What to catch grass carp with - equipment, bait, groundbait, fishing video

Grass carp is a herbivorous fish from the carp family, as well as the only representative of its genus. This breed is highly valued by many fishermen due to its not only tasty, but also healthy meat, which contains a large amount of various vitamins and beneficial nutrients. Catching this fish can be done in different ways, all of them have their own specific features, features that will be discussed in detail in this article.

Equipment

You can catch grass carp using a variety of gear, all of which can show good efficiency in certain situations and provide a decent catch. First of all, it is necessary to consider the features of this process; if the choice fell on the donka, its equipment will look like this:

Sinkers are not used; instead, you will need to hammer the hominy into the spring; its weight is selected in such a way that it allows casting to the required distance.
The hook is equipped with a hair attachment; corn kernels and small foam balls can be used as bait. In this case, before starting fishing, the behavior of the hook when immersed in water is checked: if it sinks, then it is necessary to reduce the weight of the bait used.
It is not necessary to use specialized carp hooks, since they are quite large and require a large amount of foam to disguise them. For catching grass carp, hooks made of thin, hardened wire, which are very often used for boilie equipment, are quite suitable.
All baits must be put directly on the hook, because otherwise the prey often does not reach it, sucking only the hair equipment into the mouth, which increases the number of fish escapes during hookings.

It is also very common to catch grass carp using float gear; the most effective are massive carp models. Bolognese or fly fishing rods usually do not have good catchability, so most anglers choose match rods or plugs.

General equipment requirements are given below:

The maximum diameter of the working line is 0.25-0.3 mm, and it must be of good quality and with a high elasticity index to withstand the resistance of strong prey.
A leash is required; usually its diameter is 0.2-0.25 mm, depending on the thickness of the working line.
Hooks are used from No. 8 to No. 12, the choice depends on the size of the intended prey, fishing conditions, as well as the diameter of the fishing line used.
The rod can be virtually anything; models with a classic action are suitable, but you will need to abandon ultra-light and lightweight options.
The rod model can be virtually any with a standard action, but you will need to abandon the ultra-light and lightweight options. The selected tackle should have a sufficient level of sensitivity so that even the lightest bites can be felt.

Grass carp: the best tackle, bait and lures for fishing

Every fisherman wants to catch a fish that he can tell his family and friends about as his most valuable catch. And for most, such a trophy is grass carp.

This is a cautious fish; it is difficult to catch it without preparation, but if you know its behavioral characteristics, as well as the secrets of fishing, then it is still possible. Grass carp is strong enough to break a simple fishing rod, so you need to pack strong gear.

General information ↓
Habitats ↓
Fishing calendar ↓
In spring ↓
In summer ↓
In autumn ↓
Fishing gear ↓
Plug ↓
Match ↓
Feeder ↓
Groundbait ↓
Bait recipes ↓
For float tackle ↓
Recipe for bait for the feeder (spring) ↓
The best baits and lures ↓
Fishing features ↓
Tips and tricks ↓

Lures and bait

Grass carp have a fairly extensive diet, allowing anglers to choose from a wide variety of baits. It is recommended to have a whole range of different options with you, which will allow you to select the desired variety directly at the fishing site, after the preferences of the prey living in a particular body of water become known. The most commonly used attachments are:

Corn, and it can be either fresh or boiled, the only requirement is the absence of strong-smelling flavors that can scare off potential prey with their aroma.
Young cucumbers can be used as an independent bait or an additional component in the manufacture of mixtures that are used both as bait and complementary food.
Maggots or worms are also often good at attracting the attention of grass carp, although he prefers food of plant origin. Such baits are most often used during fishing in cool temperatures or periods when this breed begins to actively feed.
Dough, but it is necessary to add any plant ingredients to it, otherwise the fish may ignore such bait.
Succulent plants virtually always attract grass carp, since they form the basis of their diet in their natural habitat. Fresh stems of reeds or reeds, pea leaves, and clover are best suited.
Bait in the form of granules, which is purchased in fishing stores. It is recommended to discard all generic options, as they usually demonstrate a low degree of effectiveness. More effective are specialized mixtures designed for catching representatives of the carp family.

