96
DO ZIGS WORK HRS’ FREE FISHING FOUR GREAT VENUES • FOUR GREAT OFFERS IN WINTER?
MARTIN CLARKE INTERVIEW
No.198 February 2014
February 2014 | Issue 198 | £4.10
craftycarper.co
GET READY FOR SPRING! Dave Lane reveals how he prepares for the changing of the seasons
Alan Blair heads off on a European road trip in search of stunners like this!
Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
TALKING TACTICS:
CHILLY
On sale Jan 22nd–Feb 18th 2014
Why Ian Chillcott sticks with boilies through the colder months
TACKLE ON TEST: NEW GEAR FROM NASH, FOX, PENN AND SOLAR
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PLUS: How experts Ian Russell, Tom Maker and Bill Cottam make their hookbaits simply irresistible 001_Cover-V2_CC198.indd 1
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Crafty Carper /// Issue 198 /// February 2014 /// www.craftycarper.co CRAFTY COLUMNISTS.
On the cover: Alan Blair with a cracking common he managed whilst on his European road trip as part of his Urban Banx series.
7
Editorial
97
30
thinking about the spring already because it
how to catch them; we spent some time
comes and goes in a flash, Dave details how he
with him and asked him the questions
approaches his own angling at this time of the
many want to know the answers to but
year, as well as how best to be prepared.
have never had the opportunity to ask.
Gateway To Spring Dave Lane
Although we’re still in winter, it’s worth
The Interview Martin Clarke
Martin is a big-carp-catcher who knows
James Turner
Editor James looks at what’s in store in this issue, as well as discussing some of the hot topics of the last month.
109
Diary of an Everyday Carp Angler
Julian Cundiff In spite of his full-time job and busy schedule, Jules still gets out every week and keeps catching them. Although there’s been plenty of family time to contend with around Christmas, he still got out and wet his net. OUT AND ABOUT
70
The TicketMaster As ever we’ve got day ticket
fisheries from up and down the UK featured within TicketMaster, not to mention the fact that they are offering our readers some free fishing.
74
Hot Holiday Venue St Leonard’s
With the festive period over, you may be toying with the idea of taking a trip to France. Turn to page 74 to see what St Leonard’s has to offer.
78
Overseas Holiday Guide This guide is for venues in
France and Spain which are perfect for wetting your net at any time of the year. Here we showcase four of the best. INTERACTIVE
34
Martin Clarke Book Competition
At the end of the Martin Clarke interview, the man himself is offering a signed copy of his new book for one of our lucky readers.
36
Crafty Catch Column This is the place to get your
catch pictures published, so send them in to us, and you’re in with the chance of a great prize from our good friends at Mainline Baits.
46
The Question Is This month’s carping
conundrums are answered by our panel of experts. If you get your
58
9
apply boilies throughout the colder months. Here we
and heads off on a road trip with Oli.
find out a little more as he goes about making the
They hit the venues that the likes of
most of a boilie-only approach through the winter.
France and Belgium have to offer.
Boilies In Winter Ian Chillcott
Chilly is well known for the fact that he continues to
Euro Banx Alan Blair and Oli Davies
Alan continues his urban adventure
question answered you’ll receive a cracking prize delivered to your door.
106
Inbox Here we’ve got all the
latest news from around the carping world. James and the lads continue showing off their funny images whilst on their travels over the last month.
4
Crafty Carper
004-005_Conts_CC198.indd 1
13/01/2014 14:37
Contents /// February 2014
42
58
9
42
The Ultimate Rig
FEATURES
Frank Warwick
15
Cold-Water Particles Darren Belton
Frank has always relied on having
93
89
In Focus Fox
Turn to page 89 for a proper look at
highly attractive hookbaits, as we
the new Royale Classic Bivvy from
Many anglers consider particles
detailed last month, and coupled with
Fox. Not only is it neat, compact
to be less effective in cold-water
a lethal rig that does the business,
and sturdy, it’s also very affordable.
conditions but Darren Belton
it’s a winning combination. Find out
It’s a must-see for 2014.
swears by them, and you can’t
which rig it is on page 42. #OldSchool.
deny the amount of success he’s had using them. We catch up with him to find out how he does it.
