The Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella... Friend Or Foe?
A Superb Angling Species Or A Danger To Our Indigenous Fish?
There is so much controversy going on at the moment in South Africa about
invasive fish species and whether or not they should be completely eradicated
from our country. The Grass Carp is amongst these species concerned. Without a
doubt this fish is one of the best fighting freshwater fish in our country. They
were originally introduced into the country into farm dams to control the weed
populations. The Grass Carp was introduced from Malaysia and Germany between the
years of 1967 and 1975. They were introduced into dams in KwaZulu Natal and the
Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa and obviously there have
been quite a few
escapes and re-introductions as they are very well represented in many
freshwater systems all over the country especially in the Vaal River. The Grass
Carp, by definition, prefers large, slow moving or still water. Vegetation is
essential. They are very tolerant of temperature change and can withstand
anything from 0-38 degrees! Their main food sources are aquatic vegetation,
insects and invertebrates. They breed when the waters flood and their eggs float
until they hatch; this is probably why they have spread from area to area.
In the Vaal system schools of Grass Carp up to the 1000 mark are constantly
being reported. The good thing about the large population of Grass Carp in the
Vaal is that the Barbel (Sharptooth Catfish) seem to prefer catching these Carp
than the Smallmouth Yellowfish, which has resulted in a good increase in the
latter species.
The Grass Carp are a difficult fish to catch but if you get your lure/bait
presentation right you will be able to catch them almost at will, and this is
very fun to do! Especially when the record for a South African Grass Carp stands
at over 30 kilograms! A lot of people say that the Grass Carp are doing a good
job as an invasive species in the Vaal system. They have become a primary food
source for Barbel and they are keeping the big algae problem under control. The
Grass Carp are doing wonders for the Moggel as these fish are not being targeted
as much either. This is very good news!
The Grass Carp is a great freshwater fish to target on
fly and numerous
patterns will work. You can basically target Yellowfish and Grass Carp
simultaneously as they both will take the same fly.
Conventional Common Carp
baits work well too. All in all I think the Grass Carp is not doing any harm
to our waters and in this case I think the Grass Carp is a good invasive
species to catch and if anything, is helping more of our indigenous fish
species to breed and get bigger.
