Making the most of Asian carp

Lamenting their arrival is one way to deal with prolific Asian carp that have taken over the Illinois River.

But creative river regulars have found more enjoyable ways to greet the flying carp, an invasive species introduced by fish farmers in Arkansas in the 1970s. Two popular options include bowfishing and snagging carp.

The first option is more universal because flying silver carp can be shot almost anywhere in the Illinois or Mississippi river systems.

And Chris Brackett of Bartonville (pictured below with Hal Wiseman of Washington, at left) is among the best-known carp shooters around. During the past two summers, Brackett has helped several hosts from outdoor television programs film shows. Action on the Illinois River has been compelling enough that two hosts (Lee and Tiffany Laskosky and Jay Gregory) earned Golden Moose Awards — the Outdoors Channel’s version of an Emmy.

“The funniest part of this is that for all our lives when we’ve gone fishing we always said, ‘We wish the fish would jump in the boat.’ Now they actually are,” Brackett said.

Indeed, bowhunters agree shooting silver carp is one time they are guaranteed as many shots as they can stand.

“Your arms just burn while you’re waiting back there at full draw,” Brackett said.

Because he operates out of Peoria, Brackett said there’s a misconception that’s the epicenter of carp shooting.

“The reality is you can go anywhere on the Illinois River and do it,” Brackett said. “And I’m hearing about a lot of crazy stuff in Missouri and Kentucky, too.”

That said, summer is the prime time for carp shooting. Brackett prefers June through September and said the warmer the water, the better the silver carp jump. Lower water levels are better than flood conditions, evenings are better than mornings and “the choppier the water, the crazier they get” he said.

He has customized his 20-foot Triton boat for shooting carp, placing two seats in the back on either side of the outboard motor. Some shooters opt to wear helmets for obvious reasons.

“We ran three boats next to each other last summer about 30 yards apart, and we got into an area where we probably put 3,000 fish into the air in less than a minute and a half,” Brackett said. “That was the most insane I’ve ever seen it.”

For those who prefer snagging, like Joe Egli of South Pekin pictured above below the Peoria Lock and Dam, there are also helpful pointers. First, check the legality. While snagging is allowed year-round within 300 yards below Peoria Lock and Dam, there is a limited snagging season elsewhere. On the Illinois River snagging is allowed within 300 yards of locks and dams from March 15 to May 15 and from Sept. 15 to Dec. 15.

Those same rules apply on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri, except for the Chain of Rocks low water dam at Chouteau Island. Snagging season is Jan. 1 to April 15 within 500 yards downstream of locks and dams on the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa, except for the tailwaters of Lock and Dam 12 and 13, which are closed to all fishing from Dec. 1 to March 15.

Assuming carp snagging is in season, prepare for the best fight you’ve encountered in a freshwater situation. With bigheads and silver carp easily reaching weights of 30 to 50 pounds, a full day of snagging is arm wearying.

“When they are in there good, it looks like hogs wallowing across the top of the water. There’s a lot of times I’ve made 10 casts and caught eight fish,” Egli said. “In two hours you are so exhausted you’re ready to quit.”

Most snaggers use weighted treble hooks tied to the end of stout fishing line. Egli sells snagging gear on the Internet at http://www.fullpull.com and uses a rig with a No. 7/0 weighted treble hook tied 14 inches in front of a No. 10/0 weighted treble hook. He also uses 80-pound-test Fireline and heavy duty 9-foot rods.

Medium-heavy rods are a must and heavy-duty saltwater rods and reels or catfishing gear is common.

“You can’t go out there with a Zebco 33 and do it. You can go out there with a bass or muskie reel, but they will tear it up,” said Todd Kent of Peoria. “Those carp took my muskie rods to levels they have never seen and will never see from muskies.”

Such rod-bending power is the attraction of snagging according to Egli, who had a 47-pounder in his boat last summer.

“I’ve taken 30 people down there who have caught the biggest fish they’ve ever caught,” Egli said. “I love to see people’s eyeballs when they get a hold of that rod the first time. When you’ve got a 9-foot rod bent double, you’re talking about a serious fish.”