63
Tom Kerr and Calum Kletta
Our British Young Carp Angling
21
CARP FOOD
51
Carp Food
a name for themselves with their
Here you’ll find the latest
range of terminal tackle items,
Champion Tom Kerr checks in for
Dave Levy
another of his blogs, and young haulerOffer and greatest products of carp cuisine Subscription
We join Dave Levy on the bank of a
Calum Kletta tells us about an amazing
that are on the shelves of a tackle
commercial water on a cold winter’s
year he’s had on his syndicate.
shop near you, as well as a top
12 ISSUES FOR 81 OF 10! THE PRICE 26 55 day, to see if he can tempt a few of
tip from Joe Turnbull who looks at
Hookbait Tips From
giving his goots a liquid boost.
The Experts
The Great Crafty Debate
We managed to persuade some big
We’veThis got month’s a fantastic offer for the yearnames aheadto – bag yourself 12edges magazines for debate reveal their top thetheir priceopinions of 10. Never mind the January thistoishookbaits. a proper bargain. panel give on the when sales, it comes If
range of 4th Rod Specials – special
Russell do to keep the bites weight, coming which will be
being the right word because they
from the spring onwards?
in the cold, turn to pageget81. to Valentine’s Day. But
are made in minimal amounts, so
£41
LIVERY * FREE DE
103
Fed up of going to the newsagents? Let us deliver Crafty straight to you; this month
It’s simple folks, so get subscribing and get catching.
we’re offering 12 months at a reduced rate. ONLINE craftycarper.co or scan the code
PHONE Call Lindsey on 0114 258 0812
Name
Once completed, post this form to:
Billing address
Subscriptions, Angling Publications Ltd., Regent House,
POST Complete the form and send it back
Nash
to give them a whirl. Find out all about
We take a look at what the guys at
or should they only be used
E SUBSCRT’IB 12 THAVSE &MSA ES FOR AGAZIN
In Focus
alarm is here, and we got hold of a set
of Tom Maker, Bill Cottam and Ian resolutions, usually some
if your resolution is to catch more carp, Crafty Carper is here to help for the year ahead, with hints and tips from some of the biggest names in the business. We’ll send you 12 months’ worth of magazines, and not only that, you only have to pay for 10 of them.
93
Solar 4th Rod Specials
weather. Are they just as effective
forgotten about before we
also supply sharpened hooks.
In Focus
Crafty in the New Year Solar are offering with their new you want to know whatGet the likes task that involves losing
not to mention the fact that they
The successor to the original Siren RS-1
use of Zig Rigs in the colder
Many of us have New Year’s
Rig-It Tackle
Rig-It Tackle are quickly making
In Session With…
its residents to have a little munch.
91
In Focus
Crafty Carper Under-21s
act quickly if you want a tub!
them and what we thought on page 93.
95
In Focus Penn
Penn have long been known for their quality sea reels, and with their manufacturing and design experience
CARPERS’ KIT
85
Carpers’ Kit We feature some of the
best products that are new to the shops, and give you the low-down
they’ve made a top-notch reasonably priced carp reel, that’s for sure.
115
Mega Deals If you’ve still got some
Christmas money to spend and don’t
on what’s hot and what’s not. Plus
know what to buy, check out our
the Crafty Team give you their
Mega Deals for some of the best
essential items this month.
offers from around the retailers.
COMPETITION WINNERS Competition winners from Crafty Carper December issue 196
Goodies Competition Over £500 of goodies goes to: Danny Power – Bromley, Kent.
Crafty Carper
5
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13/01/2014 14:37
The Great Crafty Carper Debate.
Q
Are Zigs an effective winter tactic, or do they only come into their own from spring onwards?
This month’s experts are: Kev Hewitt is a bigcarp-catcher of the highest order, and quite often he likes to target a water with a large bed of maggots or casters. He’s also a Zig angler of the highest order and uses this approach up and down the UK, with a lot of success. Paul Hatton loves to utilise a single hookbait approach, and obviously Zigs come under this ruling. He’s had some great success on his syndicate water this year with the use of Zigs, but does this continue through the winter? Nick Burrage is an all-out boilie angler, and to be quite honest I don’t think I’ve ever seen him use or even mention wanting to use anything else. So his take on Zig fishing through the winter months should be interesting to find out. Mark Pitchers is an angler who will try many different tactics to get his net wet, no matter what the weather conditions. He’s done it on many occasions on features for us, whereby a change in his approach and thinking about the situation he’s faced with has brought the desired results.
