Underwater Revelations Rob Hughes
B
ite indication – arguably one of the most important and yet least understood
areas of our angling. But do you really know what is giving you the best indication, and are you using the right tool for the job? Over the last few years, particularly in the UK, there has been a trend to fish light bobbins with slack and semi-slack lines in an attempt to disguise the setup and encourage the fish to feed. In Europe, primarily as a result of the size of the waters and the windier conditions, there is a preference for swingers that provide a more stable setup and don’t register false bleeps. Opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to indicator choices, but are either of these setups always the correct choice for the job in hand?
RIGHT The current trend is for slack lines and light bobbins, but is this efficient for your angling? BELOW The swinger is still king on the Continent.
ABOVE Slack lines can actually be a hindrance and give the fish enough slack to be able to shake the hook. BELOW With a tight line, hooking is aided and the fish doesn’t have much chance to rid the hook.
Past Experience
Through many years of diving, and in particular, testing both my own setups and those of some of the best anglers in the UK, I have seen a pattern emerging with regard to indication. Through this feature I’d like to dispel a few myths and have a look at which setup gives the best indication, and also which type of indicator anglers
like “A little lubs, al golf c individu been rs have indicato ecific for a sp d e n ig s de them in d using n a , e s inder purpo y may h a w g n o your the wr han help ing rather t ister s of reg e c n a h c a bite”
should use for a particular fishing style. Most people have one set of indicators, which they use for the
chances of registering a bite. It’s the
majority of their fishing, be it under
same with lead choice and Bolt Rigs;
the tips or out in the pond, but a little
I think those new to carp fishing may
like individual golf clubs, indicators
have possibly missed the point of some
have been designed for a specific
setups because they weren’t around
purpose, and using them in the wrong
during their inception, and therefore
way may hinder rather than help your
don’t fully understand why they work.
38
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Underwater Revelations Rob Hughes
Slack Line versus Tight Line
FAR LEFT A slack line, with
The first thing I’d like to look at is
the use of leadcore, is pinned to the bottom…
the compromise between slack and tight lines. Many would have you
LEFT & BELOW …whereas a tight line, coupled with leadcore, rises off the bottom, as you can see.
believe that slack lines are the best for indication because the indicator shows bites more easily on a slack line than a tight line. I disagree, and feel that this is just fashion! In numerous tests I have looked at anglers’ indication and measured how far I can move their rig before a bite is registered at the alarm. I do the same test all the time, picking up the hookbait and moving directly away from the rod with it. The majority of the time I am able to move the hook a distance of around 50-60cm before I feel the resistance of the angler striking the rod; there doesn’t seem to be a lot of difference between slack and semi-slack lines,
the hook should it violently shake its
in the first place? True, the contact
so that it can be seen better in the
but there is a significant difference
head. In my humble opinion, a tight
will be more direct when playing
photographs, because taking pictures
with very tight lines, particularly when
line restricts this chance because the
the fish, but when anglers use it for
of line underwater is quite tricky. You
using braid. It’s fair to say that the
line is tight and the fish has less to
better indication it is quite simply
will notice that on a tight line it does
bobbin can move further on a slack
play with. When using a slack line,
of no benefit if it is fished slack.
rise off the bottom, whereas with a
line than a tight one, but that’s quite
we know from experience that it has
The best indication I have ever
slack line it lies flat, therefore is much
simply because it can travel further
approximately 50-60cm of movement
seen was when testing a bowstring-
less visible. The deeper the water and
because of the slackness in the line
to rid itself of the hook before you get
tight braided line that was being
the closer in you are fishing, the more
and it has little impact on indication.
indication. If the line is already tight,
fished with a heavy lead and a
obvious this is, because it will rise more
then the bobbin can’t move because it
springer. As soon as the lead moved,
steeply off the bottom. A long-range
Rig setup rather than using a running
is already in the position that a slack
the springer bounced back, and the
shallow lake is much more suited to
rig and slack line (which is the old-
line gets into when it is tightened. A
fish would have been hooked.
tight lining than a short-range deep
fashioned style of getting indication
tight line can aid the actual hooking
when a fish has picked up the bait and
of the fish, and the very fact that
The Problem With Tight Lines
is at the same angle as the slope. One
is moving off with it). The Bolt Rig
it’s already tight means that the
Whilst tight lines are generally more
of the ways to combat this particular
uses the weight of the lead to hook
resistance from the tight line comes
effective at indication than slack, and
problem is with the use of what I call a
the fish and cause it to bolt off – hence
into play much earlier, giving the fish
also for hooking the fish and keeping
‘spook leader’, in this instance a short
its name. The more resistance there
no slack to use to throw the hook.
