I don't post much on here, (usually just sit in the shadows and read the comments) but I figured I would weigh in on this one.
Two years ago, I bought a new hunting bow and retired my 12 year old PSE Spyder. Since then, the ol' PSE had been sitting in the basement collecting dust. This year, I decided to put a bottle line/reel on it, bring it out of retirement, and try bowfishing.
For those who haven't tried it, I have to admit...it IS a lot of fun and borderline addictive, ha. But like many have mentioned on here, I faced the moral dilemma of what to do with the fish once shot. I don't really want to eat it, and once you get good at it, you realize you end up with entirely too much for just one (or two...or even three peoople).
Here was my solution:
1) I decided to shoot as many as possible while they were spawning. (Fun)
2) Hone my filleting skills (I usually practice CPR, so never I filleted many fish)
3) Donate the meat to a local rescue mission food bank (I called ahead of time and they verified they would accept fish as long as it was filleted)
4) Give the scraps to Pops for his garden
This way, I was able to have fun...learned a new skill, and none of the fish goes to waste. I have also on several occasions given carp to fisherman right there on the bank who were more than willing to take them home and eat them. (This is my preferred method of donation, that way I don't have to do all the work, ha!)
My point is...Yes, I know carp aren't the best eating fish out there...however, there is almost always someone willing to eat it. Why let it unnecessarily go to waste?
That said, anyone ever wonder what 50 lbs of donated frozen fish fillets looks like?
Excellent post!
And I'm sure plenty of families were grateful for the fish you provided. Well done!
__________________
Take me fishing, pre-pa!- my 3 year old grandson
Alright this will be the last time I will chime in on this post. I was drinking my morning coffee on the commode about an hour ago. It dawned on me, if all the bow fishers are "oh carp are invasive" but, you bowfish them for fun. Do you go out and kill them because you have a Manson complex? I thought fishing in any manor was meant to be fun.
People saying hunters do not hunt for the killing. Well, the kill is the thrill of the hunt. If you did not want to kill an animal you would be better off with a BB gun and a bunch of lined up cans to shoot. I see no problem with hunting nor bowfishing if done properly. If I seen someone going out and shooting anything that moved I would confront them just as I would if I seen someone throwing carp up onto shore and leaving. It is all about respecting the land and the animals are part of the land like it or not. I hate snakes more than anything in this world but, I do not go out and look for them just to kill them I understand they serve a purpose just like everything else. If one attacks me then yes, I will kill it.
My last sentence brings me to my next point, Asian Carp. If Ohio waters some how are over run by Asian carp, then that is the time to treat them as trash fish. They will destroy boats, take lives and ruin fishing holes. Common carp on the other hand have been here longer than most of our Great Grandparents. Would you go and shoot your Great Grandparents because they are different than what you know? Maybe they eat bass and you don't like that. Does that give you the right to haul off and shoot them? No, I am not downing bowfishing as it is a sport I would like to take up. DB4x4 gave me a great idea, I will be getting in touch with a few homeless shelters and church missionaries to see if they want the filets. If they do and I see an overrun spot, I will be either shooting them with a bow or snagging them.
All in all though boys, a lot of us are making a bigger deal out of this than it should be. Just relax you cannot change people they are how they are and you have to deal with it.
__________________ Live to fish, fish to live.
2013 Fishing Season:
Lg Bass: 35 5.5#
Sm Bass: 1 (dink)
Trout: 0
Gills: 10 (7 on crankbaits)
Crappie: 1
Catfish: 3
Carp: 0
Shoes: 1! she fought like hell out of Springfield for me xD
@Chad
Good post dude. Soon as I seen the word "commode" I almost died laughing. Jocularity aside, your points are certainly valid, and I wish you luck on helping to feed some hungry folks.
@Chad
Good post dude. Soon as I seen the word "commode" I almost died laughing. Jocularity aside, your points are certainly valid, and I wish you luck on helping to feed some hungry folks.
Is that your hand I see raised, way in back?
Lol thanks, I get my best ideas on the commode while drinking coffee and reading field and stream.
__________________ Live to fish, fish to live.
2013 Fishing Season:
Lg Bass: 35 5.5#
Sm Bass: 1 (dink)
Trout: 0
Gills: 10 (7 on crankbaits)
Crappie: 1
Catfish: 3
Carp: 0
Shoes: 1! she fought like hell out of Springfield for me xD
I'm doing my best to answer your questions. You seem to be selective in answering mine.