Paul Hatton says:
I rarely use anything else in winter. “To be honest, I rarely use anything else in winter these days. When the water gets really cold, carp spend most of their time wherever it is most comfortable. In freezing conditions I have had lots of great results fishing only 2-3ft below the surface during the day or at night, often when other anglers are sitting behind motionless bobbins. I use Zig Rig Foam as the hookbait, usually black or brown in clear water, and sometimes I mix the colours, but
Steve Lilly is a cracking all-round carp angler who loves to use a variety of tactics to try to fool his quarry. He’s also had some great success from the likes of Monks Pit – whether it’s from surface fishing, stalking, or sitting on a bed of bait, Steve will do it all. Richard Ballard is an angler who loves a Zig in winter, and so is the perfect candidate for this topic. I know he’s had some cracking results through the colder months utilising the trusty Zigs.
26
I always keep it small and mount it tight to the shank of a Size 12 Mugga or a Target Specimen hook. I don’t flavour the foam; if you do it spells bait to the fish! I think that if it doesn’t smell, it can easily be mistaken for an insect or some form of natural food that could be sinking or rising from the lakebed. To find out what it is that’s hanging there midwater, a carp will simply
Crafty Carper
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The Great Debate
Team Crafty Carper
Richard (Ditch) Ballard says:
Carp spend lots of time cruising midwater in winter.
active, so location and fishing at the
Kev Hewitt says:
“Although we think of carp as bottom
own; they allow you to search out the
Never neglect a Zig no matter what the weather.
feeders, they actually spend a great
depths until the fish respond. If you
“Without doubt, Zigs can and
deal of time anywhere but on the
practice and perfect your winter Zig
have scored well for me in winter.
bottom, and this is particularly so in
tactics they will often produce when
When the water is at its coldest,
winter. So it makes sense to fish for
everyone around you is struggling
a carp’s digestive system slows
them where they are, rather than
with more conventional tactics.”
down and there are long periods
where we sometimes mistakenly think
“I think that if it doesn’t smell, it can easily be mistaken for an insect or some form of natural food that could be sinking or rising from the lakebed”
in winter, but they are much less
they should be. The reasons for carp spending so much time midwater are numerous, but during the spring
correct depth is crucial. This is where adjustable Zigs really come into their
ABOVE I like to have lots of options
on the Zig hookbait front.
BELOW A winter Zig-caught chunk.
of time where they simply will not feed. Nor will they expend much energy by swimming around, hence the reason they
and early summer there is one big
often shoal up and literally sit
factor – the sheer amount of insects
fairly dormant midwater. If you
and invertebrates which hatch in the
can find where they are sitting
water is phenomenal. Carp are always
and get the depth right, a single
in tune with these natural occurrences
sliver of foam in their faces gives
throughout the year, and instinctively
you a great chance of picking up
suck it in, and then it’s too late!
capitalise on them while the food is
a fish or two. I tend to fish on
I use a heavy lead which comes
available. These natural events happen
the bottom until the bites dry up
off a safety clip more easily when
less frequently during the colder
and then I never neglect a Zig
the fish takes, and another point
months, but even so, carp still
from January onwards, and it’s
worth mentioning is the way I join
spend a great deal of time
served me very well indeed.”
my Zig Link to the swivel and the
cruising midwater or sitting in
hook; I always use a Palomar Knot.
specific depths or comfort
In my opinion, it is far better than
zones. So the simple
a Knotless Knot and more reliable
answer is yes, carp
when using light hooklinks. If you
are very catchable
can get your head around fishing
on Zigs
like this, it will change your winter fishing! Don’t chuck it and chance it with just one rod, do it properly and search the depths with the number of rods you are allowed to use – you won’t regret it!”
ABOVE If you can find
them they’re catchable.