it on the hook, there is, of course, a
length of Illusion fluorocarbon line,
compromise. If you are fishing a tight
1-2m in length, which becomes almost
Much of the time anglers use a Bolt
one, unless it is very steep and the line
is at this point, the better the hooking
One of the things that does have
arrangement, because the whole point
an effect is stretch, and for me, a tight
line, the chances are that it will be
invisible on the bottom of the lake.
of a Bolt Rig is to provide enough
line that is stretching is actually an aid
much more visible than a slack one
When opting for a tight line, a leadcore
resistance to cause the fish to bolt, by
to hooking, rather than a hindrance. A
because it rises up off the bottom
leader is not the best choice because
which time the hook should be safely
stretching line takes longer to show
close to where the bait is, whereas
it will be very obvious and defeats the
embedded in the mouth. When fishing
indication, but unlike a slack line, it
a slack one, especially if fishing with
object of why you are using leadcore in
a slack line, the fish bolts from the
is actually helping to hook the fish
leadcore or a heavy leader, will sink
the first place, i.e. to sink the line near
weight of the hook but doesn’t feel the
during this process. Braid is known to
flat on the bottom. To illustrate this
the lead onto the bottom of the lake,
resistance of the line or reel until the
have much less stretch than mono,
point I’ve taken pictures of a slack
and you need a slack line to do that!
line has tightened completely. Fishing
thus giving indication very quickly, but
and a tight line on the bottom of the
like this is relying solely on the weight
incredibly, I see some anglers fishing
lake in 3m of water depth, fished
Sinking the Line and Obstacles
of the lead to hook the fish, and it can
braided lines slack. Surely this defeats
approximately 50m out from the bank.
If you prefer to use a slack line and
actually be used by the fish to throw
the indication benefit of using braid
I used a dark leadcore-type material
sink it down, it is important to make sure that you do it properly. In an ideal
BELOW An Illusion leader is perfect
world we would have a long shooting
for its camouflage properties.
leader where the end nearest the lead is heavier than the end nearest the rod. That way the line will sink from the lead backwards, which is the correct way to do it. Many anglers sink their line by casting out then dipping their rod tip under the surface and tightening up before slackening off again. That will sink the line from the rod end as well, which means that the line may well be on the bottom close to the rod, but off the bottom
ABOVE Weedbeds can create a hinge
ABOVE I was caught out recently
effect because the line lies on top of them. You may think you’re fishing tight, but you’re not.
fishing a solid bag; when I went in to dive the spot, the lead had moved substantially, as you can see.
further out. This brings me nicely on to my next point – obstacles. If there are obstacles, such as weedbeds, between
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ANGLER PROFILE
ANGLER PROFILE
Kev Hewitt ........................... Age 28 ...........................
Mark Bartlett ........................... Age 27 ...........................
Hometown
Hometown
Occupation
Occupation
UK PB
UK PB
Favourite venue
Favourite venue
Rods
Rods
Reels
Reels
Alarms
Alarms
Swindon, Wiltshire ........................... Cotswold Angling employee ........................... 44lb 12oz ........................... Linch Hill ........................... E-S-P Sniper ........................... Daiwa Tournament ........................... Fox MMXR
Yatton, Somerset ........................... Fishery owner ........................... 39lb 8oz ........................... Linear Fisheries ........................... Fox Horizon XT ........................... Fox 12000s ........................... Fox NTXr
W
This month the boys are in Kent; can they manage to carry on their impressive run of form and catch again whilst on feature for The Session? This is the final article of the series, so will they go out on a high?
ith hard frosts up and down
the boys in session as they attempt
Lake Four, whilst Bart is more eager
with a good number of 30lb+ fish, the
the country, this month
to get the better of the conditions
and arrived just after dark the previous
lake seems very clear, indicating that
is going to be a challenge
and put a fish on the bank. It’s not
evening. As he arrived the lake was
the carp are moving around very little.
for the West Country session boys as
going to be easy, but I have every
starting to freeze over and he had to
they venture east to Kent, the Garden
confidence that they will succeed.
smash a channel through the cat ice in
Sunday 10.00 a.m.
the margins to enable him to get his
With nothing occurring on Lake Four,
of England. Kev and Bart decide to tackle the impressive Orchard Place
Sunday 8.00 a.m.
rods out. It seems all is quiet on Lake
Bart winds in and the lads take a stroll
Farm complex, and with eight lakes to
I rock up to Orchard Place Farm and
Four; nothing has been out for a while
around the impressive complex. It would
choose from, surely they’ll be able to
both Kev and Bart are already here. Kev
and Bart and Kempy didn’t receive a
appear that none of the lakes have been
get a bite or two – or will the big freeze
hasn’t long since arrived and is chatting
carpy indication between them. Despite
fishing very well during the past week
scupper their best-laid plans? I join
to his mate Kempy, who’s fishing on
Lake Four having a good head of carp,
and nothing has been out all weekend.
