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No.189 May 2013 May 2013 | Issue 189 | £4.10
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TH 00 WOR ,0 2 £ R OVE R FROM OF GEA OOD & WYCHW NASH
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EXPERT TIPS FROM: Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
Mark Pitchers Mark Bartlett Steve Broad Tom Maker Tom Dove Ian Stott
On sale April 17th – May 22nd 2013
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Darrell Peck Plays The Numbers Game
Tie the Best Bag EVER!
Find out how Pecky divides his angling into percentages
Iain Macmillan shows you how
Tackle On Test: Fox Edges Range, Fortis Eyewear, Avid Transit X Barrow, Phat Fish Clothing and more!
001_Cover_CC189.indd 1
04/04/2013 16:41
Crafty Carper /// Issue 189 /// May 2013 /// www.craftycarper.co Front cover: Roy Russell with one of Linear Fisheries’ finest – the stunning Kempy’s Linear from Manor Farm.
What’s on this month’s cover...
CRAFTY COLUMNISTS
11
Editorial James Turner
62
48
The carping world is separated into those who have
winter, and tells you a bit about this
the front of the magazine. Pete Wilson takes
fished Linear Fisheries, and those who are going to
month’s free DVD from Richworth.
a look at the brand new bait featured in the
fish Linear Fisheries. Linear expert Roy Russell gives
film, and tells us what makes it so special.
some tips on how to fish these day ticket waters.
The Making of S-Core
Getting a Bite Around Linear Fisheries
Pete Wilson
Roy Russell
You can’t have failed to notice the free DVD on
This month our esteemed editor talks about the effects of our extended
157
Diary of an Everyday Carp Angler
Julian Cundiff Our Jules continues with
READER BOWLER FOR EVERY FEATURING MARTIN D DV TH OR HW RIC FREE
his own brand of carping, rocking, shows, and the inconvenience
No.189 May 2013
of a full-time job! This month he battles with the ice, and wins.
craftycarper.co May 2013 | Issue 189
| £4.10
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EXPERT TIPS FROM: HING! Get Crafty... GET CATC
Mark Pitchers Mark Bartlett Steve Broad Tom Maker Tom Dove Ian Stott
OUT & ABOUT
13
The Traveller Mark Bartlett
Our roving Team England star Mark heads down Oxford way and takes on one of his favourite venues at Linear Fisheries, setting his sight on some mighty Oxlease chunks.
86
TicketMaster We profile six of the best
venues from around the country, including free fishing at two top carp venues: The Islands Carp Fishery, Wiltshire, and Beedles Lake in Leicestershire.
On sale April 17th – May
22nd 2013
92
Hot Holiday Want to seek out warmer
climates? We flippin’ do, so that’s why we’ve headed to the Continent to the carpy waters of Cretelakes – five lakes, plenty of big carp – good times! INTERACTIVE
28
Crafty Catch Column
Darrell Peck Plays The Numbers Game craftycarper.co
sit X Barrow, Phat Fish
is Eyewear, Avid Tran
Edges Range, Fort Tackle On Test: Fox
whackers, kipperpotami, whatever you call your captures, send the pic to us, and if we like it, you’re in with the
Iain Macmillan shows you how
divides Find out how Pecky tages his angling into percen
%
Chunks, lumps, units, lunkers,
Tie the Best Bag EVER!
chance of a great Mainline Baits prize.
Clothing and more! 04/04/2013 16:41
71
The Question Is Messrs Smith, Adams,
Brazier, Callison, Merritt, and
dd 1
001_Cover_CC189.in
Forman answer this month’s carping conundrums, to help readers master
135
The Percentage Game Darrell Peck
What do you think is the most
6
99
Carpers’ Kit We take a look at some
of the new tackle items hitting
115
PVA Bag Masterclass
Iain Macmillan
the art of cyprinid hunting.
140
Competition – Nash Nash have supplied us
important part about your
the shelves, including a sneak
Iain Macmillan gives us the low-
angling? Is it watercraft, rigs, or
peek at Century’s new range,
down on getting the best from
Top bivvies to give away in this
casting accuracy? The big-fish
and Team Crafty give a list
solid bags, and reveals some of
fantastic competition. Looking for a
supremo breaks it down for us.
of their indispensable tackle
his little secrets to help coax a
new bivvy for the coming season?
items from the last month.
few more fish onto the bank.
Try your luck on page 140.
with a number of fantastic Double-
Crafty Carper
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Contents /// May 2013
144
Competition – Wychwood Wychwood have recently
released two new big pit reels in their
BEHIND THE SCENES AT CRAFTY CARPER
79
Highlights of the month…
Solace range of gear. We think they’re fantastic, and readers have a chance to bag a pair for themselves on page 144.
