I'm looking for a new fish to target and I have never caught a Carp before. I know there are a bunch in lake Conroe, and I want to try and catch one of these big mama's.

1. Any body know of a good bait and rig to catch them on?

2. Are they good to eat?

Look at all the other post for first time carores for the rugs to use (am on blackberry and can't find starless link). As far as eating they taste good but have a lot of bones. Most people who carp fish do it for sport and catch and release all trophy size fish

sweet corn, small hook like number 6, not 6/0.

chum the waters you fish with range cubes or more sweet corn

hold on to your rod, they pull REALLY HARD!

good luck man, let us know how you do

The language of carping is very confusing. (May I borrow someone's super secret decoder ring?)

I'm sure they are good eating. I kept about twenty redhorse suckers the other day, and fileted them and fried em. They were excellent!....BUT..there were alot of bones. They consume pretty much the same stuff as carp and look like a smaller longer version of a carp. I've yet to filet a carp, mostly because I know they have a bunch of bones. If I could figure out how to debone either one properly, I would keep them again.

lol, sorry. Was typing from my phone @ a job site. The words are carpers and rigs.

best way to eat a carp is to put in on a 2x4, put it in the oven at about 750 degrees for 7 hours. Throw away the carp and eat the 2x4.

I bet Zach15 has never tried one... The one I had was pretty good. The amount of bones was a problem though...

When I tried the breaded fried carp it at the kid carp event @ Joe Pool, I was pleasantly surprised.

It tasted like any breaded fish you might find in the frozen isle...the breading and seasoning on it was better though.

I was warned that it may contain bones...my carp nugget had 2...no big deal.

As previously stated, this oughta help you get started:

http://www.lonestarcarpbrigade.net/wiki/index.php?title=Starless_Dragons_recommendations

Yes, they can be excellent eating, but smallmouth buffalo make even better eating fish and can be caught with the same methods.

Thanks for the posts. It sure is fun trying out something new.

Carp were actually imported to this country by Europeans as a food fish.

Fast Carp 101:
Buy 6 cans of sweet corn.

Point your hand toward the area you want to fish throw out 3 cans of corn to the 5 areas your fingers are pointing to.

Cast a small hook skewered with corn about 15 kernals up the line and on the hook as well, right where your middle finger is pointing.

Adjust your drag somewhat loose so the Carp can run after they take the bite. During the battle, adjust the drag a bit if needed.

Take your time with the battle, don't horse em in, but also don't play em out too long. 10-20lb test is fine. But if you're fishing near rocks, snags, etc, move up to braided line 40lb test or more.

Carp taste great when taken from good water and prepared correctly. They have a great firm texture that works well when grilled, baked, or deep fried. Before cooking the meat I would marinade in something light like Sprite, 7Up, Lemon Juice, Light Beer, etc for a couple of hours. This will greatly improve the taste of the meat if you desire a less earthy taste.

Fillet as you would any other fish. For grilling keep one side of the skin on. Any other method, skin both sides. One last step before cooking would be to cut small diagonal slices into the flesh not quite through the fish. This will help break up the bones and then you will hardly notice the bones when deep frying.

I've eaten small (and large Carp in the past), the smaller Carp in the 3-6 lb range have a superior flavor and texture compared to the larger carp. If you enjoy freshwater fish, there is no reason why you shouldn't take a few smaller Carp home for the table once in a while.

My personal favorite, grill em skin down with garlic butter, oninons, parsley, pepper, salt, (maybe with some slices of apples, lemons, oranges on top.) Dip in hot butter with each bite, mmm..mmm.

Carp recipies:
http://people.whitman.edu/~hashimiy/carp.htm

Warning: Following video is graphic and shows a mirror carp getting cleaned. But it was the only video I found of cleaning Carp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-VlDqOPGzo

Everything Dmunsie said is great advice...

But skip the 20-40lb braid hehe, I'd use under 10lb at most.

But that's just me, I prefer the best fight. Most of my carp fishing is done on 6lb test. The heaviest I ever use for carp these days is 14lb, and that's on my 11ft rods. I will use a heavier shock leader though, but I primarily use that for abrasion resistance. My main line is generally 6-14lb test.

Wow! Thanks for the post, sounds like a great way to cook them up.

I realy like to love'em and leave'em but every once and a while I like to bring 1 or 2 home for a good fish dinner at the end of a fantastic day of fishing.

Thanks