Where and when is the best time to catch carp?

Since grass carp is a herbivorous fish, you should look for it primarily in ponds with large vegetation (algae, reeds, etc.).

In addition, cupid is most often found in the following areas:

Reservoirs.
Overgrown with grass, ponds with a quiet current.
Areas around flooded bushes or trees.
Ponds that are specially stocked with fish (for fish breeding).
Zones in lakes or ponds that are abundantly overgrown with various aquatic plants.
Shallow water areas of reservoirs that are often exposed to the sun's rays and warm up.

There are also some rules that will help you correctly determine the location of grass carp in a pond:

This fish most often swims near the surface of the water, so it will not be difficult to notice it from a short distance, since the first thing that will catch your eye is its fins, which clearly look out.
You can determine the habitat of grass carp by its characteristic excrement, which is very similar to that of a duck.
You can also understand where carp are found by strong splashes of water and air bubbles above the surface of the water.
Experienced fishermen often use a depth rod to search for the habitat of grass carp.

The best time of day for catching grass carp is considered to be late evening and night

Since this fish is very cautious and timid, it is at night, when everything around is quiet, that it ceases to be on guard all the time and swims closer to the bait. Therefore, catching carp in the dark using long casting will never let you down, which is confirmed by many years of experience of fishermen

Necessary features of weather conditions under which grass carp will bite best:

Make it a rule, on every fishing trip, the first thing you do is...

The air temperature is at least 15 degrees Celsius.
Windless, quiet weather on a sunny day.
It must be warm for at least five days so that the water in the reservoirs has time to warm up sufficiently.

The best seasons for catching grass carp are considered to be from mid-May to October. In the spring, carp most willingly takes bait, since it is pretty hungry during the long winter period, when there was practically no algae. In addition, since cupid is a heat-loving fish, when the temperature rises, it begins to lead a more active life.

In the summer season, especially from mid-July, cupid begins a new wave of active biting, and here fishermen should only present it with the right bait in order to attract fish.

In the autumn, catching carp is possible only on warm and sunny days. After spawning, the cupid begins its autumn feeding as it prepares for winter. On such days, fishermen are advised to stock up on large portions of bait and strong gear.

As for the winter season, grass carp is not caught at all during this period, since at the first frost and the onset of subsequent cold weather it goes into winter stagnation.

How and what to feed?

The use of bait mixtures greatly increases fishing efficiency. Experienced fishermen advise preparing your own complementary food, which can create muddy columns in a pond, which attracts prey even from the longest distances. To do this, you can use the following recipe:

Typical bait and groundbait for White Amur
The basis is a mixture of mixed feed or cake.
Mix dry milk in equal proportions; crushed and finely crumbled cookies; any type of bread; semolina. All of these ingredients will make up the base that is added to the base and is needed to create a cloudy cloud in the water.
Components with a sufficiently large fraction are added. Grass carp responds best to peas, corn or pearl barley. You can also use boilies, which are added either to the bait mixture or poured into the water directly at the fishing site.
To add a sweet taste to the bait, which is very attractive to prey, you can use any type of honey, flavored oils or condensed milk as additional components.
A good addition is garlic, which is recommended to be added to mixtures prepared according to any recipe. To do this, it must be finely grated and mixed with the main mass until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.

There is another recipe for complementary feeding, which is very often used when catching grass carp using float rods. Its main advantages are the availability and low cost of all ingredients, as well as the simplicity of the preparation technology; detailed instructions are given below:

First you need to boil the millet, which is then mixed with several standard packs of store-bought bait mixture designed for carp or crucian carp.
One loaf of black bread, well soaked in water, and a glass of steamed cake are added to the resulting mixture.
A few bananas and a handful of corn are added, after which the mixture is thoroughly mixed until smooth.
The resulting thick mixture is necessary for sculpting bait balls; the recommended size should be no larger than a regular orange.