62
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The Session
Kev Hewitt and Mark Bartlett
After much deliberation, the boys
Sunday 3.00 p.m.
PVA bags of maggots, 10mm boilies and
upbeat and keen to get a bend in their
decide to move from Lake Four to Lake
The lads have had their rods out in Lake
pellets, trying to search out a bite and
rods. Their motivation is infectious
Eight because it has a good head of
Eight for a few hours now and haven’t
figure out what the carp want to eat.
and their enthusiasm for catching carp
doubles, a number of 20s and a couple
seen any signs of carp. The temperatures
of 30s. It’s obvious that it’s going to be
are near freezing and a brisk biting
Sunday 10.00 p.m.
recasting their bags and searching
a struggle on any of the lakes, but Lake
wind sends a chill right through me. Out
It’s extremely cold, and it seems like
out different spots. There are plenty
Eight had been fishing the best up until
comes the kettle, right on cue. Kev and
Kev and Bart are the only people mad
of islands to cast to, so the lads try
a week previous. There was also more
Bart have set up in the middle of the
enough to be out in these conditions.
fishing tight to the islands, as well as
colour in the water, which suggested
lake, which gives them lots of options.
They are the only anglers on the whole
at the bottom of the island shelves,
to the lads that the fish may well be
With it being so cold, both Kev and Bart
complex! Although it is cold enough to
but still haven’t received
more active and stirring up the bottom.
are regularly casting around with small
clear the complex, the boys are very
so much as a liner.
is second to none. They are regularly
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One Rig Only
featuring Mark Hogg
Why Not the Naked Chod?
from other anglers that people had
Since a recent change of lake, I
started counting the times they had
have gone back to using a rig that
been done rather than the number
I used maybe 5 years ago. The rig
of carp they had put on the bank in
in question was chosen due to it
a year. I found this unbelievable; I
outwitting some rarely caught carp.
was using a rig that had caught me
With the lake change I found myself
umpteen carp in recent months on a
in a similar position, where I was
lake only yards away. This couldn’t
getting done over by some crafty fish.
be happening to me, could it? I
The first evidence of this was whilst
lifted the rod and realised that the
using the Naked Chod. I received one
suspicious roach liner was, in fact,
single bleep and passed it off as a
a 27lb mirror known as The Parrot.
liner from one of the many roach and
I had been very lucky to learn a
rudd that inhabit the lake’s margins.
valuable lesson so early in my quest
It wasn’t until I received another
to catch the lake’s residents. The
single bleep an hour later that I knelt
tackle box was pulled from under the
by the rods and watched the lines
bedchair and a 360 Rig was tied.
drop from the rod tip; the line lifted an inch and stayed there. I had heard
BELOW I like my freebies to be
identical to the hookbait.
My History with the 360 Rig I first started using the 360 Rig about 5 years ago. I was fishing a
ABOVE The MBT 360 hook from
JRC was designed specifically for this rig. Bonus!
lake that had a stock of carp that
because they’d treat the area with
had seen it all; they were old fish
suspicion. I trawled through the
and very educated when it came
piles of magazines I had hoarded
to getting away with it. I needed a
over the years and found the 360
rig that gave me a greater chance of hooking any carp that tried my hookbait
“I needed a rig that gave me a greater chance of hooking any carp that tried my hookbait”
just once. If
Rig demonstrated by Dave Lane. As soon as I saw it I was intrigued; it worked well and gave
the rig didn’t hook the fish on
a great degree of movement.
the first attempt, then the fish
I tied one up and knew that
would be away and not come back
it had to be a winner.
