E G E FRHINeader! r S ry I e v F e
GET THE BEST FROM PLASTIC BAITS Frank Warwick shows you how to do it!
craftyc
arper.c o
No.203 July 2014
for
July 2014 | Issue 203 | £4.10 On sale June 18th – July 23rd 2014
GET MORE BITES THIS WEEKEND! Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
Mark Bartlett reveals his secret edges that will keep you catching
FISH LOCATION The must-read guide to watercraft by the master Dave Lane
Dare to be Different! craftycarper.co
How Adam Penning thought outside the box to smash his PB
PLUS: ALL THE SURFACE-FISHING TIPS YOU’LL NEED FOR SUMMER SUCCESS! 001_Cover_CC203.indd 1
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Crafty Carper /// Issue 203 /// July 2014 /// www.craftycarper.co On the cover: Adam Penning reveals how thinking outside the box led to the downfall of this beast.
CRAFTY COLUMNISTS
7
Editorial
38
110
Working The Water
Crafty Tricks with Plastic
Mark Bartlett
Frank Warwick
In an ideal world, we would all use our knowledge
We all have plastic baits in our tackle
and watercraft to move into a swim that’s full of
bag, but are you making the most of
fish, but on the busy waters of today this isn’t
them? Frank Warwick reveals the tweaks
always possible. Mark Bartlett explains how he
and edges he relies on to make his fake
tries to make the best of these situations by
hookbaits go the extra mile.
using every trick in the book to get a bite.
James Turner
Editor James looks at what’s in this issue, talks World Cup, and looks at the morals of fishing for spawning fish.
123
Diary of an Everyday Carp Angler Julian Cundiff
Our man has been targeting his syndicate, fitting in some hit-and-run sessions on day ticket waters, plus a trip to Nash HQ. How does he do it? We don’t know but we do know it’s been hectic. INTERACTIVE
33
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.
45
Sticky Baits Competition We’ve got a huge £600
giveaway from our friends at Sticky Baits. Three very lucky readers will take delivery of a massive prize package!
58
British Young Carpers’ Angling Championship
Are you under 17? Want the chance to become the British Young Carpers’ Angling champion? If the answer is yes to both, head to page 58 to find out how to enter.
74
The Question Is… This month’s carping conundrums
are answered by our panel of experts. If you get your question answered you’ll be receiving a cracking prize.
103
Mistral Competition We’ve got over £400 worth of bait to
give away from Mistral Baits’ impressive range.
116
Subscribe Fed up of going to the newsagents?
Let us deliver Crafty Carper straight to your door, and this month we’re offering an awesome package from those lovely gents at Nash.
120
Inbox All the latest news from around the
carping world, so you can keep up to date with what’s been happening on the carpy grapevine. FEATURES
9
The Knowledge Dave Lane
15
Going The Extra Mile Adam Penning
23
Get On Top Rich Adams
This month we catch up with Rich Adams
We got Adam Penning to give the low-down
and head off on a floater fishing adventure,
kicks off as Dave outlines exactly how it all
on a highly successful tuition he did overseas,
to see if he can bag a couple on the top.
happened, and details the key to good fish
and how he accounted for a huge tally of
location. It’s not easy though, because he
carp. Read on to find out how he smashed
can’t be in more than one place at a time.
his personal best, not once, but twice.
The Burghfield campaign well and truly
28
The Great Crafty Carper Debate Is floater fishing a serious part of your
carp-catching armoury, or just something to pass the time on a sunny afternoon? Our panel give their thoughts on this month’s hot topic.
4
Crafty Carper
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Contents /// June 2014
47
The Man Who Caught… Matt Ridley
Matt reveals all about the capture of not one, but two UK carp over 50lb. You’ll be overwhelmed with the stories, and this is one not to miss.
106
In Focus Taska
The Essex-based company has just released a dedicated range of air-dry bags along with some high-quality cool bags.
54
Crafty Carper Under-21s Young James Bushnell has written
in with his story of a new personal best and time spent on the bank with Darrell Peck. Plus Tom Kerr checks in with his monthly blog.
109
In Focus Fox EOS 10000
This lightweight freespool workhorse reel should find favour with many anglers.
129
Mega Deals
68
Simple = Effective Darren Belton
Darren Belton explains why it’s the little
If you’re up for a bargain
then you’ll definitely want to have a closer look at this month’s offers.
things that count and make all the difference when it comes to catching carp consistently
OUT AND ABOUT
85
96
waters safely and get the presentation right.
some free fishing to take advantage of.