The last recipe is designed to prepare a mixture with a more viscous structure, which makes it ideal for driving into a spring if fishing with bottom tackle. A detailed algorithm of actions is given below:

Semolina
Initially, you will need to prepare jacket potatoes and cook semolina porridge.
Potatoes are grated, but these two components should not be mixed at home, but exclusively while fishing.
Additional ingredients will be required; they should be added strictly in the following order: black bread crumb, several bananas, steamed cake, corn.
The mixture must be thoroughly mixed, after which you will need to check its consistency. If it is not viscous enough, this indicator can be increased by adding semolina until the required structure is obtained. After this, the bait will be completely ready for hammering into the spring and casting into the pond.

When using any bait mixtures, you must be guided by two basic rules: Do not immediately use up all the bait at once, since it can be useful for supplementing the area, which allows you to keep already attracted fish in the immediate vicinity. Feeding a place should be carried out in reasonable and moderate quantities, since the main goal of such manipulations is only to attract fish to the required place. Otherwise, there is a risk of overfeeding it, after which the prey will stop responding to the bait being thrown.

Behavior and lifestyle of grass carp

Ichthyologists list their timidity as a special characteristic of cupids. Even if you are lucky enough to catch a whole school of fish, it is easy to scare it away with your wrong actions.

Therefore, in order to return home with a catch, experienced fishermen advise first of all to take into account seasonality, time of day and weather. Let's take a closer look at the fishing calendar.

Important! In conditions where there is plenty of plant food for fish in the river water, it is impossible to catch them. Therefore, many consider the best period for catching cupids to be the autumn and spring periods, when the water still maintains a temperature of +12-16 °C

Spring

March is characterized by sluggish behavior of Amur carp. Cold water does not promote their activity. Therefore, there is no bite at all this month.

April is not the best period for hunting grass carp, since the fish behaves passively, gradually moving away from winter torpor.

May is very favorable for the life of this fish. The coming warmth contributes to its excellent appetite and, accordingly, biting

For successful fishing, it is important to wait until the river water warms up to +16 °C

Summer

The best time to catch light-bodied carp. The hotter the weather, the better the bite. In July, the fish have a good appetite, and in June and August, a stable catch is guaranteed by the fish feast that has begun in the bait fish.

The physiological characteristics of herbivorous fish are that in the heat it is able to eat the same amount of food as it weighs. Its intestines are 3 times the length of the body. Therefore, in the summer months, these representatives of the underwater world are able to absorb the daily amount of food at once.

Find out also how to breed carp and trout at home.

Autumn

During this period, Amur carp are characterized by sluggish behavior and poor appetite.

Catching grass carp in autumn: video

In September there will still be a bite, but, compared to the summer months, it will be small. But in October, fish will be caught until the water temperature in the reservoir drops to +11 °C.

A decrease in water and air temperature leads to poor appetite in fish. At +10 °C she eats practically nothing.

November is characterized by low activity of fish. Cupids go into the riverbed and prepare to lie low for the winter. When the water cools down to +5 °C, these representatives of the aquatic world completely stop feeding, maintaining their vital functions due to previously accumulated fat deposits.

Winter

This is the worst period for fishing. In December, January and February, the fish are in a state of torpor. It is impossible to catch her at this time.

Did you know? In everyday life, grass carp is called

"
water cow
"
.
It got this name for its constant insatiability and ability to clear coastal areas of young grass and mosquitoes .

Fishing at different times of the year

Changes in the weather greatly affect the behavior and appetite of grass carp, so fishing in different seasons has fundamental differences. All the nuances of this process are discussed below.

Winter

In winter, catching grass carp is practically never practiced, since this breed is characterized by increased heat-loving behavior. As soon as the temperature in the reservoir drops below +10-13°C, the fish experience a sharp loss of appetite, which is why there are no bites at all.

