This might be something worthwhile to mull over.
So, a fish in a pool keeps coming out. The fish is the largest in the pool amongst other large carp. Is this fish a mug fish or is it just the most ravenous/dominant fish in the pool; the apex of alpha fish, king/queen of the pond if you will? Hence why it gets caught so much as it's eating as much as it can because of it's inherent nature.
You often hear blokes go 'oh, that fish is a mug, that's why matey had it.' It's never really sat that well with me. If you've ever sat an observed carp behaviour, I'm not too sure you'd come to 'the mug' conclusion.
Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. I'm just throwing it out there.
So, a fish in a pool keeps coming out. The fish is the largest in the pool amongst other large carp. Is this fish a mug fish or is it just the most ravenous/dominant fish in the pool; the apex of alpha fish, king/queen of the pond if you will? Hence why it gets caught so much as it's eating as much as it can because of it's inherent nature.
You often hear blokes go 'oh, that fish is a mug, that's why matey had it.' It's never really sat that well with me. If you've ever sat an observed carp behaviour, I'm not too sure you'd come to 'the mug' conclusion.
Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. I'm just throwing it out there.
In reply to Post #1
I think as you said, by the nature of it being the biggest carp in the lake, it will theoretically feed more than the other carp and therefore get caught more often. However also it may not be as great as dealing with/ejecting rigs compared to the other carp, wouldn't say that makes it a 'mug' though.
But then sometimes surely there is no correlation and its just by chance that some fish come out more than others.
I think as you said, by the nature of it being the biggest carp in the lake, it will theoretically feed more than the other carp and therefore get caught more often. However also it may not be as great as dealing with/ejecting rigs compared to the other carp, wouldn't say that makes it a 'mug' though.
But then sometimes surely there is no correlation and its just by chance that some fish come out more than others.
In reply to Post #1
I've only ever come across one so called " mug fish" It lived in the margins under an overhanging tree and ate whatever was put in front of it. Most people including me didn't bother fishing for it. It was a bigger than average fish for the lake.
I've only ever come across one so called " mug fish" It lived in the margins under an overhanging tree and ate whatever was put in front of it. Most people including me didn't bother fishing for it. It was a bigger than average fish for the lake.
Mouth deformity/damage can make a fish more susceptible to capture, age too.
Can be a number of factors involved really.
I prefer the term "friendly fish" to mug, more respectful.
Can be a number of factors involved really.
I prefer the term "friendly fish" to mug, more respectful.
In reply to Post #1
Sometimes it is just plain greed, that cause fish to be caught more often then others. Like Competition in numbers.
or it is driven by a nutrient/vitamin/mineral deficiency in something, making them throw caution to the wind, and eat lots of anglers bait, rather than natural food. Pre/post spawning for example.
Sometimes it is just plain greed, that cause fish to be caught more often then others. Like Competition in numbers.
or it is driven by a nutrient/vitamin/mineral deficiency in something, making them throw caution to the wind, and eat lots of anglers bait, rather than natural food. Pre/post spawning for example.
I like to think that somewhere in the country there are a few carp hanging out together having a similar conversation....
There's this lad who keeps turning up with loads of food for us, never catches anyone, argues about what to call where he sits... even turned up this week covered in red goo.... is he a mug or just really keen for us to say hello? ....
There's this lad who keeps turning up with loads of food for us, never catches anyone, argues about what to call where he sits... even turned up this week covered in red goo.... is he a mug or just really keen for us to say hello? ....
In reply to Post #6
I think some carp are less bothered by a trip to the bank than others. Therefore less likely to associate baits with danger and more likely to eat them. Obviously none of them want to get caught but I am sure it ranges from a life changing extreme event for some fish to "that was a bit inconvenient" for others.
Anyone who has kept carp/koi in ponds knows that individual fish have distinct personalities and some are more greedy than others and some tamer and less bothered by being handled. Also some are clearly more intelligent than others, same as any pets like cats and dogs.
So, are these "friendly" fish just stupid and greedy or have they learned to trade the occasional inconvenience of a trip to the bank for unlimited free bait? Are they more likely to succesfully spawn and reproduce, which is their natural impulse, if they supplement their diet with this free food source? and risk the occasional capture? Does that make them a mug or the smartest fish in the lake?
Not an answer, I know, only more questions but if we knew all the answers carp fishing would be very boring.
Anyone who has kept carp/koi in ponds knows that individual fish have distinct personalities and some are more greedy than others and some tamer and less bothered by being handled. Also some are clearly more intelligent than others, same as any pets like cats and dogs.
So, are these "friendly" fish just stupid and greedy or have they learned to trade the occasional inconvenience of a trip to the bank for unlimited free bait? Are they more likely to succesfully spawn and reproduce, which is their natural impulse, if they supplement their diet with this free food source? and risk the occasional capture? Does that make them a mug or the smartest fish in the lake?
Not an answer, I know, only more questions but if we knew all the answers carp fishing would be very boring.
Mug fish are bait eaters
In reply to Post #1
Or you could look at it like some fish like having their photo taken like that hippo Gemma Collins or Megan what's her face.... Or it could just be like that fat bloke down the pub who can't stop eating pork scratchings.
Jeez if I were a carp I'd have no gob left and be permenantly on someone's unhooking mat
Or you could look at it like some fish like having their photo taken like that hippo Gemma Collins or Megan what's her face.... Or it could just be like that fat bloke down the pub who can't stop eating pork scratchings.
Jeez if I were a carp I'd have no gob left and be permenantly on someone's unhooking mat
In reply to Post #1
Nowt to do with it being more ravenous imo. You get bigguns that are friendly and bigguns that are rare as ****. There are loads of reasons some carp come out more than others.
I also hate the term mug fish. Back in the day we said they were friendly.
'oh, that fish is a mug, that's why matey had it.'
You hear that from.... well... mugs.
Nowt to do with it being more ravenous imo. You get bigguns that are friendly and bigguns that are rare as ****. There are loads of reasons some carp come out more than others.
I also hate the term mug fish. Back in the day we said they were friendly.
'oh, that fish is a mug, that's why matey had it.'
You hear that from.... well... mugs.
In reply to Post #1
Way I see it some are friendly then others. But when you have say a lake that gets fished say 7 nights a week by say 7 a night on average that's 49 anglers with 2 rods so 98 baited rigs a week x 52 weeks year that's just shy or 5100 baited rigs a year. So to come out say 10x a year (v friendly imo) it's done bloody well to not get caught more, let alone ones that come out 1-2 x a year
Way I see it some are friendly then others. But when you have say a lake that gets fished say 7 nights a week by say 7 a night on average that's 49 anglers with 2 rods so 98 baited rigs a week x 52 weeks year that's just shy or 5100 baited rigs a year. So to come out say 10x a year (v friendly imo) it's done bloody well to not get caught more, let alone ones that come out 1-2 x a year