Carp_Punisher's biggest fish ever

[Carp_Punisher]

[#505000]Went camping (blech!! Not a big camping fan) with the extended family this weekend and promised to let Mrs. Punisher take a spin on the new Fishcat 4. Due to some rain, and young child camping issues were unable to stay the night and went home early (young child is getting a bigger birthday present because of it). [/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000]
[#505000]Since we were unable to take a spin at Payson Lake we opted to hit Salem Pond Saturday night. The Mrs. in the Fishcat 4 and me in my Fishcat 9. After about an hour of paddling along my wife figured out how to operate her Fishcat 4 and was really getting around. [/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000]
[#505000]I stumbled upon a decent spot for the cats and began catching. I had my wife come over and she began catching as well. Those wee kitty's put a perma grin on the wife's mug. We caught a mess of fish releasing the vast majority of what we caught. [/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000]
[#505000]Just after dark I caught my last fish of the day. My last fish of the day sent my bobber plunging. I set the hook and listened to the drag scream. I knew this one was going to be a hog. After 5 good drag burning runs I saw the monster's silloette under the water. It was at the bare minimum 36 inches although I would probably put it closer to 40. I was giddy with the fact I was going to land this monster cat. Two more long runs later I got the beast's head above water and saw the biggest grass carp ever. I would have to say it would go at the very least 15lbs, likely a bit more. [/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000]
[#505000]I was a little bummed it wasn't a monster cat, but heck it was the fight of a lifetime. I also can scratch grass carp off my list of fish I've caught. What I thought was interesting is the bugger took a 1/3 of a large chub minnow. Everything I've read says grass carp are strict vegaterians. I let the brute go and decided that was then end of a fine evening. [/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000]
[#505000]Since I have yet to make it to Tubedude's to get my FC4 tricked out I'm going to have to cobble something together for Saturday as the Mrs. wants to partake of the Gorilla Floatilla. I hope she gets to land a "real" cat and get drug around a little by it in the tube.[/#505000]
[signature]

[Theekillerbee]

You let the carp go??? Do you have to release them at Salem pond? I hope that is that case, else we'll have to cane you for forsaking your user name! Those big ol dogs can give you a nice fight though. Fun to catch, even if they are carp[]
[signature]

[Flycasting]

Sounds like fun! []
[signature]

[ocean]

Theres a big fine for killing grass carp at salem pond!!![pirate] Even CP must obey the law!!![]
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]A fine fish tale/tail. Sounds like the Mrs. is making serious progress. The fun of tubing might make her more inclined to fish more...and to actually hold fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Those grass carp (amur) are really tough fighters, and they get BIG. Down in Arizona they are used a lot in the planned community lakes and in state water canals to keep down the weed growth. As you discovered, they will eat lots of things. Down in Florida there is a guide that takes his fly fishing clients along the miles of canals looking just for grass carp. One of his best tactics is to find a place where berries fall in the water from overhanging trees and then to have his clients throw a fly tied to imitate one of those berries. They hook fish over 30 pounds fairly regularly.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Glad you obeyed the regulations and returned your prize back to the ecology of the lake. You will always have the memories and if you get in a killing mood there are plenty of the regular buglemouths in Utah Lake awaiting your vengeance.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Look forward to seeing you guys next Saturday. Weather forecast at this point makes evening fishing kinda iffy.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[cat_man]

Those grass carp are planted there by the city strictly to keep the algae growth to a minimum -- and it works well, since they are sterile. That means they do not overpopulate and ruin the place, and the city can control their numbers easily.

I'm sure they are somewhat expensive to replace, and that is why there is such a stiff fine for killing them.
[signature]

[Carp_Punisher]

[#505000]Being well aware of the hefty fine, and being a law abiding carp punisher.... I let this beast go unpunished. I gotta say that was one big fish. [/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000]
[#505000]Had I been able to take it home I'd be sitting on a hefty bait supply for awhile.[/#505000]
[signature]