Spring

The fishing season resumes in the spring; its start depends on the climatic conditions of the region where fishing takes place. Most often, the bite resumes no earlier than mid-April or early May. There is no need to additionally feed grass carp, since after winter it is quite active and has a good appetite; the best bait at this time will be any suitable fresh vegetation. It is recommended to choose shallow water as a place for fishing, as it warms up much faster.

Summer

The summer period is a very good time for hunting grass carp, since already in the first days of June its activity increases, which has a positive effect on the bite. A significant improvement in conditions and temperature conditions in the habitat leads to the fact that the fish begins to experience hunger, so virtually all types of bait are effective, and additional feeding is not required. A stable bite will be observed until the water warms up to +25 °C, since after this the grass carp begins spawning.

Autumn

Catching grass carp in the fall is much more difficult, so only fairly experienced anglers go fishing at this time of year. This is due to the impossibility of predicting the bite, since it is directly dependent on the amount of precipitation (for example, if you chose a lake), changes in temperature conditions and other weather features.

If at the beginning of autumn the weather remains relatively warm and sunny, then the summer bite remains, however, with the predominance of cloudy and rainy days, the prey begins to behave more passively. This is due to the fact that the fish senses the approaching cold weather and begins to prepare for winter, but in most cases the likelihood of successful fishing remains until mid-October. After this, attempts can be stopped, since grass carp will try to stay close to the bottom surface and be in a sleepy state.

Tackle for catching carp with a float rod

If you are going fishing for grass carp, then the best gear option would be a plug or match. It is pointless to go hunting with a fly-type fishing rod, because it is very difficult to catch fish. If an individual gets caught on a hook, it is not a fact that it will be possible to reach the shore. The Bologna type of gear is not relevant because it cannot be used in still water.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to hunt grass carp with super light rod models, as they cannot withstand the weight of large fish.

To catch specimens up to two kilograms, use a rod with thin walls and a plug type. It is considered an effective option for other types of fish. To catch small specimens weighing up to two kilograms, use an ultra-thin plug-type rod.

To catch large prey, weighing more than three kilograms, give preference to a thirteen-meter carp pole. It is recommended to choose a shock absorber for it, taking into account the size of the hook and the cross-section of the leash. If you put an elastic band with a cross section of 2.1 mm on the shock absorber, then choose a fishing line of 0.22 mm. And use a hook number 10.

Buy several floats at once for fishing with different carrying capacity (from 15 to 30 g). Try to choose bright options so that the fish can see them from a great distance.
A match of a classic structure is the best option for fishing gear.

Tips for beginners

The basic principles and features of catching grass carp were discussed in detail in the article; to summarize, we can give the following recommendations that may be useful to novice fishermen:

Sinkers and float are often undesirable elements, since grass carp are shy. Most fishermen watch for bites with the help of properly selected and adjusted gear, but beginners who do not yet have this skill can use bells, which will signal the beginning of a bite.
The smell of a person is very undesirable because it can also scare fish. For this reason, it is necessary to hold your hands in the pond for some time, and only then touch the bait or bait with them.
When fishing, it is not recommended to constantly be in close proximity to water, since grass carp may notice a person and begin to show increased caution. It is best to hide in the coastal thickets, having previously installed a fishing rod nearby. It is important not to make noise, since this breed of fish has fairly good hearing.
Grass carp is a very strong prey animal that prefers to resist. For this reason, all hooks made must be confident, and the fish must be pulled quickly, but it is also important to maintain balance, since too strong jerks on both sides can lead to the line breaking.
Grass carp is not only a strong, but also a very hardy fish, so hooking should begin after the first signals of a bite. The main task of the fisherman is to fish the prey to the shore as quickly as possible, but at the same time one must not forget about caution. The main thing is not to allow any grass carp you come across to go into the thicket of vegetation, since even the most experienced fishermen may not be able to pull it out of such a place.
The bait can be additionally secured with threads; this measure is necessary so that the fish immediately falls on the hook tip, but its camouflage is not damaged.

