summer at a depth of about 5 meters, in autumn - 10, and in winter even deeper. You can catch carp all year round, but the best time is after spawning. The most active bite is in the morning and evening, if there is no strong wind and pressure drop.
In the summer, carp are caught with a float rod and reel, a bottom rod, a side rod, or a line. In winter they fish with winter float rods, fishing rods with rings with a spinning or multiplier reel that absorbs the jerks of the fish. The tackle must be strong; braided fishing line with a length of at least 50 meters is better.
Baits in summer: millet, corn, grain, porridge, bran, cake, boiled potatoes, dough, bread, boilies, reed shoots, sometimes they bite on maggots and live bait, and after rain on earthworms. In winter - bloodworms, worms, burdock moth larvae, crayfish meat. They can catch carp without bait, using a spoon or jig.
You can feed the carp with corn, porridge, crackers, seeds, cake, boiled potatoes, as well as carp bait. Catching large specimens requires regular feeding over several days or even weeks.
When fished, the carp resists for a long time and often breaks off the hook.
General biology of the species
Species Carp (Cyprinus cagrio L.)
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Superclass Gnathostomata
Row of Pisces
Class Bony fishes (Osteichthyes)
Subclass Ray-finned (Actinopterygii)
Superorder Teleostei
Order Cypriniformes
Suborder Cyprinoidei
Family Cyprinidae
Genus Carp (Cyprinus)
Carp (Cyprinus cagrio L.) - lives in fresh and brackish waters of the Black, Azov, Mediterranean, Caspian and Aral seas, Lake Issyk-Kul, in the basins of the Pacific Ocean rivers from the Amur in the north, to Indochina in the south (Fig. 1. ).
Forms 2 subspecies: typical, inhabiting the waters of Europe and Central Asia; and the Far Eastern - living in the waters of China and the Amur basin. As a result of acclimatization, the carp and its cultivated form, the carp, are now distributed throughout the globe.
Length up to 1 m, weight up to 20 kg (or more). Freshwater or semi-anadromous fish. The semi-anadromous carp feeds in the pre-estuary areas of the sea, and rises into rivers to spawn. Carp is a fast-growing, unpretentious fish. Sexual maturity occurs at a length of 25-20 cm at 3-5 years of age. Fecundity is high - from 96 thousand to 1.8 million eggs. Working fertility 300-350 thousand pieces. In Amur - 450 thousand units.
Spawning occurs in the spring in the coastal zone at a temperature not lower than 13 ° C, and the height of spawning is observed at 18-20 ° C. Spawning is group: there are 3-4 males per female. Eggs are laid in portions on soft vegetation, usually in the morning. The duration of egg development is from 3 to 6 days. The larvae emerging from the eggs are glued to the plants by special glands - the “cement organ” and feed on the contents of the yolk sac for 5-6 days, then switch to active feeding. Nutrition varies depending on the age of the fish. Juveniles feed on planktonic crustaceans, adults – crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and aquatic plants. They winter in deep holes at river mouths or in pre-estuarine areas. In winter, it completely or almost completely stops feeding and falls into a state close to hibernation. Lives for more than 30 years. It is of great commercial importance. The cultivated form of carp - carp - has a relatively fast growth rate, with little demands on environmental conditions.
Carp belongs to the group of spring-summer spawning fish. In relation to temperature, they are eurythermic, i.e. they live in bodies of water in which the water temperature varies widely throughout the year.
Embryonic development
Stage I. Before crushing begins.
The egg is not watered; in the first minutes after fertilization, the egg is transparent, the pigmented shell fits tightly to the surface of the egg.
The beginning of watering of the egg and the formation of a plasmatic tubercle. The shell has separated. Age 10 minutes.
The completely watered egg, i.e. The perivitiline cavity has reached its maximum size. Diameter 1.2-1.3 mm.
Stage II. Blastula and morula stage.
Beginning of fragmentation, formation of two blastomeres. Age 2 hours.
