Crafty Carper May 2013

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No.189 May 2013 May 2013 | Issue 189 | £4.10

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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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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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08/04/2013 18:52

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

121-124_Braid_CC189.indd 2

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

123 08/04/2013 11:09

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.

136

Crafty Carper

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08/04/2013 11:14

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

137 08/04/2013 11:14

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