uuee s s s IIs
! 0 20
! ion t i d ’s E r o ct lle o lC cia e Sp
FREE
BOILIES WITH THIS ISSUE
craftyc
arper.c o
No.200 April 2014
April 2014 | Issue 200 | £4.10
THE MAN WITH THE CARP’S EYE VIEW Rob Hughes reveals the secrets of the carp’s underwater world
MARTIN BOWLER How to create your own feeding spot to up your catch rate Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
Kevin Nash
WIN!
Over £ 2 of gea ,000 worth r includi to give away ng Nas h bi and Ta ska lug vvies gage
+
SHAUN HARRISON JULIAN CUNDIFF SIMON CROW BILL COTTAM TIM PAISLEY LEWIS READ DAVE LANE & MORE
EXCLUSIVE
craftycarper.co
,T
On sale March 19th – April 23rd 2014
In his only article this year, Kev reveals what he’s learnt since Crafty Carper first hit the shelves
PLUS NICK HELLEUR UNCUT: WHY YOUR LOCAL CANAL IS THE PLACE TO BE! 001_Cover_CC200.indd 1
04/03/2014 15:57
Crafty Carper /// Issue 200 /// April 2014 /// www.craftycarper.co CRAFTY COLUMNISTS
On the cover: Kevin Nash showing that he still gets out there and puts in the effort to reap the rewards.
7
Editorial James Turner
50
PRIZES GALORE!
looking below the surface of
This month, on page 6 we’re giving you the chance
our wonderful lakes, Hughesy
to win a whole host of items that feature within
outlines five of his biggest
the review pages of the mag. Plus we have over
revelations and how they can
£1,000 worth of Nash bivvies and £600 of the new
The man who never sleeps has been back on it,
help you in the future.
Taska luggage for you to get your carpy mits on!
managing to fit in as much fishing as possible
Underwater Observations Rob Hughes
With 10 years’ experience of
Team Crafty Carper
Editor James looks at what’s in store for you in this, the landmark 200th issue of Crafty Carper.
141
Diary of an Everyday Carp Angler
Julian Cundiff
in between family and work commitments. OUT AND ABOUT
102
The TicketMaster We’ve hand-picked four
fisheries from across the UK which are all offering some free fishing to take advantage of and catch carp for free. INTERACTIVE
26
Crafty Catch Column This is the place to get your catch pictures
published, so send them in, and you’re in with the chance of a great prize from us here at Crafty.
64
The Question Is This month’s carping conundrums are
answered by our panel. If you get your question answered you’ll be receiving a cracking prize.
74
British Young Carpers’ Angling Championship
Are you under 17? Want the chance to become the British Young Carpers’ Angling champion? Head to page 74 to find out how to enter.
94
Nash Competition We have two Nash Titan Globetrotter
two-man bivvies up for grabs, and with a total prize value of over £1,000 it’s not to be missed.
128
Taska Competition Want to get your hands on some new
luggage from the guys at Taska? We’ve got £600 worth to give away to some of our lucky readers.
132
Subscribe Fed up of going to the
newsagents? Let us deliver Crafty straight to your door. We’re offering an awesome Zig-fishing package from the guys at Nash, and we’ll also show you how to use it.
34
78
writing retirement to pen
which many people look at and talk
a feature for issue 200; he
about when it comes to chasing
looks back at his time in
carp, but not many actually follow it
carp angling and thinks we
through. Nick has and he details his
could all learn a lot from
findings on page 78.
If Only I Knew Now… Kevin Nash
Kevin has come out of
how it used to be done.
The Straight and Narrow Nick Helleur
The Grand Union Canal is a place
138
Inbox We’ve got all the latest news
from around the carping world, so you can keep up to date with what’s been going on. FEATURES
8
Editors of Days Gone By Team Crafty
The past editors of Crafty give their take on their time spent working on the magazine; a nice trip down memory lane for the Crafty team.
4
Crafty Carper
004-005_Conts_CC200.indd 1
10/03/2014 14:49
Contents /// April 2014
97
If It Ain’t Broke Shaun Harrison
One man, one rig, and a hell of a lot of fish to his name. Shaun has used the same rig since the ’80s and has never seen the need to change. You can find out all about the rig as well as how to tie it on page 97.
111
Experience(s) and Location Tim Paisley
For a long time Tim has wanted to write about his experience and that of others who class location highly. His findings are eye-opening.
11
The Knowledge Dave Lane
In the first part of a brand new 12-month series, Dave Lane gives you the wisdom of his knowledge.
124
The Mighty ’Rami Team Crafty
James heads out to put quite possibly the best meat-based bait through its paces. Peperami has accounted for many carp, and he’ll show you how.
16
In Transition Ellis Brazier
Our man in Shropshire takes a look at how he goes about catching carp at his favourite time of the year, the transitional period between winter and spring.
