A little update, I bought a 180 amphib this fall and late october ran down to Southern Seaplane for the rating. Man that was too much fun!! Now its time to practice! There's a lake a few miles west of my home base but is known to have asian carp. I was wondering if the carp react to a seaplane the same as a boat?

I don't know but that wouldn't be good!

I could see where the only thing worse than getting hit by a carp when boating is what a couple through the prop would do for ya.

I'd find another lake.

Can you say "Chum-O-Matic"?

AD

I talked to some guys that fly the Illinois river with no problems and the carp are thick in those areas!!!! The lake i mentioned has a very low population so we started landing there this week. If i have any encounters ill be sure and post pictures!

If you still can...

I usta fly PBY's and I'd sure hate to hit one of those carp with the nose doing about 70 knots. Would make one hell of a bang. Might make one hell of a hole, too.

we finally found something that jetdrvr has no experience with! The one thing I do know about these carp is once you get just a little speed they will be jumping behind you. If I have an encounter it will be well before getting on step during takeoff or after coming off step while landing.

I've done quite a bit of boating in Mississippi and don't understand the references to carp. I have never encountered any in great numbers and don't understand the danger. Now if you were talking about hitting a gar or a big turtle I could see the danger. I haven't lived in Mississippi for many years so it's probably changed a lot. Never spent much time around Yazoo City so don't know the area.

Go to you tube and search "Asian Carp". Different critter than what your thinking of!! They jump out of the water when frightened, often times in the boat if your slow enough. Had a buddy get a broken nose from one in the sunflower river.

I just finished reading up on the Silver Carp which is the guilty party I assume. Any fish that can weigh up to 100 lbs and jump up to 10 ft in the air would scare hell out of me. I'm glad I have no exposure to float planes in those areas. It has come into Mississippi since I moved away from Natchez in 1960. To me a carp was always a trash fish. You have my sympathy and I wish you good fortune in future operations in Mississippi. I'm curious,I was born raised and learned to fly in Mississippi and don't think I have ever seen a float plane anywhere in the state. What prompted the acquisition if I may ask. Is there something it is well suited for in your area? What are the rules about landings on lakes and such? Just curious as it's definitely none of my business.

Just a toy and cool addition to my Resume, if I decide to get out of cropdusting. I wasnt shopping for one, was looking for a nice 180 and this thing popped up on floats with lots of cool mods at a great price so I jumped on it! Did my training at Southern Seaplane (in my 180) with the owner Lyle Pinepinto and couldnt be happier with my experience. Went back in December for his "Seaplane Safety" 3 day course and put the wife and two kids through the under water egress and survival training at Houma,LA. We had a ball and the instructors were excited as well, first family and kids to do the course. Suppose to do an article in Waterflying magazine at some point.

Back to the carp, they appear to be inactive in the winter, we took the boat out several times this month and didnt see any carp. This lake has a very small population and from what I hear they need moving water to reproduce so hopefully Im good!!

The Seaplane Pilots Association has a publication available for purchase that list waters open to seaplanes. The lake I land on close to Yazoo City is under Dept of fish and game. My employee's brother is the state Biologist/game warden and said just tell us when your going to land, we want to ride! I have heard anything under the Corps of Engineers, i.e. the Reservoir in Jackson, lake Enid etc, needs written permission for each body of water however I have not verified this information. Guntersville lake in Alabama is seaplane friendly and is close to Huntsville where I went to High school and have many friends. If I get tired of the floats the plane came with the conventional gear so at least I have that option. At this point, Im having so much fun I dont see the floats going in the corner of the hanger!!