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No.182 October 2012
October 2012 | Issue 182 | £3.90
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Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
RIGS REVEALED We go subsurface to find out what your rigs really look like underwater! BIG-CARP BAITING Iain Macmillan’s guide to tripping up the big ‘uns UP YOUR GAME Ian Russell delivers another tactical masterclass
On sale September 19th – October 24th 2012
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NICK HELLEUR Confessions of a carp addict: a month in the life of a top carper’s covert adventures
IAN POOLE / ELLIS BRAZIER / JULIAN CUNDIFF / DAVE SPRINGALL / MITCH SMITH / JIMMY ARMSTRONG / ROB HUGHES
001_CraftyCover_182.indd 1
07/09/2012 12:20
Most Memorable Nick Helleur
me feel like I was on holiday, but sadly
a long time. It was the first time in ages
all holidays come to an end. I left early
that I was properly gutted at losing a
the next morning and headed home
fish, but all the drama was instantly
because I had a mag feature to shoot,
forgotten that night, when in the
and then if the weather held, it would
middle of a storm the next fish turned
be a day or two more floater fishing
out to be a very special carp indeed.
before sorting out the kit; at the end
It was a fish known as the Old Linear
of the week I was off to Belgium on an
at 46lb+, and my trip was made right
angling adventure. With work done and
there and then, even though I still had a
dusted I did indeed get a further 2 days’
few days left. I could have stayed at the
floater fishing and caught several carp.
lake for the rest of the week but felt I’d
The first day saw me fishing lots of
had my result, so I headed back towards
waters, although the awkward swirling
France to a big nature reserve near the
breeze made the fishing difficult, but
border for a dabble. Would you believe
the next day I headed out with my old
it, I caught one on my first night from
mate Terry and
the big low-stock
bagged the only
pit, a big mirror,
fish of the day, a chunky 28lb mirror from the Road Lake. That was quite memorable because I had to go in for the fish
“It was the first time in ages that I was properly gutted at losing a fish”
after it kited on a long line down
which epitomised everything a big carp should be – a big mahoganycoloured beast of a mirror carp of over 50lb. This is why I travel to Belgium so often.
the bank, but with the rod held as far
Again I upped sticks the next day and
out as I could reach, I got the fish back
headed to a little lake in the middle
along the snaggy treeline to the net.
of nowhere for my last night, where a friend and I shared a shedload of
Belgium Beckoning
bites, landing a dozen or so fish,
Next up I was off to Belgium for a
including some lovely old characters.
week’s angling, which started off
It had been a great trip but I was
slowly, but 4 days and four venues later
off to the Tunnel while the mist still
I got my first fish from a deep sand pit
rolled across the fields. I was looking
in the centre of the country. Up until
forward to spending the weekend with
that point I’d been chasing my tail up
my family before it all started again.
near the Dutch border and had already fished on one lake and two canals, none of which looked right or gave me much of a feeling. In those circumstances, rather than sit there hoping/waiting for it to happen, I keep pushing on because a week soon passes. With one nice fish under my belt and better weather arriving, I baited and gambled that it would pay off and the fish would feed, and indeed it did. Over the next few days I landed several more nice carp,
ABOVE All tucked away, guesting on a large nature reserve.
but unfortunately I lost a strong fish
RIGHT A true monster from the nature reserve.
right in the edge, which I had played for
BELOW Returning the lovely old linear.
24
Crafty Carper
022-025_MostMemorable_CC182.indd 3
07/09/2012 16:05
Most Memorable Nick Helleur
Back to Blighty
the lake in front of me. The fish were
I must admit that it was difficult to get
surprisingly quiet, in fact I didn’t hear
myself motivated the following week.
a thing all evening. By 11.00 p.m. I
The weather looked grim, so it looked
was convinced that nothing was going
like that was the end of the floater
to happen and so started to pack my
fishing for another year. The next
little rucksack, when I heard the line
pictures in date order are from a bit of
ping from the clip, and then nothing.
guesting I’d started on, but because of
I presumed it must have been a liner
the location and the fact that I’d been
so I crept down to the rod, and as I got
sneaking in, for the short term at least I
close enough to see, I could see the
only fished evenings, to get a feel for it.
