Fall Feed Underway

 

This fat common was one of many fish landed 
in the last few days.  Looks like the fall feed
has begun here in RI.

It took a couple of nights down below freezing and a couple of days with cold north and northeast winds to light up the fall fishing. It took this jolt of cold weather to get the carp thinking winter is coming, and it's time to get feeding to fatten up for the winter months ahead.

I've landed both good numbers of carp along with some big ones in the 20's in the last few days. Prior to that I was only able to get a fish or two every few outings. It was a noticeable uptick in the fishing. Other CAG members are also reporting upticks in fishing from multiple venues.

I think the fishing will continue to remain good up until the real cold weather along with icing hits. I'm guessing we will see at least a few weeks of decent fall fishing.

Some Decent Ones but NO Big Uptick in Fall Fishing

My best fish in this rainy spell has been a 
chunky 24 lb. common. There has been no big 
uptick in fall fishing yet.  Just not cold enough.

 I fished the last three days of rain, and came away with only two fish. This was not what I was expecting since rainy events have lit up the fishing in past years for me at this time. Still, those two fish I landed were 23 and 24 lbs., really good size by RI standards.

I think the weather has just not been cold enough to get a fall feed going. The weather is so warm I saw a snapping turtle pop its head up in front of me today....highly unusual for late October. In past years, that last week in October and the first week of November have delivered some big fish for me (high 20's and 30's). But, so far, this has not happened.  I'm confident that the fall feed as I call it is a bit late this year due to warm weather. 

My October numbers have bee low this year compared to past years.  The sizes have also been a disappointment.  Hopefully, fishing improves in the coming weeks.

Two Man Race in RI Fall Combo Tournament

Brian Savage with a 33 inch mirror.

 

Tom Perron and partner
 with a 32 inch mirror.

We are halfway through our RI CAG Fall Combo Tournament, and so far, it is a
two man race.  Still, plenty of time, though, for other members to add fish.  The fall combo tournament runs from September to the end of November.  Members enter their biggest common carp, their biggest mirror carp, and we have a bonus fish (catfish, horned pout or sucker).  In the fall, we go by length.  Each inch of fish length converts to a point. All fish must be caught in RI waters.  Medals purchased by CAG go to the top three finishers.

Not surprising, the two guys who are fighting it out are two of our top big carp hunters in RI.  In first place so far is Brian Savage with 42 points (33 inch mirror and 19 inch sucker).  In second place is Tom Perron with 37 points (32 inch mirror and 15 inch catfish). So, its close and either of these guys could win. Good luck to these two and any other member who wants to join in.