Carp for bait

[gaardvark]

I just finished helping my 2 yo daughter catch a couple of carp, both right around 24" and a 19" channel cat. Don't know why they wouldn't bite on my rod, so we landed them on the 2 foot spongebob rod.

I decided to harvest some carp meat for future bait, and was surprised to see a pronounced difference in the meat.

The first had a relatively white meat. This was a fish that had smaller, even scales. It was a female that was loaded with eggs. I have heard such a fish referred to as a common carp, though I can't say that I know this to be a fact.

The second beast was a male, with noticeably larger scales, which were not patterned as neatly. His meat was a deep red. I have heard this type of fish referred to as a mirror carp.

Both of them were within an inch or two in size, so I wondered if the difference in meat might be a question of age, gender, or species difference?

The names by which they are known are actually not as important to me as whether any of the more seasoned catfish anglers have noticed if catfish have a preference for light or dark meat?
[signature]

[Flyfishinglover]

Next time you catch a carp or sucker with egg roe inside of them wrap them in tu tu fabric that you can get at walmart then tie that on a hook. Caught many catfish doing that.
[signature]

[gaardvark]

Thanks, maybe I will try that next time. There was at least enough roe for a double handful in just the one fish.
[signature]

[Boatloadakids]

I have noticed the dark and light meat in carp but have not attached it to gender. A carp is a carp to me.... actually a carp in bait to me. I have not noticed the cats to have a preference for dark or light. I think they see a carp as a carp the same as I do.

Haven't tried the egg sack thing but I'm sure it would work. Seems like a lot of bother when carp meat will do the job nicely.

Good luck to you and the little one. Nothin' like starting 'em early. []

BLK
[signature]

[CoyoteSpinner]

Not sure how you sex a carp, should ask this guy. I'd expect there are tell-tale signs outside, but that sack of eggs is a sure sign on the inside.

As for being good bait, I'd concur. Though I can't bring myself to safe "those" parts in the freezer. I've expect avoiding the lower intestines, and focus on other organs is probably most effective. I'm sure soft and gooey goes down easier than bony bits.
I think FFL is on to something (sure it's not TOO TOO - hah, couldn't resist!). Nylons work too, or cheese cloth. You can get roe-sack material, and better too - "magic string" - elastic thread that you can "tie" without knots. Found some 'elastomeric bandage' material that is real stretchy too.

As for meat color - not sure, but haven't noticed that difference with other species. Trout and Cats at least. Males having the lighter inner flesh. I think your species assessment is correct, and I've also heard the commons called Kings. Not sure if the females are Queens? Maybe just the Freddies.

[inline "CARP LOVER.jpg"]

[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Both "common" and "mirror" carp are the same species...just different scale patterns. A genetic kickback thing...like red hair vs blonde or brunette.

I have cut up a lot of carp meat over the years. Some of it even for bait. I too have noticed a difference in flesh color. My observation is that the lighter flesh is more common in females getting ready to spawn. As with salmon and other species the development of large masses of eggs extracts lots of nutrition from the flesh of the female. Males during spawning time do not seem to suffer this condition as much. And during non-spawn times the males still seem to have darker flesh.

I process and use both light and dark meat for bait. I have not noticed any difference in catfish preference. I suspect that the basic carp odor is all they are interested in...not the color.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]

[gaardvark]

Thank you for your response. I wasn't sure if the darker meat might have more oils or "fishier mojo". If you haven't noticed a difference, I won't worry about it either.
[signature]