tip was bent over. I picked up the rod
an occurrence. Most of the fish I caught
I’d had the foresight to make the long
and was amazed to find a fish on the
were lovely 20-pounders, but on the
drive to bait a couple of times late in
end. As I tightened up it bolted in an
final evening trip of the week I caught
the evening before I’d left for Belgium,
explosion of spray. It was clear from
a lovely long scaly mirror of nearer 30lb
and just after dark I parked up a couple
the erratic bite and the odd fight that
than 20lb. It was almost certainly older
of miles from the lake in question and
this fish didn’t know the drill, and I
than me – a top buzz and an exciting
cycled to a spot where I hid the bike
soon had it in the net. I froze once the
bit of angling, but it would have to wait
and then crept towards the lake on foot.
adrenaline subsided because I suddenly
for a little while because I was leaving
realised where I was. I had a good look
for a French adventure to the Alps after
ever been fished for, to my knowledge;
around before I was sure the coast
the weekend. That’s a whole other
the lake’s location and the fact that
was clear and then returned to deal
story for another time; by the time I’d
it’s in very private grounds made it a
with the fish. It was no monster but it
got into my French session the month
seemingly impossible task, but one
was a belter, a lovely near fully-scaled
had run out, and what a month it had
that only served to make me more
mirror and clearly as old as the hills. I
been. I had fished 15 different venues
determined to catch one from there.
was well happy with that one! I folded
over the 4 weeks and caught from 12
The first cast into any new lake is a
up my kit and went for a look around.
of them, landed a UK and a Belgian
special one, and it was with shaking
Once I got back to the kit and made
personal best, as well as a load of carp
hands that I flicked the rig out, felt
sure the coast was clear, I baited again,
from some very difficult waters, and I
crept back out to where I’d hidden
loved every minute, as I always do. CC
The fish in this lake have never
the lead down, and then sank the line. One rod was enough and I settled back into the thick undergrowth, shuffled into a
BELOW RIGHT By the end of the month I was on the road again, this time back to the mountains. Here’s my mate Trev playing one, but that’s a story for another time. BELOW LEFT A lovely old mirror from an intimate little lake in the middle of nowhere.
the bike, and cycled back to the car. I walked through the door at 1.00 a.m., shattered but buzzing, and
comfortable position on
as fired up for it as much as anything
my unhooking mat,
I can remember. I would definitely go
and watched
ABOVE Ancient and uncaught, the holy grail in this country.
back the following evening for another go. Well, I went back the next night and two more after that, and caught carp on each visit. A full-blown run was a real rarity, and most gave little more than a few knocks on the tip. I actually had to start using a buzzer because the fish didn’t bolt when hooked, and because I was sitting in the bushes 10 yards from the rod, it was easy to miss
Crafty Carper 022-025_MostMemorable_CC182.indd 4
25 07/09/2012 16:05
The Great Debate Team Crafty Carper
Lee Burden says: “On approaching
few days is plenty, you don’t have
a weedy venue, the first thing I do
to go crazy. Safety is the most
is see if the fish like to sit amongst
important part of my fishing; the
the weed on the back of the wind.
last thing I want is a fish getting
On quite a few venues I’ve fished
tethered by a death rig. If it’s clear
over the years, the bigger fish can’t
enough, I combine a heavy lead
relax in a weedbed that’s getting
of 4oz with a 30Plus Lead Clip
battered by big winds. I generally
System, which has a nice soft tail
head for the back of the wind and
rubber to ensure the fish dumps
start searching for them unless
the lead on the take, rather than
I see otherwise, and once I’ve
once it’s weeded. What I don’t want
located the fish I start to search for
to happen is to let the fish bury its
clear spots and channels amongst
head with the lead; it could cost me
the weedbeds, or light silty areas
dearly, and has done in the past,
that hold an abundance of natural
so I generally fish locked up. I fish
food. Look in the weed you drag in
for two bleeps and I’m straight
for snails, shrimps and any other
on the rod, and I keep my rods as
little critters, and the carp won’t be
close to my bivvy as possible to
far away. I’ve found that carp prefer
avoid any complications. Then it’s
certain areas of the weedbeds, so
a case of rod in the air and pump
keep an eye on where the fish are
so I’m on top of the fish, and nine
moving amongst them and they
times out of ten the fish is landed
will give themselves away at some
safely with no problems. The last
point. It’s also worth making a note
thing I want to do is hook the big
of any clear areas you find, and
girl and lose her because I’m not
maybe introduce some small food
thinking about how I’m going to
items to get the fish turning the
land her. You might only have
bottom over to prime the spots.
one chance, so try to make sure
I’ve been doing really well on a
everything’s strong, reliable and
local venue; I introduce small food
safe for the welfare of the fish.”
items, including the CC Moore snails, so the carp turn the area over and clear the thin silkweed, which, to start with, stopped me using bottom baits. The fish are clearing the areas, so priming them to be hooked. A few Spombs every BELOW Baiting the weed with morsels of food helps clear the spot.