What about the groundhogs? They're State owned game the same as fish. If I see one, it's dead and I'm not eating or skinning it and enjoy the sport of killing those evasive critters. I used my bass in the compost as an example of killing something for the greater good though it admittedly isn't all the relevant to the point of this discussion.
Would the water quality be better without carp?
As far as Snowden:
Is your conclusion that the bass fishing has improved because of the presence carp?
Is your conclusion that the native sportfish fishing would not be improved by the removal of carp?
Do you think maybe the slot limit on bass is contributing to Snowden's success?
Would you recommend adding carp to fisheries that do not have established populations for the greater good of these fisheries?
What kind of effect on the other fish would you expect from removing 50% of the carp from Lake Snowden or DOW?
I don't think I have exaggerated anything and there are often exceptions to every rule. I have been trying to get across that they are in all known cases not beneficial other than to those who target them and they in most cases decrease the productivity of bodies of water in our region. At the very least, their presence alone means they are taking up biomass and are therefore limiting resources for native, non-invasive fish. The carp are causing far less harm than man though.
I must only be fishing the bad lakes. I've never been to DOW Lake either. To theorize a possibility to support your case, I suppose that under the right circumstances, carp could disrupt spawing grounds of largemouth bass therefore reducing recruitment. Less mouths to feed means more for those that do survive to grow larger at the cost of numbers of fish. If this is the case for DOW lake, it would be exceptional. My guess is the slot limit it contributing more to the success of this fishery more than the carp though.
The reality is that carp are here to stay. They are fun to catch and those who shoot and kill them are within the law and their rights. It does not make them any lesser of a sportman for doing so just as carp fisherman are no less of sportman. I have only seen a handful bowfishers in action. I even saw a 30 foot kill shot from a boat that I was impressed by. He had several nice ones on a stringer hung from the front of his boat.
I once witnessed a pair of young men leaving their dead carp in a heap on the bank. They had buzzards circling before they were finished. Even though nature quickly took care of it, I do feel this was inconsiderate of others using the area and unlawful. At the very least, intentionally leaving them on the bank would be littering equivalent to an apple core or banana peel.
I'm sorry, you're completely missing the point on the Snowden and Dow mentions I made. These are two examples where other gamefish are thriving in spite of the carp being there in good numbers. No, I am not suggesting they help and no, I am not suggesting they be stocked everywhere. I am merely pointing out that there are two solid examples of small SE Ohio lakes that have common carp, but also have great populations and fishing for other species. And both also have no water clarity issues, outside of a heavy rain pushing runoff into Dow. All I am doing is pointing out two public lakes where the carp presence has not caused the sky to fall in any way.
As for your last comment, I usually have at least 3 deer carcasses to dispose of throughout the hunting season after I have butchered them. Do you mind if I dump them in your front yard? The buzzards will get them quickly and it's organic, just like apple cores and banana peels?
Ever been to Lake Snowden in SE Ohio? Gorgeous little lake, gin clear water and more aquatic weed growth than you can imagine once you hit summer time. The bass fishing has really improved, too. They even broadcast that fact on the website for the lake.
It's funny...the bass fishing has improved and the water quality is amazing out there...even with the presence of the "aquatic feral pigs." How does that happen? I thought they ruined everything?
Interesting post, and it reminded me of something. Since this thread has gone off in several different directions I thought I'd chime in again.
When I was young, for cheap entertainment, Dad used to take the gang of us down to a bridge (Yerke-Young Rd.) that crossed Meander Reservoir which is the water supply for Youngstown and other areas in the Mahoning Valley. Meander is also closed to fishing which makes many local anglers drool! We'd take a bag of cheap bread, which, at the time, you could get for 19 cents and feed the fish. There were ungodly huge carp in there! I know that in memories from childhood things seem bigger than they really were, but I swear there were 30 and 40 pounders! Now, sometimes folks would be tempted to try to fish off the bridge. I was there one time and a guy was hand lining, throwing a good old CP Swing spinner. Remember those? He'd just lift/drop it as it swung back toward the bridge. He set the hook and pulled in a fish that looked about 18" which I took to be a bass. I moseyed on over and told him that was a real nice bass he caught. He looked at me like I was crazy, reached down and pulled a fish from the sack saying, "Bass, hell! That's a crappie, man!" It was the biggest crappie I'd ever seen in my life! Side by side with all those huge carp. And he had a sack full of them!