149
Subs Offer – Taska Fed up of heading to
the newsagent in the cold? Let us deliver your copy of Crafty straight to your door, and if you
Team Crafty at the BCAC
buy a year’s subscription, we’ll send
We’ve got a good record in the
you this fantastic Taska deal.
BCAC, with Kris and partner Graham Moyle making it to the
152
Inbox
final last year. We started this
Send us your letters, stories,
year with two BCAC newbies,
pictures, and we’ll print the ones we
Tom ‘Bovver’ Morrison and
like. Plus we’ve got some news stories
Marcus Barrowcliffe, who fished
from around the carping world, and
the Ladywood Lakes eliminator
our Robbo gives his thoughts on how
at the start of this month.
79
61
Sticky Baits’ Pure Krill has been
While we were
The Three-Water Challenge
us how he gives his bait a bit of
one of their biggest sellers, and
putting the
Rik Johnson
an extra kick using liquids; follow
now the krill goodness has been
mag together in
Prologic’s Rik Johnson was given the
his tips and it will help you put
stuffed into a brand new range of
the cold British
Crafty challenge of catching from three
some extra fish on the bank.
baits called simply ‘The Krill’.
weather, sales
96
CARPERS’ KIT
to make carping more fashionable.
Liquid Lunch Ian Stott
FEATURES
19
different types of waters on a day-only session. First up, Rik takes on a canal.
Big-fish master Ian Stott shows
24
Tom Maker
Sticky Baits: The Krill
Kris Ribière-bound
manger Kris was off
BYCAC 2013 It’s BYCAC’s 10th anniversary
Rigs Under the Spotlight
Carp Food Special
this year, and we were feeling a little nostalgic, so we caught up with 2005
105
chunk-hunting at the mighty
First Look
Domain de la Ribière in France.
Fox International
We think he was excited about
Fox have a new range of leader and
the trip – he only mentioned
Bagging machine, master of Brasenose
winner Tom Dove to see what effect
hooklink materials due for release
it to every single person he
One, and a star of the Fox team, Tom
winning had on his angling career.
in the near future. We were treated
spoke to the week before!!
Maker takes a look at his favourite PVA bag rig, which has helped him to bag literally thousands of fish.
121
Understanding Braid Team Crafty
Modern hi-tech lines are used all
33
The Great Crafty Debate
over the world, but many anglers
Going head-to-head in the
don’t understand why we use them.
to a look at the brand new Armadillo leader and Camotex hooklink braid.
107
In Focus Phat Fish
Phat Fish have a new range of
Crafty Carper House of Lords are Mark
Team Crafty tells you everything
waterproof clothing, which Leon
Hogg, Ellis Brazier, Iain Macmillan, Rob
you need to know about braid.
Bartropp has been favouring
Nunn, Mark Pitchers, and Lewis Read, who discuss the benefits of lead size.
37
Hookbait Buoyancy Adam Clewer
129
and give you our thoughts on
Calum Kletta
the DPM Jacket and Trousers.
Simon Crow called him ‘the next Terry Hearn’, and for good reason.
A pop-up bait is a massive weapon
Young Calum has a string of
for many anglers, but have you really
impressive captures to his name,
considered the effect buoyant baits have on presentation? Over to Rev. Clewer, who takes a closer look.
44
Crafty Carper Under-21s Isaac Johnson
recently. We take a closer look
Successful Zig Fishing
109
Crafty at Drayton Gavin Hill from Leicester sent
In Focus – Avid
in this catch pic for our Catch
Is your barrow given
Column pages. The 20lb 2oz fish
you gip? Does it fall over at the
was caught on a freezing night
and here he shows us how he
hint of uneven terrain? Well we can
session at Drayton Reservoir.
bags ’em in the upper layers.
recommend no better replacement
But this pic caught our eye
than the new Avid Transit X Barrow.
because if we’re not mistaken,
162
The Five-Minute Interrogation
Steve Broad
111
First Look – Fortis
that’s our esteemed editor setting up at the side of Mr Hill!
You might have seen
He was the runner-up in last year’s
Carpworld’s new editor Broady was
Jerry Hammond sporting some of
Jim Davidson
BYCAC, and impressed everyone with
subjected to 5 minutes of quick-fire
these bad boys. Fortis are new to
Interview
his skills and determination. Isaac
questions. He talks about tarpon fishing
the angling scene, and they’ve given
Unveiled
tells us about a fantastic season
with Martin Locke, the dangers of being
polarised lenses a make-over.