“Carp prefer certain areas of the weedbeds, so keep an eye on where the fish are moving amongst them and they will give themselves away at some point”
Martin Ford says: “Fishing a water
that’s heavily weeded can present presentation problems, and you need to think long and hard about how to tackle it. Safety must be at the top of the list; there’s no point in getting a take if you
“In light weed I’ve used a running Naked Chod to good effect, sitting the hookbait on top of the weed”
can’t get the fish away from the area of
34
weed you’re fishing in. Before fishing
a running Naked Chod to good effect,
I like to have a good idea of what I’m
sitting the hookbait on top of the weed.
fishing in or over. If a boat is allowed,
To make it as safe as possible I use a
get out there and see what you find.
large bore ring at the lead end and tie
Most weedy waters tend to be shallow
the lead on with a rotten bottom line.
and clear, that’s why the weed is so
Should the lead snag, it will break off;
thick. If a boat isn’t an option, casting
if the main line breaks, the Chod Rig
around with a lead to try to determine
simply pulls off the line above the lead
the worst areas and the clearer areas
and the carp is free. In thicker weed
is a good start. Once you’ve found an
it’s worth spending time looking for a
area you want to fish, it’s time to make
small area that’s slightly lighter – you
the rig choice. In light weed I’ve used
can even rake off a small spot with one
Crafty Carper
033-035_Debate_CC182.indd 2
06/09/2012 16:31
The Great Debate
Team Crafty Carper
ABOVE A Method fished into the weed with the hookbait pushed into the feeder can account for fish.
Mitch Smith says: “Fishing in
weed – some love it, some hate it. I suppose I’m a ‘don’t care really’ type of guy, and I think you need to be putting a bait where the fish are, not necessarily where you think they’re going to end up. Quite simply, most carp spend a considerable amount of time in beds of weed; there is usually so much food in the weed that the fish won’t be able to resist. You can use this to your advantage; all you need to do is make sure your rig can hook them. Make sure the hookpoint is covered on the cast, with either a soluble nugget or a PVA solid bag, or even a well-packed Method feeder with the hook and hookbait buried inside the Method mix, and then just blast the cast straight into the thick of it. Clear spots are great but everyone does it, so be different and get stuck into the weed. I don’t think I’ll ever be too of the castable weed rakes that are
fishing them. The spots are being
a swim you know is going to
eager to cast into the weed with
available. Once I have the spot located,
cleared by carp, tench and bream,
result in losses. Make sure
just a single hookbait covered in
the rig presentation is simply a short
and this can be a good way of
your tackle is up to the job
a soluble nugget, sitting there
braided hooklink and drop-off in-line
priming a spot amongst the
in hand, your rigs are safe,
on its own, but by engulfing the
lead, and the whole lot is encased in
thicker weed. However you
and any carp caught are
hookbait in more bait, such as in
a PVA bag. The bag can be filled with
choose to tackle a weedy
allowed to recover properly
the PVA bag or the feeder, I know
dried hemp, pellets and chopped boilies,
water, always keep the
before being released
that the fish can move very easily
which once the bag melts will push the
welfare of the fish in
weed down and allow the hookbait to
mind. Don’t tackle
back into their weedy home.”
through the weed, will find the bait, and consume it without any
sit in the middle of it. My own water
hesitation. So, knowing that my
suffers severely from weed, but there
hookpoint is clear of weed, the
are odd patches in amongst the heavy
fish will be hooked very easily.”
stuff that are a bit clearer. Once I find these spots I tend to bait up for a few days using hemp and pellet, around a couple of kilos at a time. After three or four baiting sessions, the spots begin to clear and get larger, thus allowing better presentation when it comes to
RIGHT
This one came from the thick of the weed using solid bag tactics.
“Clear spots are great but everyone does it, so be different and get stuck into the weed” Crafty Carper
033-035_Debate_CC182.indd 3
35 06/09/2012 16:32
Banker Baiting Strategies Iain Macmillan
ABOVE On busy day ticket waters the
spodding gear is an essential baiting item.
LEFT The bankstick measuring method
is a great way of reducing unnecessary casts in your chosen swim.