CARP FOOD
55
Carp Food Here you’ll find the latest and greatest carp
cuisine on the shelves of a tackle shop near you. And our man Joe Turnbull looks at lentils and beans.
21
All You Need To Know About Backleads Lewis Read
Yateley lad Lewis looks at a method in carp angling which seems to have been forgotten; but it’s not just a method, more of an art-form.
CARPERS’ KIT
83
Carpers’ Kit We take a look at some of the best
products on the market, and give you the low-
30
The Great Crafty Debate
down on what’s hot and what’s not. Plus the
This month’s panel of experts give their
Crafty Team give you their essential items.
opinion on what they feel has been the biggest innovation in carp angling over the past 20 years.
41
A Reader’s Story Andy Tucker
It’s a case of being in the right place at the right time for Andy Tucker, helping him pinpoint the carp on an untouched section of the Thames back in the late-’90s.
45
Rigs For Every Occasion Tom Morrison
This month Tom goes through the rigs which have stood him in good stead, and outlines how they can be perfect for a variety of angling situations.
107
Tried & Tested – Rig-It Tackle We sent a pack of hooks to a number
of readers for them to trial. They didn’t even know who made them so all views are totally neutral, and the results are certainly honest.
117
In Focus – Fox Turn to page 117 for a first look at
some top-quality additions to the Edges range from Fox. You’ll want to add them to your tackle box.
119
In Focus – Chub The Vantage luggage has always
been of top quality and these Barrow Bags are no different. If you’re in the market for
60
Boilie Evolution Bill Cottam
Nutrabaits bait baron Bill answers the question that’s on everybody’s lips: Have carp baits evolved or just been reinvented?
a new bag these are well worth a look.
121
In Focus – JAG Hook-sharpening is definitely in.
If you want the gear required to sharpen your own hooks you need to turn to page 121.
69
Crafty Carper Under-21s 2013 BYCAC Champion Tom Kerr
checks in with his monthly blog, and we also head across to America to find out about Austin Pass, who has been catching carp on
146
Mega Deals Up for a bargain? Head over to page
146 to check out our Mega Deals for some of the best offers from the country’s leading retailers.
some of the largest lakes in the world.
88
Preparing For Success Martin Bowler
Martin is back; he looks at his preparation of spots and how a touch of ‘gardening’ can make all the difference to your catch results.
COMPETITION WINNERS
Competition winners from Crafty Carper February issue 198
Heads Down Tails Up Competition One winner will receive a signed copy of Martin Clarke’s Heads Down Tails Up: Paul Hill – Winsham, Somerset.
Crafty Carper 004-005_Conts_CC200.indd 2
5 10/03/2014 14:49
KEVIN NASH EXCLUSIVE.
IF ONLY I KNEW NOW… Kevin was part of the very first issue of Crafty Carper all those years ago, so for old time’s sakes we got him to write in the 200th issue, and as ever, Kev tells it how it is, as well as how it was.
34
Crafty Carper
034-038_KevinNash_CW200.indd 1
03/03/2014 17:05
W
hilst it’s way back and lost in my memory bank, it seems a long time ago when I contributed
to the first copy of Crafty Carper. With the 200th issue looming, Crafty Carper’s James Turner got in touch to ask if I would contribute to the milestone magazine. He had a subject in mind for me to write about: ‘If only I knew then what I know now’. It’s funny he should pick that theme, because in the last couple of years it’s been a regular discussion point between Alan and me with regards to tackle and bait developments – not what I know now, but more what we knew back then. I’ve said more than a few times that we should just get out my old catalogues from the 1980s and early-’90s and we would find all the product development we would need. Increasingly I am realising that in that hotbed era of carp innovation – the ’80s and into the early-’90s – we had figured out most of it. In actual fact, it is my opinion that in many cases we have since forgotten what we learned, disregarded it, or dare I suggest, we have gone backwards! Quite why the carpangling world has gone that way is anyone’s guess, and there will be a number of reasons. Some are angling related, but more, I would suggest, are commercially related, i.e. the powers that be which market to us have tried, in many instances, to brainwash us into buying products that are quite simply unfit for purpose.
Crafty Carper 034-038_KevinNash_CW200.indd 2
35 03/03/2014 17:05
GOING DEEPER.
Underwater Observations It’s said that we learn something new every time we go on the bank, and this is definitely true for Rob Hughes. He learns so much from taking a look below the surface, so here we find out his top five discoveries.
M
y journey underwater
that will undoubtedly help you catch
has taken me round the
more carp. The great thing about it is
houses many times, and
that they are dead simple to do;
I am constantly evolving my views
they don’t require massive
as I learn more. Things can be quite
expenditure or involve
technical sometimes, so here are the
the purchase of the latest
top five things that I have picked up
wonder widget, and they work.