Rig Mechanics Since first using the 360 Rig some years ago, I have been fortunate enough to receive the backing of Taska, and I knew that some of their rig components would be ideal for tying up the 360. The rig works on a variety of movable parts, and some of the Taska products would enhance this element even more. The rig gets its name from the hook arrangement; the hook isn’t tied to the hooklink but is threaded through the eye of a Size 11 big-eyed swivel. This gives the hook 360 degrees of movement within the swivel, and no matter which angle the fish takes
Having the hook through a swivel gives it a full 360 degrees of movement.
the rig from, the hook always turns when the fish tries to eject the
with the 360 Rig in mind, but surely
attention, because where the eye is
the components against the buoyancy
baited hook. I always use 5-10mm
it will be useful for other rigs.
formed there is often a gap, so, in my
of a pop-up. No shot or weights are
of separation from the ring that runs
I have found that the best hook to
opinion, shrink tube needs to be put
used to hold the pop-up down – the
along the hook to the bait. This can
use with the 360 is the JRC MBT 360; it
over this gap. The reason for this is
hook, swivels and tungsten ring
be achieved by tying either a slightly
works perfectly with the rig that it was
that when the fish is in the net the
stops should be enough. The only
longer Hair that the bait is attached
initially designed for. Unfortunately,
hook has a tendency to snag; shrink
weights I do add are a couple of small
to, or by using a threaded bait
this hook has been discontinued, so
tubing the gap with a 3mm piece of
baseline tungsten sinkers along
screw incorporating a micro swivel
a change to some gnarlier patterns
tubing stops this from happening
the hooklink, but this is purely to
(soon to be released by Taska). This
may be needed. The eye of any hook
and ensures that it is 100% safe.
keep the coated braid pinned to the
was designed by Taska specifically
used with the 360 needs special
108
The rig works by critically-balancing
lakebed and out of harm’s way.
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One Rig Only
featuring Mark Hogg
ONE RIG ONLY
Hookbait Choice Bait size is critical with the 360 Rig. I
TIE UP HOGGY’S TRUSTY 360 RIG
find that a smaller 12mm bait works
Like the look of the 360 Rig? Here’s how to tie it...
far more efficiently than a 16mm version; the smaller bait also allows the balancing to be fine-tuned. The bait should sit coming off the top of the hook, and this is done by positioning the tungsten rig stops on the hook. The first one should be positioned in the bend of the
1
hook and the other further down the
Take a length of your chosen coated hooklink and tie it to the large ring of the swivel, like so.
shank, opposite the hookpoint. The bottom stop is critical. If positioned too low the hook can sit the wrong
2 Take the hook through the smaller eye of the swivel.
way up, rendering the rig useless. The hook should sit with just the eye touching the lakebed. I cannot stress enough the balance of the components against the buoyancy of the pop-up. Take the time to get it right and the rig is devastating.
A 12mm cork ball popup seems to balance the rig just right.
3 Put a rig stop on the shank of the hook, followed by a bait ring and another rig stop, like this.
Using the Rig to Its Full Potential
4 Two tungsten sinkers are then threaded onto the hooklink material.
The rig is, in my mind, one of the best rigs out there and somewhat underused. The fish has so many obstacles to overcome when trying to eject the rig that I would say it’s near impossible to eject. I also opt for a running lead setup using a 2oz Gripper lead, just to try to give the fish another hurdle to overcome.
5 ABOVE A small gripper-type lead
on a Running Rig is my choice.
Now attach the bait by simply screwing it onto the bait ring.
6 Finally, take 2-3mm of shrink tubing and steam it over the eye of the hook.
My Success Using The 360
the rig the coated hooklink pushes
I’ll give a few examples of my own
away from the lead setup, and the
make up some Nutrabaits Plum &
doing something right. Winter was
ideas on where to fish the rig by
nuggets of foam on the surface also
Caproic cork balls in 12mm for me.
approaching fast and work was still
explaining the water I am currently
give a sight marker to bait around.
These were perfect for the job,
busy, meaning I couldn’t spend as much
and gave me the confidence that
time at the lake as I had hoped, but I
targeting. The lake is very dense with
The margins were also used
I had John Hallet at Rollin’ Baits
anglers were confirming that I was
onion weed in places, and the fish
frequently by the carp, as patrol routes
the rig would maintain its position
know for sure that the ever-faithful rig
were definitely using these areas
from the top end of the lake to the
for 48 hours, or more if needed.
will certainly work again when I return
but feeding on cleanly polished spots
bottom. The bottom of the shelf was
The first bite I had on the rig a week
in the spring. I just have to hope that
within it. The areas were small, and in
clean and an ideal place to ambush the
later was proof of its hooking qualities,
the lads on the lake don’t read Crafty
my mind too obvious to place a rig. The
carp with a single pop-up hookbait. The
when I received a one-toner. This was
Carper first. I’m sure they’ve got their
outside areas of these spots were ideal,
intimacy of fishing the close-in margin
something of a rarity on the lake due to
‘one rig only’ for this situation, which
with a light covering of chod. Casting to
spots was perfect and something the
the carp’s cute nature that I mentioned
just goes to prove that everyone has a
the clean areas and dragging the lead
carp didn’t seem to have come across.