Crafty Carper 026-028_Debate_CC198.indd 2
27 08/01/2014 14:57
An Interview With Martin Clarke Team Crafty Carper
AN INTERVIEW WITH
MARTIN CLARKE 30
Crafty Carper
030-034_Interview_CC198.indd 1
10/01/2014 09:58
An Interview With Martin Clarke
Team Crafty Carper
He’s recently released a book, is a topnotch big-carp angler in his own right, not to mention he netted a brace of 40s within minutes of each other, not days. We find out about the man, the angler, his take on the sport, and what the future has in store.
spent on the bank is valuable, but if you’re not using it wisely then that could be time wasted. One edge everyone has over the full-timers is that they can only occupy one swim, unless they’re bullies and attempt to stitch up half the lake. Anglers who are bivvied up and settled into one swim are
You have been fishing for
to spend a day or two in the winter
generally hedging their bets on their
carp since the early-’70s;
months simply plumbing in a number
chosen spots for the duration of that
how much has the sport
of swims so I can get a feel for what’s
particular session. Chances are there
changed in that time?
out there beyond the margins. This
are carp to be caught elsewhere
I didn’t start fishing exclusively
may entail 100+ casts which give me
on the venue and this is what you
for carp until 1979, and before
a lot of information, and which will
should be looking for. Focus on your
that, during my teenage years,
hopefully prove useful for future trips
own fishing, that’s my motto. Without
I used to fish for all sorts. As a
to the venue with fishing in mind.
youngster, under the wing of my
If I’m fishing a short
then so is being in the
father, I was taught loads of things
session, and not fishing
like fishing hemp and tares for
the margins or
roach, worms for tench, sweetcorn
floater fishing on a
for rudd, bread or luncheon meat
venue I’m familiar
for carp, and the list goes on.
with, then I may
When I began carp fishing on a
only cast out
doubt, time is a valuable asset, but right place doing the
“Most of the good carp anglers who I know are thinking anglers; they constantly assess their situation, watch the carp, or the lake and other anglers”
right things and preparing spots, so I hope those reading this look at their
few local pits and the Grand Union
the marker half
Canal, back then I only used three
a dozen times
baits, which was bread for surface
at the start of
fishing and sweetcorn or luncheon
the session. On
meat when fishing on the bottom.
a venue I’m not so
And then boilies came onto the carp
familiar with, perhaps a
scene, and so did my fascination for
dozen casts to find out what’s out
using baits which I’d made. This was
there, hopefully to find something
carp, though there should be
back in the day when there were no
which could possibly be worth
extra windows of opportunity.
purpose-made bedchairs and we had
fishing, or the opposite snags or
to make do with those cheap and
weedbeds which could hold carp but
In your new book, Heads Down
nasty sunloungers that always hit
are an obstacle to avoid if or when
Tails Up, you frequently allude
you in the back of the head when
playing a hooked carp. If you take
to getting certain ‘feelings’
sitting up if you aren’t wise to them.
note of certain spots and have a
about how to tackle particular
Things really started improving
measured mark for them, then you
situations when you are fishing.
around 1980, and slowly but surely
eliminate the need for unnecessary
How important do you think
every year since then tackle has
casting, and can fish with confidence
this is and how do you get it?
got better, along with baits, hooks,
at night or even in thick fog.
A lot of factors come into play when
hooklinks, and our understanding
own fishing and evaluate time spent fishing on a rod hours to carp ratio.
More time doesn’t automatically mean more
it comes to achieving the results
of the carp themselves. There was
With more and more anglers
you’re after, and experiences and
no Internet, no DVDs, and the only
fishing full-time, how much
observations are an ongoing process.
specialised magazines were the
do you think that time on the
Most of the good carp anglers who
quarterly CAA ones, followed
bank affects your results?
I know are thinking anglers; they
by The Carp Society magazines.
