HOLY CARP! Four Underrated Fish Species That You Should Be Targeting

I know some people who turn up their noses when a fellow angler talks about catching carp, drum, gar, or other less sought-after fish. These underrated species are considered trash fish to bass and trout purists, but personally, I like any fish that bites and puts up a hard fight. So if the bass, trout or crappie aren’t biting, I still have fun catching down those underappreciated fish.

Here is a look at four fish species that I think are completely underrated.

Carp

Carp can be easy to catch and fight like heck. These underappreciated fish are found in most water bodies and should be appreciated for their sporting ability.

You can find carp in just about any lake or river throughout the country. Carp will bite corn, bread, dough balls, worms, and crickets.

Many anglers (especially internationally) take carp fishing VERY seriously and equip themselves with specialized rods, high tech bite detectors, and secret homemade baits.

However, there are also people like my father, a guy that has caught carp for over five decades using simple rigging methods, cheap fishing rods, and nightcrawlers. The simplicity and easy accessibility to carp fishing make it a popular pastime for my old man and other anglers in the know.

When he was a kid, my dad would mix Wheaties and water to make a dough bait that hammers carp and stays securely on your hook. Apparently, the wheat base helps your bait set like glue on the hook while putting off a flavor and profile carp love. He also said if you forget to take your bait off the hook at the end of the day, you'll need a hammer to remove it the next time you go out.

Drum

Drum are often found in areas anglers find walleye and smallmouth bass. Some northern anglers refer to drum as 'sheepshead'

Freshwater drum, commonly called sheepshead, swim in rivers and lakes throughout the upper midwest. Drum are not picky eaters and will often strike artificial lures like crankbaits, worms, and jigs.

However, for live bait fishing minnows, worms or cut bait are three favorite foods of a freshwater drum. Just sink a nightcrawler to the bottom using a simple bottom rig.

Bluffs and any rocky banks on lakes are prime targets to drop bait for drum. I have also caught plenty of drum on crappie and bass jigs and crankbaits.

Bowfin

Bowfin are some of the oldest and hardest fighting fish in freshwater. The fish pictured was caught and released just outside the Chicago city limits.

Bowfin are prehistoric-looking fish that fight and strikes with incredible aggressiveness. Bowfin live in the shallowest stagnant water you can find in the backwaters of river systems.

They eat anything they can find in the water, including minnows, shad, crustaceans, amphibians, and worms. These aggressive feeders will also smash spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, and just about any other lure you throw in front of them.

Bring pliers and a net when handling bowfin. They have a gnarly set of teeth and will try to tear you up any chance they get.

Gar

Much like Bowfin Gar are prehistoric and come with a hefty set of teeth that help when hunting fish. Watch your fingers!

These powerful fish live in many creeks, rivers, and lakes throughout the USA. When hooked, gar will provide the best freshwater imitation of a jumping tarpon. Goof gar fishing target areas can be oxbow lakes, dam tailwaters, backwater pools, and the shallow regions near wood and weed cover.
A minnow set below a bobber is a surefire way to catch a gar, but the most fun way to find them is to throw a topwater lure or suspending jerkbait to surfacing fish.