Do baby Asian Carp often jump in the evenings?

[SLP]

Numerous times on Lake Barkley at dusk I have noticed many small bait sized fish jumping; not in a concentrated area like they were from a ball of baitfish but all over the surface as far around as I could see from sitting on the surface in my kayak? I am starting to wonder if these could be baby Asian Carp.

[crappiepappy]

Numerous times on Lake Barkley at dusk I have noticed many small bait sized fish jumping; not in a concentrated area like they were from a ball of baitfish but all over the surface as far around as I could see from sitting on the surface in my kayak? I am starting to wonder if these could be baby Asian Carp.

If they're little pencil shaped fish, leaping out of the water, it could be Brook Silversides. They will leap out of the water for any number of reasons, but usually when spooked by a predator fish's presence or to grab a gnat or skeeter that's flying close to the surface of the water.

I wouldn't think baby Asian Carp would jump out of the water, unless they're the species that jumps when startled by a running outboard motor. Their food source is IN the water (plankton) so they have no reason to leave their water world.

Small Shad will "flick/flit" and splash the surface, but don't usually actually leap out of the water.

From your description of them being scattered all about ... my money is on the Silversides being what you're seeing.

... pappy

[kyriverblues]

Hey sounds like to me they might be baby skipjack. They will jump out of the water feeding often. They also look similar to Asian carp when they are small.

[CaptObvious]

I think it's shad. Over the years I have seen them do it early morning and especially in the evening. I call it popcorning. That's also when I see the bass busting them. Heading to blood river on ky lake tomorrow for a few days. I hope they're popcorning!

[SLP]

Thanks guys, very glad my worries are likely wrong. "Popcorning" is a very good description. The thing that got me thinking it may be the AC is that I don't see any bass busting them just these little guys "popcorning" in every direction as far as I can see. And it hasn't related to me catching more fish either

Thanks again

[CaptObvious]

Thanks guys, very glad my worries are likely wrong. "Popcorning" is a very good description. The thing that got me thinking it may be the AC is that I don't see any bass busting them just these little guys "popcorning" in every direction as far as I can see. And it hasn't related to me catching more fish either

Thanks again

Usually when they're popcorning, I'll keep my ears tuned in for a bass busting one. If I'm close enough I'll throw whatever I'm using at the place where I heard or saw the action. Often I'll hook up or get hit. This time of year is good for the popcorning. I also don't see them popcorning in open water, just the bay's and along the banks. The first time I seen it many years ago I was amazed at the site. Just as when the shad spawn. Little sticky eggs everywhere and shad flipping and flopping out onto the walkways and banks. Sure is a lot of them! I think the shad see food of sorts when looking up as the light is not as bright as the mid-day sun. I don't recall seeing them doing it past 10am or so but see them get active as the sun starts its decent. My opinion/observation.

[CaptObvious]

Follow up to previous post. Yesterday evening while fishing in Blood river (Ky lake) I noticed the Shad popcorning at a well known spot I fish. I observed a good number at first and with this thread in mind I decided to see exactly what they were doing. There is a hatch of small winged insect and as they flew here and there to touch their tail in the water to lay eggs, the Shad would ambush them. It seemed as if they would track the path of the insect and then leap out of the water with precise aim and have a meal. Several times as I paused my tube to watch I would get a hit on my tube and up comes a smallmouth or largemouth. No drum yet. I also observed a very small insect flying about and they too were attacked. The Shad would really intensify their forage when the wind would subside and calm water ensued. I have drank my coffee and now I have to put on some warm clothes to see if I can have a good morning fishing. I know I will irreregardless of how many I catch. The sun will come up and apply warmth as I sit and take in my surroundings. It will be a good day.

[crappiepappy]

I don't think Gizzard or Threadfin Shad eat "bugs", as they are both phytoplankton/algae eaters. Skipjack Herring, Mosquitofish, and the various Silversides minnows do eat insects & emerging larvae.

I observed many schools of "shad" on Taylorsville lake, swimming along the surface, back a few weeks ago. As I was moving from one spot to another, I found out that some of those schools of "shad" were in fact actually schools of large Silversides. In my experience, the Silversides are the only ones that leap out of the water after flying insects (mosquitos, gnats, midges, etc.)

I can also tell you from experience, that you most likely won't catch Silversides with a cast net (even a 1/4" mesh) ... but will have to use a net with a wire window screen basket, at night, with a light hanging over the side of the boat & slowly moving along the bank. At least that's the only way I've ever seen it done or personally done it. I can also tell you that a Silverside will outfish a live minnow ... even if that Silverside is recently deceased and/or cut in half ... when used to catch Crappie.

... pappy

[CaptObvious]

Thanks pappy. I just got educated. Now I know. Didn't see any this morning but did see a few brown fish and LMB in the boat.

[SLP]

OK I just came back after fishing Barkley again for a couple days and I tried my best to look at their shape and I believe kyriverblues may be right. Prior to leaving this time I looked up pictures of Brook Silversides and these weren't thin pencil shaped like the Silversides are. And since crappiepappy educated us to where even though the right size and shape they likely aren't Gizzard or Threadfin Shad I think kyriverblues assumption sounds like a winner.

Hey sounds like to me they might be baby skipjack. They will jump out of the water feeding often. They also look similar to Asian carp when they are small.

Maybe I will just say that they are baby Skipjack that are "popcorning" The description of their behavior is still a good one regardless of the species.

Thanks again everyone

[CaptObvious]

Thanks SLP. they were still popcorning strong last week on Blood river. I even had the unpleasant privilege of catching a few of the parents while fishing. Drum I expect but not 15 inch skip jack. I reckon if I wanted to catfish they would've been a good bait all cut up and sautéed. I've caught them before but rarely. I'm trying to talk myself into going back the first week of November to Blood or Dale Hollow. Hmmmmm, such decisions

[crappiepappy]

Drum I expect but not 15 inch skip jack.

Capt O ... Them's Tennessee Tarpon !! LOL !! I've caught them from Watts Bar Lake (E. Tenn) on minnows, jigs, and cranks ... in the distant past.

This past April a 21+ inch 4lb plus Skipjack was caught at Watts Bar. Watts Bar is on the Tenn River chain of lakes, which "ends" with KY Lake, and since Barkley is connected ... they have them too.

Since they eat minnows & young Gizzard Shad .... let's hope they develop a taste for Asian Carp !!!!

... pappy