#1
Busy Day Ticket Lakes
Take somewhere like
Linear Fisheries in Oxford. There aren’t many carp anglers who haven’t heard of Linear, and most have probably fished at least one of the lakes on the complex, so this is a classic example of what you’re likely to come across. On a typical 48-hour session I always start off very gently when it comes to baiting up, the reason being that on all the Linear lakes, you never know who’s been in the swim before you. You don’t know where they’ve fished, what they’ve caught, and, most importantly, how much bait they’ve introduced. Keep these important words in your head: FISH FOR ONE BITE AT A TIME – I’ll explain why right now. On busy lakes, where anglers are constantly rolling on and off, the fish tend to be pressured 24/7. When I’ve chosen my swim, I try not to thrash the water to a foam with a marker rod; in fact I very rarely use one these days. Instead I much prefer to have a quick lead around with one of my actual fishing rods, to give me a rough idea of what’s out there in front of me. Once I’m happy with an area, i.e. it’s not completely choked with weed (a strip of gravel followed by silt is perfect), I put the line in
60
Crafty Carper
059-062_Macmillan_CC182.indd 2
10/09/2012 16:25
Banker Baiting Strategies Iain Macmillan
the clip, wind in and measure out the
armed with this tactic. Spod mixes
distance around two banksticks, which
are something that many anglers
are 12ft apart (4 yards). By doing this
drastically overcomplicate. I’ve used
I keep my casting to a bare minimum,
the same mix for years, in fact I’ve
which on these pressured day ticket
used it all over Europe, and it’s stood
lakes can be key to keeping fish in
me in good stead. I see anglers with
the swim. Once I know the number
so many different ingredients thrown
of 12ft wraps, I can replicate this on
in – firstly, they don’t know how much
all my actual fishing rods, without
the bucket of stuff costs, and secondly,
the need to cast another rod out until
if the mix works then how is the angler
I’ve got a hookbait ready to go.
going to know what made it work? I use hemp, sweetcorn and pellet, and that’s
ABOVE My
preferred spod mix always contains just hemp, corn and pellets.
TOP RIGHT It
doesn’t get much simpler than this – and it’s easy to replicate every time you go fishing.
RIGHT I always add a varied mix of pellets into my spod mixes. BOTTOM A solid PVA bag approach with a bright hookbait over the top is Iain’s banker day ticket lake tactic.
Spodding Tactics
it; yes, it may seem basic but I know
When it comes to bait, Linear has
it works, plus I can replicate exactly
been ruled by the small particle
the same mix, time and time again. I
approach for years, and as much as
personally think that the introduction
I have caught on boilies on Manor
of these strangely coloured liquids
Farm, I still tend to reach for the spod
is more there to catch anglers and
rod whichever lake I’m on. Once I’m
make the companies involved some
BAITING FACT #1
happy with the spot I’m going to be
cash, not put more fish on the bank.
20 spods of Iain’s preferred hemp, corn and pellet
fishing, I go for 15-20 spods to begin
spod mix weighed in at just over 4lb.
with. This initial hit of bait gets loads
When Should I Bait Up?
of attraction into the swim without
Another question I frequently get
over-feeding the carp. Just imagine
asked on my tuitions is whether to
how many tiny items of grub there
put out more bait if no bites occur.
are in 20 spods of a mix containing
Good question! Keep your eyes open
hemp, corn and mixed pellets.
for obvious signs of fish around your
If the bites come pretty quickly I know full well that the fish have cleared all what I’ve put out, so I top up the area with another 10 spods to keep them interested. So, 20 spods to start and another
spot – a good visual indicator is the slick from the hemp and pellets in the
“If the bites come pretty quickly I know full well that the fish have cleared all what I’ve put out, so I top up the area with another 10 spods to keep them interested”
10 if I get some
spod mix, and if you’re constantly seeing the slick but not getting bites, then you may have to tinker a bit on the rig front. Talking of rigs, I do love my solid
quick action – remember it! The
bag fishing when using the particle
actual idea of spodding small bits and
approach. I think the rig lends itself to
pieces is to create a tight feeding
the bits and pieces because it’s only a
area where I can land all three rods
small 10mm fluoro pop-up inside the
on the spot. I bait tight on one spot
bag, while the pellets for my solid bags
to maximise my chances of a bite
are only 1-3mm in size, again keeping
because I’m concentrating all my
everything much the same. I think
attention on there; it’s very much an
the only time my general approach
all or nothing approach, but I much
changes on busier day ticket waters
prefer to fish the more prolific day
such as Linear is in the winter. Single
ticket waters with this method.
hookbaits and Zigs seem to account
Spodding works well at Linear, so you’d be a brave man to go not
for far more fish than any other method during the colder months.
