FISHING BLOG: FISHING STORIES: Nyack College Fishing Club Meets Carp Anglers Group (April 30, 2016)

On Saturday April 30, 2016, we attended our first-ever Carp Anglers Group (CAG) Fish-In! The Carp Anglers Group is a diverse network of dedicated catch-and-release fishermen who recognize and respect carp to be an exciting and challenging sportfish. Thank you Mark Lowrie, CAG NJ State Chairman, for inviting us to this great event! Our club even got in on the action and landed a big carp!!!

FISH FACT: The Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) belongs to the Family Cyprinidae (The Carps and Minnows) which also includes local species such as Common Goldfish (Cyprinus auratus), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Creek Chub Minnow (Semotilus atromaculatus), and Common Shiner Minnow (Luxilus cornutus). Common Carp are native to Eastern Europe and Asia. They can be found in three beautiful body variants: leather (no scales), mirror (few, very large scales with areas of no scales), or fully scaled, and two natural color morphs: red (also called ‘golden’) or brown. In Asia, a red carp is considered a rare, highly prized trophy catch. Common carp can be found in slow-moving fresh- and slightly brackish waters across the United States. They are an opportunistic scavenger. As omnivores, carp consume various aquatic plants, vertebrates (e.g., small fishes), and invertebrates (e.g., insects, crustaceans, worms).

During the Fish-In, we saw it all - European-Style Carp Tackle, Sophisticated Hand-Lining, all sorts of Electronic Fish Alarms, Landing Mats, Hair Rigs, Tripod Scales, and a Diverse Array of Hand-Made Carp Baits!

Upon arrival, there was a competition in progress, with first, second, and third largest fish honored with authentic Carp Anglers Group medals!

Cherished Carp Anglers Group Gold!

We met so many elite carp fishermen. Indeed, we learned a lot by observing their craft. From electronic bite indicators to bait runner reels, we saw carp after carp landed, weighed, and released. The variety of carp baits we saw was mind-blowing! It really was a sight to see the very efficient operation in real time and in person!

There we also met Mr. Woo Kim who is well-known in carp fishing circles for his highly specialized Korean hand-lining technique. We were all mesmerized by the approach. It was highly unique, skillfully hands-on, and very effective! Not to mention - it was also very cool-looking!

More info about this approach can be found in Mr. Kim's very famous YouTube video:

The day was non-stop catch-and-release, and we even got in on the action.

Angel, club member and graduating senior, landed a hefty 8lber - his first-ever carp!

Angel (club member) and Mark (event organizer) both with a healthy carp.

So, who won? Mark took 1st Place with the biggest carp of the day, an 18lb giant! Way to go Mark!

Overall, it was a truly memorable day! It's looking like catch-and-release carp fishing may quickly become a regular pursuit of ours from now on!

How did we do as a group? To quote Mark: "It was a lot of work but it was all worth it. In total 22 fish totaling 291 pounds were successfully landed, weighed, photographed, and released." Enough said? Enough said.

Thank you Mark Lowrie and the rest of NJ Carp Anglers Group for inviting us and showing us an amazing time!!!!

Follow-Up:
This NJ Carp Anglers Group Fish-In was featured on a recent episode of the "Chasin' Tail TV" TV Show! (Our club members can be seen in the background of the later scenes!):