Angling Experiments With Carp (Cyprinus Carpio L.)

Results are reported on angling for tagged carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) belonging to various strains by nearly 800 anglers in drainable ponds in The Netherlands. Carp of various domesticated strains, both of the completely scaled and the type, proved to be much easier to catch than wild carp. Hybrids were intermediate both in growth and in catchability. Better catchability of domesticated carp was caused by their greater eagerness in taking baits. No significant differences in pulling strength were observed between the strains. Fighting endurance was better in wild carp than in equally sized domesticated carp. At the same age, however, differences were negligible because domesticated carp grow faster. Within the group of domesticated strains the completely scaled carp showed better fighting endurance than mirror carp. Moreover, the anglers preferred a fully scaled exterior. Further breeding of carp for angling purposes should aim at improving and combining fast growth and good catchability of domesticated carp with scale type and fighting endurance of wild carp.