previously. In the following few weeks I
different approach to carp fishing. As
These fish had
caught another three carp, the biggest
I have mentioned, I am not a one-trick
been heavily
of the bunch being a twice-a-year
pony, and every lake I visit has its own
pressured in
fish at 34lb, and the word
characteristics that need addressing
previous years
around the lake was that
with different approaches, but if
and were, in my
I was doing OK. Good
there was a rule stating you were
BELOW The Parrot at 27lb,
then it would be the 360. I would
back ensured that the lead setup was in the chod out of sight. The rig works best over clean or lightly chodded areas; the
“The margins were also used frequently by the carp, as patrol routes from the top end of the lake to the bottom”
opinion, very wary of beds of
reason for this is that there are many
bait, so the single hookbait approach
components within the rig, and if these
with six or seven identical freebies
are masked by weed or heavy chod
fed at 2yd intervals up and down the
it certainly hinders its performance. I
marginal shelf was the perfect baiting
normally foam up all these key areas
pattern for the 360. The carp only
with PVA foam nuggets before the
needs to make one mistake with the
cast. This takes away any doubt that
360, and that is simply to try the bait.
the rig isn’t presented right, and also
Tight multiple baiting doesn’t increase
gives you a little time to pull the rig
the chances of a fish; the chances
into position and straighten everything
are that a carp would suss the rig
out. When the PVA detaches from
before getting the chance to try it.
only allowed to use just one rig, and I thought it was a liner from a roach.
just have to find the areas of every lake in which to fish it efficiently. CC
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Pt2
IAN STOTT We left Ian last month just as he’d finished a hugely successful session on Elstow. He was about to head back home to pick up some boilies and go straight off to Wellington Country Park, so we’ll let him take up the rest of the story.
Welly Bound
T
he plan was to get home, have a quick shower, and pick up some boilies before making the
100-mile journey down to Wellington Country Park in Berkshire. It was whilst driving on the M4 that I got a text from a friend telling me he had a 44lb mirror in the sack and that I should hurry up. I wasn’t that far away, and some 40 minutes later I pulled into the syndicate car park. The barrow was loaded up and I made my way round to my mate’s swim. On the way round I left my barrow in the Wides Swim and carried on round to the Grassy to do the pictures. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw how big it was – very short, deep, and broad across the shoulders; it was a cracking-looking carp, that’s for sure. After the carp was returned the kettle was fired up and we had a good chat, and I learned that there had been a few good carp showing around the area over the past couple of days. I made my way back to the Wides
ANGLER PROFILE
Swim, from where I had caught a few carp recently. Due to the inclement weather, the first thing I did was get the camp set up. On my way to Welly I had made a detour to pick up another spool of Gardner Mirage, so I got the rods out and respooled the line that
Ian Stott Age 48
had been ruined at Elstow. All the rigs needed to be changed over, and I sorted all three rods with a metre of
Hometown
St Neots
Occupation
Groundworker/ landscaper
BELOW The Peach & Pepper really is the one for me when it comes to attractive pop-ups.
UK PB
49lb 10oz Favourite venue
Elstow complex Rods
Harrison Torrix 13ft 3.5tc Reels
Daiwa Basia Alarms
Delkim Tx-i Plus
112
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Most Memorable Ian Stott
after hooking the fish, everything
boat doing battle with an unseen
locked up solid. I tried cranking the
monster, we heard a few bleeps come
pressure up and really laid into it, but
from my mate’s swim. What could we
it just wouldn’t budge. I put the rod
do? I apologised to him and carried on
back down in the rests and legged it
trying to get the carp to the surface.
round to the hole in the bush where
It was like trying to pull up a breeze
the boat was tied up. I also gave my
block that was being used as a plug.
mate a shout and told him I needed
ABOVE Some Sticky Vor-tex was scattered over the spots. LEFT The Gardner Chod hooks in Size 5 are a must for my Hinged Stiff Rigs.
