Sizzling Temperatures Cool Off Carp Fishing

 

I landed this mirror carp this morning.
Fishing has been slow in this heat.

We are in a brutal stretch of hot weather. Temps in the 90's the last three days have slowed carp fishing to a crawl, especially in the daytime.  Water temperatures are like bath water. I am trying to fish the coolest times of the days- mornings and evenings into darkness. Those have been the most productive times for me although the fishing is not great even in those cooler times of the day. I'm catching a carp here and there with some blanks.

I'm guessing that carp in most large lakes have moved to the comfort of deeper and cooler water where they are probably just sulking on the bottom. They have also been a lot less active as I'm seeing fewer jumps and bubble trails in this heat.

Warm water pests have also hindered the fishing.  Turtles have been especially bothersome as they are constantly stealing the bait. I'm talking both sun turtles and snappers.

With and eye on the upcoming weather, I am hoping the cool and rainy days predicted at the end of the week wake up the fishing for the better. It usually does at this time of year.

Catching in the Nasty Weather (Again)

 

This is one of seven carp landed on
a nasty, rainy and stormy day this 
week.  Carp just love to go on a 
feeding spree in lousy weather.

I had the conditions I was looking for a couple of days ago.  It poured overnight and light rain continued into the next day.  I set out in the rain and cool conditions to a location in which I hadn't caught a carp in a month.  But, I knew from past experiences this was the place to be on a lousy, stormy, summer day.

Right away, as I was setting up, I saw several fish jump right in front of me. Well, it took about 20 minutes before one of the alarms began screaming. I was onto a good fish, which I landed.  It was a low 20 lber., a real decent fish. Six more fish followed that day which ranged from 10 lbs. up into the high 20's.  Once again, nasty weather lit up my carp fishing.

All my fish were landed that day on a combo bait of a kernel of real maize along with a white plastic pop-up corn.  This combo bait was fished on the hair rig. I haven't used a method ball for over a month now due to the presence of lots of turtles.  Turtles love this warm weather, and they seem to be everywhere. The method ball in an invitation to come and feed, and I am doing my best to avoid them.

Final Results- RI CAG Spring Big 3 Tournament

 

Brian Savage holds a 30 lb., 15 oz. mirror.
This was the biggest fish entered in June.
It was also a PB mirror for Brian. Brian won
the silver medal.

Our spring tournament ended in dramatic fashion as several remarkable fish were added in June.  This shuffled the leader board and ended up making the tournament results very close.

Two of our most experienced carpers, Tom Perron and Brian Savage, entered two magnificent mirrors in the June segment. Tom's mirror, a PB (Personal Best) for him, was 29 lbs., 1 oz. Brian's mirror, a PB for him also, was 30 lbs., 15 oz.  Those monster fish moved both guys up in the standings.  Brian finished 2nd overall to win the sliver medal while Tom took the bronze.

Two of our newcomers, Scott Burns and Evan Aziz also recorded PB's in this tournament with Scott entering a 25 lb. , 8 oz. common and Evan catching a 23 lb., 4 oz. common.  Both guys ended up  entering 3 fish over 20 lbs., a great feat for guys who have been carping for a little over a year.

For me, June was a disappointment, and I was only able

Tom Perron holds
a 29 lb., 1 oz. mirror 
that he landed in June.
It was a PB mirror for
him. Tom won the bronze
medal overall.

to enter a 15 lb., 2 oz. mirror, my biggest fish of June. However, my big early lead with two 30's including a potential state record carp of 35 lbs., 4 oz. barely got me the gold medal.

Thanks to all who competed.  This was one of our best tournaments in years. 

Below are the final results: 

1. Dave- 31/8 + 35/4 + 15/2 = 81/14

2. Brian- 20/8 + 24/12 + 30/15 = 76/3  

3. Tom- 19/7+ 24/10 + 29/1 = 73/2

4. Scott- 20 + 25/8 + 23/10 = 69/4

5. Evan- 23+20/8 + 20/8 = 64/1

6. Daphne- 20+15/3= 35/3

7. Tony- 23/4