At this year’s Carpin’ On we
spent on Pendle View Fisheries.
a tree surgeon, and smashing rods.
65
Why Groundbait? Oli Davies
CARP FOOD
55
Carp Food
145
managed to get Jim Davidson
Mega Deals
in for an interview, and it
We’ve got six fantastic
was ‘raw’, to say the least.
offers from some of the biggest
Gaz has done a blinding job
and best retailers around. If
of editing the footage, and
some of the best bait products around,
you’re on the lookout for some
the fascinating interview has
Tackle’s Oli Davies proves that you
plus editor James takes a look at the
new gear, head to page 145 and
now been uploaded to the
ignore this tactic at your peril, as
new Enterprise flavoured corn, and
you won’t be disappointed.
Carpworld You Tube channel.
it can land you some lumps.
Joe T. rolls some cork ball pop-ups.
Match anglers swear by it, but it’s often overlooked by carpers. Nash
We’re back with another look at
Crafty Carper 006-007_Conts_CC189.indd 2
7 08/04/2013 18:52
I
have never really been the
ANGLER PROFILE
type of carp angler who likes to overcomplicate things. I have a
few tried and tested rigs that work for me, and I’m not into trying a new concoction every time I go fishing just to try to make myself look like some kind of rig guru! I have three
Tom Maker
or four rigs that cover all the angling
Age 21
I do and in which I have 100%
Hometown
confidence. One of my most used
Maidstone
rigs is a short piece of braid with an
Occupation
Electrician
in-line lead placed inside a solid PVA
UK PB
bag. The reason I opt for this type of
44lb 8oz
rig setup is simply because it gives
Favourite venue
me guaranteed presentation, with
Brasenose One
no fear of tangles, and it has caught
Rods
me literally thousands of carp.
Reels
Hooklink
Fox Horizon XTK Fox Stratos FS12000 Mag
For the last few years I have used Fox’s original Reflex braided hooklink
Alarms
Fox NTXr
material for my solid bags and it has never let me down. However, in recent times I have been lucky enough to be testing a new improved Reflex, which will be available in two colours (Light Camo and Dark Camo). The camouflage element of the braid for this rig isn’t really much of a concern for me because my rig is hidden beneath the pile of pellets in the bag; however, should a fish consume the contents of the bag but eject the hook, at least I know the rig will blend in a bit better than the old Reflex, which boosts my confidence a bit. The main benefit of the new Reflex, for me, is its sinking capabilities. It will sink without any putty being moulded onto it, which
RIGS
means that I don’t need to worry about the hooklink floating up above my little bed of pellets and potentially spooking any wary carp. In addition, this hooklink is very supple and very strong, which is essential when fishing with short rigs inside a solid PVA bag. When using solids I tend to fish the rig at about 4ins in length, so it sits nicely coiled amongst the free offerings. Then when a carp sucks in the contents of the bag, the hook can fly far into its mouth and hopefully grab hold of the bottom lip. Hook
Those of you who know me will know that my dad and I are massive fans
UNDER the SPOTLIGHT
of the Arma Point SSBP pattern of
In this month’s instalment of Rigs Under The Spotlight, we take a look at bagging machine Tom Maker’s ultimate rig for solid PVA bag fishing.
SSBPs are ridiculously sharp, very
This month: Solid Bag Rigs 24
hook. In fact we use it for all our rigs, including Zigs, except for the 360, when we use the LSC instead. The strong and, most importantly, they are very hard-wearing. This means I can often bank 10-20 carp on the same hook before I need to change it. On the hook size front, I am a believer in the bigger the better, and I generally use a 4 or 5 on my solid bag rig. I know
Crafty Carper
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08/04/2013 13:45
Rigs Under the Spotlight Tom Maker
TIE TOM MAKER’S SOLID BAG RIG
If you’re planning on using solid PVA bags, then this easy-to-tie rig is a winner...
1 Above are the components that Tom uses to construct his solid PVA bag rig.
5 Now thread the whittled-down pop-up hookbait onto the loop in the braid.
9
2
3
Start by cutting 7ins of Reflex Dark Camo braided hooklink material.
6
Now tie a small overhand loop in one end of the Reflex braid.
7
Tom uses a fake maggot as a boilie stop to add an extra visual element.
10
Thread 3mm of 0.5mm silicone tube onto the braid and then slide on the hook.
11
4 Thread a 10mm pop-up onto a baiting needle and trim down the edges.
8 Position the tubing and Hair as shown, and attach the hook with a Knotless Knot.
12
Slide a 1cm length of silicone tubing over the eye of the hook to create a kicker.