Jungle Warfare Andy Richardson
Andy Richardson discusses how to tackle weedy
91
Battling Nature Nick Burrage
Nick Burrage reveals how he goes
The TicketMaster We’ve hand-picked four fisheries
from across the UK which are all offering
100
Fishery In Focus Four Seasons
We take a close look at a fishery in the northwest
up against nature, including the
which is fast becoming a favourite with both local
weather and water temperatures.
anglers and ones from a little further afield.
CARP FOOD
61
COMPETITION WINNERS FROM CRAFTY
particles coming to a tackle shop near you, and
One winner will receive a bundle of top-quality
upon inspection they don’t half look the part.
gear from a whole host of manufacturers:
65
Taska Competition
Carp Food There are some ready-prepared
Carp Food Special Spod to success with Starbaits. If you’re
looking for the perfect spod mix to give the carp some grub, then we’ve definitely found it here.
CARPER APRIL ISSUE 200 Crafty Mega Giveaway Competition
Maurizio Alaimo – Wolverhampton, West Midlands.
Five winners will receive the Bankside Luggage: Paul Covey – Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Nathan Waller – Southminster, Essex. Bradley Revett – Greenwich, London. Paul Muncaster – Manchester, Lancashire. David Herbert – Manchester, Lancashire.
CARPERS’ KIT
Nash Competition Two winners will receive a Nash Titan Two-man Bivvy:
79
Carpers’ Kit We take a look at some of the best
Peter Gorby – Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Joe Cousins – Martock, Somerset.
products that are new to the shops, and give you
COMPETITION WINNERS FROM CRAFTY
the low-down on what’s hot and what’s not.
CARPER MAY ISSUE 201
105
In Focus Fox Easy Mat
Gardner Competition Four winners will receive £100 worth of Gardner lines and line treatment: Keith Reynolds – Stanford Le Hope, Essex.
We look at the new pop-up mat from Fox, which
William Green – Bexleyheath, Kent.
is small to carry but big on protection. It’s really
Gareth Smith – Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
worth a look this one, and seeing is believing.
Paul Wright – Thamesmead, London.
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ANGLER PROFILE.
Mark Bartlett Age 27 Hometown
Yatton, Somerset Occupation
Fishery owner UK personal best
39lb 8oz Favourite venue
Linear Fisheries Did you know...
Mark is one of Crafty’s favourite ginger anglers.
38
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Working the Water Mark Bartlett
TACTICS.
Working the Water In an ideal world, we would all use our knowledge and watercraft to move into a swim that’s full of fish, but on the busy waters of today this isn’t always possible. Mark Bartlett explains how he tries to make the best of these situations by using every trick in the book to get a bite.
S
itting behind motionless buzzers
doesn’t mean it’s going to come easy.
that there will more than likely be
is not really my cup of tea, to
You will still have to earn your crust, so
other people fishing, so location
be honest. Yeah, OK, if you’re
to speak, and work out a way to nick a
and watercraft rapidly go out of the
fishing for the odd big elusive carp
bite or two, especially if you are in an
window, and you will sometimes be
then you’re reading the wrong article.
area that isn’t stacked up with fish.
forced to slot in somewhere just to
I’m talking about going out for a
Carp fishing is huge nowadays,
be able to get the rods out. Secondly,
weekend’s fishing and catching some
which makes most lakes rather busy
the anglers on the bank are there
fish, primarily on fairly well-stocked
at weekends, so not only are you
for the same reason as you, so you
day ticket waters where there’s a good
up against the carp, you are also up
need to fish in a manner that is the
chance of getting some action. But just
against the other anglers in a few
most effective way, giving you the
because you’re fishing these venues, it
different ways. Firstly is the fact
best opportunity of a bite or two.
1
2
3
4
On day ticket waters you often
cannot help themselves and have
find fish passing through your swim
to have a look at what’s going on.
more often than you think, and a lot
What you do in your swim is
of the time they are rather catchable;
ultimately down to you, however,
it’s just a case of figuring
fishing off the bottom is
out what is the best way. No two situations are ever the same, but one thing that’s always the same is the amount of time the carp
without question a killer
“Fishing off the bottom is without question a killer tactic”
spend off the bottom, swimming around. I personally think they are very
tactic, and also a tactic
ABOVE 1 One lead arrangement gives me the versatility that I need to swap rigs. 2 My simple but very effective pop-up rig. 3 If I need to go up in the water, I use this Zig setup. 4 Use different lengths of anti-tangle sleeves for Zigs or bottom baits. It does make a difference.
accounted for almost all my captures
that has got me out of
at that time of year, especially on the
trouble on a number of
larger clearer lakes that I fish. In the
occasions. Zig Rigs are
summer you can bait over the top of
the best way to catch
them; specialist mixes attract the carp
carp off the bottom, and
into the swim, where they will take the
there are a few different applications of the Zig that you
hookbait in amongst the cloud without hesitation. Baiting over the top of the
catchable like this, and being a very
can use. The solitary Zig is an awesome
Zigs is something I do often,
inquisitive species, they sometimes
winter and spring tactic, and has
but with a slight twist.
