Finally, the Carp are Hitting!

 

This 18 lber., landed today, is about
to be released from the net. Finally,
the carp are starting to hit!

In the last week, I have landed 4 carp here in RI.  I got three of those in today's 70 degree weather. While the water is still freezing cold to the touch, that little shot of warm air in the last couple of days has gotten the carp moving into the shallows and feeding.  I also landed one horned pout, a sure sign that spring is here.  I also saw a large sun turtle sunning itself on a log, another sure sign that spring is here.

I got all today's fish on a combo bait of maize and a white pop-up plastic corn on the hair rig, the same general rig I always use.  I did try method mix but that seemed to elicit almost instant bangs, a sure sign that catfish and horned pout are hitting the method.  Without method, the cats seem to leave the bait alone.

This is the start of it- FINALLY.  It's been a long winter. I've put away the skis and I'm ready for carp and stripers. April is the month when everything comes alive!

This is the rig that does the trick.  A kernel of maize
and a white, pop up artificial corn on the hair rig.

Off to a Poor Start

 The ice has been off most of the ponds and lakes here in RI for a couple of weeks now, but NOTHING is going on. I have tried carp fishing multiple times in multiple places with no success. I prebaited these spots before fishing but that did not help.  I saw no indication that any fish were active- no jumps, no bubble trails, no fish visible near shore. I know other RI CAG guys who have been trying with no success.

So far the alarms have been silent as we are off
to a poor start this year.

While we have had some warm weather, it has been brief.  I suspect the cold nights are throwing a monkey wrench into the early fishing.  In addition, there's been a lot of rain that has caused rivers to flood making river fishing impossible. Water levels in ponds and lakes are also high.

So, it's a matter of waiting for an extended warm spell to get the action moving. It's only March whcih can often be a fickle month when it comes to carp fishing- some years good, some years poor.  It's been poor so far.

Note: if you plan to get out carp fishing, you will need a new 2026 RI freshwater fishing license.  Trout stocked waters are also closed to any type of fishing until after Opening Day which is April 11.