Formation of four blastomeres.
Formation of eight blastomeres.
Formation of sixteen blastomeres.
Large cell, or early morula.
Small cell, or late morula.
Stage 10.
Blastula. A slit-like cavity is formed - the blastocoel.
Stage III. Gastrulation.
Stage 11.
Beginning of gastrulation. The blastoderm moves along the surface of the yolk sac.
In the marginal zone of the blastoderm, the rudiments of the embryo body are formed.
Stage 12.
Formation of a yolk plug.
Stage 13.
End of gastrulation, closure of the yolk plug.
Stage IV. Embryo formation.
Stage 14.
The formation of optic vesicles and the beginning of mesoderm segmentation, the contours of the notochord are visible.
Stage 15.
The formation of optic cups is the appearance of a slit-like depression in the rudiments of the eyes. Age 18 hours, number of segments 10.
Stage V. Rotating embryo.
Stage 16.
Beginning of separation of the tail section of the embryo from the yolk. Lenses appear in the optic cups and the rudiments of auditory vesicles form. The body occasionally bends.
Stage 17.
Further separation of the caudal region.
Stage 18.
Straightening the tail. The beginning of active rotation of the embryo inside the shell forms an olfactory capsule.
Stage VI. Hatching of the embryo from the shell.
Postembryonic development of carpStage of development A.
5 days after spawning, juvenile carp appear in the pond at stage A. At this stage, the carp has a large pear-shaped yolk sac. The head is slightly bent towards the yolk sac. The mouth is lower, open, motionless. The eyes are pigmented. The membranous operculum covers the first gill arches. An olfactory fossa is located in front of the eye, and there are 2 otoliths in the auditory capsule. The base of the pectoral fin is located vertically. The fin fold is slightly expanded in the caudal part. The yolk sac is highly pigmented. The head is poorly pigmented and contains only isolated pigment cells.
The head length of the carp at this stage is 13.0%, the height is 15.5% of the body length, the snout length is 3.6% of the body length, the eye diameter is 7.7%. Postorbital distance equals 6.0% of body length. Body height above pectoral fins – 15.3% of body length. The body height in front of the dorsal fin is 18.1%, the smallest body height is 5.8%. Tail length – 30.1%, caudal fin length – 5.4%. The larvae hang, stuck to the plants or the walls of the apparatus, break off from time to time, and then stick again.
At this stage of development, the larvae react positively to light. Free embryos, due to the presence of organs on the head that adhere to moving vegetation, stick closer to the surface of the water. Development stage A lasts two days.
Stage of development B.
Two days after hatching, carp larvae move to the next stage of development, B. The transition from stage A to stage B occurs when the larvae size is 5.5 mm. Juvenile carp switches to active feeding on the remaining yolk on the fifth day at a length of 5.7 mm. When the larva enters stage B, the swim bladder fills with air. The yolk sac is significantly reduced. The mouth becomes final and mobile, but does not yet close completely. The fin fold becomes wider. The gill membrane almost completely covers the gill arches. The intestine is a long straight tube; there are many pigment cells on the head.
In addition, pigment cells are located along the back and on the lower surface of the abdomen. At developmental stage B, the length of the head increases to 21.8% of the body length, the height of the head reaches 16.2%, the length of the snout is the same as at the previous stage, the postocular distance increases to 11.4% of the body length.
The height of the body above the pectoral fins increases to 16.0%. The body height in front of the dorsal fin decreases to 15.4% of the body length due to a decrease in the amount of yolk. The lowest body height increases to 7.0%. At this stage, the larvae swim singly in the water column, not far from the shore. In the pond, the larvae feed mainly on the cladocera Bosmina. Development stage B lasts four days.
Development stage C 1.
