Cats on the Prowl

Here's a white catfish that I landed yesterday.
Note the large head and large mouth, features
that are different than horned pout. They will
hit the same baits as carp do.

The carp fishing has really perked up in this warm weather of the last few days. While the carp have been active, a whole lot of other things have also come to life.  Some of those fish to come out of the winter doldrums have been catfish and horned pout.  I've caught good numbers of them in the last week.

Most people don't realize we have both catfish and horned pout in many lakes and ponds around the state.  You can tell the difference because catfish have a forked tail and horned pout, or brown bullhead, have a square tail.  The catfish also have a much bigger head and a big mouth. They also tend to be lighter in color than brown bullheads.

The catfish we have in this state are white catfish.  They were stocked in many places in this state back in the 1960's, and they have stuck around and established a population.  These are different than the channel cats that you find in the CT River. Channel cats tend to have smaller mouths than white cats but are much larger in size.  Most of the white cats found in RI will run 2 to 4 lbs.  They are bigger on average than horned pout.

Note that catfish will often hit the same baits as carp. They often bang on your bait rather than running. Some, though, might take it and run just like a carp.  I have been fooled numerous times into thinking I have a carp hit and it turns out to be a catfish.  

Craziest Fish of the Year!

 I landed this gorgeous wild koi yesterday while carp fishing. It was a stunning orange and red with black spots along its back and body.  It hit a combo bait of maize and a white artificial on a hair rig.

These fish exist in a few places here in RI, and they are rare catches. Over my carp fishing career I've landed over 10,000 carp.  Only seven of those have been wild koi.  So, it's a big surprise when you do get one!

Time to Get Serious!

 

Here's an 18 lber. that was landed 
in the last week.  Bigger fish are
becoming more active in the 
warming weather here in RI.

We're in April and that usually starts the fishing for big carp for me. In the last week or so I have noticed an uptick in the fishing for larger fish as I have landed a decent number of carp over 15 lbs. from RI waters. 

It's that time of year also when CAG members are involved in a couple of tournaments.  Here is a summary of what's going on:

1. CAG Big 4 National Tournament-  This popular event is a nationwide tournament that runs from March 15 to June 15.  The idea is to catch and document (photo proof required) your 4 biggest carp by weight in this time period.  There are over 50 of the best carp fishermen in the US competing for prizes for the top ten finishers.  It's a highly competitive event.  In the past you would need to average at least 30 lbs. a carp to crack the top 5.  Last year I had 134 lbs., my best total ever, to come in 3rd place overall. I'm shooting for at least 120 lbs. this year.  This year we have 5 of our RI CAG members entered in the event.  They include Todd Richer, Manny Dias, Tony Carvalho, Jeff Henderson and myself. It takes skill to get into that top ten, but it also takes a lot of luck too!

2. RI CAG Spring Big 3- We also run a "Big" event here in RI for our members.  The idea is to enter you biggest carp for April, the biggest for May and the biggest for June. We add up those weights and that becomes the point total. Some of our guys and gals have entered some very impressive fish in the past.  CAG supplies engraved medals for first, second and third place.

For anyone who wants to get in on the fun, consider joining CAG.  Go to www.carpanglersgroup.com

Membership to CAG is $25 for the year.  With that, you get a starter packet of goodies, a magazine, tournaments, photo contests, expanded access to the Forum and free membership to the state group. You are also helping conservation efforts to protect carp nationally.