Triploid grass carp

[catman529]

I just discovered that Tennessee only allows stocking of triploid (sterile) grass carp, like many states. I didn't know grass carp were bred sterile till recently, I thought it was just black carp. So this means that most if not all of the grass carp caught can't reproduce... I thought it was interesting. So that is why this asian fish is not taking over all our waters

Now back to catching them.... I'd like to find a place with 30+ pound grass carp to catch on rod and reel. Anyone know some places in middle TN accessible by the bank or shore....

 

[easy45]

They say they are sterile but we had a few stocked in our pond a long time ago then about 5 years later I caught some babies in a cast net

 

[catman529]

They say they are sterile but we had a few stocked in our pond a long time ago then about 5 years later I caught some babies in a cast net

Hmm must have either been a mistake or the fish supplier was a bit sneaky.... interesting. I'm sure there are plenty of diploid grass carp out there to reproduce, it only takes one leak to get them going (cough.... silver carp)

 

[B.D.]

My understanding is that the process which makes triploids is not always 100 percent effective. Usually it involves "shocking" the eggs shortly after fertilization with heat, or occasionally with pressure or chemicals. Basically, it screws up the chromosomes during early cell division.

However, all it takes is one mistake (not enough heat, poor mixing of chemicals, shocking at the wrong point in the process, etc.) and some non-sterile diploid fish can sneak through.

As far as where to go to catch grass carp - I remember being told that there are some in Marrowbone lake but beyond that I'm not sure. They are not easy fish to catch.

I know some of the canals down in south Florida have reproducing populations of grass carp that grow huge. Apparently if you can find a mulberry bush overhanging a canal, they will congregate below the bush in the fall to eat the berries as they drop off. I'm told it's great fun to use a flyrod to cast mulberry imitations below the bushes and catch 30 pound grass carp.

bd

 

[catman529]

I wonder why it is even a law to only stock triploid... obviously there are plenty of reproducing grassies and they aren't taking over like silver or bighead carp, in fact I bet you'd see more native buffalo than grass carp in any river...hmm

 

[bowriter]

Not as gregarious as some other carp species. Had some in our lakes in AL. Don't recall anyone ever catching one and two of the lakes receied heavy fishing for several years.

 

[Trapper John]

I had no clue they had to be sterile. My friend has a few in his ponds. He thought they all died out but the last time we were fishing it was about 4 in the afternoon when his fiance suddenly ran screaming up the bank towards his house. We watched her make it to the driveway before she turned around and screamed, "SEA MONSTER!!"

I have no idea how big it really was, but it looked like a submarine when it raised up to where we could see it. Then after a few seconds it slowly lowered back down and disappeared. Far more creepy than a carp should be.

 

[catman529]

Submarine is the same term I use to describe them... lol. They spook super easily too... often they will sit facing the bank in a few inches of water, maybe eating algae or maybe just sitting there. You don't even see them till you walk up and there is a sudden swirl in the water when they take off.

I still am looking for a pond that has BIG ones... got to do some driving I guess and check out all the ponds I can access in the area. 10 pounds is fun but I want some 30+

 

[Unicam]

Cookeville has some monsters in their city lake.