I’m not a full-time angler, though
constantly assess their situation,
Nothing like what we have
I do have the benefit of being
watch the carp, or the lake and other
these days, with loads of material
sponsored, and there probably
anglers. Carp are creatures of habit,
in magazine format and on the
are a few more full-timers these
so sometimes it’s all about being in
Internet, and forums and YouTube at
days as opposed to 20 years ago.
tune with the weather conditions
our fingertips. Now the carp scene
I’m a self-employed bricklayer and
and the carp and their environment.
is a big machine, a multi-million
have been for over 30 years, but I
pound industry, creating jobs across
have moments between contracts
methods may or may not work
all areas of our sport, with a lot
when I fish as often as I can. Time
at any time of the calendar year,
more big carp around these days.
There are no rules as to what
such as Zigging, floater fishing or stalking. It always comes down to
Understanding what goes
the individual to select what they
on below the surface of
are going to do, based on previous
the lake is very important.
knowledge and how they expect
How much time would you
or hope things pan out in the time
spend plumbing an area?
they have at their disposal.
Plumbing an area is something I feel
We all have times when we’re
needs to be addressed with caution.
fishing and get a feeling or thought
I don’t automatically plumb a swim
process when we know we’re fishing
or an area if I feel there’s no need
effectively; it’s something that can’t
or it could be detrimental. On a new
ABOVE MC simply wouldn’t go
be bought in a bottle,
venue where I’m a member, I prefer
fishing without sunglasses.
and sometimes you have
Crafty Carper 030-034_Interview_CC198.indd 2
31 10/01/2014 09:58
T
here are lots of effective
dramatic upturn in my fortunes and
rigs for the use of pop-ups
catch rate. It was so blatant and
in favour at the moment, but
obvious that I won’t even remotely
all I can tell you about is what I use
consider changing to another rig; it
and have found to be very consistent
would have to be better in action
in my own personal carp fishing for
than my favourite, and to be fair,
nearly 20 years of continual use. I
nothing has come close so far. It’s
ANGLER PROFILE.
make no apology for this because it’s
fine saying that you are confident
Frank Warwick
the truth, and if I had come across
in a rig, but let me tell you one stark
Age 53
something better I would now be
fact. All the confidence in the world
Hometown
writing about that instead. I hate lots of clutter
Wilmslow, Cheshire
on a rig, and I’m wary
UK personal best
of adding extra bits
43lb 14oz
unless I am certain
Favourite venue
they are there for
Bluebell Lakes
a valid reason.
Did you know...
I’ve seen so many
Frank is ambidextrous and can use either hand or foot for most things, whether it be writing or kicking a ball, plus loads more.
of these types of rigs pushed as
will not make the indicators go if the rigs you use are being dealt with by carp and
“When I first started using this rig I noticed a very dramatic upturn in my fortunes and catch rate”
the best thing since sliced bread, and in my direct comparison tests they
blown out too easily. I have used this rig on many waters around Europe and in the UK, and it still keeps working in so many different situations that I think it is very
versatile indeed. It can be
have quite often fell somewhat short
used for pop-ups, but it works
of the mark. So, if you fancy having
equally well with wafters, bottom
a crack at using what I consider my
baits, particles and double baits.
all-time favourite pop-up rig, then
I didn’t used to think that
I suggest you might want to renew
something as simple as a pattern
the batteries in your bite alarms
of hook could possibly make so
because you might well be hearing
much difference to the number of
them go off a bit more often.
extra takes possible, but it really
When I first started
has had a positive effect.
using this rig I
I have used many different
noticed a very
makes and models of longshank hooks over the years and I have
RIGHT This rig
Frank Warwick’s
ULTIMATE
has done the business for Frank for years, so why change something that works?
two firm favourites: Lockey’s Solar longshanks and the Atomic versions. Both are blindingly sharp and strong, and because these longshank hooks
RIG If you’re looking for the ultimate rig that isn’t a Chod or a Hinged Stiffy, then you’re on the right page. Frank explains the workings of his all-time favourite, and trust us, it’s caught fish galore! 42
Crafty Carper
042-043_Frankwarwick_CC198.indd 1
09/01/2014 16:41
Ultimate Rig
Frank Warwick
FRANK’S POP-UP ARRANGEMENT
PERFECT FOR A VARIETY OF HOOKBAIT OPTIONS
are an integral element of the rig,
last thing you need is your carefully
hooks with a big eye if needed, but
the fact that I might have to put
without their use it simply does not
constructed rig being ruined when
the 1.6 shrinks down very stiff so
in more free offerings and adjust
perform anything like as good.