Tom ties his rig so that it’s exactly 4ins in length.
The hooklink is then attached to the in-line lead and leadcore leader setup.
a lot of you will be really put off by
Lead Setup
Tying the Bag
master it overnight. Simply place
such a big hook, but trust me, the carp
Again, I apologise if you were hoping
With the rig all set up, I then have
the tool inside a solid PVA bag, put
aren’t bothered. After all, the hook is
to read about some super-duper fancy
to tie my solid PVA bag, which is
the pellets, rig and lead inside the
generally hidden amongst the pellets.
lead setup because overcomplicated
done with the aid of the Rapide Load
bag too, twist the top, then lick it
All I know is that I catch my fair share
rigs really aren’t my thing. Instead,
System. This little contraption has
and push the tool back down to
of carp using big hooks on this rig each
when using solid PVA bags I use a
made solid PVA bag fishing much
transfer the wet sticky side to the
year, and I very rarely suffer hookpulls.
simple in-line lead fished straight onto
easier and quicker since its release
dry outer side. It really is very easy,
a leadcore leader (normally 2-3ft). The
last year, and now someone who has
and if you haven’t already tried it,
Hooking Arrangement
lead is normally 3oz, although I beef
never tried this type of fishing can
I recommend you check it out. CC
This may make me sound lazy and a
up to 4oz if I need to fish at extreme
little set I’m my ways, but I don’t really
range. The in-line lead is the best
tend to use shrink tube or preformed
setup for solid bag fishing because it is
line-aligner gizmos when solid bagging.
much more streamlined than a running
Instead I simply use a 1cm length of
lead or lead clip, and it fits in the PVA
0.5mm silicone tubing over the eye of
bag much easier and is much neater.
the hook to create the aggressive angle we all like. It is very quick and easy to use and my hookholds are always very good, so why should I change? I also use a small piece of the silicone
RIGHT 24lb+ of Linear
Fisheries mirror caught on the rig outlined.
Tom fishes the entire rig, including the lead, inside a Rapide Solid PVA Bag.
“I know a lot of you will be really put off by such a big hook, but trust me, the carp aren’t bothered”
on the shank of the hook to trap the Hair in place, just so the hookbait exits the shank in my preferred position. Hookbait
On the hookbait front, I tend to have two favourites for solid PVA bag work. It’s either two grains of plastic corn or a whittled-down highattract pop-up (yellow Pineapple Juice or pink Clockwork Orange are two of my favourites). The key here with the hookbait is that it sinks under the weight of my large hook, so that it just wafts above it.
Crafty Carper 024-025_Rigs_CC189.indd 2
25 08/04/2013 13:46
Getting a Bite Around Linear Fisheries
As one of the most popular day ticket fisheries in the UK, there aren’t many anglers who haven’t visited Linear at some point in their life, so we’ve enlisted the help of Roy Russell to help you get amongst the fish on the venue’s lakes.
L
inear Fisheries is one of the most popular day ticket fisheries in the country, and boasts some of the prettiest fish you could wish to catch. For
those anglers who have not fished Linear before and fancy a trip to one of its day ticket waters, it can be a bit difficult knowing where to start. Many of the lakes on a day ticket cater for all levels of angling, and the harder you work, the more rewarding it can be. This year I would like to concentrate more of my efforts on St. John’s, and only fish on Manor if I feel it could be right for a few fish if the timing is right. There are some very pretty fish in St. John’s, and there is one which all the anglers would love to land when fishing there. That fish is the Big Plated, an absolutely stunning fish, and one which will be targeted even more now that the new Underwater 7 DVD has been released. I might find it hard to get a swim on St. John’s this year, but it’s nothing I’m not used to, having fished many busy day ticket waters for nearly 30 years.
48
Crafty Carper
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05/04/2013 15:08
Getting a Bite Around Linear Fisheries Roy Russell
Brasenose One and Two One of the most popular and wellstocked waters with over 1,900 fish is Brasenose One; at 32 acres and with 45 pegs, it does tend to get a lot of angling pressure throughout the year. There may be a lot of pegs but it is still a big water, and there are areas where the fish tend to hold up when there’s a lot of angling pressure from both sides of the lake. Coming out of winter, they tend to be around 70-80 yards out, but as the year goes on and the angling pressure builds up, the fish tend to move further and further out into the lake, at over 100 yards’ range. The lake is 270 yards across at its widest point, which is from pegs 7-13 and opposite on pegs 24-29. This seems to be a popular area where the main bulk of the fish hold up. From what I have seen, not many anglers are able to fish comfortably at halfway, which is 135
TOP Both Brasenose One (left) and
Brasenose Two (right) offer great sport, but still require a bit of tactical thinking.
