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The second name of the fish is kutum. It is usually applied to the fish of the Caspian basin. Quite a large fish, the weight of the fish can reach 8 kg. The carp is considered an anadromous fish, but it also has residential forms. At present, the distribution area has changed, in some rivers there is no migratory form. There is a “non-water” form, when the place of feeding of fish is not the sea, but the reservoir. It has to do with human activity. Large individuals feed mainly on mollusks.
Carp fishing methods
The main methods of catching kutum are float and bottom gear. The fish is considered very shy and cautious. At the same time, it is distinguished by a sharp bite and rare persistence when fighting.
Catching carp on a float rod
Features of using float gear for carp fishing depend on the fishing conditions and the experience of the angler. For coastal fishing for kutuma, rods for dead rigging 5-6 m long are usually used. Match rods are suitable for long casts. The choice of equipment is very diverse and is limited by the conditions of fishing, and not by the type of fish. The fish are cautious, so delicate rigs may be required. As in any float fishing, the most important element is the right bait and bait.
Fishing for carp on bottom gear
Carp can be caught on various gear, but from the bottom it is worth giving preference to the feeder. This is fishing on bottom equipment most often using feeders. They allow the fisherman to be quite mobile on the pond, and due to the possibility of point feeding, quickly collect fish in a given place. Feeder and picker as separate types of equipment currently differ only in the length of the rod. The basis is the presence of a bait container-sinker (feeder) and interchangeable tips on the rod. The tops change depending on the fishing conditions and the weight of the feeder used. Nozzles for fishing can be any: both vegetable and animal, including pastes. This method of fishing is available to everyone. Tackle is not demanding for additional accessories and specialized equipment. This allows you to fish in almost any water bodies. You need to pay attention to the choice of feeders in shape and size, as well as bait mixtures. This is due to the conditions of the reservoir (river, pond, etc.) and the food preferences of local fish. For carp, it is worth considering the fact that it specializes in a certain type of food.
Baits
For carp fishing, depending on local conditions, shellfish meat, shrimp, crayfish necks and other animal baits are used. Sometimes dumplings made from boiled dough are used. Equally important is the use of bait. For this, steamed wheat grains, a mixture of dough and shellfish meat, or all of this separately may be suitable. Keep in mind that carp do not feed on fish.
Places of fishing and habitat
If you are going to fish carp, check if it is possible to catch it in this region. The carp may have the status of a protected fish. Kutum carp inhabits the basins of the Caspian, Black and Azov seas. Most of all, this fish is found in the rivers – tributaries of the Caspian Sea. In rivers, the carp prefers deep sections of rivers with a rocky bottom and a fairly fast or mixed flow. More fish can be found in places with cold spring water.
Spawning
The carp reaches puberty at 4-5 years of age. Males before spawning are covered with epithelial tubercles. It enters rivers for spawning in spring and autumn. Autumn (winter) form is waiting for spawning in the river. The entire spawning period, depending on the region, stretches from February to May. The spawning of kutum and carp has differences. The Caspian kutum spawns on coastal plants, and the carp spawns on a rocky bottom with a fast current.