At a length of 5.7 mm, the carp larva enters the C1 development stage. At this stage, the yolk is completely absent. The mouth closes. The swim bladder enlarges. The tail blade becomes larger. An accumulation of mesenchyme appears in the caudal blade under the posterior end of the notochord. The head increases slightly, its length at this stage is 22.9% of the body length, the height of the head is almost the same as at the previous stage (16.2%), the size of the snout and the diameter of the eye are almost the same as at the previous stage. The postorbital distance increases to 12.5%. Body height above the pectoral fins increases to 17.%. Body height in front of the dorsal fin increases to 16.1%.
At this stage of development, carp larvae stay close to the shore at a depth of 30-40 cm and swim alone. They feed mainly on cladocerans. Development stage C 1 lasts four days.
Development stage C 2.
Carp larvae move to stage C 2 at a length of 6.5 mm. The stage continues until the larva reaches a length of 8.7 mm. The operculum completely covers the gills. In the sheets of the future dorsal and anal fins there are concentrations of mesenchyme. The rays begin to ossify in the tail blade. The end of the chord is bent upward. The tail blade is somewhat elongated backwards and upwards.
The length of the head increases to 37.9% and the height of the head – 17.8%. The snout length increases to 4.2%. The postorbital distance and diameter of the eye are almost the same as in the previous stage. The body height above the pectoral fins increases to 19.4%, the body height in front of the dorsal fin increases to 19%, the smallest body height does not change compared to the height at the previous stage, the tail length decreases to 26.5%. The larvae stay alone near the shore in shallow water. At this stage of development, the larvae continue to feed mainly on cladocerans, but for the first time at this stage of development, chironomid larvae begin to be found in their food. Stage C 2 lasts three days.
Development stage D 1.
At a length of 8.7 mm, juvenile carp enters the D1 development stage. At this stage, the swim bladder becomes double, its anterior chamber begins to fill with air. The mouth is terminal, weakly retractable. Mesenchymal rays appear in the dorsal and anal fins. The rudiments of the pelvic fins appear. The rays in the tail reach its posterior edge. The posterior end of the chord is strongly bent upward. The tail fin is three-lobed. The length of the carp's head remains almost the same as at the previous stage. The diameter of the eye increases to 8%. The postorbital distance increases to 14%, the height of the body above the pectoral fins to 20.7%, the height in front of the dorsal fin to 22% of the body length. The smallest body height increases slightly (up to 6.8% instead of 6.0% at the previous stage). The tail length is reduced to 23.6%. The length of the caudal fin increases to 9.9%. The larvae of carp, still staying at the surface of the water, by this time sink to a depth of 0.5 m. They are still kept alone. Their food in ponds is mainly organisms of the same size as at the previous stage. Development stage D 1 lasts three days.
Development stage D 2.
Carp larvae with a body length of 9.4 mm move to the D2 development stage. At this stage of development, the caudal fin is bilobed. The notch in it increases and the dismemberment of its rays begins. Bone rays develop in the dorsal and anal fins, reaching in each fin to its edge. The pelvic fins become enlarged. Mesenchymal rays appear in the pectoral fins. The fin fold from the dorsal fin extends to the base of the caudal fin and under its base. The mouth moves out more than in the previous stage.
The relative size of the head is 30.4% of the body length. Head height increases to 18.5%. The length of the snout increases - up to 5.9%, eye diameter up to 8.8%, postorbital distance up to 15.8%, body height above the pectoral fins up to 23.1%, body height in front of the dorsal fins up to 25%, minimum body height up to 9.1%. Tail length increases to 22.1%.
The length of the caudal fin increases greatly to 18.6%. Carp larvae stay close to the shore at a depth of 0.5 m alone. In the morning they approach the shore, in the evening they move away from it and descend into deeper layers of water. At this stage, the intestines of juvenile carp contain mainly Bosmina and a number of chironomid larvae. The number of chironomid larvae in food increased compared to what was at the previous stages (C 2 and D 1). Development stage D 2 lasts five days.
Stage of development E.