Eventually the carp started to tire
his help. We soon had the life jackets
and I felt I was getting the upper hand.
on and made our way back over to my
It took another 10 minutes before
swim. Being out on the lake in a boat
a huge carp appeared on the lake’s
in the middle of the night was very
surface, and at last I managed to slip
spooky; there was also a strong wind,
the net under my prize. We made our
which did a good job of blowing us all
way back towards my swim as quickly
over the place. We were soon making
as possible because his alarm was still
our way out to where the carp was. I was gently pulling on the rod while my mate slowly got us
letting out the odd
“The needle steadily settled at 48lb 3oz, my new personal best for a common. Did I let out a little whoop? Damn bloody right I did!!”
bleep now and then. As soon as we beached the boat, my mate was off to
lake – they don’t half make an awful
closer with the oars.
noise. I checked my phone and it
I couldn’t feel a thing
showed that it was almost 1.00
through the rod and
a.m. I was just drifting back off
was unsure if the
when I heard a couple of bleeps; I
carp was even still attached. As we
everything ready for weighing the fish.
opened my eyes and saw that they
got above where we thought the carp
As I bit through the line and lifted the
had come from my left-hand rod.
was, I increased the pressure on the
net, I knew I had a very big fish and
rod and at last felt a couple of kicks
struggled up the bank with my prize.
rod absolutely tore off. I got my
from the fish as it started to move. We
It wasn’t until I had the carp on the
boots on and ran over to it pretty
were getting pulled all over the place,
unhooking mat that I realised it was
quickly. When I picked up the rod I
and I couldn’t do a thing with the carp
a bloody great big common. The fish
A few seconds later the same
his swim in a flash. I secured the net over the side of the boat before getting
leadcore. Two little Hinged Stiff Rigs
was shocked at the sheer power of the
as it showed us who was king in his
was unhooked and put in the weigh
were made up with Size 5 Gardner
carp and could only hold on and watch
environment. I had the rod fully hooped
sling and hoisted up onto the scales.
Covert Chod hooks. The third rod was
as it stripped line from the spool. I tried
over and a big ball of weed appeared
I watched gobsmacked as the needle
set up with a little rig that I have
to gain line, but every time I applied
on the surface, and my partner in
steadily settled at 48lb 3oz, my new
been playing around with recently.
pressure the carp would just power off,
crime reached over and pulled it off
personal best for a common. Did I
My hookbait choice was the awesome
taking yet more line from an already
my main line. The carp just didn’t want
let out a little whoop?
Sticky Peach & Pepper-flavoured
pretty tight clutch. Some 15 minutes
to come in, and as we both sat in the
Damn bloody right I did!!
16mm pop-up. One rod was cast at 85 yards towards an island, a spot that has produced a couple of good carp for me in the past. The middle rod was cast slightly further right into a silty gully. The third rod was tackled up with a small PVA stocking of 10 boilies attached to the rig before being cast to a spot at 70 yards. I continued to scatter half a kilo of 16mm Sticky Vor-tex boilies over all three rods, and then went back to the bivvy to get the kettle fired up once more for a much-needed coffee. During the course of the next few hours I saw three carp show in the area, which certainly helped boost my confidence levels. It was whilst trying to find my lighter that I came across the penny that I had found the previous day over at Elstow, and it had been joined by a 50 pence piece. I put both coins in my hand and hurled them into the lake, making a little wish as I did so. By 11 o’clock I could take no more and had to get some sleep; I’d only had about 6 hours’ sleep over the last couple of days, but once my head hit the pillow I was soon sound asleep. I was awoken a little while later by a couple of Egyptian geese that had landed on the
The Small Tailed Common at 48lb 3oz. What a way to start the session!
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Diary of an Everyday Carp Angler Julian Cundiff
Monday 3rd Despite having the day booked off work to go fishing, with temperatures down to -5 and snow in the air I decided to
“I have three waters very close to me, but with two still iced up, the third, albeit not ideal for time, would have to do”
save the day’s holiday and so I went to
their homes to interview them for Carp Fisher. So when a young lad called Matt Clarke asked me if he could interview me, I knew I should do my bit. I was back from work by
work. Both my local venues were solid,
6.00 p.m. and Matt was with me just
and with more to come I decided to
writing is not a problem for me, but
waters was ice-free. I have three
after 7.00. We chatted and I showed
reorganise my fishing diary from local
how can I write ‘just a chapter’ on
waters very close to me, but with two
him round my home, and then we did
to further afield. The larger southern
carp rigs when it once took Kevin
still iced up, the third, albeit not ideal
an interview that looked at my early
waters were less likely to freeze and
Maddocks and me a whole book to
for time, would have to do. I’d recently
years from 1976-’92. Yes, I am that old!
more likely to produce the goods, so
do it justice!! I did my best because
stocked up with some of Nashy’s Amber
it was time to get travelling again.
