Beer Barrels

I had the right conditions today for a late fall day of carp fishing.  It's been warm for three days in a row, and it was rainy with temperatures dropping today.  That is the perfect set up for a big day in late fall. I was fishing winter tactics as described in my previous post.  My bait was pineapple flavored Pescaviva with a small method ball ahead of it.  I landed what could only be described as carp that looked like beer barrels. I got three of them.  These fish were so fat they could barely swim, and quite honestly, they were sluggish on the fight..  And, they had size to them as the three were in the 15-20 lb. range (see pic of 20 lber.) but measured  less than thirty inches. Yes, they are feeding up big time for winter.  Now, if I could only get one of these beer barrels that measures about 40 inches, I would have a monster of a fish.  Can you say 40 lbs.? Yikes, I do think it's out there in RI. Gotta think BIG!

Time for Winter Tactics

I'm now using my winter tactics on most outings even though the temperature today was a beautiful 65 degrees.  The water is definitely cooling and the nights are much longer signaling a change in tactics.  It has been working since I am picking up a few fish here and there like the mirror I landed today (see photo).

Here are some ideas on a winter approach:

1.  Go small....small hooks (I am using a Tiemco 2457 #8), small bait ( I am using only two kernels of corn on the hair, see photo), small hooklinks and the smallest sinker you can use to get the bait out to where you want to cast.  Carp tend to get lethargic in the wintertime and smaller is often better.

2.  If you use a method ball, go smaller.  Sometimes I don't even use it and make out just as well.

3.  Two baits that are very effective in the late fall and winter are small doughballs and sweet corn.  No need to worry about pests since they are pretty much dormant right now.

4.  On cold days I like to fish the warmest part of the day, say noon to three.  However, realize that carp will still hit on warm nights (check out Kevin Wasliewski's Dark Carping blog at www.carpteamri.blogspot.com ).

5.  I like to continue to prebait, but not at the same level as in the earlier months.

 6.  Focus on small spots like small ponds, canals and small rivers.  Carp tend to bunch up in the winter and small places are far easier to find them and far more manageable than big spots.

7.  Keep fishing until the ice comes.  It remains productive, but realize you will not catch the same numbers you were getting in the warmer months.

Carp Fishing Cools with the Weather

As I write this it is snowing outside and the temperature is in the thirties.  The last few days have only been in the low forties with nighttime temperatures dipping down in the twenties.  This sudden drop in temperatures and cold spell have really affected the carp fishing as it has slowed to a crawl.  I've gotten only 1 fish in the last two outings with no other hits.  There has also been no activity with no fish jumping and no bubble trails.  Rest assured, though, the season is far from over.  The weather forecast calls for temperatures to rebound next week into the fifties and sixties by day.  That should perk up the fishing.  At this time of year, a warm spell following cold weather usually lights up the fishing.  Hopefully, it will happen that way next week and I can get back on track.

November....Last Real Good Month

The season is winding down with about a month and a half of good carp fishing left here in RI.  November traditionally offers the last real good full month of carp fishing here in RI.  December is always a crap shoot.  Sometimes the snow and ice arrive early, shutting down carp fishing in most spots.  Sometimes the fishing lasts almost until Christmas like last year. Wintertime fishing can be somewhat productive, but the carp are bunched up and their metabolism slows at that time, making fishing difficult.

With so many saltwater fishermen staying home and idle due to Hurricane Sandy, why not head for freshwater and try carp fishing.  They are still hitting real well and they are in just about every body of water in RI.  I got out today and tried this morning for a couple of hours.  I was rewarded with a near 20 lb. common carp that fell for pineapple Pescaviva (sweet corn) fished on a hair rig ahead of an oatmeal method ball.  In the last week I have landed a good number of fish in the 15-21 lb. range, real decent for here in RI.  So, our good carp fishing continues and offers one of the best alternatives right now for catching large fish here in this state.

More Images of that GORGEOUS Koi

Catching During Hurricane Sandy

Yes, I was out fishing today.  As most of you know, I have made a career out of fishing in nasty weather in both saltwater and freshwater.  So, when I knew we were in for a real bad day with hurricane winds and driving rain, I just had to get out carp fishing.  The three largest carp I have ever caught (36 lbs., 36 lbs. 8 oz and 40 lbs. 8 oz) were all taken on stormy and nasty days.  I will tell you that carp just love this weather and usually go on a feeding binge during these events.

Today I was in a very safe spot to fish as safety is always a concern on these types of days.  In fact, the wind was at my back and I had a great view of the storm while watching my rods.  The rain was coming down horizontally in sheets and the wind was blowing the trees in the distance sideways as branches were coming down.

And, yes, the carp were hitting as I expected they would. The first fish I landed was a 12 lb. common.  Next, was a 20 lb. common (see pic at top right).  Next fish was the surprise of the fall for me.  It was a large mirror koi (see pic) that was a bright red with black spots all over it.  It was gorgeous, and this fish is only the second koi I have ever landed!  Finally, the day ended with a 21 lb. common (see pic at lower right).  All the fish fell for pineapple flavored Pescaviva fished on a hair rigged hook and fished ahead of an oatmeal based method ball.

Once again, I had yet another memorable day in some nasty weather.

Mid Day Fishing Productive

It happens every year about this time.  As the nights get colder, the fish become far more active in the warmer daytime hours.  I noticed a real uptick in activity in the daytime this week with mid day producing the best.  In the last three days I have landed 10 carp up into the twenties with the best action occuring from 11 AM until 1 PM.  That is the warmest part of the day.  In addition, I tried one evening right before dark, a good time to fish in the warmer months, and I blanked.  This is not to say that the fish will not hit late in the day or even after dark.  Last November, I fished some of the warm nights after dark and caught fish, so it can happen especially if the night is warm.  However, we are moving into a colder time period from now until winter in which daytime will be the best time to catch carp because it is the warmest time.