Photo of the Week- " Release"

 

A good size common carp swims away after being released. Spring
weather is here and the carp are hitting!

Warm-Up Brings Uptick in Activity

 After a dismal start to spring carp fishing, I am hoping this warm weather sticks around because it has improved the fishing for me. I've seen a noticeable uptick in the last couple of days.  These days have been warm and fairly tranquil, and I'm guessing the water temperatures got a bit higher and that has gotten the carp feeding. Prior to this week, I went five straight outings in multiple locations with nothing on some cold and miserable days.

Your best bet in this early spring fishing would be to hit a shallow water location that tends to warm up quickly.  It doesn't have to be a small pond.  It could be a shallow cove in a larger body of water.  I sense that the fish are moving into those warm shallows. Most rivers are not fishable due to high water right now.

If you can, prebait.  It really helps. I prebait with the same bait I intend to use.  I have been scoring in the last few days with my ole favorite of a kernel of maize and a white, artificial, plastic pop-up corn on the hair rig. The best pop-up color for me has been pale pink. Sometimes I add a method ball and sometimes I don't depending on the number of turtles in the area (yes, they are getting active in this warm weather).

Here's a mirror carp that I landed tonight.  Notice the bait
is a combo of maize and a white plastic corn on a hair rig.