I was fishing the next day.
Strawberry Frozen 10mms and so
Sunday 16th
trickled some into the lake. Two were
With Thin Lizzy deciding to call it a
Friday 7th
Sunday 9th
fished on a single Hair, with paste
day, I didn’t want to miss out on the
Another hard week at work, but it was
I was up at 6.00 a.m. and the weather
wrapped round the Hair and hook to
last shows, and whilst I would love
treat night because I had tickets to
looked decidedly iffy. With the Jeep
stop tangles and add instant attraction
to see them in Australia with KISS
meet another one of my rock heroes,
white over I was hardly surprised
to the presentation. The water was
and Motley Crue, I thought Leeds was
Steve Vai (Whitesnake/Dave Lee Roth,
when I found my local water frozen,
gin-clear, and I found some carp in what
a little kinder on my wallet. We had
etc.) in Manchester. The journey over
and the next one too, and the canal
looked like a torpid state very close to
passes for the after show meet-and-
in swirling snow was not easy, but
as well. Flipping heck (or words to
some overhanging trees. I threw in a
greet, so Roz and I made our way to
after a stunning show I got to meet
that effect)! I hate getting up early
few pieces of the Strawberry paste, and
Leeds. The band was stunning, as
him and chat about guitar playing and
at weekends, especially getting up
they seemed to like it because they
always, with hits like Boys Are Back In
the like. An amazing yet humble guy,
early to have to go back to bed. Well,
were soon moving and then taking the
Town, Rosalie, etc. going down a storm.
and it was almost midnight before I
that’s life, and at times it is not fun.
bits. The rig was lowered in, and within
We got to meet the band afterwards
5 minutes I had a fish just as darkness
thanks to Lizzy management, Ace
left. With the M62 closed due to snow it took me almost 2½ hours to get
Monday 10th
was falling. The commotion must have
and Duff Press, and it was almost
home, so it was a very tired Jules that
Part of my job entails travelling round
spooked them because it was the only
2.00 a.m. when I turned the lights off at
climbed into bed in the early hours. At
North and West Yorkshire, so I was in
one I had, but a fish is a fish, and with
home, which was a problem, because…
times it is easy to think, ‘This can be
York, Northallerton and Harrogate all
the temperature hovering between
done another day,’ but mum taught
in one day! Thank goodness for the
0 and -1, any bite was a result.
me to live every day to the last, so
trains, but bearing in mind how many
I do. Over and out... zzzzzzzzzzzz.
of you work outside in the cold, I’m not
Friday 14th
I staggered downstairs to fuel up on
going to complain about my lot – much.
I tend not to do a lot of interviews,
coffee, orange juice, toast and vitamins,
but I do remember, as a young
ready for my trip to Drayton. With over
Saturday 8th
Monday 17th … my alarm went off at 4.15 a.m. and
The BCSG rigs chapter was due in
Tuesday 11th
keenie, stars like Andy Little, Chris
100 miles to go in the pouring rain,
at the end of the month, so the
It was just a half day at court and I
Ball, Kevin Maddocks and Kevin Nash
it took all my powers of motivation
bulk of it was completed. Normally,
was free, and luckily one of my local
being good enough to invite me to
to do it, but I did. I arrived just after
(3) (4)
(4) 124
(5)
(6)
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Diary of an Everyday Carp Angler Julian Cundiff
6.30 a.m. and was first in the queue before a few others started to arrive at 6.45 a.m. I’d been told that the water had been frozen, but some fish
“Luckily they released Roz and she was soon safe at home, so I managed to sneak in a quick session”
had been caught from the sailing club
Tuesday 25th Happy Christmas it truly was. Roz felt good enough to eat her meal, so we had a wonderful family day at dad’s. Home later that night and time to
Boards Swim, so the Nash barrow was
watch the Korda Underwater 7 DVD
pushed gingerly over the frozen boards.
Clearly we weren’t on the fish because
As it was Christmas I did give in
and relax. All I can say is well done
It was slippy, icy, and I was wearing
a lad to my right had nothing at all, but
and spent £6 on the TV hook-up for
Ali Hamidi and co., and what a great
moon boots – not good for stability.
at least I’d gritted my teeth and done
her. I know, I know, I’m going soft.
adventure it was. Certainly some
Luckily I didn’t fall in, and I soon had the
it when it would have been easier to
rods in position where I’d been told the
stay at home; sometimes the hardest
Sunday 23rd
but as always the carp really do
carp were holding up. Both rods were
bit about winter carp fishing is doing it.