50
Crafty Carper
050-053_Hughesy_CC200.indd 1
05/03/2014 15:48
Underwater Observations Rob Hughes
#1
Hit The Clip
was making a TV programme called
Something as easy as
The Carp Show, and wanted to do
hitting the line clip on your reel will
some tests on what rigs looked like
immediately catch most people more
when they were cast in. We did 10
fish. Be honest with yourself now and
experiments where the rig was cast in
ask yourself if you hit the clip or stop
without being stopped, and 10 times
the line when you cast out – religiously
it wrapped itself around the leader,
– every single time. If you don’t I can
and almost every time when reeled in
virtually guarantee that you are missing
it untangled itself. We repeated the
out on fish. Why? Because the chances
test 30 times in total and the result
are very high that you will be tangled
was 29 tangles out of 30. This was a
whilst on the bottom, and secondly,
eureka moment for me. On the bank,
you don’t really know what you are
anglers would never have known it was
presenting your bait over
tangled because it unwound
(see next point for more detail on that one). I remember the first time I tested this theory was when I
itself on the retrieve as
"We did 10 experiments where the rig was cast in without being stopped, and 10 times it wrapped itself around the leader"
a result of the weight of the hookbait. Since that day I have seen this
ABOVE If you
repeated again and again and again. It
don’t hit the clip, it twists and tangles most of the time.
doesn’t really matter which hooklink
BELOW Get it right,
hooklink such as Camotex stiff is the
and it’s perfect.
exact situation
or main line/leader setup you are using (although leadcore and a stiff lesser of the evils) – it still happens. It isn’t fatal to your chances of getting a bite because the fish can potentially still pick up the bait, but it won’t be fishing how you want it to be and your chances will be reduced. The giveaway on the bank is that when you reel in, particularly with a line clip system, the hooklink has one loop around the top of the lead or the clip. If it comes back like that, you were fishing it tangled. Hughesy’s Tipi Always hit the clip even if you are using a Chod or a bag, so you can feel the lead down.
#2
Know What You Are Fishing Over and Recast
There are undoubtedly occasions when a chuck-and-chance approach works, but it is, at best, a gamble unless you know the lake very well indeed. Singles
ABOVE Not
knowing the depth of silt meant this PVA bag was almost swallowed up.
ABOVE RIGHT Weed like this wouldn’t register when you cast out unless you really pay attention to detail – have a good feel around.
landed a fish, how many times
Some people use the same
have you heard them say, “It’s
presentations everywhere, and
only been out there 10 minutes.”?
that’s fine if it’s the same sort of
Without sounding cocky, I already
fishing that they do, but generally
know the answer – plenty.
a little more knowledge of what’s
There can be a number of reasons
out there will help your fishing
why a bite wasn’t forthcoming, such
immensely. A couple of casts with
as the rig being tangled (see above),
a marker or a bare lead, and a
but it’s also down to the bottom that
drag around with an old rig, will
you’re fishing over. The bait may
give you an idea of the lakebed,
have landed by a stone, been moved,
obstacles, weed, and anything
down, but one of the biggest
be stuck in weed, or the link may
else that may be a concern.
reasons for not catching isn’t the
be lying over some debris, making
fact that the bait or rig are wrong,
it stand out. The line lay could be
Hughesy’s Tipi
it’s that they are presented
wrong, or the leadcore may be lifted
If you are ever in doubt or
poorly or in the wrong place.
off the bottom by an obstacle. If
think you should have had
Let me pose this question
you don’t know what’s out there,
a bite when you
how can you choose what to use?
haven’t, recast.
slung at showing fish are a prime example, and you can always increase your chances of a decent presentation by feeling the lead
to you: After someone has
Crafty Carper 050-053_Hughesy_CC200.indd 2
51 05/03/2014 15:48
BILL COTTAM
BOILIE EVOLUTION We got the Nutrabaits big man, who’s been in the bait industry for over 25 years, in the hot seat to ask him if carp baits really have improved over the years, or are they just being reinvented year after year?
G
enerally speaking, I would
fair to say that the evolution doesn’t
have to say that the quality
necessarily guarantee an improvement
of what’s available to carp
in quality and effectiveness. Every bait
anglers today, particularly from the
company has to market its products
more conscientious and knowledgeable
in the way it sees fit to ensure the
bait companies, is considerably better
great bait-buying public is made
than what carp anglers had at their
aware of what goodies are available,
disposal a number of years ago. I say
but it is an undisputable fact that
that because the passage of time has
some of today’s baits are much more
undoubtedly led to the bait companies
widely used than they would be if
and bait boffins out there learning
popularity was solely governed by
much more about just what does and
how effective they are with regard
doesn’t attract carp, and which products
to the catching of carp. Hype and
represent suitable and meaningful
bottomless advertising budgets have
additions to their long-term diets.