ABOVE RIGHT When fishing Zigs, my edge was goldfish flakes in a tiny PVA mesh bag with three mixers. It also cut down tangles on the cast.
or less when fishing and spodding.
with mixed pellet and particles; I have
This leaves an area where the fish
done this and the action carried
can hold up safely. Not all the fish are
on through the night. The
in this area because there are nearly
next day it was back
2,000 hungry carp swimming around
on the Zigs and slop
in there, and they can move quickly!
once more. What
themselves to being good winter waters, yet they are popular all through the year. The methods that catch a lot of
BELOW Nailed
on black foam during the night on B1, with the help of a mesh bag of goldfish flakes.
has worked for the last 24 hours could change just as quickly, so if things slow down the
are spodding slop over
carp could have
Zigs, and when the runs
moved out of the area, or
evening, fishing small PVA bags
8ft without any slop), but I had a little edge that works a treat when they are being a bit picky. When you’re on fish and catching, with whatever method, regularly they will quickly move on to the next meal, and believe me, these fish are like pigs
with fins. It’s wise to “If you don’t have enough bait keep topping up with you just in case the swim regularly it really kicks off. they will quickly move Even if you have to on to the next meal, leave a few buckets and believe me, these in the motor, just in fish are like pigs case, it could be well with fins”
fish, which I can vouch for,
tend to die down of an
black foam Zigs at night (at 7ft and
if you don’t keep topping up the swim
yards, so tend to stop at 100 yards
Both Brasenose One and Two lend
March last year, and it was all about
be higher or lower in the water column. I fished there in
worth it. I have known
anglers to have between 50-70 fish or more in just a 48hrsession on Brasenose. Start with bait such as a variety of mixed-sized pellets, particles, boilies, maggots, glugs and dips, and plenty of groundbaits for slop and foam for the Zigs. In summer, down in the bay is a place where you can get them going on floaters, so come spring it’s worth taking a small bucket if you’re into surface fishing. Don’t ignore the margins in areas such as the bay, and like most of B1, there is a sudden drop-down from the marginal shelf, so when it’s quiet they will creep in, especially on a good fresh warm wind.
Crafty Carper 048-052_Linear_CC189.indd 2
49 05/04/2013 15:08
PVA Bag Masterclass Iain Macmillan
My bag rig is quite possibly the simplest to tie up – the KD Rig.
Drop-off in-line leads are the ones for me.
I like to splice my own short leadcore leaders when solid bag fishing.
THE WORKINGS
The business end of the rig is a simple
stiff coating renders the rig pretty
be adding weight with the bag mix
The actual making of the rigs I use with
KD presentation; not only is this super-
much unmanageable during the tying
so you don’t want to overload the rod
bags is not technical in the slightest;
easy to tie because there are no rings,
process. Moving on to the lead, I always
on the cast. Another little thing I like
in fact it’s one of the easiest rigs to
loops or kickers required, but I believe
attach my in-lines drop-off style; the
to do is splice my own short leadcore
construct. I think the thing that puts
it’s one of the most efficient hooking
very nature of where I’m fishing the
leaders. I do this to have loads of solid
people off using solid bags (this was
rigs out there due to the aggressive
solid bag may mean it’s weedy, and
bags pre-tied, so should I be getting
certainly the thing with me) is the
angle at which the hook sits once tied.
dumping the leads is paramount in
prolific action, it’s just a case of biting
fact that they can be fiddly to tie, and
Hooklink-wise, it’s a must to use braid,
order to land the fish. Be careful to
through the line once the fish is in
certainly time-consuming, but like
as the whole lot needs to sit perfectly
use a slightly smaller lead than you
the net, and attaching a new bag and
anything it’s all about the technique.
once inside the bag, so any sort of
normally would – this is because you’ll
leader to be fishing again instantly.
THE BAG MIX
The contents of my bags don’t really change much throughout
Get all the air out of the bags when tying them and they will fly true every time.
the year, if I’m honest. I tend to stick to Dynamite 1mm and 2mm oily pellets. Now before you’re all crying with rage that you shouldn’t use high-oil pellets in the colder months, yes I agree, but with the tiny amounts I use in my bags, I hardly think I’ll overload the fish with oil. What is important is the size of what you put in the bags; you don’t want great big pellets or 15mm boilies because there will be far too many air pockets, which ultimately means less weight and the bag won’t compress correctly – this will affect the aerodynamics and distance you can cast it. All the top solid bag anglers I know stick to the small pellets or groundbait/ boilie crumb, and believe me, some of these boys can sling a solid bag a long way (160 yards plus) – proof that sticking to small ingredients works best.