you apply heat from steam or
creates a great line-aligner as a
the rig, usually by shortening the
boiling water to shrink down any
bonus. For me, if you are going to
hooklink. If a ring is free-running it
This rig is best constructed with a coated braid for general use, and if
shrink tube on the rig, or to
you strip the last 2ins near the hook
straighten the hooklink.
this allows an element of movement
I have done many
to aid the hook to flip in the carp’s
comparison tests,
mouth, looking to take a hold, and it
fishing two rods
also imparts movement to the bait.
with a blowback
I mostly use 25lb PB Jelly-Wire
ring against my
for my fishing because it’s thin,
favoured shrink
subtle and strong. It also behaves when dipped in boiling water, which is important because the
tube version, and despite being open-
extend the shank of the hook with shrink tube then you
“To get the Hair to the perfect length, it is imperative that the hookbait is mounted on the Hair first”
minded and willing to switch to the winning combination, the ring version
may as well line-align it and go the whole
shows nothing, and if successfully ejected can occasionally sit wrong on the bottom. The silicone version can be moved by a small nuisance
nine yards (this
fish pecking at the hookbait
is an important
and can confuse the issue.
feature because
I nearly always use an anti-
it makes the hook
tangle rubber on the rig to kick
turn quicker upon
the rig away from the lead – that’s
being tensioned as a carp sucks the
bait into its mouth).
why I designed this product in the first place, over 12 years ago. Finally, don’t always think if
To get the Hair to the
you use a small pop-up in, say,
came out a very poor second best.
perfect length, it is imperative that
12-14mm, that a Size 8 hook is
This was with the same hookbaits,
the hookbait is mounted on the
best. I once assumed this and had
etc., and over several sessions. I
Hair first. This can then be held in
run out of Size 8s, so was forced
found that the blowback ring works
place to get the ideal positioning
to use a Size 6. It looked a bit big
far better on a hook with a shorter
before the Knotless Knot is made.
but the carp didn’t agree, and the
When tying a Knotless Knot,
one rod on the bigger hook out-
finish it off by putting it through
fished the two rods on the Size
blowback bit on the shank of
the eye twice; this prevents
8s. When I changed them all it was
the hook I never use silicone;
slippage and it’s much stronger.
quite noticeable that my catch rate
shank hook, but nothing like as well on a longshank. For my
I always use clear shrink tube from RS Supplies, which have various outlets across the
The reason I prefer shrink tube for the blowback is because it is hard to dislodge. I personally use this as
went up considerably, so I now never take anything for granted. You might well already be using
UK. I ask for the 1.6mm clear
a sign that it will usually be blown
longshank hooks and be aware of
version and buy it in metres
back and moved if I have a fish prick
their benefits. If not and you have
at a time for very little money;
itself, and by sucking and blowing
never used them, I suggest you at
it’s perfect and lasts for years.
manages to eject the rig. This tells
least try them against what you
There are bigger sizes for
me I’ve been done and alerts me to
are using and see for yourself. CC
Crafty Carper 042-043_Frankwarwick_CC198.indd 2
43 09/01/2014 16:42
Boilies in Winter Ian Chillcott
ANGLER PROFILE.
Ian Chillcott Age 53 Hometown
Aldershot Occupation
Angling journalist UK personal best
53lb 12oz Favourite venue
Melchbourne Estate Lake Did you know...
At the age of 14, Chilly played the violin to a full house of 2,500 people.
58
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Boilies in Winter
Ian Chillcott
BOILIES WINTER I
a
n
C
h
i
l
l
c
o
t
t
IN
As many anglers move away from introducing boilies throughout the colder months, there’s one man who continues his boilie-only approach with great success. Read on to find out Chilly’s thoughts on keeping the boilies going in.
I
There is no doubt that carp are
the need for a sharp hook. And it is
catchable in winter; even on low-
never more important than when the
stocked waters there always seems to
clocks have gone back and winter starts
be a window of opportunity during a
to clasp the landscape in her icy grip.
