RI CAG Spring Big 3 Tournament Underway

 Our annual Spring Big 3 Tournament is underway, and it should be a very competitive event.  Any RI CAG member can enter this free tournament that runs for 3 months. The idea is to enter your biggest carp for April, the biggest for May and the biggest for June.  In the end we add up the weight totals and that is your score. All fish must be released, and all fish must be caught in RI waters. In the past we have had fish that were entered that would have qualified as state records so there are some monster fish that could be caught.

We have 10 active RI CAG members and all of them are top notch carp fishermen. Any one of these guys or gals could win this tournament.  Engraved medals (photo below) donated by the national group are awarded for the top three finishers.

I will post the results every month and update the standings.  Good luck to all who enter.

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.

Catching in the Snow!

 

Today was only the second time I got out since Jan.1 to fish for carp. It's been a rough winter to this point. Today, I was greeted by snowy banks and some icing, but I did have enough open water to give it a shot. 

Well, it was not hot and heavy, but I did manage to grab one small mirror that went about 5 to 6 lbs. I had also another runner that dropped it. I got both on a small piece of maize along with a white artificial corn on the hair rig. It was great just to get out and fish as I haven't wet a line in about 8 weeks.

This is the start of my early spring carp fishing. It starts off slowly like today, but get a warm, sunny day and the action will suddenly perk up.  The fish are around, just not active in the cold water. Expect the fishing to dramatically pick up in March when all the ice and snow leaves.

Next Seminar Stop- Springfield Sportsmen's Show

 The next big show where I will be doing carp and striper fishing seminars is the Springfield Sportsmen's Show. This big outdoor show will be held at the Big E in Springfield from Friday, Feb., 21 to Sunday, Feb. 23. This show has everything for the outdoor enthusiast.  It has freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, hunting, outfitters, tackle shops., boats and kayaks and more. It is held in a massive venue and draws big numbers of people.

I will be doing my two new seminars for this year titled Seasonal Strategies for Carp and Seasonal Strategies for Stripers.  Most likely I will be doing these on Saturday, Feb. 22.  As of right now, the exact schedule has not been posted yet.  The website should have the schedule up this week.

Hope to see many of my followers at the show.

Update: My carp fishing seminar will be on Saturday at 4:00 in seminar room A.

Seminar Schedule for New England Fishing Expo

 I will be at the New England Fishing Expo this weekend (Feb. 1 and Feb. 2) doing a striper fishing seminar and a carp fishing seminar.  This big outdoor fishing show will take place at the Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center which is right off Rt. 495 in Marlborough, MA. It is one of the largest fishing shows in New England and features a lot of both freshwater and saltwater fishing along with some top notch seminars. You can see the complete seminar schedule at www.nefishingexpo.com 

Here is my seminar schedule:

Sat., Feb. 1- 2:00- Seasonal Strategies for Stripers

Sun., Feb. 2- 11:00- Seasonal Strategies for Carp

Hope to see many of my blog readers at the show!

First Carp Fishing Seminar of the Year- New England Fishing Expo, Marlborough, MA

 

My winter seminar adventures start at the New England Fishing Expo on the weekend of Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.  This big show will be held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough, MA which is right off Rt. 495.

I've been doing this popular winter show for many years now.  It is one of the best "pure fishing shows" around. It's a mix of saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing.  The show is loaded with vendors and has an all star line-up of seminars.

This year I will be running two all new seminars, one on freshwater carp fishing and one on striper fishing.  The titles of my seminars are "Seasonal Strategies for Striper Fishing" and "Seasonal Strategies for Carp Fishing".  These digital slide shows feature lots of information and have loads of photos and videos all shot in the past year.

The final seminar schedule is not out yet, so keep your eye on the website as it should come out prior to the show. I expect to be there on both Saturday and Sunday.  Hope to see many of my followers there.