Carp Catchers Blog

There are 4 different strains of Common carp Cyprinus carpio; each different strain has different scale patterns and very few different genetic traits.

The first strain is the common carp, as we know it, this strains is the closest descendant of the wild carp. Basically speaking, the common carp is genetically different to the wild carp through the possession of an inherited trait connected to its growth. If compared to the mirror, leather and linear strains of carp the common carp had been proven to have the best growth rate in terms of increase in size rather than potential weight; this is dependant on the environment it is subjected to. The common carp has both of its flanks full of neatly aligned uniform scales.

The mirror carp was the first mutation on from the common carp and its formation is related to alternative forms of two of its genes, the S and the N alleles. Both of these alleles are paired and they hold a major and minor version, the minor being the recessive of the two. The genetic term used for the mirror carp is ssnn (all minor). The behaviour of the s (minor) and the N (major) genes in carp have and effect on a wide range of its genetic traits in addition to scaling patterns, this is the reason that mirror carp often have fewer rays in its dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins than common and wild carp. As with all the strains of carp the mirror carp possesses a number of other genes which determine the carps body length, bucal cavity (mouth) positioning and scale pattern. Some mirror carp have been proven of being able to reach heavier weights than common, linear and leather carp; this is related to its genes.

A leather carp is known for it scale less flanks though scientifically a leather carp can possess a few scales, the dorsal row of scales must either be absent or if present it must have breaks between scales. Leather carp have a reduced growth when compared with commons and mirrors; this is due to them having fewer red blood cells. This also means that they require higher oxygen levels in the water to maintain a healthy oxygen level in their blood. Leather carp also have fewer dorsal spines than the other strains, they quite frequently have genetic kinks or deformities in its fins and they are much less hardy than the rest of the Common carp family.

A true linear carp has a single row of scales along it lateral line giving them their distinctive looks. Like leather carp, linears have a restricted maximum growth potential and their growth rate is also a lot slower. Both linear and leather carp have a more intensive fat metabolism, meaning that fat amasses more quickly in both during the summer time and is utilized in greater amounts during the winter. This and the reduced potential growth of linear and leather carp is related to its reduced amount of gill rakers and its decreased number of pharyngeal teeth, both strains have 2 rows compared with the three rows found in common and mirror carp.

The New Angling Intelligence Luggage has come in and it looks very good indeed. The Stalker/Overnighter Bag is really well designed with loads of compartments it looks Ideal as compact bag for stalking, floater fishing or doing a quick overnighter. Another excellent looking bit of kit Is The Tackle Case  The tackle case will hold all the bits you need for a session, such as terminal tackle, rigs, PVA, hooklinks etc. check it out it looks really good. Other items to check out are The Bait Bucket, Large Carryall, Barrow Cover and Accessories Bag. There are some other new bits and pieces coming in soon and I’ll review those as soon as they’re in.

Best fishes,

John

Customer Eamonn Skelhan used Mainline Pro-Active Pineapple Freezer Boilies to good effect recently and helped himself to an 11 fish haul. Eamonn fished a private lake and caught all his carp on 18mm boilies straight from the bag, other rig details are scarce. The photo above was the biggest of Eamonns’ catch and weighed 30lb 4oz, well done Eamonn! Sorry about the quality of the reprints but Eamonn was in a bit of a rush, he’d just picked up some more bait and was of fishing again lucky blighter.

Best fishes

John

As most of you will have noticed the carp in your local water maybe getting ready to spawn and are grouping up in large shoals in the shallows of your local lakes or they may well have already spawned in the past month. In their natural environment in the UK carp breed through the summer months, the exact time depends on location and certain conditions. Their breeding takes place in a constant water temperature of around 73^oF (23^oC) with their eggs being laid in shallow water over fine leaved vegetation or aquatic weed. The process of spawning for them is a vigorous and sometimes violent ordeal where some individuals end up being injured; any injuries caused during spawning are normally superficial and heal over time. During spawning carp will become very preoccupied with each other and in a lot of cases you will be able to stand just a few feet away and watch the process without so much as spooking a single fish. A large female will lay hundreds of thousands of eggs and these hatch in around 5-8 days at around 73^oF, the fry are able to swim properly a few days later. The number of eggs that a female produces depends on a number of factors; size is a big factor in the quantity of eggs they produce but also their state of health and diet. A reasonable estimate would be 100,000 to every kilo (2.2 lbs) of body weight, so therefore batches of well over a million eggs is quite a common occurrence. The carp’s sex organs otherwise known as their gonads vary in size and structure depending on the sexual maturity and size of the fish. The males sexual organs a far smaller than a females but still the size depends on the sexual maturity and size of the fish. A females sexual organs are huge, she has a pair of ovaries that prior to spawning take up the majority of her body cavity and weigh a third of her weight hence the dramatic weight changes around this time of year. During the spawning period it is easier to determine the sex of a carp but not in all cases; males develop small white lumps known as tubercles which are more noticeable around the head area. Females do not lose their protective mucus or develop tubercles, they become considerably plumper than the males in their stomachs and their ovipositor (egg depositor) become distended shortly before and a little while after spawning which is visible on a female when on the bank. Although carp all over the UK will have spawned or will be spawning in the near future it is very unlikely that many of the fry will survive due to the environmental conditions of the UK.

If you land any carp during this period please take the utmost care when handling the fish and release it back to the water as quickly as you possibly can to reduce stress levels during this delicate time.

Regards

David Moore

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Here’s the promised photo of Lee’s PB Common. Nice one Lee

Before I returned back to Winchester after my easter break I managed to get another session in at Elsons which didn’t prove to be too productive for myself except for the 6 Tench I banked to 5lb 12oz fishing the Mag aligner over caster and dead maggot, it did prove to be a productive session for one of my mates. Lee banked his first 20 at 21lb 2ozs, he was fishing Poacher baits tiger nut and maple boilies with a size 10  Korda Wide Gape B hook on 15lb Korda soft link tied as a simple hair rig. Although he didn’t bank anymore fish after the 20 he was more than happy, well in mate. Photos to come soon.

David Moore