Carp Information And Facts.
Scientific Name: Cyprinus Capio
Maximum Weight: 100lb (45kg)
Maximum Length: 60in (1.5 m)
Average Weight Caught:10lb (4.5kg)
Life Span: 45 years
Mirror Carp have large shiny mirror like scales. Common Carp have small evenlyspaced scales. Leather Carp are smooth. Carp have four barbels packed with taste buds. Carp have broad fins making them excellent swimmers. The dorsal fins are broad and have around 20 or so rays.
British Record:
Scottish Record:
Irish Lake:
Irish River:
Welsh Record:
Manor Farm Nottinghamshire
Carp over 20lb
Redmire Pool Hereford
Carp over 35lb
Carp and Cats France
Carp over 40lb
Creuse carp France
Carp over 45lb
Etang Negreloube France
Carp up to 50lb
Yateley Complex Surrey
Carp over 40lb
Fox Pool France
Carp over 40lb
Brooklands Lake Kent
Carp up to 20lb
Carp have many different types within their species and while in Britain they grow to around 55lb on the continent they can get to a rod bending 100lb and make excellent sport.
THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE CARP.
The carp love still water they thrive in mature lakes full of plant life and nutrients. However they are also a very adaptable fish also found slow flowing lowland rivers. The river carp are slimmer and more athletic than their lake living relatives. Carp spawn when the temprature is between 18-20 degrees between May and June. The young sometimes do not have enough time to build enough fat reserves to survuve the winter because of the temperature lead spawning and they die. Because of this carp do not take over many waters completely like other species. However carp are a long living fish living for over 40 years thus ensuring the survival of the species. Each female lays over a million eggs amongst the weeds and the shallows. The young hatch and live off their yolk sacs for a few days moving onto tiny water organisms. Growth where the water is warm is rapid with fish getting up to 2lb in weight in their first year and then putting around the same amount on every year after that.
CARP FEEDING.
Carp have sensitive barbels and bucket mouths making them excellent bottom feeders. Any creature be it snails, crayfish, mussels, shrimp anything living in the mud are not safe from the huge mud sucking mouth of the carp. However carp also feed mid water and will also come to the surface to get at floating food also. Carp can also tell what bait caught them before by its smell and avoid it, a crafty fish ineed. Also when the temperature drops below 14 degrees the carp tend to feed less.
The Carp Vital Statistics.
Knowing Your Carp.
Carp Records.
Top Carp Waters.