WINNING PHOTO- CAG Essence of Carp Fishing Photo Contest for April

 Every month CAG runs a photo contest for their members called "the Essence of Carp Fishing".  Any member can enter a photo that depicts some aspect of carp fishing (not necessarily a photo of someone holding a fish. The winner receives a $100 voucher or a prize of that value. The contest has become quite popular with members.

It was a big surprise when my photo took first place for the month of April. It was a photo of a large common carp being released with the fish swimming underwater.  The reflection of the tree branches in the water gave it a bit of a surreal look. Nothing was altered here- this was the photo!

Take a look at it below:

First place- CAG Essence of Carp Fishing- month of April

 

Catching in the Slop

 

Several fish landed today up into
the low 20 lb. range. A combo
bait of a quad along with a kernel
of maize on the hair rig did the trick.

Wow, it was one heck of a rainy, stormy day here in RI, but like so many of these similar days in the past, the fish were, once again, hitting. Carp just love this weather.  The stormier the better.  They tend to throw caution to the wind, and often go on feeding sprees in the slop. Today was no exception as I landed several nice fish up into the mid 20 lb. range.  The bait of choice was a combo bait of a quad (small square boilie) along with a kernel of maize on the hair rig.  I had one outfit with a pink quad and one with a white quad. Both have been producing lately.  I went with no method ball to avoid the turtles which have come to life in recent weeks.

The fish here in RI still have not spawned.  We have had very little warm weather to promote spawning and the water is still quite cold.  Carp tend to spawn when water temperatures reach about 65 degrees.  That usually happens around here in mid to late May, although in some cool years it could happen in June.

Combo Bait with Quads the Hot Number Right Now

 

Here's a carp that was landed
today on a Quad/maize
combo on the hair rig.

Though small, I've been catching good numbers of carp this week. My hot bait has been a combo bait of a kernel of maize along with a pink or white Quad on the hair rig.  I am using no method ball since the turtles and horned pout have bee super attracted to it.

I wrote about Quads last year.  These are little square boilies that float, and they are made by Mainline Baits in the UK. Big Carp Tackle sells them here in the US.  They come in pink, white and green colors. They are scented with a sweet, rosy smell.  I've been catching mostly on the white and pink and have had little success with the light green. I'm using these in combination with a kernel of maize at the end of the hair. I suspect the Quad gives the bait some lift and the carp find this appealing.

The pink and white Quads have been most effective for
me.  They are fished on the hair rig along with a kernel
of maize.

April Results- RI CAG Big 3 Tournament

 Our guys have been out catching some big fish here in RI for our RI CAG Spring Big 3 Tournament.  The idea is go out and catch your biggest carp for April, your biggest carp for May and your biggest carp for June.  We add up all your weight totals and that's your score.  All carp must be landed in RI waters. Medals are awarded to the top three finishers.

Here are the results for April (pounds/ounces):

1. Dave- 29/12

2. Brian- 25/8

3. Tony- 19/0

4. Tom- 12/6

5. Scott- 10/10

6. Evan- 10/6

Nice job, everyone!

First place- 29 lbs., 12 oz.

Second place- 25 lbs., 8 oz.

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.

Two Big Tournaments Kick Off

 Two big tournaments happen in the spring for CAG members.  Here they are:

1. CAG Spring Big 4- This is a big national tournament that runs for three months. You enter your 4 biggest carp by weight.  Participants enter from all over the US, and it features some of the very best carp fishermen in the country.  We have several of our members entered this year, and in the past RI anglers have done quite well. Last year I came in 3rd place overall, one of my best finishes in years. Prizes in the form of gift certificates are awarded to the top ten places.

2. RI CAG Spring Big 3- This is strictly a RI tournament.  It runs for three months from April till the end of June.  RI anglers enter their biggest carp for April, the biggest for May and the biggest for June.  We add up the weights for the total. Medals donated from the national CAG organization are awarded to the top three finishers. All fish entered must be landed in RI waters.