Bait Choices- Less Can be Better

 

Look closely at the bait in this carp's lip. It is one 
kernel of maize and a kernel of artificial, plastic
maize.  This has been a real hot ticket in the last
week for large and small carp.

The carp fishing has improved greatly here in RI in the last week.  The water temps have ticked upwards and the carp have gotten far more active.  I've been getting good numbers of large fish as well as smaller ones.  But, this warm water has also delivered the dreaded pests- turtles, horned pout and catfish.

In an attempt to avoid these pests, I have gone light on the bait. I am using no method since that bait ball really attracts these pests. I'm going with just a kernel of maize along with a white, plastic pop-up corn on the hair rig. Turtles and cats are not high on the plastic offerings but carp find that plastic corn fascinating and often hit it when paired with a kernel of the real stuff.

That approach has upped my catches of carp while decreasing my catches of pests.  It has accounted for small carp and big ones up into the twenties in the last week. In my experience, less has been better in the last week.

Large carp like this twenty pound common have been
hitting since the warm weather arrived. This one fell for
a combo bait of maize/ plastic corn.

Ups and Downs of April Carping

 

It was one lone carp yesterday in a number of
locations. April fishing, thus far, has been slow
and inconsistent.

April is one of the most inconsistent months of the year when it comes to carp fishing in RI. The fishing generally mirrors the weather which is all over the place. This is the first week in months that I am not skiing on a daily basis so I have spent a lot of time carp fishing. All I can say is some fish here and there with small, low water ponds producing the best.  Makes sense.  Smaller ponds heat up faster and the carp are generally more active in this warmer water.

Yesterday, a warm day, I had some interesting experiences in a number of locations. First stop was a big pond that had some depth.  I was fishing the drop off. After three hours of nothing, with not a hit, jump or bubble trail, I packed up and left.  Next stop was a shallow cove in a small pond.  I could actually see carp slowly swimming around the sunny areas, yet not feeding. I even saw some coming right out of the water in what looked like spawning. But, they were not hitting, and I got skunked once again.  Last stop before dark was a small, shallow pond.  I stuck it out until dark when suddenly the alarm sounded.  It was a mirror carp of about 7 lbs. and my only fish of the day.

My experiences yesterday highlight carp fishing in early April. In a word, inconsistent. But, take note.  A big warm-up is coming next week and that should bring more consistent carp action for the second half of the month. It will get better!

Photo of the Day, "Evening Mirror"

 

Spring is in the air as the carp become more and more
active.  I landed a couple of mirrors right before dark
this evening.

Off and Running

 

Yes, the fish were hitting on this
warm day today.  Weather will
play a big part in the early season.

For me, today marked the start of spring fishing for carp. I tried three other times in the last week and blanked every time.  But, each one of those times, I was putting bait (maize) into my spring spots.  I knew it would be a matter of a short amount of time when I would start seeing carp in at least one of those places.  Today, I saw them as well as caught a number of them.  I spotted some fish moving around in the shallows and tossed more bait into the spot I intended to fish.  I went back to this location several hours later. The rods were out no more than ten minutes before the alarm went off and I was on.

Note that early spring carp fishing in March can be a lot like the weather- inconsistent.  The key to success is to have a plan, bait up a few spots and stick with it. The warm days will outproduce the cold days.

Today's fish fell for a combo bait of maize and pale pink artificial corn on the hair rig.

Note:  Here in RI you can only fish non trout stocked waters until Opening Day of trout season (second Saturday in April)..  You will also need a new, 2023 license if you intend to fish any freshwaters in the state at this time.

February Opportunities

 

Here's a mirror that I landed today, Feb. 17. This
is a very early start for me here in RI.

If you were outside today and didn't know the month, you would think we were in the middle of April. In fact, just about all week seemed like mid April weather.  That warm weather melted the little ice that was left and upped the water temperatures.  It all gave the carp a false sense of spring.

In the last two days I was on a scouting mission, checking out a number of places in the state that usually produce in the early season.  While these places usually give up the first carp in late February or early March, I found out it's happening much earlier this year.

In my travels, I  landed a couple of feisty mirrors.  Nothing big, they went about 5 to 6 pounds apiece. I was amazed that these early season fish really ran off the line on the hit causing my alarm to scream.  Normally, the first fish are sluggish on the take and the fight, but not these.  It tells me the water is warmer than I thought and the fish are more active than I expected. Both fish fell for a combo bait of maize and a white artificial corn fished on the hair rig.  I caught the fish in spots I was prebaiting with maize in the last few days.

Next Stop- Springfield Sportsmen's Show- Feb. 25

 My next stop on my 2023 seminar tour is the Springfield Sportsmen's Show on Saturday,  Feb. 25.  As of this date, I do not know my times.  You would have to check the website right before the show at www.osegsportsmens.com 

I know I will be doing my popular striper fishing seminar that drew huge crowds last weekend at the show in Boxboro. This seminar features striper fishing from shore and kayak.  The emphasis was on catching big fish- slots and over slots.  I will also be doing my carp fishing seminar. This show deals with understanding carp fishing in southern New England with an emphasis on bait and rigging.

The Springfield Sportsmen's Show is held at the Big E in Springfield.  It features everything outdoorsy- fishing, hunting, camping, boats, guides, etc. It runs for three days from Feb. 24 to Feb. 26.  It is one of the most popular outdoor shows in the northeast.

Hope to see you there.

First Carp of 2023

 

My first carp of 2023!

I went out carp fishing today in this mild January weather.  It felt like fishing in late March or early April. In the past I have scored some nice carp in January during these mild spells and today was no exception. I landed this 13 lb. common on a combo bait of maize and a white artificial corn.  I was also using a small method ball packed around my sinker.

If you are trying for a carp in the middle of winter, you might try looking in "small places".  I'm talking ice free small shallow ponds, small rivers and canals. The carp have no place to hide in these smaller spots, and these bodies of water tend to heat faster making the carp more active.

With mild weather forecasted for later in the week, I expect the winter action to continue.