Catch & Release is Non-Negotiable
CarpTalkUSA is a catch & release community. All members must practice and advocate for proper catch & release. Posts celebrating the killing of carp without strong justification (e.g., invasive population management programs) will be removed.
Zero Tolerance for Bowfishing
Discussion of bowfishing as a positive activity is strictly prohibited. This includes:
- Promoting bowfishing events, tournaments, or content
- Sharing bowfishing catch photos approvingly
- Defending bowfishing as a legitimate sport on this forum
Discussion opposing bowfishing, advocacy for banning it, or news about bowfishing threats to fisheries is welcome and encouraged.
First offense: permanent ban. We do not debate this.
Respect Other Members
Treat every member with respect. Harassment, personal attacks, hate speech, and bullying will result in an immediate ban. Disagreements about technique are fine — attacks on people are not.
Post in the Right Category
Keep threads in the appropriate forum. Off-topic threads will be moved by moderators. If you're unsure where to post, use General Chat.
No Spam or Self-Promotion
No advertising, affiliate links, or excessive self-promotion. Sharing your blog, YouTube channel, or tackle shop is acceptable in moderation and only when genuinely relevant to the discussion.
Fish Care Standards
Photos and reports shared here should reflect good fish care practices. If you're posting a catch photo, the fish should look healthy and your release should be described. Photos showing poor fish handling may be removed at mod discretion.
Follow the Law
All fishing activity discussed here must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Do not discuss poaching, illegal methods, or fishing without a license.
Enforcement
Moderators have final say. Rules 1 and 2 result in immediate, permanent bans with no appeal. Other rule violations may result in warnings, post removal, or bans at moderator discretion.
If you see a rule violation, don't engage — report it to a moderator.