Off and Running

 I'm on a roll this March.  I'm seeing the best carp fishing of the last three years in March with good numbers of them as well as some unusually large fish for this time of year.

Here's a good size mirror that I landed this week.
Carp fishing has been very good so far in March.

Normally March is a funky month for carp fishing.  The water is cold, the air is cold and the fish are lethargic.  Sometimes they feed; sometimes they don't. There's not much consistency  In addition, the most active carp of March tend to be small fish, roughly 5 to 10 lbs.

That big rainstorm that we had last Monday really perked things up.  It was warm (50's) and pouring followed by a warm day on Tuesday.  That really got the fish active all week.  For instance, I got out this evening and landed 3 decent mirror carp in just an hour and a half.  I also had another runner.

I've landed good numbers this month so far as well as some real decent fish in the 20 to 27 lb. range.  These are some of the biggest carp I have ever landed in March. Most years I don't start to catch those 20's until April or even May.

So, we are off to a good start.  Remember,  if you plan to fish in the coming weeks, all non trout stocked waters in RI are open for fishing in March.  Trout stocked waters are closed until the second Saturday in April. You will also need a new 2025 fishing license if you plan to fish RI or MA waters.

Spring has Sprung!

 Just a short week ago, most of the ponds and lakes in RI had 8 to 12 inches of ice on them.  Today, most of that ice was gone as I was fishing in totally ice free water. Most bodies of water fouth of Providence are now ice free.  Further north, ice still exists in some places.

A good size common comes to the
net today. The carp were active in
ice free water that I fished, a 
sure sign that spring is here!

Today, spring was in the air with temperatures in the mid fifties. Upon arriving at my spot, I noticed a carp rooting in the water in front of me.  I also noticed a few bubble trails. So there was excitement and hope that I'd get something today.

I casted out my two rods and set them on my banksticks armed with bite alarms.  About an hour into it, one of the rods started jumping, a sure sign of a carp take.  I was soon on and within a minute or two I had a chunky 13 lb. common in the net.  A bit later in the day I had fish number 2, another common in the low teens.  Both hit a combo bait of maize and a white artificial corn on the hair rig.

While the calendar says we are still in winter, disappearing ice and open water says spring is here. And certainly, the fact that the carp are active and hitting REALLY says spring is here.

Note several unique laws regarding spring fishing for carp here in RI.  First off, you need a new, 2025 license after March 1st here in RI if you plan to go fishing.  Second, any bodies of water that are stocked with trout are off limits to carp fishing and all other types of fishing until the second Saturday in April (opening day of trout fishing). Finally, if you do fish for carp in trout stocked waters, the use of corn is prohibited.