Feeding habits of different carp species
There is not a lot of fish in still water which could match the speed and strength of wild carp. Even though there is some genetic difference between the wild carp and the common carp, there are no apparent visual difference apart from shape. And yet a slender common carp can still be visually mistaken for a wild carp and a chubby wild can be easily confused with a common.
From the original wild carp, different strains have been produced by selective breeding throughout Europe during the past three centuries. As a result of this selective breading were produced many different carp species. Here are some of the most common species.
The king common carp is probably one of the most favourable species and is widely adored by most carp anglers and they always invest into good carp fishing tackle to catch one. King common carp is the fully-scaled modern equivalent of the original wild carp, selectively bred to be thicker across the body, deeper and much faster growing with a far greater weight potential.
Ultimate weight for a king carp is still uncertain. Monsters of 80 lb and more have been recorded so there is every reason to expect that in the right growing conditions a king carp can reach as much as 100 lb somewhere in European waters. It is therefore necessary to use good quality carp fishing tackle to catch one. For example good quality carp fishing reelsand rods are a must have.
In Britain however summers do not get sufficiently hot and do not last sufficiently long meaning the target weight of 100 lb is not achievable. The top weights here remains in the lower 50 lb brackets. Although, with temperature in the UK being gradually on the rise, this can easily change.
The fully-scaled mirror is completely covered in scales of different sizes, is by far the prettiest and possibly the most desirable to catch of all species. The average weight of fully-scaled mirror is about 34 lb and they usually respond well to bothcarp fishing tackleand pike fishing tackle.
The scatter-scale mirror generally has a continuous line of scales on both sides of the dorsal fin from head to tail, with single or odd groups appearing almost anywhere, particularly close to the tail root or head, or both by far the most common form of mirror carp. The average weight of this carp in the UK is 36lb and just like fully-scaled mirror it responds well to both carp and pike fishing tackle.
The linear mirror is known for its straight row of uniform scales along the lateral line, plus odd groups near the tail and on both sides of the dorsal fin. The average weight is less that 30lb and linear mirror responds well to any fishing tackle.
The starburst mirror is really a scatter-scale mirror with a presence of tiny, bright scales shot all over the lower half of its body. Italian goldfish and shubunkins have very similar scaleage, reminiscent of a burst of stars – hence this particular carp’s nickname. They also respond well to any fishing tackle. Some anglers using pike reels for targeting starburst mirror, but in my opinion they do not work.
The plated mirror again is really a scatter-scale fish with anything from one to several enormous plate-like scales set in an irregular-shaped group on one or both sides of its body. Not a fish that wears well in a busy fisheries, because during the fight the line can catch behind these big scales and force them out. It is therefore you are not very likely to see plated mirror in your local fishery. Some anglers using pike reels for targeting plated mirror, but in my opinion they do not work.
The leather carp is completely free of scales over the body with perhaps the odd line of small scales either side of the dorsal fin. The average weight for a leather carp is about 28lb. Some anglers say that they have managed to catch leather carp on pike fishing tackle and also on plain fishing tackle.
The colour of carp, to certain extent is governed by the colour of water in which they live. In sandy or light green water the body of fish fades to beige, grey or dull brass with a distinct warm tinge to the tail and lower fins. This applies to wild and king carp, and carp that live in clear and weedy water can differ from bronze to slate blue with scales of gold or silver.
Feeding of carp is very aggressive. In the wild they dominates the water and have more than a fare share of food. This feeding habit is why carp is one of the first fish that reaches bate and runs away with line off your carp fishing reel. Although in the dark balance swings towards others, such as cat fish and pike as they naturally become more active.
Since carp is such an aggressive feeder, so why is it so hard to catch one? Well, the answer to this would probably be the fact that carp are smart, and they learn well through association what to be careful about. An example of this would be previously used baits they have recently been cough on, thick line, insensitive terminal rigs, shadows on the water, unnatural sounds picked up through bank vibrations. Thus, once the carp learns to associate one of these factors with danger it will be enough for the carp to stay away, be more alert and stop feeding in such an aggressive way. This is one of the reasons why during carp fishing it is important to be stealthy, well camouflaged use good tackle and good quality carp fishing reels when tacking previously unfished water as those fish would rarely see humans or hear their disturbance along the banks and this would make them more alarmed.
Natural diet of carp mostly consists of miniature life forms, although carp will generally eat anything humans give them. With its two pairs of barbules the carp is a past master at seeking out midge larvae and annelid worms the deepest silt. Occasionally a carp may come up to the surface to catch floaters.
In prolifically stocked waters, especially where competition for the natural aquatic food is high, carp consume far more fish that most anglers could imagine. It is therefore you can use pretty much any tackle with can fit into your seat boxes and fishing boxes. During the spawning season it is natural for them to munch away on both the spawn and newly hatched flies. And this does not stop them from enjoying larger small fish either dead or alive at any time of the year.
During the hot month carp are regularly caught on spinners, spoons and jigs, which would suggest that carp are becoming a more aggressive predator the warmer the water. Other favourite natural foods are all aquatic insects and beetles, shrimps, assellus and a certain amount of algae from silt and mud on the bottom.
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