As a young kid we would go down to the creek and spear them - 2nd to 5th grade or so. Later would bow hunt them - even went on a few “hunts” in high school. Lots of fun chasing carp around!!!
The nearest trash can would take most of the carp. A couple were brought back to a neighbor for his compost pile. And a couple were placed on the doorsteps of various friends and enemies as either a practical joke or just to be mean.
The thought never crossed our minds to eat them. Although in Europe they are a huge sport fish. And I think you can fish for them using doughballs, corn, etc. on the bottom. Not so much plankton eaters - but bottom feeders - of most anything.
If caught out of clean water, I think carp are very tasty. I’ve caught dozens of them using whole kernel corn as a bait. You’ve got to navigate those little cross hatch bones,but I think they are way underrated as a food fish in the US.
You’re talking about native carp, not the invasive species. I’ve only eaten smoked carp (native, and kind of greasy).
Asian carp are a different animal and don’t belong here. But now we’re screwed because they decimate the start of the food chain.
Asian Carp are democrats???