116
Crafty Carper
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04/04/2013 14:54
PVA Bag Masterclass Iain Macmillan
HOOKBAIT
On the hookbait front, I use 10mm Dynamite pop-ups. I find that a BB
Exactly what I’m after – a little parcel of food with the visually attractive hookbait sitting just above.
shot sinks them perfectly, so once the bag has melted the actual pop-up is sitting just above the pellets. This gives masses of attraction from the pellet, and the visual draw from the bright fluoro pop-up. I have played around with small wafter-type hookbaits and critically-balanced corn, but I much prefer the way the pop-up sits ever so slightly above the small pellets, rather than directly on top of them. In truth, it probably doesn’t make a scrap of difference, as once the fish homes in on the small trap it’s as good as caught, but like most other things to do with carp fishing, it’s all down to individual confidence. WHEN TO USE THEM
preparation is your thing, then
I’m using the solids more and
there’s no reason why you can’t
more as the year goes by, and in a
have loads of these ready to go on
lot of different situations, not just
short leaders. This way you’ll not
weed, which is where most people
be faced with the situation where
would tend to use them. The fact
you’re fumbling about trying to tie
that everything is enclosed in
a bag while fish are showing all
the bag means there is no way
over the swim. The same goes for
it can tangle, and the weight of
speed fishing; if you’re prepared
the finished parcel ensures it
with ready-tied bags, it could be
will punch through most weedbeds. I love using
the difference between catching a few fish
them, particularly for casting at showing fish, and I use them when the bottom is perfectly clear but where
How neat is this little baby? I don’t double-bag but I can see how it’s beneficial.
in a short window
“At the end of the day, neither the pellets nor the hookbaits go off, so it doesn’t really matter for how long the tied-up bags are stored”
I think the fish have been hammered on standard rigs with lead
of opportunity, or ten. At the end of the day, neither the pellets nor the hookbaits go off, so it doesn’t really matter for
how long the tied-up bags are stored. If I’ve got
clips; I do this to be different to
a spare hour, I tie up the bags
most of the anglers around me.
at home where everything is
GOING THE DISTANCE
never had this problem. The only
Even in situations like stalking
dry; the last thing you need to
You hear of the extreme distances
time I’ve double-bagged is on the
in the edge, bags are brilliant.
be doing is tying a load when
that solid bags can be cast, and I’ve
Essex Manor, where I needed to make
All the above situations are ones
there’s loads of moisture or
seen it with my own eyes. What
sure the bag got to the bottom in
where you need a tiny amount of
dampness in the air. You don’t
this gives you is a massive edge,
18ft of water. It was flat calm when
attraction to entice just the one
need to be a rocket scientist to
especially if no one is able to put
I cast out, so I could clearly see that
bite – don’t forget you’re there
work out that PVA and moisture
a small bag that doesn’t tangle at
it hit the bottom a lot quicker than I
to catch them, not feed them! If
of any description don’t mix.
those sorts of ranges. It goes without
anticipated. There wasn’t any need
saying to use a shockleader that
to double-bag, but at least it made
will withstand the force of the cast,
me aware of what these solid bags
but be mindful about lead size. If I
can and can’t withstand in deep
need to sling the bags any further
water. If you tie the bags in a neat
than 120 yards, I go for a lead of
and compact manner, they will take
2.5oz, and then bulk out the bag with
a lot more abuse than you think. If I
pellet. The finished article should
was fishing somewhere like Bundy’s
weigh around 3.5oz, which works out
Pit near Peterborough, where the
roughly the size of a distance lead
lads fish in depths of over 40 feet,
I’d be using to hit the same sort of
I think I’d have to double-bag there.
distance with a standard bottom bait
This would be something of interest
rig. I know that some guys double-
for the guys with the scuba diving
bag in case the force of the impact
kit to observe – how quickly, and in
explodes the whole lot when it hits
what sort of depths
the surface of the water, but I’ve
these bags explode.
I like to have loads of bags tied up and ready to go. Do them at home where it’s totally dry.
Crafty Carper 115_118_PVABags_CC189.indd 3
117 04/04/2013 14:55
Understanding Braid Team Crafty Carper
Why Braid?
Braid utilises a variety of hi-tech fibres such as Dyneema, which are either woven like rope, gel spun or fused. Woven braids tend to be a little thicker, but in truth are still very thin compared with nylon, and have a slightly abrasive feel. Fused or gel spun braids are made in a variety of ways, from linear fibre to woven, and their most common feature is that they are coated and are smooth to touch, and usually very thin. As an example, Berkley NanoFil, which is classed as unifilament, is 300 individual fibres bound together using a heat process to create a super-smooth, thin and very strong line; the 7.659kg version (which is nearly 17lb) is 0.15mm diameter, which is the rough equivalent of 5lb nylon. So you can see just how thin these lines are compared to the more common nylon that most anglers use.
