Mr. Merwin, here is why: Carp fight a hell of a lot harder than largemouths, and let's face it, neither fish is the tastiest thing in the water. I've caught both species on dry flies, and I love fishing for both. But let's not pretend that a bass that loses its fight in two minutes, a bass that circuit pros just haul in and fight only nominally, compares as favorably as you like to think to a fish that will pull like hell for twenty minutes and takes more skill than brute force to land. Also, to catch carp on dry flies you have to stalk them carefully and cast artfully and accurately because they spook easily.

I don't see a lot of difference between chasing bonefish (which are ugly) in the flats and chasing carp in the flats other than that I don't have to pay thousands to go after the bonefish. I just drive over the mountain to Bear Lake and have a day in the sun on the flats.
Carp fishing will always beat no fishing.

I used to fish for carp when I was a kid. There was a gravel pit we could ride our bikes to and fish and carp was about all that was in it. They pull hard and get really big so it was a no brainer. If it comes down to fishing for carp or not fishing I say give me some stink bait! I catch and release everything but trout anyways so what's the big deal? I think a lot of the stigma attached to carp is the fact that they are so ugly. You just never see a picture and say "now that's a good looking carp" no matter what.

Any fish that pulls hard should be worth catching. Carp are on par in strength with any fish. I've caught plenty of Carp on bait and would love to Flyfish for them. North American fishermen (myself included)tend to be partial to specific species. Everyone has an arguement why their chosen species is the best. Sportsmen like to argue and this gives them a reason to. Carp in Eroupe have been caught many times and become very wary and challenging to catch. The Carp here will become the same with increased pressure.

Lots of great replies, here. But I say again what I said at the beginning: Yeah, but it's still a carp.

If the Asian carp gets to the Great Lakes we might have to alter what we fish for, too. Not sure what it would be like with one of those high flying monsters on a line. Heard they are better suited for the garden and cat dish than the dinner table.

The only disconcerting thing about carp is that they look like a lot of people I know.

jamesti,
Use an earthworm and tip the hook with a piece or two of canned corn. They'll bite.
PS, if those ponds are holding grass carp you'll need to snag them or arrow them. They're vegetarians.

The trash fish in Central Florida where I grew up are Gar and Bowfin or dogfish. Never have I caught a Carp and have no desire for one. Make mine Walleye, Crappie, Bluegil, small Channel cat and Bass. BTW Bass are much better filleted with out the skin. The skin gives Bass a poor flavor. Took me years to figure that out.

If carp had teeth you'd never land one. Pound for pound they are the hardest fighting freshwater fish in North America. Yeah - they taste terrible. So do the big bass you release. Use some light gear and have some fun.

Nothing like a BRONZE ROCKET at the end of your fly line. Who cares what they taste like, just let it go. Also, If you live in Ohio where opportunity is limited it's just the ticket for a hot summer day. The greatest thing is, unlike trout, if they are not biting just shoot them with your bow. It's a win win.

I think you said it best in your last paragraph, we have lot's of choices. Why limit yourself or discard a hard fighting fish from your list of available options.

I mean we all would love to go after bass, crappie, etc. When they are not biting well or the the carp are readily available, why limit yourself.

I will go after carp if they are available simply because they are hard fighters and they are not sought after nearly as much as a largemouth bass or crappie. Sometimes if the water is crowded with bass fisherman I will go after carp, simply because I have them all to myself and I can have a great day of fishing.

Just don't limit your options, take advantage of them and increase your chance of having a great day on the water.

Alabamahunter, yes, I have eaten my share of bass, fried and otherwise, and as far as filling me up bass serves its purpose. But when you say bass taste "almost identical to bream" that 'almost' must refer to bass's poorer texture and less complex taste: what you call mild, sir, I call bland. Sear bream in a skillet and you have a very tasty treat--do the same with a bass and you have an okay piece of fish. Anything tastes good fried. That does not impress me.

You should fish for carp because they are big, they fight hard, and you don't have to be careful when landing them. You can hank the fish in, and not worry about injurying or accidentally killing it. It's a carp. They are so prolific it really doesn't matter. I have had more success with carp then i have with pike, walleye, and largemouth...combined.

carp are not fish i will eat so there not fish in my mind

I personally believe carp have a bad stigma attached to them because of thier apperance, abundance, and less than stellar flavor. That being said my focas for this upcoming season is carp/catfish. Living in a country that is blessed with such a variety of game fish has made us, in my opinion, arrogent to the idea of fishing these not-so-popular fish.