Crafty Carper 059-062_Macmillan_CC182.indd 3
61 10/09/2012 16:26
Underwater Revelations Rob Hughes
3
The Hinged Stiff Link Perfect for: clean bottom
pop-up fishing/light silt.
Rig Ingredients • 18lb Illusion • Size 7 Stiff Rigger
Jerry: This was a slightly strange
• Anti-tangle sleeve
choice for me because it’s a rig
• Leadcore leader
I’ve never even used before. I’m
• 3oz lead
considering it as an option for when
• Size 10 flexi-ring swivel
I’m boilie fishing, and I was keen to
• Medium rig ring
see how it performed underwater
• Krimp Tool set
before I make my decision on
• Heavy Metal putty
whether to use it or not. This rig has a proven track record as a bigfish rig, and several anglers keep
Rob’s Findings
rating it highly, hence why I was
A great presentation this one, and
keen to see whether it presented
the bait and lead had separated
itself as I presumed it would.
nicely on hitting the bottom. The bright pop-up stood out well and the hinged section was really good because it was only a couple of inches long and had a superb
16
hooking angle. Look closely and you can see the boom section lifting up over the weed slightly. It’s hardly noticeable and would almost certainly make no difference to getting a pickup, but I feel that
4
The Chod Rig Perfect for: long-range
pop-up fishing or fishing over difficult terrain.
the Hinged Stiff Rig is more suited Rob: If ever there was a go
to a cleaner bottom than this type of weedy gravel bar. One
anywhere 4x4 rig it’s the Choddy.
way of reducing the lift would
As a pop-up rig there are very few
be to critically-balance the rig
equals, and it’s a great rig if you want to be fishing quickly rather
rather than anchor it down, as
18
the heavier the anchor weight, the
than have to spend a long time
more likely it is to kink the boom.
markering around for spots. The
Rob’s Findings
Also a smaller amount of putty
main thing with the Choddy, for
We had a good run of success on
would have allowed the stiffness
me, is that it should not sit too
this feature because the rigs were
in the boom to straighten the link
high off the deck. It isn’t hitting
scoring very highly and so it was
out a little more, but once more, on
the bottom with the lead and
with the Chod. The weed was
the whole it is a great presentation.
should therefore not be pulled
between 2-4ins thick and fairly
down into weed/debris so you can
firm, so the spot didn’t really need
Rob’s Proposed Changes
tie the hooklink section as short
a Chod approach, but as expected
The only two things to suggest
as possible. They are, of course,
it sat perfectly, didn’t tangle, and
a little fiddly to tie, particularly
proved it is one of the few rigs
the anchor weight a little, as
if you want a very short one, but
that you can fish at long range
mentioned, to critically-balance the
the versatility of this rig means
very easily. Check out the curve
hookbait, and the other is to add
it is worth it. A word of warning
of the Rigidity. It was perfectly
a little bit of putty to the boom to
though; your choice of bead is very
formed and this comes from proper
help it fall over if it does rise up.
important with the Chod. If the top
storage of the Chod. If you are
bead is too free-running I’ve seen
making them up beforehand, make
Chods that can move up to the end
sure they are stored curved rather
of the leadcore and lift it off the
than straight, to keep the angle
bottom. My preference is always
of dangle that you need for the
for a top bead that grips well, but
Chod to work most efficiently
for this one is firstly to reduce
19
slides under pressure in the event of a crack-off, coupled with a larger
Rob’s Proposed Changes
tapered bore bead below the Chod
The only very minor issue I had
to allow the rig to move to the lead
with the Chod in this particular
quickly when you do get a pickup.
situation was that it was maybe a smidgen too long and sat a little bit too high off the bottom. It
“A great presentation this one, and the bait and lead had separated nicely on hitting the bottom” 82
Rig Ingredients
needs to be out of harm’s way, but
• Adaptive Camo leadcore
personally I feel that the majority
• Fox Rigidity Stiff Link material
of the time the hooklink section
• Blowback ring
only needs to be a couple of inches
• Fox Tapered bore beads
long to give it a more natural
• Arma Point SR hook
presentation. Anything over 3ins
• Exocet lead
is too long in most situations.
