First Carp of 2013

Well, it took awhile, but I finally got my first carp of 2013 here in RI.  It was a common carp that weighed 13 lbs. 

I have been looking for open water for the past several days, searching many ponds and moving water locations. I found the open water I was looking for  today.  Many places are still completely iced over while other spots are starting to thaw with holes in the ice covering here and there. You only need some open water to fish and many times I fish ponds that are half ice at this time.

The water is cold right now and carp are quite sluggish in the cold water of early spring.  However, they will hit if you can find the fish.  Today's fish hit unflavored sweet corn (what else!) fished on the hair rig.  Sweet corn is a real good bet in the early going.

It looks like tomorrow's storm will further erode  the ice with lots of rain and wind.  The season has started and it can only get better in the coming days and weeks.

Check Out Latest FREE US Carp Pro Magazine

The latest online issue of US Carp Pro magazine is out. The magazine is free and offers some of the best reads about carp fishing you'll find anywhere.  This issue focuses on tradtional carp fishing as well as fly fishing.  The fly fishing articles are outstanding, offering everything from fly tying ideas (The Carp Fly Swap) to an excellent article about fly fishing for carp with mulberry fly imitations.  For us non fly fishermen, there are excellent articles on making boilies, budget carping and a couple of rig articles. Even the advertisements will give you some ideas about all the new products that are out there.  Here is the link: http://www.carppro.net/CarpPro/Home.html

New License Needed on March 1

Here's a reminder for all those fishermen who want to get out and fish for carp in March.  You need a new 2013 license on March 1.  The old 2012 license expires at the end of February.
From March 1 until Opening Day (for trout) which is April 12, only trout stocked waters are closed to fishing.  All other waters remain open for fishing, and that includes a lot of carp waters here in RI.
Last year there was a real fiasco over licences as the state did not have the new licenses ready until about week after March 1.  Vendors (tackle shops, Walmart, Benny's) did not have the new licenses. I could not even get one on line.  As of right now, you can't get the new license online until March 1 since the license application is only set up by the year 2012.  Seems pretty stupid to me, but, hey, this is the state of RI.  In other states, you can go to the license website, type in the year in which you want the license and there it is well ahead of time.
Here is the online link to get a license:  https://www.ri.gov/DEM/fishinglicense/license_type.php

Ready to Go!

I am ready to go.  I have been an eager beaver getting my carp stuff ready  in the last few days as the snowstorm has given me lots of time to do this. I've loaded up a couple of reels with new line, cleaned out and organized my rucksack, made a whole bunch of hair rigs that I've added to my rigger pouch (see photo), and made about a hundred sinkers (see photo).  The rest of the stuff I need.....nets, alarms, mats, weigh slings, etc. are all ready.

Now, we just need a break in the weather. Considering how fast this snow is melting, I don't think it will be too long.  In fact, even after the harshest of winters, I am usually out carp fishing on a steady basis in late February or early March.  Right now, there's still ice and snow covering most ponds, but realize the ice under all that snow is thin, averaging maybe 2-5 inches.  A few days of temperatures way above freezing will melt much of that in no time. Besides, all I really need is a big hole in the ice where I can fish in and I'm ready to try. The carp will be drawn to those ice free, warmer spots.

Some fishermen have asked that I post that video on making hair rigs using the knotless knot that I made a couple of years back.  Here is the link on You Tube about how to do it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4Ipnr0nz3Y There are many ways to tie a hair rig, but this is the way most fishermen do it. Hair rigs are the most efficient rigs to use for carp, although soft baits (sweet corn and bread balls) can be placed directly on a hook.

My Seminars Cancelled at Worcester Show

My carp and striper fishing seminars scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday) at the New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo at the DCU Center in Worcester have been cancelled.

2012 RI CAG Highlight Video

Carp Fishing Seminars

February is a big fishing show month around southern New England.  I will be doing my popular carp fishing seminars at two big shows.

Below is the schedule for the New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA:
Sat., Feb. 9- New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo, DCU Center, Worcester, MA.  Seminar- Secrets of NE Carp Fishing at 12:30 in seminar room D.
Sun., Feb. 10- New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo, DCU Center, Worcester, MA. Seminar- Secrets of NE Carp Fishing at 12:00 in seminar room A/B.

The website and all the details of the show are online at www.newenglandfishingexpo.com This show is one of the biggest in NE and features everything you want to know about hunting and fishing with exhibitors, tackle companies (salt and freshwater) showing their products, tackle dealers selling stuff and media people on hand.  There are also activities for the kids. The seminar schedule is one of the most impressive I have ever seen. Take in the show.  You won't regret it.

The second big show I will be doing is the Springfield Sportsmen's Show at the Big E in Springfield MA  on Sat., Feb 22. I will be doing one carp show here. This is a gigantic show that covers several halls and has everything you ever wanted to know about the outdoors with hundreds of exhibitors and an extensive seminar schedule.   Here is my schedule:
Sat., Feb. 23- Springfield Sportsmen's Show- Big E, Springfield, MA.  Seminar- Secrets of NE Carp Fishing.  Exact seminar and time schedule to be announced soon on website at  http://www.osegsportsmens.com/index.html