The body length of the larva is 1.8 mm. By the end of this stage, bone rays have already been developed in all paired and unpaired fins. The dorsal fin is slightly notched. The notch in the caudal fin has increased. The preanal fold is small. Above and below the tail, the fin fold was completely reduced. The olfactory fossa begins to take the shape of a figure eight, because forms small outgrowths from the upper and lower edges. The head has increased, its length – 33%, height – 21.4%, snout length increased to 7%, postorbital distance to 16.2%, body height above the pectoral fins to 25.5%, body height in front of the dorsal fin to 29.5% , the smallest body height increased slightly to 9.8%. The length of the caudal fin increased to 21.9%. At this stage of development E, carp larvae stay alone at a depth of about 0.5 m and in the stream (at the spillway). At this stage, the carp feeds mainly on chironomid larvae. Stage E lasts three days.
Stage of development F.
Juvenile carp enter the development stage at a length of 14.8 mm. During the transition to this stage, the carp's scales begin to develop along the longitudinal horizontal myosepta; by the end of the stage, they cover almost the entire body. The first antennae appear at the corners of the mouth. The opening of the olfactory fossa takes the shape of a figure eight due to the increase in two opposing processes of its dorsal and vertical edges. The length of the head increased to 35.3%, the length of the snout - to 8.5%, the diameter of the eye decreased to 7.9%, the postorbital distance began to decrease (15% instead of 16.2% at the previous stage). The body height above the pectoral fins is almost the same as at the previous stage, the body height in front of the dorsal fin has increased to 32.6%, the smallest body height has increased to 12.1%, the tail length has decreased to 21.9%, the length of the caudal fin has increased to 22.8%. At this stage, carp fry stay mainly at the bottom, often near the spillway. In calm weather, the fry swim in schools. They are very timid. At this stage, juvenile carp probably switches to bottom feeding. Its food contains many chironomid larvae. The stage lasts six days.
Stage of development Q.
The bulk of juvenile carp enters the Q development stage at a body length of 21.7 mm. At this stage, the carp is completely covered with scales. The olfactory opening becomes double, and the rudiment of the lateral line canal appears.
Body height increases above the pectoral fins to 29.4%, in front of the dorsal fin to 34.1%. The remaining proportions of the body remain almost the same as at the previous stage. The fry usually swim in schools, less often alone, near the shore.
Welcome to my blog! In this article I will talk about the carp fish, where it lives, what it eats, and how to lure it to the fishing line. Carp is a freshwater fish, thermophilic habitat in the river basins of the Azov, Caspian, Aral, Black Seas, in lakes Balkhash, Kapchagai, and the Amur River. In many rivers and reservoirs of Siberia and Central Asia. The body is longer than that of a carp, slab-shaped, capable of swimming quickly, with a dark back, golden sides. Golden-brown large scales.
The carp has a large head, with a lower mouth, with which it takes food from the bottom. There are two antennae on each side of the mouth.
The carp fish has two forms - residential and semi-anadromous. The residential form lives constantly in one body of water, the semi-anadromous form lives in fresh waters of the seas and lakes, and goes to rivers to spawn. The lifespan of carp is up to 30 years, the average weight reaches up to 4 kg, the weight of large fish is up to 20 kg. Body length up to 1 meter. Carp stop growing and gaining weight at the age of 8 years.
The carp fish feeds differently. In spring and early summer, it feeds on cattails, reeds, young shoots of aquatic plants, and the eggs of other fish and frogs. In the summer, it begins to feed on leaves, insects, worms, snails, crustaceans, leeches, and mollusks. By autumn, it stops feeding on plant foods and switches to feeding on insects and invertebrates.
The carp fish begins to spawn when the water warms up to 20 degrees, at the age of 5-6 years. Spawning first begins in young fish, after which older fish begin to spawn. Spawning occurs beautifully, many fish fight in the grass, creating seething foam. The fertility of carp is up to 1.5 million eggs. Spawns in batches from April to July among vegetation.