Crafty Carper 038-041_Working_CC203.indd 2
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HOOKLINKS This rig works well with standard braid or the coated variety. I tend to use the slightly stiffer coated version when casting to avoid tangles. Braid is used when there is any type of debris on the lakebed. ANGLER PROFILE.
Darren Belton Age 43 Hometown
Wells, kent Occupation
Train driver UK personal best
45lb 6oz Favourite venue
Stoneacres Did you know...
Darren is competing with Ian Russell for the title of carp angler with the most tattoos.
PUTTY
HOOKS This is what’s commonly called the KD-Rig, and it’s normally tied using a curved shank pattern. In my experience, I’ve found that wide gapestyle hooks perform better, so I stick with E-S-P Raptors which are sharp and strong.
The most important thing about putty is that it actually stays in place on the hooklink. Many brands are simply too soft; they are easy to work with but move in a genuine fishing situation. This stuff from Kryston does the job well.
SIMPLE = This rig looks nothing special, but Darren Belton explains why it’s the little things that count and make all the difference when it comes to catching carp consistently.
I
t might sound obvious, but I want
a couple of presentations that do me
to catch fish every time I go.
for 90% of my fishing. This means
With this in mind, I stick with the
that I’m always organised and, more
same tried and trusted things that
importantly, I’m confident, which is
take the worry out of the equation.
one of the key factors to fishing well.
Think about it; if you have confidence
The presentation you see in this
in your bait, which I do, you don’t
feature is the culmination of
even think about it. You just bait up,
several years’ fishing, and has
read the situation, and add more if
amalgamated all the best
needed to gain their confidence – job
bits from many different
done. I know it isn’t quite that simple
presentations to form a rig
but that’s the crux of the matter,
that I use for the vast majority
and the same goes for rigs. I don’t
of my fishing. The only exception
want to be sitting behind a set of
to this is when I want a pure pop-
rods worrying that my presentation
up presentation, and although the
isn’t right, which creates doubt in
basics of the rig remain the same, the
my mind. Like many experienced
hooklink is tied slightly differently.
anglers, I have eventually settled on
However, I’ll talk about that later,
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Simple = Effective
Darren Belton
LEAD CLIPS
LEADERS
These babies can be fine-tuned to drop the lead in the blink of an eye, or retain it in all but the most severe conditions. I like this version simply because in dense weed the clip and the lead can come off.
This is a personal choice; there are loads of different options available but I like the properties of fluorocarbon. It sinks like a brick, is hard to see, follows the contours of the lakebed easily, is cheap, and user-friendly.
SINKERS There are loads of different types now available, from a range of manufacturers, all of which perform well. They are hardwearing plus they give the last few feet of line a bit of extra help to stay in place across the bottom.
EFFECTIVE LEFT This 38lb 8oz carp fell to
this presentation during a winter campaign on Elphicks Fishery.
so let’s start at the beginning.
line, what I am telling you to do is
of fluorocarbon
that once you’ve found a line that
anywhere between
performs to your expectations,
6 and 8 metres in
stick with it. It’s just one less thing
length. The stuff
to think about. There are a myriad
I use is supple,
I’ve settled on a reel line that I like.
of lines out there, all of which are
abrasion-resistant,
It’s strong, casts well, and sinks like
good, so find one that suits you.
and knots well, plus it
After lots of trials and tribulations,
a brick, and it suits me, so I’m
Next comes the leader, and again
“There are a myriad of lines out there, all of which are good, so find one that suits you”
really is very inconspicuous
with every couple of casts. Not only would it be a pain, it would also cost me a fortune, so the sinkers suit my needs. There are several
brands on the market and
this is something that suits me and
underwater, so it does everything
might not be right for everyone.