Crafty Carper
079-083_UnderwaterRev_CC182.indd 4
10/09/2012 14:34
Underwater Revelations Rob Hughes
5
Coated Braid Boilie Rig
Rob’s Findings
Perfect for: presentation
Upon first inspection this rig looked
6
Stocking Mesh Bag Rig
Rob’s Findings
Perfect for: short to middle
The mesh bag gave a great
distance angling on most bottoms,
presentation and pile of food in
especially over silt/light weed.
a similar way to the solid PVA
over relatively clean, hard
pretty good. The idea with the long
lakebeds or low-lying weed.
hooklink is to hold the bait up out of
Rob: This is a real quick and easy
quite long, did float up a little
the way of any bottom weed/debris
setup, and something that is great
and was curved round. The whole
Jerry: This is my favourite setup
by way of a Hi Riser nugget, and then
for speed fishing. I love fishing solid
rig sat well and the lead clip
for fishing bottom baits, wafters or
once the nugget dissolves, the bait
bags, but in the rain, or where you
system ensured that the lead
Snowman hookbaits over clean, firm,
sinks to the bottom without being
want to get the rods out quickly
remained flat on the bottom and
weed-free lakebeds when I’m boilie
dragged in by the lead. It landed well
after a bite, stocking mesh bags
was unobtrusive, so once again
fishing. The shrink-tubed size LS hooks
but I feel its presentation benefited
are ideal. They can be used with
the rig was a good choice for the
always seem to get me good hookholds
from the fact that the weed was
virtually any rig, be it a stiff or
bottom we were fishing over.
because I tend to fish the rig fairly
low and quite crisp. If it was softer
supple hooklink material, pop-ups
long – in excess of 12ins. I believe that
or longer the heavy hookbait would
or bottom baits, in-line or pendant
Rob’s Proposed Changes
the addition of an anti-tangle sleeve
have sunk in, thus affecting its
leads, and can be used as bags,
A shorter link and maybe a little
really helps to kick out the hooklink,
presentation. The braided link rose up
sticks or even stringers. One of
more putty would have made
as long as the cast is feathered or
a little but not so much as to cause a
the great things with mesh bags
this a superb presentation, as
the clip is hit. In this instance I opted
problem, and the bait fell very close
is that they help prevent tangles,
opposed to just a very good one.
for a PVA nugget over the hookpoint,
to the lead, as it will almost always
particularly when using supple
and I was really intrigued to see
do with this type of presentation.
braids such as Reflex. They keep
Rob’s Conclusions
the rig and line separated in flight,
This was a most interesting test.
Rob’s Proposed Changes
and if you want to get a bit more
There are so many rigs available
A lighter more-balanced hookbait
technical then the bags can actually
that you can sometimes tie yourself
Rig Ingredients
would be preferable in the event
be balanced with foam nugget,
in knots when deciding which ones
• Size 6 LS hook
that the weed is deeper or softer.
creating a lovely parachute effect.
to use. With the six rigs that we
• 20lb Two Tone hooklink
Additionally, an extra blob of putty
The only downside with them is
looked at you can cover virtually
• Medium sinkers
on the hooklink would ensure that
that they cannot be cast as far or
every situation, from long-range
• Anti-tangle sleeve
it all sank, as opposed to floating
as accurately as a solid bag, so they
boilie fishing to short-range
• 3oz in-line lead
up. As a guide, put a blob every 3ins
aren’t really a long-range method.
technical situations such as hefty
• Medium shrink tube
or so to ensure it stays down.
whether this rig would fully separate or whether it would loop back on itself.
bag. However, the link, being
weed, safe in the knowledge that Rig Ingredients
you know how they behave. With
• Lead clip
a little bit of tweaking the rigs can
• Snare or Coretex hooklink
be adapted to suit other situations
• Quick-change swivel
or to spice them up a bit, e.g. a
• Arma Point
pop-up and Withy Pool sleeve
• SSSP hook
on the Helicopter Rig, but as a
• Medium
starting point one of these babies
shrink tube
covers virtually any situation you
• Anti-tangle sleeve
find yourself in, so there is no need for any confusion with what to use and where. LEFT A
typical Brasenose Two double for Rob.
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83 10/09/2012 14:35
Up Your Game Ian Russell
METHOD FEEDERS
If you don’t have a Method feeder in your tackle box you obviously wouldn’t be fishing it, so it’s definitely an essential item! BRAIDED HOOKLINKS
When fishing the
Dos and Don’ts
to find the Method feeder/ball and
Method I always
A massive DO is to actually pull your
mop it up along with the hookbait;
opt for a soft
finger out and fish using the Method;
you’re fishing for a bit at a time.
braided hooklink
don’t be lazy because of the fact you
material, and also
can’t be bothered to knock up a quick
there are possibly only a couple that
my rigs are always kept pretty
and easy mix to mould around the
I can think of off the top of my head,
short when I’m fishing like this.
feeder. Another DO is to use tiny little
and the first one is DON’T make the
braided hooklinks, preferably with a
pellet mix too hard and as stiff as
the Method and don’t be lazy!
