Crafty Carper October 182

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Crafty Carper 079-083_UnderwaterRev_CC182.indd 5

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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89 06/09/2012 16:01

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

110-113_Ellis_CC182.indd 1

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.

Crafty Carper 110-113_Ellis_CC182.indd 2

111 07/09/2012 15:11

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10/09/2012 17:35