Well now that you have made yourself more clear i.e your first post said "you wouldn't shoot at any dog that wasn't attacking you....your second reply stated that you indeed would shoot a yote for it's fur value, I would tend to have opinions that are simular to yours. As far as guys who "kill for the thrill of killing" being included in the "slob hunter" group..... any deer hunter who hunts for that "monster rack" is simply hunting for the thrill of the kill....a trophy buck...... and as you and I know that would be the majority of hunters that hunt deer.
Don't mean to split hairs here, but I've known, and known of, some deer "hunters" who hunt for the "monster racks" and the thrill of the kill. When successful they then saw the skull plate off and leave the carcass lay. That is a true slob hunter and certainly not the majority of deer hunters!
I'm primarily a meat hunter, but would I be "thrilled" if the Lord of the Forest decided to walk by my stand? You bet! But, I'm also thrilled if a fat, mature doe comes my way. I can sit watching deer with no intentions of shooting and be cool as a cucumber. But, If I intend to draw on one and cause what feels like a "big death", all the same emotions come into play whether there is headgear or not. That's why I call it "deer fever" and not "buck fever".
Interesting post, and it reminded me of something. Since this thread has gone off in several different directions I thought I'd chime in again.
When I was young, for cheap entertainment, Dad used to take the gang of us down to a bridge (Yerke-Young Rd.) that crossed Meander Reservoir which is the water supply for Youngstown and other areas in the Mahoning Valley. Meander is also closed to fishing which makes many local anglers drool! We'd take a bag of cheap bread, which, at the time, you could get for 19 cents and feed the fish. There were ungodly huge carp in there! I know that in memories from childhood things seem bigger than they really were, but I swear there were 30 and 40 pounders! Now, sometimes folks would be tempted to try to fish off the bridge. I was there one time and a guy was hand lining, throwing a good old CP Swing spinner. Remember those? He'd just lift/drop it as it swung back toward the bridge. He set the hook and pulled in a fish that looked about 18" which I took to be a bass. I moseyed on over and told him that was a real nice bass he caught. He looked at me like I was crazy, reached down and pulled a fish from the sack saying, "Bass, hell! That's a crappie, man!" It was the biggest crappie I'd ever seen in my life! Side by side with all those huge carp. And he had a sack full of them!
LOL!! That might've been my cousin. He got busted at least 3 times during his life "fishing" Meander. I'd love just one day on that lake.
__________________
Take me fishing, pre-pa!- my 3 year old grandson
Carp have been in American waters since German guy decided that he wanted to fish for the nasty fish from his homeland and stocked the waters near him. At least that's the story I heard of how carp were introduced to our waters, and I've heard the same story many times from many different places. They've been here for a very long time and we have been trying to get rid of them for a very long time. They have been considered an invasive species for almost as long as they have been here. The problem is that almost no one fish for them, and even fewer eat them. Although there has been an influx of carp fisherman in the past couple years. Personally I don't understand why people even want to fish for them. Whenever I catch them, I just want to get them off my damn line so I can fish for something worth catching. I think there is a reason they are considered "rough fish" and not a "sport fish".
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That being said, I still don't agree with just killing them for fun and tossing them on the bank. At least use it for bait, fertilizer, dog food or... If you're willing, dinner.
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Sorry, just playing devils advocate. There are a number of stories about how carp were introduced into our waters. The story I shared is just the one I've heard over and over and over again. I don't mean to be offensive to anyone, if you want to fish for trash fish more power to ya. That just means more good fish for the rest of us.
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Sorry, just playing devils advocate. There are a number of stories about how carp were introduced into our waters. The story I shared is just the one I've heard over and over and over again. I don't mean to be offensive to anyone, if you want to fish for trash fish more power to ya. That just means more good fish for the rest of us.