HOOKBAITS
balanced hookbait. Using such a short
concrete. I’ve done it myself in the early
BELOW Small
Of course you need
hooklink means
hookbaits, and
that you don’t
when fishing the
necessarily have to
Method I tend to
push the hookbait
opt for balanced
into the mix around
baits, whether
the feeder, because
it’s imitation corn or
with it being short
a fluoro wafter, or sometimes a
and the ball of bait around the feeder
being attacked by the fish, and
standard 10mm or 12mm boilie.
being wide, there’s no chance of it
they’re bumping it and knocking it,
flicking behind the feeder and tangling
trying to eat the food particles that
PELLETS, HEMP AND CORN
up. Personally, I prefer to bed mine into
obviously haven’t broken down due
These are the main
the ball. Another DO on my list is to
to how hard you’ve made it. DON’T
food items for
get as much food as possible into the
use stiff hooklinks either, as I’ve
the Method mix
mixture because you want to create
found that they tend to work against
that’s going to be
a feeding situation around the feeder
you, and can kick out from the baited
moulded around
just like a solid PVA bag situation. The
feeder a little too much when it has
the feeder. The
final DO is to use as many attractors
broken down a little, or if a fish has
corn is a great addition
as possible because you want them
moved it and broken up the mix.
When it comes to the negatives,
“Get as much food as possible into the mixture because you want to create a feeding situation around the feeder just like a solid PVA bag”
stages of fishing the Method;
ABOVE Use
braided hooklinks and a balanced bait as hookbait are the perfect combination.
you can make the mix so hard that the bobbins are dancing due to the feeder
and adds a bit of colour too. OILS AND POWDERS
1
2
When making up the Method mix to mould around the feeder, it’s always a good idea to put in a few of your own additives. These could be sunflower oil, chilli oil,
1 Get as many food items as possible in the mix.
hemp oil – the options are endless. I also like the Sonubaits Flavour
2 Attractors are the key to a successful Method mix.
Shaker powdered additives. SMALLER HOOKS
I always want a hook
3
3 A stiff or hard pellet mix will result in it all falling off. 3 Stiff hooklink materials are a massive no-no!
size that’s a little more discreet when fishing the Method because it’s got to be concealed within the mix that’s around the feeder. Size 12 is perfect for the job.
4 88
Crafty Carper
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06/09/2012 16:01
Up Your Game Ian Russell
Common Errors
which featured fishing the Method and
Quashing Myths
I see common errors with Method
it was more of a comedy of errors. My
I’ve said this before about specific
fishing all the time, and it’s mainly the
mate and I were watching someone at
methods (excuse the pun), and the
fact that anglers tend to make their
a BCAC final, and it was obvious he’d
one I love to hear is ‘it doesn’t work
mix too stiff. But at the same time you
got his mix wrong because about 10
here.’ Well it does! Again, I relate this
can also make it too soft to actually
feeders dropped their contents in the
to the solid bag method – you tell me
punch out on the cast. It then ends up
swim behind him before he managed to
how many fish you see being caught
staying in the swim,
using a solid PVA bag. It’s the same
but on the ground
“When he did manage to get the mix compressed a little better around the feeder, he gave it a big chuck and the rod snapped!”
cast out. Then when he did manage to get
concept. People will always try to
were lifeless. Some also say that
behind you rather than
put you off it because it’s simple to
it’s really only a match-fishing
out in front. It’s simple
use a stick mix and attach the mesh
method, but it’s not solely for that
enough to rectify by
to the hook. The Method does work,
at all. It catches carp, enough said!
adding a little extra
and I’ve yet to go to a venue where
If you have someone tell you that
warm water and some
it doesn’t. I’ve already admitted
the Method doesn’t work on a
more pellets to help
that I don’t use it often, but Phil
water just because nobody uses
tack it all together. There’s an art to
behind the bushes because the air was
Da Silva and I won a BCAC qualifier
it, then that’s the first thing to
making up a Method mix; there’s a fine
blue, but we couldn’t do anything but
at Farlows some years back when
try; you’re being different yet still
line between success and failure, but if
smile. He looked as though he could
using it. We fished a Method into a
using a highly effective angling
you get the mix wrong it can usually be
have killed someone, so it was time to
hole in some weed with one rod, and
method. Quickly knock up a bucket
rectified, and with a little practice you’ll
exit the area whilst trying extremely
managed 11 fish off the spot, while
of food, ramp it up with some
excel at it. I know I’m talking about
hard not to chuckle. It was priceless,
the other rods on different methods
liquid additives, and go catch ’em!