undoubtedly played a much bigger part
I have been heavily involved in the
in terms of popularising baits in the
production of carp baits, both for my
last 10 years than ever before, and
own use and commercially, for the best
the result of this is that a number of
part of 30 years, and I can honestly
distinctly average carp-catching baits
say that never a year goes by without
have sold incredibly well, whilst many
me learning something significant
enormously effective baits have never
which takes me a little bit closer to
really been able to make an impression
the ultimate carp bait. I would also
on the marketplace due to the relevant
make the point though, that much of
company’s inability to bombard the
what I believed to be true with regard
bait-buying public with hype. Carp
to nutrition and long-term acceptance
anglers are good judges though, and
as a food source in the late-’80s and
although there are a couple of notable
early-’90s, I don’t necessarily believe
exceptions, in most cases baits that are
to be particularly relevant today.
based more on advertising hype than
Having said that, I think it’s also
60
effectiveness tend to have a short life
ABOVE A 50+ caught on Trigga with Blue Oyster flavour, a bait combination that suits my needs perfectly. RIGHT Trigga, in its various guises, includes several ingredients that I wouldn’t have even considered using 30 years ago!
Crafty Carper
060-062_BoilieEvolution_CC200.indd 1
03/03/2014 15:51
Boilie Evolution Bill Cottam
ABOVE Don’t be afraid to ask questions about exactly what ingredients are used in your bait.
at the top. Conversely, it’s a fair bet that a bait that remains popular for a prolonged period of time invariably does so due to the success that anglers have enjoyed whilst using it. The best advice I can give is to pick your choice of which bait to use on the facts and select a bait – and stick with it – based on just how suitable it is for the type of fishing you adopt. If your carp-angling hero fishes 5 days week throughout the year on a venue that holds just 10 big fish, it is a fair bet that the bait he uses, and no doubt promotes as part of his sponsorship deal, will not be ideal for you if you only fish every other Friday night and fish several different prolific waters in a season. To help you pick the best bait for your requirements, get in touch with a number of different bait companies and talk to them. The job of a bait company doesn’t stop with the packaging and selling of boilies; offering meaningful advice to help you become a more successful carp angler is all part of the service that should be offered in this day and age. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask the questions that you want the answers to; for example, if I didn’t produce my own baits and found myself having to buy bait from a retailer or direct from a bait company, I wouldn’t dream of putting my faith in a long-term food bait unless I knew what ingredients were used in the recipe. Very few bait producers are prepared to reveal their exact recipes, of course, but I would be immediately suspicious of any company which wouldn’t tell me the basic ingredients used and the approximate percentages at which they are included. Similarly, if you
"I wouldn’t dream of putting my faith in a long-term food bait unless I knew what ingredients were used in the recipe"
are looking for a short-term attractor bait, where the inherent effectiveness is governed more by the liquid and powdered additives used in the bait, I would always want to know which additives and attractors are included, and what the track
Crafty Carper 060-062_BoilieEvolution_CC200.indd 2
61 03/03/2014 15:51
ANGLER PROFILE.
Nick Helleur Age 42 Hometown
Harefield Occupation
Angling writer/ consultant UK personal best
43lb 12oz Favourite venue
Redhouse Did you know...
Nick very rarely fishes consecutive nights in the same swim. He’s also an expert welder.
CANAL CARPING.
The straight and Narrow This month Nick Helleur gives his thoughts on angling for our beloved quarry on the canals of Great Britain. With endless miles of water and some cracking specimens to be had, it’s well worth a shout. 78
Crafty Carper
078-081_Canal_CC200.indd 1
06/03/2014 12:13
The Straight and Narrow Nick Helleur
Crafty Carper 078-081_Canal_CC200.indd 2
79 06/03/2014 12:13
P U B L I S H E D B Y A N G L I N G P U B L I C AT I O N S
K C BA MAND BY DReEprinted
14
for 20
M
y Misspent Youth is the story of a young lad who dreamt of catching big carp above all else. The story charts Darrell’s carpangling life so far, from early beginnings at the little-known Essex Quarry aged 17, to holding his own amongst some of his idols at some of the UK’s toughest circuit
TheCarpStore
waters. Read how Darrell catches some of the UK’s best-known carp, including the incredible Two-Tone from Conningbrook, Yateley Car Park’s Arfur, Heather and pals, and the Fat Lady from St. Ives. Darrell’s determination to succeed, along with his obvious natural gift for catching carp, shines through in this deliberately honest tale.
£30 + £2.95 P&P
B O O K SF O • RDMVEDRSL Y• T C I NL G • PGUIBF LT ISC • H LE OATNH G ING A TM I OANGSASZHI N OEPS
O R D E R O N L I N E W W W. T H E C A R P S T O R E . C O M O R C A L L 0 1 1 4 2 5 8 0 8 1 2 MMY_Reprint_CW282.indd 1
18/02/2014 14:11