The American Carp Society is a membership based organization formed to promote the sport of catch and release Carp Angling across the USA and to provide the education on catching these great fish, whilst conserving the specimens for future generations. As one of the world’s hardest fighting freshwater fish the carp is now being pursued by anglers of all persuasions, from fly fisherman to dedicated Specialist Carp anglers. Please take a look around and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us

IGFA & The American Carp Society

With tireless help from the IGFA (The International Game Fish Association www.igfa.org ) we have managed to officially clarify both the safety and legality of the ‘Hair Rig’ for Carp record submission. The IGFA now officially recognizes the ‘Hair Rig’ as a legal form of capture of the species, thus allowing record carp Worldwide to be submitted and recognized with this method of capture.

Press release from the IGFA:

Carp fishermen: Hair rig is legal for IGFA world records

There’s a perception among carp fishermen brought to the attention of the International Game Fish Association that one of the most popular carp hook and bait fishing setups is illegal to use under the International Angling Rules that are considered for world records.
Internationally carp have long been considered popular game fish, especially in the United Kingdom, throughout Asia and Europe. Over the past decade carp fishing has also increased in popularity in the U.S. and Canada.

“Historically, carp anglers have felt somewhat disenfranchised from the IGFA because they were either told or interpreted the rule themselves that a specific hook/bait combination that they use is not legal,” said IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser.

“Commonly referred to as a hair rig, this type of set up has a small piece of monofilament or other material trailing from the hook shank or bend where artificial or natural bait is threaded on to it.”

Schratwieser explained the IGFA interprets this type of rig as legal because:

In addition, carp anglers report that this type of setup not only benefits anglers by generating higher hooking percentages, but it also benefits the fish because almost all carp caught with the hair rig are caught in the lower lip which facilitates a safe release.

Carp (common and grass are the species eligible for IGFA line class and fly rod world records) are found in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In some countries they are used for food but in most others carp are considered a trophy fish for catch-and-release fishing leagues and tournament competition. The carp is also popular among fly fishermen in certain regions.

(Photo courtesy of the American Carp Society)