common errors, but I have one story
absolutely priceless!
the mix compressed a little better around the feeder, he gave it a big chuck and the rod snapped!! Well, we had to go and hide
Tactical Recommendations
For a tactical recommendation I’ve got to use one which I’ve actually seen used on here (Oxlease) in the past. The guy in the next swim, Craig, who, incidentally, is also a northerner and a great bloke, was fishing the Method. What he was doing was putting around six balls of his mix out with a catapult, in the general area of his feeder, thus creating a feeding situation to make the fish drop their guard. All I’d recommend doing though, is making up the base of the mix again but without all the liquid and powder attractants, so that the ball on the actual feeder is more potent. In theory you are creating a spodded area without actually spodding, and the fish see each of the balls as food sources and drop their guard slightly, until they get nailed.
LEFT Making up more balls of the mix creates the perfect feeding situation. It’s like spodding without using a spod!
LEFT AND RIGHT With two more fish in quick succession, it was myth well and truly quashed!
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THREE OF THE BEST We put Shropshire carp ace Ellis Brazier on the spot, and we wanted to know his top rig presentations to cover all carp-fishing situations.
ANGLER PROFILE
Ellis Brazier ........................... Age 40 ........................... Hometown
Shrewsbury ........................... Occupation
FireďŹ ghter ........................... UK PB
39lb 4oz ........................... Favourite venue
Hawkstone Park ........................... Rods
JRC J2 ........................... Reels
Shimano Biomaster XTA ........................... Alarms
JRC Radar
110
Crafty Carper
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07/09/2012 15:11
Three of the Best
Ellis Brazier
C
hoose a bottom bait rig, a pop-up rig and either a Zig or surface presentation that
you’d rely on to catch a carp if your life depended on it! That was the teaser the ed. posed to me recently, and I must say, I didn’t find this question too difficult to answer. Here are the rigs that I always have in my armoury and the ones that have got me out of trouble more times than I care to remember.
#1
Snowman Rig My number one choice has
to be the simple but devastatingly effective Snowman Rig; this is
ABOVE Essential items for
without doubt the first rig I would
Ellis’ Snowman Rig.
tie on in nearly every situation, with complete confidence. OK,
This rig can be fished with all
it’s not strictly a straight bottom
manner of hooklength material
bait rig because it features
and styles of hook, but my
a buoyant pop-up on top of a
favourite has to be a medium
bottom bait, but time and time
(8ins) to long (12ins) length of
again I have tried to better this
strippable coated braid, with the
setup, and every time I change,
hinge or stripped piece matched
I end up going back to this most
to the size of carp I’m angling for,
basic but deadly of presentations.
i.e. I tend to use longer hooklinks for
The mechanics of the rig that stand out and make this presentation so effective are numerous. The way in which a balanced pop-up on top of
larger fish, and vice versa. My hook ABOVE The rig that I turn to before
any other – simple and effective.
choice is a super-sharp Owner Carp Liner, but no matter which hook I use, I always have a shrink tube kicker to
the bottom bait causes the rig to sit
the business end. As with any semi-
aid the turning of the hookpoint; I’m
is, without doubt, one of the main
buoyant bottom bait presentation,
sure this is a major contributing factor
attractions. A Snowman setup is,
the hook weight is negated to assist
to the success of the rig,
of course, not a pop-up but more of
in the hookbait behaving much more
a primed bottom bait, balanced to perfection and ready to waft up and be engulfed by even the most wary of carp. If the Hair is given enough free movement from the
“If the Hair is given enough free movement from the shank of the hook, the baits will naturally sit on top of the hook, aiding in the concealment of the business end”
shank of the hook,
Notable captures are far too
like any other free
numerous to mention because I’ve
offering in the close
used this rig for the best part of 25
vicinity. A prebaited
years now. If I had to name two though,
bottom bait that
I would pick an early-’90s 4-month
the carp recognise
winter campaign that produced over
as a food source
120 double-figure fish for me, including
can be confidently
the biggest carp in the water. More
cast out with the
recently, the rig helped me in the
wonderful edge of
downfall of the two big commons
a coloured topper
from Mangrove and Birch Grove.
the baits will naturally sit on top of
of your choice to assist in the
the hook, aiding in the concealment of
highlighting of the hookbait, an edge that I’m sure picks up more quick bites than any standard bottom baits.
BELOW 17 years apart, these two
captures prove how long this rig has been doing the business for me.
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