Selecting a location

Effective fishing for carp begins with studying its habits and preferences. This fish loves warm waters without intense currents. The quieter the backwater, the more pleasant it is for cupid, and the warmer the weather, the greater the chances of catching it on a float. Even a seemingly insignificant drop in water temperature forces the fish to go deeper. Hence the rule: “If it gets colder and the carp no longer bites where it was caught well yesterday, you should change the casting location and move closer to the dam, relief depressions, and thickets of aquatic bushes.”

Read: Glowing floats for night fishing

Grass carp feeds on plant foods, so it is found where berry bushes or fruit trees grow near water. The fish is particularly interested in fine algae, which you also need to know about.

In warm weather, the water temperature is relatively uniform. Identical environmental conditions provide these representatives of cyprinids with the opportunity to actively move throughout the entire water area.

Best bait

Tiger nuts

Initially, unusual plant baits were prepared for carp:

cabbage leaf;
green beans and peas;
cucumber;
dandelion;
all kinds of algae;
reed;

These baits are still considered effective, but the fish have already become accustomed to the new living conditions and easily accept animal baits:

bloodworm;
worm;
crawling out;
maggot;

She does not disdain wheat, peas and corn.

Cupid is very picky about food, so he is often capricious. To choose bait for it, you will have to conduct a lot of experiments. It is better to take several different baits for fishing at once, casting them one by one to determine the preferences of the cupid.

To catch grass carp, local residents often use tiger nuts. They have a specific aroma that quickly spreads in the water and attracts fish.

However, you need to know how to prepare them correctly:

The nuts are boiled for about 1 hour.
At the end of cooking, the bait is not cooled, but, on the contrary, wrapped in warm material and kept warm.
A special syrup is added to the cooled mass - an attractant, which enhances the smell.
The finished nuts are dried in the sun.

Animal baits are used only in heavily stocked reservoirs. Where there are not so many fish, it is better to use plant baits that are familiar to carp, which often catch quite large specimens.

Habitats and catches

The ideal depth for fishing is from 1 to 4 meters.

Since grass carp are bred mainly artificially, their main habitats are irrigation canals, reservoirs near power plants that require constant clearing of vegetation, water canals and pond farms.

Due to its feeding habits, it is most often found in heavily overgrown ponds, rivers and lakes.

However, where the number of fish is small, it is content with “pasture” and shows extreme caution. There is no point in hoping for a catch in such places. Also, cupid will not peck in heavily overgrown reservoirs, where it has plenty of food.

Most often, grass carp is found near fallen trees, snags and other obstacles, where it feels completely safe.

Lure

The main quality of bait for grass carp is considered to be a large amount of mixture. The daily norm of dry bait mass can reach up to 7 kg.

As for the composition of the mixture, store-bought bait is suitable for catching carp on a feeder. A good effect is achieved by adding one packet of “Bomb” type leavening ingredients to the dry mixture.

When falling into the water, the floating components loosen the lump and create a vertical column of turbidity at the fishing point. This attracts grass carp from nearby aquatic thickets.

You can add hemp grains and a little bit of the bait you will be fishing with to the moistened mixture.

The Gardner Paternoster is the best feeder rig for fishing on silty bottoms.
Feeder or picker? Differences, advantages and disadvantages of both types of bottom gear.
Shimano telescopic spinning rods in the guide to choosing spinning rods.

Preparing cabbage bait

It is these leaves that are distinguished by their juiciness, freshness and tenderness, which attracts carp to the equipment with this catchy bait. Note that after the head of cabbage has been selected, it is necessary to prepare the leaves on which the fishing will be done.

So, we take a cabbage leaf and cut it into strips, the length of which should be in the range of 20-25 cm, and the width of the strip is slightly less than a centimeter, and it is important that the vein of the leaf located in the center remains undamaged. Leaves for making bait should be cut only before casting the tackle.