I need it to. I add several of the
copolymer
I haven’t got on especially well
commercially available sinkers to
arrangement, and to put it simply, if I
which I have
with leadcore or some of the poly
the leader, just to help it follow the
don’t need it to come off I tend to use
leaders; in my head I think they aren’t
contours of whatever I’m fishing
an in-line. The only exception to this
very subtle so I worry about them.
over. I use these little gizmos rather
would be if the bottom is a bit soft
this because it’s what I
However, if this doesn’t give you
than putty simply because they are
or covered in a thin layer of silkweed.
like, so I’m happy. I’m not
cause for concern, use them, because
miles more user-friendly. Putty comes
In this case a lead clip with a swivel
saying you should go
there is no doubt that they work for
off fairly easily and I don’t want
lead gives a slightly better
out and use the same
many people. I’m happy with a length
to be replacing several large blobs
presentation when the
confident. The line itself is a
to import from America, but I do
they all work very similarly. We then get to the lead
Crafty Carper 068-071_SimpleEffective_CC203.indd 2
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Going the Extra Mile Adam Penning
CRAFTY H T I W S K TRIC
C I T S A L P
110
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Crafty Tricks with Plastic Frank Warwick
ANGLER PROFILE.
Frank Warwick Age 53 Hometown
Wilmslow, Cheshire UK personal best
43lb 14oz Favourite venue
Bluebell Lakes Did you know...
Frank is ambidextrous and can use either hand or foot for most things, whether it be writing or kicking a ball, plus loads more.
We all have plastic baits in our tackle bag, but are you making the most of them? Frank Warwick reveals the tweaks and edges he relies on to make his fake hookbaits go the extra mile.
I
guess I use plastic baits for about a third of my fishing, which I’m sure you will agree is quite a lot, but I
find them effective, and easy to use, so why not? Some of the purists may frown about the use of imitation baits, but that’s not a problem or concern for me. I use them simply because I keep getting excellent results on them. You may know that I have used the Enterprise versions since the very early beginnings of the company, and consider them easily the best out there by some margin. I have been lucky enough to have had a big hand in the testing and concept of many of the products. However, I still mess around with additives and attractors which I can add to the baits to enhance their effectiveness. I concede
“I use them simply because I keep getting excellent results on them”
that unflavoured versions will, and do, catch fish very well, but I much TOP This fish was fooled by some
giant corn on a Choddy. ABOVE You can effectively add buoyancy
to the hookbait with half a plastic boilie. LEFT You can use any combination
of flavours and essential oils; the choice is yours.
prefer the flavoured dosed-up versions. From my comparison tests over the years, I have found the flavoured ones will out-fish the unflavoured by quite some margin, and this is the case with baits fished on or near the bottom. However, quite the reverse is true of baits used on Zig Rigs. I strangely find that unflavoured Zig baits seem to work the best, although occasionally I have had better results in the night on a flavoured Zig. In recent years, and in all four seasons, I have found Zigs to be incredibly good at night. This should be of no surprise really, as most fly hatches seem to take place in the dark, so I guess the carp are used to looking for emerging flies in the middle and upper layers at night. How many times have you heard carp crashing at night on waters where to see a show in daylight is a rare event? I don’t think this is just coincidence. I think that on waters where big insect hatches happen at night, the carp will feed
Crafty Carper 110-113_PlasticTricks_CC203.indd 2
111 05/06/2014 17:10
Sponsored by
There are a few new snippets in the Inbox part of the mag, but more importantly, we want to use this section to keep in touch with our readers. Anything you want to tell us, no matter how big or small, then either write to the address above or contact me by email. I love hearing about your thoughts, not only about the mag but also fishing in general. Each month one lucky reader will win a £20 voucher to be spent at www.thecarpstore.co
GET IN TOUCH Email: james@craftycarper.co By post: Crafty Carper, Regent House, 101 Broadfield Road, Sheffield S8 0XH
Horton’s Gone Posh! How about this for a bit of luxury? This
room, and a log-burning stove. To finish
is the new clubhouse at the Horton
off, it’s got lovely views over the lake
complex, and the Crafty and Carpworld
and a fantastic decking area. RK Leisure
team ventured down south to view it,
are the owners of several fisheries, and
as you don’t see this sort of
if this is the future for carp
thing every day, do you? RK Leisure, the owners of Horton, have spent heavily on the venue, and the prestigious development is the
angling, we can’t complain.
“If this is the future for carp angling, we can’t complain”
culmination of many months
If you fancy winning a very special Gold Card season ticket for the Horton complex, check out our sister magazine, Carpworld. In
of hard graft, during which time
the July edition there will be
the whole venue received a makeover.
a special four-page feature about the
The lodge itself has a fully-fitted
Horton complex, along with the chance
kitchen, toilets and showers, a games
to win a £1,000 Gold Card ticket.
