Reminder: New RI License Needed on March1

Here's a reminder for all you carp fishermen out there who want to test the waters in March and early April.  A new, 2014 license is needed on March 1.  Unlike most other states, your RI freshwater license runs from March 1 until the end of February.
For those looking to purchase a license, the website where you can get one is here:  https://www.ri.gov/DEM/fishinglicense/  You can also purchase them at town halls, most tackle shops and places like Benny's or Walmart.  Note that in the past the state was slow on printing licenses and some years they were not available to vendors till days or even weeks into March.  Hey, that's RI for you!
The whole license issue really affects carp and bass fishermen because we are fishing as soon as the ice departs.  The rules allow you to fish in non trout stocked waters until Opening Day for Trout (second Sat. in April).  Trout stocked waters that hold carp are off limit until Opening Day.  There is a list of the trout stocked waters on the DEM website.

Carp Fishing Seminar....TOMORROW...at Springfield Sportsmens Show

I will be doing my "Secrets of New England Carp Fishing Show" tomorrow, Feb.22, at the Big E at the Springfield Sportsmens Show at 11 AM.  The seminar will take place in Seminar Room B.  This show is the biggest outdoor show in New England and features everything you ever wanted to know about the outdoors from hunting to fishing to other outdoor activities.  Here is the link to the show,
http://www.osegsportsmens.com/index.html

Spring Big 3 Contest for CAG Members

The top three scorers in the contest
will win gold, silver and bronze medals
like the one shown above.

We will be holding a new and exciting RI Spring Big 3 Contest for CAG (Carp Angler Group) members.  Here is the way it will work.  You will enter your three biggest carp for the spring months of April, May and June.  That's your biggest fish for each month.  Add up the poundage and that's your number of points (works similar to CAG Big 4).  To make this a level playing field, all fish must be caught from RI waters, and the fish must be released in good shape after capture and weighing. I'd also like a picture of each big fish if possible. I'll be posting updates on this website as the contest rolls along.
In keeping with the Olympic spirit this year, the national CAG will be donating engraved gold, silver and bronze medals for the winners that have pictures of carp etched on one side and engraved on the other.  I've got to tell you that these look real cool and will become a keepsake for the winners.
So, if you are a former member who has not paid up his dues, now is the time.  If you are thinking about joining our group, the info on how to join is in one of the previous posts.

New Fox Alarm Looks Like a Winner

I just purchased a new Fox M+ bite alarm to use as a spare alarm for my friends and kids or as a back up to my Delkims.  The company Fox is the big name in carp fishing in Europe.  Fox makes top quality carp gear. I have two Fox M (old model) alarms that I have been using for at least 15 years.  They are starting to go, but have served me well for a very long time.
This new model has the same general shape as the old model, but other than that, it has been completely redesigned.  For starters, it takes two AAA batteries, a major upgrade over the pricey and hard to get N batteries that the old models ran on.  The M+ boasts new battery saving internal circuitry, a new on/off switch in the front, and a redesigned screw in battery compartment.  It has all kinds of waterproofing seals, and that's why these alarms will last 15 years even if you fish in the worst of weather. In addition, the alarm comes with a snap on case, a big plus that will protect the alarm when not in use.
The M+ bite alarms range in cost from about $45 to $55.  Big Carp Tackle (www.bigcarptackle.com ) does sell them as do other online tackle dealers in the US and UK.  If you are looking for a quality alarm at a decent price, consider the Fox M+.  You will be impressed.

How to Join the RI Carp Anglers Group

If you are a beginner or an experienced carper, we'd love to have you in our group.  To become a member of the RI CAG, you must first join the national group.  To join, go to the website at http://www.carpanglersgroup.com/cag/  At the top of this home page, you will see a tab named membership.  Put your mouse on that and a drop down menu will appear.  Click on the "join now" tab.  You will then be taken to a page that shows the membership types.  You want to select USA 12 month membership.  You will then be directed to an info page along with a check out page.  The cost of membership is $30 a year initially and then $25 to renew every year.
For that membership cost, you get total access to the Forum, membership in the state group, access to all contests, fish-ins and tournaments,  the NACA magazine and some discounts at online carp stores.  Best of all, you are part of a network of some of the best carp fishermen in not only RI, but the entire US, and info you can pick up from these guys is priceless.
So, hope that there are fishermen out there who will consider joining our group.