ABOVE Berkley’s NanoFil is an example of a
braided line which is classed as a uni-filament. This diagram shows how it is constructed from 300 individual fibres bound together using heat. The result is a super-fine, ultra-strong braid.
These properties make the braid ideal for spod and marker work, the first of which is the lack of stretch. For feeling the lakebed with a marker setup, braid is the ultimate transmitter, and every small stone, patch of weed, or silt area can be felt. The thinness also cuts down drag through the water, and helps with casting, obviously making braid a must-have for marker work, but what about spodding? When using a fully-loaded bait rocket, the angler is often casting several ounces, and on occasion trying to achieve big distances. These things combined make it a very specialised pastime which needs the correct equipment – robust reels with cranking power and powerful rods for casting, but also braid. For its strength, the diameter of braid is excellent, making it an ideal casting line; this also translates to using braid for shockleaders to take the force of casting fully-loaded spods. A great example of this is 50lb Whiplash, which is more than up to the job but is again very thin in diameter, meaning that the knots are thin. The other properties of braid also make it extremely useful – the lack of stretch helps compress a heavy spod rod quickly and easily. This same lack of stretch also helps when picking up the spod off the surface of the lake, which in turn means that it becomes easier to reel in as it skips across the surface. This is enhanced by its floating properties; the line can be quickly picked up off the water’s surface at great range, once again making it much easier to winch the spod back.
122
Braid lends itself perfectly to spod and marker work.
Crafty Carper
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08/04/2013 11:09
Understanding Braid Team Crafty Carper
Which Knots?
With all these advantages, I’m sure you’ve guessed that there are also a couple of disadvantages, neither of which outweigh the plus points. First is the cost; we consider the life span of braid to be much longer than mono, and the bonuses negate the cost. The second point is that braid is very fussy about knots, and you have to find the one that exactly suits the product you’re using. When joining braid to a spod or marker, a double Palomar Knot is recommended, but
ABOVE If you want to keep your knot strength
to a maximum, ensure you always moisten your knots when tightening them down.
feel free to experiment and find something
knot is required (which can be found on
that suits you. Others swear by a four-turn
CraftyTV – simply scan the QR code at the
Blood Knot, so keep trying until you find one that works for you. The next job is to join a shockleader to the reel line, and many anglers like to use
bottom of the page with
“We consider the life span of braid to be much longer than mono, and the bonuses negate the cost”
mono, mainly because
your Smartphone to view the short video). The knot in the diagram below is perfect for joining braid to braid, and is one that’s easy to master. One final tip is to
it’s finger-friendly when casting. The best
always make sure that any braid knots are
mono leaders to use are the tapered variety
well-lubricated when tightening down; it
that knot and cast better, but a different
makes a huge difference to their strength.
Recommended knot for joining braid to braid
1
2
1
5x
1 1 1
1
Visit Crafty Carper TV to learn how to attach braided main line to a mono leader. Simply scan the QR code on the right with your Smartphone, or visit www.youtube.com/craftycarpertv
Crafty Carper 121-124_Braid_CC189.indd 3
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The Percentage Game Darrell Peck
HOOK SHARPNESS
5%
A very popular subject these days, and without doubt vital to any effective rig. The sole purpose of the Hair Rig is to leave the hook exposed, so the point can take hold in the mouth once the hooklink is tensioned. The sharper the hook, the better chance it has of catching in the carp’s mouth and penetrating. This helps turn a pickup into a take, rather than the hook being shook
LO C AT I O N
16%
free as the carp realises its dilemma and tries to dislodge it. Remember, in most forms of fishing the hook is set by them being hauled out of the lake.
anglers as possible, right in the middle
striking. We rely on hooks and
They know what it means when the
of the lake, especially if it’s difficult or
lead systems, so it is of the
leads go in, and are fully aware of the
impossible for anglers to cast there.
utmost importance that it’s as
Without doubt, what I consider most
game of cat and mouse which is being
It could also be one or a combination
sharp as can be. Again, ‘that will
during any session, on any venue, is
played. Every lake and its stock
simply the most important factor to
is different, but generally
think about. It may sound obvious but
there will be a reason for
you can’t catch what isn’t there. On my
why the carp are where
Kordatorials I often tell the customers
they are. It could be
that carp are like rabbits; you can find
one of many factors,
field after field without one, then
but I will list some of
you may find hundreds all together
the most common.