Fox and Crafty Facebook Winner #3 The Facebook competition that we are
been fishing for 5 hours!” Well done, James,
currently running with our friends at Fox
your picture is now in the hall of fame and will
has now got a third winner! James Clifton
compete with the other winners for the chance
bagged this lovely 21lb 2oz big, old, scaly
of winning a session with Mark Pitchers, Ian
mirror, which was caught on a krill bottom
Chillcott or Tom Maker. We
bait tipped with a white krill pop-up. James
have informed the guys
told us: “This is the third time I’ve caught this
at Fox and your prize will
fish in 2 years, and it came as part of a six-
be on its way to
fish haul from a club water in Kent. I’d only
you shortly.
120
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09/06/2014 14:14
ET1
Inbox
Team Crafty Carper
Every Bit of Blue Do you remember when you were a kid, looking at maps and investigating all the blue bits to see if they held fish? Well, that’s the reason for the title of Frank Warwick’s book which is now in production at Angling Publications. The book charts Frank’s life through the memories and pictures of some of his most successful times on the banks of various lakes, from the serene meres of Cheshire to the huge Continental waters. The book is now in the final stages of production and its 360 pages will be packed with what Frank’s famous for – catching big fish! It’s not all Fishabil, where a session in October could see you pocketing £10,000!
catch reports though because Frank is also famous for his stories – and what fantastic stories they are too. If you think you know
Go on Holiday – Pocket £10k!
Frank, think again, because this book is
How often can you go
technical chapters, and because he’s a
on a fishing holiday
master bait technician, everyone will be
and come home with
able to learn from Frank’s vast experience.
full of the wit that Frank exudes, and his stories of life on the bank will certainly entertain. Frank has also added several
£10,000 in your
We’ll be taking pre-orders soon so
pocket? That’s the first
keep an eye on Crafty Carper and visit
prize on offer in the
thecarpstore.com and be the first in the
Carpworld International
queue for what will certainly be the read
Championship, which
of the year.
will take place at French venue
There are also
Fishabil in October. The 5-day endurance event is open to everyone, and for little more than the price of a carp-fishing
ABOVE Seriously,
Nick, we’re not laughing our socks off at your dilemma! Get well soon, pal.
hundreds of books and carpy goodies
need any fancy gear, you don’t need to
Big Break for Burrage
be an expert, all you have to do is get
Everyone needs a bit of a break in life, but we can’t help but
cracking
yourself to Fishabil, get the rods out, and
think that Nick Burrage wasn’t too happy with this one. Nick’s
subscription
you’re in with a chance. Fishabil’s 65 acres
building himself a name as one of the most prolific anglers
offers for
is packed with 85 tonnes of fish, so it’s
in the country, and part of his fame is now holding tuition
both Crafty
virtually guaranteed you’ll have the time
classes. Whilst on Frisby Lakes, taking a starry-eyed angler
Carper and
of your life.
on a tuition trip, he slipped and hurt his ankle. Nick, being
Carpworld.
holiday, you could join the fun. You don’t
to look at, plus some
the trooper that he is, carried on and got the guy catching For more details take a look at
before going to hospital the day after for a check-up – only
carpworldmagazine.com/cic or buy
to find he’d broken it! Nick ended up miles away from home
Carpworld this month and check out
with his foot in plaster. Oh, dear, we aren’t laughing, honest!
the details.
ENTERPRISE TACKLE
ABOVE The first look at Frank’s new eagerly awaited book., don’t miss out on your copy.
WE JUST KEEP ON INNOVATING! NEW for 2014
ET13L Large PopUp Corn
“ I have very little doubt that the new Large Corn from Enterprise will be the product of 2014, it’s simply stunning! Can you afford NOT to try it.?”
Frank Warwick
RRP: From £1.99 All the attraction of our original Popup Sweetcorn now available in a new larger size!
Made in the UK
‘The carp’s FAKE FOOD of choice’
www.enterprisetackle.co.uk
Ask your local Enterprise Tackle stockist for details!
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20/02/2014 14:14 18:48 09/06/2014
ONLY
£9.99
FREE P&P
NEW
from the publishers of
magazine
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT RIGS BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK! The most up-to-date guide to modern-day carp rigs and how to use them. Featuring favourite rigs from: Terry Hearn, Tim Paisley, Frank Warwick, Mark Pitchers, Terry Dempsey and others. Order Now • £9.99 FREE P&P
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