On the Board for 2025!

My first carp for 2025! I landed 3 of them
today from 10 to 15 lbs.!

 I got a real Happy New Years surprise today.  As I have done in other years, I went carp fishing hoping to get my first carp of the new year. Well, instead I landed my first three carp of the year. They were all good size commons, running 10 to 15 lbs.

I guessed as to where to go.  The first spot I went to had ice covering a quarter of the pond, too much for my liking, so I kept driving to my second spot. Fortunately, this venue was free of ice. The weather cleared, the sun came out and the fish started hitting on this 50 degree day. 

All my fish were caught on my favorite bait- a kernel of real maize and a white artificial pop-up (see photo) on the hair rig. I was using no method. The fish hit well but were very sluggish on the fight as you would expect in near freezing water. 

I'm guessing the ice will be returning soon, and the fishing will shut down. Winter around here is an off and on deal with short windows of fishing opportunity.  But, I got my first fish of the new year, and I'm happy with that!

This was the hot ticket today. It has
been my go to bait since the fall.