along one ditch. Rabbits are nervous
I would say, these
of the following: an abundance
“The key is to be aware and try to understand why they go where they do”
bait, the sun, the wind, the depth, and many more factors which I don’t have room to list. The key is to be aware and try to understand why they
creatures that avoid human contact
days, that angling
whenever possible, and pressured carp
pressure is right up there. The
are no different. Have no doubt that
carp know we are trying to catch them
will be able to apply this to future
on rich venues with high amounts of
so they try to avoid us, often seeking
sessions and look in the right places,
natural food, the carp will be harder to
sanctuary in snags, pads, weed, reeds
thus giving you a head start. One
catch because they know our bait is
and under trees. If this isn’t possible
rule I often follow is to use my eyes
a trap as well as food, which involves
they often just head as far away from
and react accordingly to what I see.
Without the time to go fishing, I simply cannot catch. On the venues I target, time is absolutely crucial because the prizes are big, and the bigger the prize, the bigger the competition for position inevitably is. Generally, big carp are found in venues
do’ simply won’t do!
of natural food, anglers’
go where they do. If you understand why then you
TIME
16%
that aren’t overstocked. This means that at any one time, only one or a few of the swims on the lake are in with a chance of producing. For example, if I arrived at the lake on a Friday night for 24 hours, and the areas where the fish were holding were already taken, then my chances of catching could be as low as nil. But on the other hand, if I had first pick on a Sunday morning, as everyone was packing away, then you could say I was in pole position. I am fully aware that without time, my past and present catch rate would be massively affected. Everybody’s situation is different when it comes to when and how much they can fish, but whenever possible I put in the extra effort to get to the lake at the earliest time I can.
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Crafty Carper
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The Percentage Game Darrell Peck
RIG PLACEMENT
13% This is also very important – it’s not good enough to say, “That will do.” I always try to be confident with the cast I make, i.e. it has to be perfect, or at the very least, the best I can do. From a very early age this has been instilled into me; as an 11-year-old I used to fish a local park lake and accurate casting was the key. The fish used to hold tight to the far bank, and if the 45yd cast was really tight, literally inches from the brambles, then the bites would come regularly. If it was 6ft
O B S E RVAT I O N
10%
short I might as well have been sitting at home. This has been
By observing the water, I’m able to
the case on most of the venues
make many decisions based on what
I have fished. It could be landing
I see and hear, which is the basis of
a bait on a small clearing in the
watercraft. There are no limits to this; it
weed, or in leaves so the bait
could be a fish jumping, a single bubble,
is visible; it could be on top of
a capture elsewhere on the lake, or just
a narrow bar so that the depth
a simple theory as to why the fish are
is right, or right under a tree.
where they are or why they’re behaving
The possibilities are endless.
in a certain way. I could write 100,000
The point is that if the rig is
words about this and not scratch the
placed where the fish are most
surface. The very best anglers are
likely to encounter it, and in
the ones who use all the information
an ideal world see the bait,
from what they see and hear, and
then it has a much greater
then fill in the gaps with logical
chance of being picked up.
reasoning. The eyes don’t lie. I consider what I see and react accordingly.
BAIT
10% Bait is important because if the carp don’t want what you are offering, you have absolutely no chance. I genuinely believe that the carp in pressured venues know they are running
EXPERIENCE
10%
the risk of being caught, because I think they remember and associate bait with a capture. BUT if they are hungry enough and they know the bait tastes good, then they are drawn to it despite the risk. I am not one
I have taken away endless information from the situations I have encountered, and, of course, the fish I’ve caught. The experience I’ve gained gives me trust in myself, not only in my
for chopping and changing; I like to
the fish enjoy eating it, because it
stick to proven winners so I can put
continues to catch on venues time
I have been carp fishing for over
technical ability (knowing I can
all doubt to the back of my mind and
and time again. Activ-8 has also been
20 years, and for most of my
present a bait efficiently) but
concentrate on the hunt. Boilie-wise, I
devastating everywhere I’ve used it,
adult life I have spent loads of
also in my ability to locate the
have complete confidence in Mainline
but seems to work best from March-
time besides a lake trying to
carp, and my vision of what they
Cell. In my opinion, it is the best all-
November. Having confidence in a
catch them. Having fished lots
are doing and why, and
season bait ever made. You only have
bait is vital for me; I can’t sit there
of different types of venues,
vitally, how I should react.
to look in the magazines to see that
thinking I’m not using the best.
Crafty Carper 135-138_Percentages_CC189.indd 3
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