24-hour period. Carp-fishing was never meant to be easy, but I fear that in today’s commercial
Winter carp-fishing plans should never be made when the
“For me, bait is by far the most important aspect of carp fishing, only rivalled by the need for a sharp hook”
winter has already begun. No, you
am a boilie angler; I make no
months. Thirty years ago carp were
market it has
excuses, it’s what I have used
still treated as mystical creatures, and
become just that.
almost exclusively for many, many
even if you could find a water that
Winter carp fishing
years, and something in which I have
held them and the weather was as
provides the
the utmost confidence when using
good as it could be, they were all but
ultimate challenge
as a bait for carp, at any time of the
impossible to catch. Forgive me here,
nowadays for the
year. The problem with discussing this
I don’t want to dwell on the past, but
man on limited time,
subject is that you have to overcome
30 years isn’t actually a long time, and
and I for one would always
some ridiculous old wives’ tales and
many of today’s carp-angling writers
want to be challenged – it’s
downright stupid theories before
grew up in an era when this ideology
what makes the captures of carp at
and the captures at that time of year
you get to the crux of the matter,
persisted. It stands to reason that
these times so special, especially when
and it will give you all the incentive you
i.e. how to get the best from them
the silly (well, I know they are now)
you have put in some hard work to
need – if it has a track record of course!
during the colder months. In reality,
theories still surface all the time, even
achieve your goals. Just before I get
Eventually though, you will arrive at
it wasn’t actually that long ago when
in today’s carp-mad environment.
to the bait side of things, I believe
the choice of bait for your mission.
should be thinking about it long before then, because the more thought you put into it, the more, invariably, you will get out. September is a
good starting point; look at the winter history of the water
everyone thought carp were simply
it is worth
uncatchable in the colder winter
mentioning a
20 years now, which means I have
few fundamental
never had to concern myself with what
rules that I
bait to use in the wintertime. Whilst
follow, so that
that may look like a blatant plug, it is
firstly I am
actually a fact. Taking away worries
not wasting
about the bait you use leaves you more
my time, and
time to concentrate on the best places
secondly, and
to introduce it. In all that time I haven’t
probably just
used a boilie that didn’t work in winter,
as important, I
but of course there is much we can
am not wasting
do to improve things. Before I get to
your money.
that, I just want to get this confidence
This article isn’t
thing nailed down. If you are using a
simply about
bait (whoever makes it) and you know
RIGHT Unfortunately the ducks find our baits to their liking, so baiting up after dark can hide your efforts from their attention. BELOW Hookbait enhancers shouldn’t
only be used to make the hookbaits more attractive; they help with the freebies too.
the boilies themselves.
I have used Mainline baits for over
it works, then why change? I still hear
As with every aspect of carp fishing,
and read about the classic old theories
there are a whole host of other things
such as: ‘fishmeals don’t work in winter’.
to think about – thank goodness!
Yes they do, all it takes is a little bit of
The first thing to consider is what
hard work on the part of the angler,
you actually want from your winter
something I will get to in a while. The
fishing. Is it big carp, lots of carp, or
first thing to look at is the type of bait
something in between? It therefore
you want to use. For practically all my
stands to reason that water selection
fishing I use freezer baits. The reason
is vital. For most of us, making sure
for this is that I am going to fish the
the venue has a good head of carp is
water for some considerable time, and
a good place to start, the more the
freezer baits tend to carry much more
merrier to be honest. The more carp
in the way of food – there is no better
you are fishing for, the more likely
fish than a carp to realise that! The carp
you are to get a bite. Try to fish a
invariably feed time and time again on
water that is as close to your home
the baits I use, even after they have
as possible. This means you can keep
been landed on it a few times. Ready-
tabs on what is happening there –
made or shelf life boilies rely heavily on
knowledge is power. Knowing where,
their attraction properties, and for one-
and just as vitally, when they are being
off winter visits to a water they may
caught can help massively. You will also
be the perfect choice, but for long-term
know what is going on bait-wise. For
application it’s freezer baits for me.
me, bait is by far the most important aspect of carp fishing, only rivalled by
For some unexplainable reason, boilie size is very
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