Isaac Cooney catches monster 15-pound carp in the River Torrens
15-year-old angler Isaac Cooney has caught a monster carp from the banks of the Torrens – and he thinks there are still bigger ones out there.
Pets and Wildlife
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Isaac Cooney isn’t one to carp on about things, but he’s caught one heck of a fish in the River Torrens.
The 15-year-old Findon angler hooked this monster 15.1lb (6.85kg) carp from the riverbank adjacent the West End brewery at Thebarton on Friday.
And while Isaac admits the fish is – ahem – large-scale, he firmly believes even bigger ones swim beneath the river’s muddy surface and he’s determined to catch one.
“I’ve heard about someone catching a 20-pounder, so that’s what I’m aiming for next,” he says.
Isaac landed his carp on 8lb line with a 6lb leader, using nothing but corn kernels for bait.
“Yep, always corn,” he said.
“That was actually my first time fishing at that spot. My dad lost one about five minutes in, and we were walking along the bank to see if we could spot any more carp when one of my bite alarms went off – it beeps when I’m getting bites. We ran back and the line just took off!”
After 50 minutes and many big runs the fish was landed (with some difficulty, as dad Sam had forgotten the net).
Isaac admits he’s fishing mad and hopes to make it his career one day.
“Any chance I get I go down to the Torrens with my mate or with my dad,” he says.
“I just love fishing. Dad’s got a boat as well, so we go out for whiting and squid. I’d love to work on a professional fishing boat or on a charter boat one day.”
Common carp, which were introduced to Australia in the 1800s, have become the most successful species in many rivers thanks to their ability to produce up to one million eggs a year and to live for as long as 30 years.
The bottom-feeding fish cause significant damage to river habitats and, if caught, must not be returned to the river alive.
Old boots? Serious health issues? What have you caught in the River Torrens? Let us know.
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