Luckily they released Roz and she
have the upper hand, which, in a
fished at the 60-yard mark towards the
The new S5 Sirens performed well, and
was soon safe at home, so I managed
masochistic way, is really quite
boat with just single hookbaits (one a
with the latest HIM album to listen to
to sneak in a quick session (as you
nice. It’s not the answer to all our
Nash White Chocolate and one a Nash
on the way home, there are worse ways
do). I managed a nice double into
problems, but it makes you think.
Amber Strawberry) on ‘bomb-on-the-
to spend your time. Note to self – don’t
dark, but flipping heck, it was so cold!
end-of-the-line’ rigs. Because I wasn’t
put all your tactical eggs in one basket.
A trimmed-down Amber Strawberry
Saturday 29th
15mm frozen bait with a mesh bag
With the work week over it was time
of the changes made a difference,
going to be fishing at range I had only taken my middle distance gear with
Friday 21st
of crumb did the trick, and with
to sort out a new freezer for 2013. I’ve
15lb fluorocarbon as my main line. Duff
There’d been a week of heavy rain
cold hands it was time for home.
got one at dad’s but I need a freezer
joined me at 8.00 a.m. and we soon had
that flooded most of my local waters,
our rods in position and the coffee on.
so I was left with just one choice for
Monday 24th
on one big enough to accommodate
I expected a bite pretty soon, but with
Saturday’s hit-and-run session; a local
A manic day, and with Roz out of
as much Monster Squid and Amber
no action by 10.00 a.m. I tried to induce
one in the village. With the tackle
commission I made the 160-mile
Strawberry as I would ever need. With
action by Spombing out some Nash
prepared and plenty of the Nash
round trip to deliver her family
the freezer sorted and gym session
White Chocolate Soluballs soaked in
Amber Strawberry 10mms ready, I
presents to Middlesbrough, then
completed, I got the tackle ready for 24
milk. Nothing came of that either. Sadly,
was really looking forward to it – until
a dash to Eric’s Angling in Leeds
hours at Chestnut Pool. The Monster
due to the lack of a plan B, I didn’t have
the phone rang and Roz needed
to get my retiring boss his leaving
Squid was crumbed and the sweetcorn
my long-range gear, and with the wind
taking to the A&E in Doncaster. She’d
present (a Drennan Quiver Tip rod
liquidised. New rigs were tied up, a
in my face I was restricted to an arc of
had a bad tummy for a while, and I
and reel), and finally back to Selby
Titan Bivvy, rather than the Titan Brolly,
no more than 90 yards in front of me.
had threatened to take her in myself
for midnight mass at my mum’s old
was packed, and the last Carpworld
The lads on the dam wall had nothing
unless she got better, but it had taken
church, St James, with dad and Alison.
winter series piece was completed and
and the point area was sewn up. Duff
a turn for the worse and it was out
I climbed into bed at 2.00 a.m. after
emailed to Brian Skoyles. I was hoping
managed one at lunch and then another
of her hands. It was time to get a
almost 300 miles of driving. Happy
that the conditions would improve.
mid-afternoon. I tried Zigs, but it wasn’t
move on, and eventually she was in
Christmas! The fat man with the
The gales had caused havoc locally,
until 3.00 p.m. that one made a mistake,
A&E and then in the Royal Infirmary
white beard got a mince pie and
and more rain had once again flooded
and then another 20 minutes later.
for at least one night, maybe two.
a glass of wine for his troubles!
the roads. Come on, give us a break.
at home too, and eventually settled
(3) The
amazing Steve Vai, who once trod the boards with Whitesnake and Dave Lee Roth.
(4) It’s
Christmas! Time to unwrap my presents.
(5) It
was hard going, but action at last.
(6) First
blood to Duff, with Mark doing the honours. The joy of winter fishing – mud, glorious mud.
(7)
(6)
(8) Not
the best start to Christmas – I had to take Roz to hospital.
(8)
Pleasure Lake France (Formerly known as Castaway Lake 2)
Carp & cat Fishing in France, 11 acre lake Drive & survive, All facilities provided Individual price £180 Whole lake 7 anglers £1160
www.pleasurelakefrance.co.uk (7)
Telephone: 0033 (0) 555 809 662, Mobile: 0033 (0) 65 97 45 254 Email: janerbaker1@aol.com
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