Carp is a schooling fish, large, and gathers in small schools. With the help of selection, fish were obtained from this fish. Large fish already live separately. Carp differs from carp in an even more active lifestyle; carp are bred specifically in reservoirs, while carp live in the wild. Choosing for their habitat the metas are calmer with great depth, in snags with a sandy bottom.
At night and in the morning, the carp fish goes to the shore, where it is found in thickets of reeds and reeds in search of food. In summer, in its permanent habitat, carp plays in the water, jumping out of the water, creating noisy splashes.
To catch carp, it is better to take a reel tackle. Take a strong fishing line, since the carp sharply resists and makes strong jerks. A fishing line that is too thick can alert the fish; for medium-sized fish, a fishing line with a diameter of 0.4 mm is suitable; for large carp, take a fishing line with a diameter of 0.6 mm. Hooks are selected according to the nozzle. For bait, take porridge, potatoes, cake, corn, crayfish and shell meat.
Let's look at how the carp fish is caught. Choose your fishing method according to the body of water. If the reservoirs are not large, then be sure to use bait. Carp are constantly swimming in search of food. And if he finds food in some place, then he will definitely come there again, so if you feed the fish, you can catch it in one place all the time.
It is necessary to place fish above the fishing area, because the carp begins to look for food above its habitat. It is best if there is a slight current, this helps attract fish to the fishing spot. If there is no current at all, the carp will not notice the bait lying on the bottom. If the current is fast, then the bait particles will be quickly carried away by the current without attracting fish.
It is best if the bait is carried out according to the expected movement of the fish. Choose a depth of at least 2 meters, since large fish are not suitable for shallower places. It is best if the bottom in the fishing area is ledges, this will not allow the fish to notice the fisherman, and the fishing line will be less noticeable. Drop the bait in bags, and when the current is calm, mix the bait with clay and drop it in small balls. Priming should begin in the evening, when large fish go out in search of food. To slow down the flow, you can lower several coniferous branches into the water, and when the water is calm, you need to sprinkle bait between them.
In open waters, you need to camouflage yourself in thickets of reeds and reeds so that the fish are not scared. You can use special shields made of brushwood, 2.5 m long and 1.5 m wide, which must be installed on stakes. It should rise from the water no more than 0.5 m. This will allow the fisherman to sit quietly on the shore, and all his movements and the rod will be hidden. These shelters can also be used from a boat. This shield has only one drawback: the tackle can break on its stakes when fishing for a large carp.
It is best to start baiting 4 days before fishing. If you are going to fish for several days in a row, then you need to prepare several places at the same time. Because after one day of fishing the fish will be scared in this place, and on the second day the bite will be low. On the first day, come early and fish until 11 o’clock, try to find out at what time the fish approach the bait to feed. Because in different bodies of water it comes to feed at different times. If the carp is not suitable for feeding, try changing the bait to another one. If no bait works in that place, then you should move to another place for fishing. The bait feeder should lie on the bottom so as not to interfere with pulling out the caught fish.
When the fish approaches, throw in a few handfuls of fresh bait and you can set up your fishing rods. If the depth of the reservoir at the fishing site is no more than the length of the fishing rod, then you can fish with float tackle, you just need to make the line slack so that the stretched line does not scare away the fish when biting. If the depth is greater than the length of the fishing rod, then it is better to fish without a float and put the slack line on the bottom. Such a tackle with a float will not allow you to drag the fish into the cage. If small fish bother you during a bite, it is better to change the bait, since small fish will not allow the carp to come close. But as soon as the carp starts to feed, you can switch to the previous attachments; the little things will not fit into the place where the carp came to feed.
The carp fish bites differently. It depends on the weather, the appetite of the fish, and the quality of the bait. But the hook must be done when the float begins to go under the water or goes to the side. In large reservoirs there is no point in using bait; in such reservoirs it is better to use feeders immediately during fishing. For such places, take bottom fishing rods. Fishing by wire does not make much sense, since carp prefers to feed on food that lies quietly at the bottom of the reservoir. Take a reel tackle with a sliding weight, or a weight on a separate leash.
