BLACK CARP / BLACK CHINESE ROACH

The Black carp or Black Chinese roach is found across Asia and makes up one of the four classic carp species that have supported Far Eastern aquaculture for many years.  As an important food source it is also the most prized given its narrower geographic distribution and dietary requirements.  Adult specimens feed almost exclusively on snails and molluscs (and have been introduced in the US as a control against snails that host crop damaging trematodes).

To target our black carp, small snails or other small fishy hookbaits such as pieces of squid or fish work well but they will also fall to small pop ups and corn.  Baits need to be presented on the bottom under a waggler or a light ledger and while they can be caught in deeper water they will feed and congregate in the shallower margins where there is a good source of freshwater snails and other molluscs.