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Amen
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Most of the carp that I catch are out of the river. fishing close to the dam down here, the water stays pretty swift. The carp usually pull hard and are just strong in general. Years of catching these fish, mainly on crankbaits, I have been hooked, trying to realease them, messed up the hooks, broken lines and lost lures on these "junk" fish, atleast in my book. Couple years ago though was my last straw, brought a big one to the boat, it flopped out of the net and into the boat. There is a 200 some odd dollar Kistlar rod with a shimano curado reel lying on the bottom or jammed in a brushpile about a half mile down river of the greenup dam. With that being said, Now, everytime I hook into a fish and the big purple, slimy turd shows its self, he gets to the boat and insted of meeting a pile of rods and reels to kick in, he is met with a 12 in pair of needle nose pliers across the head. I do not intend to kill the fish, only to subdue the fish until I can hook out of its mouth without being hooked, tearing up my bait, or losing any more equipment. Do they survive? Maybe, maybe not. Do I care? Not about a carp, sorry. They are everywhere! I go bass fishing and fish for hours and may not catch one. Carp on the other hand, especially in the river or lake Erie, if you havent caught a carp, then you just aint fishing. All I am saying people, do not worry about the carp population, we will never get rid of em.
so on the CARP forum of this site, where people that like to fish for carp go to
chat, it is perfectly fine to tell stories of how members like to kill carp
(bowfishing thought we had a forum for that), members like to tell the carpers
how there fish is trash and deserves to die. Even have moderators on the CARP
forum bragging about killing hundreds of them. So when I start posting on the
bass forum, crappie, walleye etc. about how I like to catch these species and
kill them because, well, killing them is cool, I don't have to worry about getting
posts locked or banned, right?
A few points:
1) I do not like bowfishing but in the past I would never go to the BOWFISHING forum and run down, belittle or argue with them on there forum.
2)buuut since we even have moderators posting here I guess the gates are open.
3)will have some good pics of them bass dirt swimming in my bean fields up this weekend.
so on the CARP forum of this site, where people that like to fish for carp go to
chat, it is perfectly fine to tell stories of how members like to kill carp
(bowfishing thought we had a forum for that), members like to tell the carpers
how there fish is trash and deserves to die. Even have moderators on the CARP
forum bragging about killing hundreds of them. So when I start posting on the
bass forum, crappie, walleye etc. about how I like to catch these species and
kill them because, well, killing them is cool, I don't have to worry about getting
posts locked or banned, right?
A few points:
1) I do not like bowfishing but in the past I would never go to the BOWFISHING forum and run down, belittle or argue with them on there forum.
2)buuut since we even have moderators posting here I guess the gates are open.
3)will have some good pics of them bass dirt swimming in my bean fields up this weekend.
Now this is my Opinion, nothing more nothing less. The truth as I see it. Not necessarily the same as any other person or the administration. So take it for what its worth. Just want to make it clear as some always take my statements wrong. I know Im being corny but I would like to see this going back to a more caring and sharing board and a lot less hostility that seems to rule here.
Dont care for killing any thing my self or a lot of things. But don't feel i have a right to tell others that. I will say I dont believe that way. As far as moderators and administration. They are as bias as any one I find. Even to the point of ignoring in fractures from friends and other things. But guess that means their human.
Also dont feel the need to argue any more as even carp fisherman have to realize their promoted as trash fish. Not sports fish so they are not the same. And arguing on OGF has never done any thing to help. If they are serious and really wanting to change the status well they can start on a state or federal level and not on single people.
Now before any one wants to disagree or fly off the handle just remember.
Im 59 and set in my ways and opinion. They can be changed but its hard,treats and name calling or swearing cant do it. Because at my age I welcome death and enjoy life. So im not afraid. Most of all because I like intelligent information. and I do like discussion. Which dont happen here much any more. Not sure if its just today s style or young kids or just adults thinking as young kids. But discussion is different then an argument because you dont point fingers swear or call names if you dont know all ready.
Don't believe I called anyone a name, swore at anyone or thing and the only finger I pointed was toward a Moderator that was fanning the flames.
Well dont believe I said you did either. Just referring to every one. When I choose to speak to an individual I most times pm. Simply because Im not wanting attention just an answer.
But I believe your right people running this site should fan anything. Nice if they can involve there self's with out causing anger or problems. But if not then they shouldn't get involved as they choose to take that job. Not talking about any certain person,but I also have seen it down. And the user who keeps this board going always lose's.
People killing Carp for the Fun
Excellent post!
5.5#
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