Carp is a strong fish and does not get tired for a long time. To pull it ashore you need to put in a lot of effort and experience. You don’t need to let go of the line too much, but you shouldn’t hold it completely tight either. The line needs to be held with a slight tension and gradually reel in the fish, preventing it from going into the snags.
Carp or common carp (lat. Cyprinus carpio) is a freshwater fish of the ray-finned class, order Cyprinidae, family Cyprinidae, genus carps.
The Russian name "sazan" has Kazakh roots and is made up of two words: "saz", meaning "dirt" and "an" - animal. This is how they began to call fish that lives on the muddy bottom in Rus'.
What does carp look like?
In appearance, the carp resembles a carp, but differs in a more powerful body and small scales. The average length of adult individuals is 50-60 cm, although rare specimens grow in length by more than 1 m with a body weight of over 20 kg.
The body of the carp is as tall and thick as that of a carp, and moderately elongated.
The scales are smooth, tightly fitting; the lateral line consists of 32 to 41 scales. The back of most individuals is dark olive in color with a golden tint, the sides are light golden.
The large head is distinguished by a semi-lower retractable mouth, which extends into a tube, like a bream. The lips are fleshy, well developed, with 2 pairs of short whiskers located at the corners of the upper lip. The eyes are small and golden in color.
The long dorsal fin is gray in color and has a small notch. The caudal fin is dark brown, with a reddish tint. The anal and pelvic fins are gray-violet. Moreover, the dorsal and anal fins are distinguished by characteristic jagged bony rays that perfectly perform a protective function.
Where does the carp live?
The general population of carp consists of 2 main groups. One is widespread in the reservoirs of the Far East and Southeast Asia from China to Burma. The other inhabits rivers flowing into the Caspian and Aral seas. The carp was also introduced and adapted to living in the rivers and lakes of Central Asia, Siberia and the Kamchatka region.
Most carp lead a sedentary lifestyle in low-flowing waters with a clayey and silty bottom. It tolerates brackish water well and is often found in desalinated sea bays and large reservoirs.
During the day, the carp prefers to sit in bottom holes, and at dusk it goes to the shore in search of food, trying to stay in the reeds and thickets of aquatic flora.
What does carp eat?
Carp are omnivores and, like all stomachless fish, they can feed almost non-stop. In spring, the basis of the diet is plant food: young reeds, cattails, pondweed; on occasion, the carp will not refuse the eggs of early spawning fish species.
In summer, vegetation recedes into the background, and the main menu consists of worms, aquatic insects and their larvae, snails, leeches, mollusks and molting crayfish. In autumn, the diet consists entirely of animal food - insects, worms and other invertebrates.
With the onset of winter, carp lie down in deep, muddy holes, become covered with mucus and stop feeding until spring.
Reproduction of carp
Males become sexually mature at the 3rd year of life, when the body length reaches 30-36 cm. Females mature at 3-5 years, growing to 35-45 cm.
Depending on the habitat, spawning takes place in fresh or brackish water, close to the shore, at a depth of about half a meter. Group spawning occurs when the water warms up to 18-20 degrees and is accompanied by noise and splashing.
Each female is accompanied by 2 to 5 males; spawning begins at sunset and can continue until 10 a.m. the next day.
Spawning is portioned and lasts from April to mid-summer. Each female lays up to 1.5 million yellow eggs per season, which settle on dense aquatic vegetation. The maturation of fertilized eggs lasts 3-4 days, after which the larvae are born.
After 2 weeks, carp fry begin to consume bloodworms and various microorganisms that live in the thickness of the sludge.
The carp gains most of its weight until it is 7-8 years old, then the growth of the fish stops. Under favorable conditions, carp can live up to 30-35 years.
Using the method of selection from carp, several cultural forms were bred, including mirror carp with an almost naked body and limited rows of large scales, as well as completely naked leathery carp.