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RIG ESSENTIALS - How to tie the perfect Chod every time
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No.205 September 2014
September 2014 | Issue 205 | £4.10
E E R F ING H ERY S V I E F FOREADER R
How to maximise your catch rate when the clock is ticking
side ils in Deta
On sale 20th August – 16th September 2014
36 0
Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
RIG
SUPER-SWEET HOOKBAITS
MASTER THE METHOD
Find out why this highly Get to grips with effective approach will this underused, yet catch you more carp highly rated tactic craftycarper.co
MASTERCLASS: CREATE THE FOOLPROOF 360 RIG 001_Cover_CC205.indd 1
»
TOP KIT REVEALED From ASHIMA, FOX, NASH, NGT, E-S-P, TASKA
PLUS LOADS MORE 08/08/2014 09:38
Crafty Carper /// Issue 205 /// September 2014 /// www.craftycarper.co On the cover: Mitch Smith showing that working hard on short overnighters really can pay dividends.
7
Editorial James Turner
Editor James looks at what’s in store for
100
you in this issue of Crafty Carper, and
69
40
the country in the pages of
Perfect your Chods by taking
maximum potential; that’s what Mitch
TicketMaster this month, and there
the advice of Andy on board,
does and he regularly fishes short
are free fishing offers for every
and you’re sure to put a few
overnight sessions. Find out how to
piece and reflects on his time spent
reader to take advantage of.
extra fish on the bank.
up your catch rate on limited time.
on Burghfield, whilst talking about the
The TicketMaster We’ve got four
day ticket fisheries from across
Chod Rig Checklist
Andy Maker
Overnight Success Mitch Smith
Use your time at the lake to its
there’s also his usual monthly ramblings.
9
The Knowledge Dave Lane
Laney checks in with his monthly
great subject of bite times. Is a new water and target on the cards?
15
The Sweet Taste Of Success Mark Pitchers
Strawberry Fields is well known for its large carp, and we join Mark as he relives his quest for the monsters 10 years ago.
27
Gardner Competition This month two lucky readers
will become the proud owners of a set of alarms, buzz bars and indicators from the top guys at Gardner.
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 from those top guys over at Sticky Baits.
46
The Great Crafty Debate This month’s panel of experts give
their thoughts on particles. Turn to page 46 to find out the experts’ favourites.
50
Crafty Carper Under-21s 2013 BYCAC champion Tom
Kerr checks in with his final monthly blog, and we also have a story from Jordan Owen about his park lake escapades.
55
Carp Food Here you’ll find the latest and
greatest products of carp cuisine on the shelves of a tackle shop near you, as well as the editor’s choice of the month.
58
Carp Food Edges We take a closer look at some
new products from Carp Impact, which will give you an edge for the month ahead.
22
Method Fishing
29
The 360 Rig Keith Attfield
Team Crafty
Want to fish the Method but unsure where to start?
A rig much talked about but
The Crafty team share all
very rarely used. Keith gives the
about this underused tactic.
81
Carpers’ Kit We take a look at some
of the best products that are new to the shops, and give you the
low-down on the pros and cons
low-down on what’s hot and what’s
of this highly effective rig.
not. Plus the Crafty Team give you their essential items this month.
4
Crafty Carper
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Contents /// September 2014
61
Stand Out From The Crowd Andy Richardson
Want your hookbait to stand out from the rest? Of course you do.
New for 2014
15
Head to page 61 to find out how.
66
Fox Competition We have two Fox Classic
Easy Dome Euro Bivvies to give away this month. That’s over £800 worth, so enter on page 66.
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
46
prize delivered straight to your door.
86
Subscribe Fed up of going to the
newsagents? Let us deliver Crafty straight to your door, and this month we’re offering you an awesome package from those lovely gents at Taska. Get in!
88
30yds Out, 30ft Drop Ed Betteridge
Ed gives some cracking advice on how best to present bait on
110
Tried & Tested Hydrographic
Wrapping Service
118
Inbox Keep up to date
with what’s been going on. You
the contours of a lakebed which
If you like tarty tackle then you’re sure
can also get in touch with us here
goes to extreme depths.
to love the service that these companies
and see who won the Facebook
offer. Pimp my tackle gets real!
catch competition in conjunction
94
Chop and Change Dan Wildbore
Make your boilies go further with Dan, as he not only helps you save money but also bag a few more carp.
104
Fishery In Focus – Monument 2 – In Detail
RH Fisheries have been busy digging a new lake, and now it’s all finished
113
In Focus 30Plus
Carp rods are always a talking point, and when you can get top quality for an affordable price tag, it’s definitely something to take a proper look at.
114
with Fox International, as well as a prize from NGT.
122
Diary of an Everyday
Carp Angler Julian Cundiff Our monthly diarist is back
In Focus
with plenty of fish to report
Taska
after another gruelling month,
The AVL luggage range from Taska is
where he used every spare
it to help give you an insight into
taking the angling world by storm, so it’s
minute to catch carp.
tackling this awesome new water.
only right that we take a closer look at
we’ve actually managed to fish
108
Chub Competition The guys at Chub
have given us two prize packages
some of the flagship pieces of luggage.
117
In Focus
129
Mega Deals If you’re up for a
bargain then you’ll definitely
Star-Flite
want to head over to page 129
Stainless is sexy – end of! Notts-based
to check out our Mega Deals for
include a bivvy, barrow and barrow
Star-Flite have emerged onto the scene
some of the best offers from
bag. Get involved on page 108.
and are definitely making waves.
the country’s leading retailers.
to give away to our readers, which
All the attraction of our original Popup Sweetcorn now available in a new larger size! RRP: From £1.99 “ 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.?”
61
Frank Warwick
ENTERPRISE
‘The carp’s FAKE FOOD of choice’
enterprisetackle www.enterprisetackle.co.uk Ask your local Enterprise Tackle stockist for details!
Crafty Carper 004-005_Conts_CC205.indd 2
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Te a m C raf t y F u n d a m e nt a l s
Method
It’s long been a winner on the coarse match scene, and anglers have recorded large captures of carp when using the Method feeder; it can account for carp of all sizes. Here we take a look at how you can use the Method to your advantage.
Fishing 22
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Method Fishing
Team Crafty Carper
Introduction The use of a Method feeder can be a very proactive way of catching carp on any venue, no matter how big or small, and no matter what carp stock the lake holds. It’s a tactic that the majority of anglers don’t tend to use, and this is for no other reason than because it’s too much like hard work. I seem to be in the minority, and tend to fish the Method quite often, especially on winter day sessions when I want to cast around and stay active to try to encourage a bite. It’s not just a winter tactic though, as I quite often have one set up on one of my spare rods throughout the year, even as a quick change of tactic. It’s pretty simple to knock up a quick Method mix, mould it around the feeder, and get it out there. Method fishing may quite possibly be one of the most successful ways of fishing and has accounted for a huge number of fish over the years, although its use seems to have dwindled since the advent of PVA; it’s a lot easier to simply fill some PVA mesh and nick it onto the hook. You may be surprised at how many top anglers admit to bypassing the Method feeder in situations when it could have been the difference between a bite and a blank.
What You Need
or you could even go for a standard
To begin fishing the Method, you need
10mm boilie. The Marukyu Credence
to choose a Method feeder. They’re
boilie range is available in 10mm
pretty easy to come by and your local
300mg packs, which are resealable,
tackle shop will undoubtedly have
making them perfect for hookbaits
what you’re looking for; a number
for a day of Method fishing. Creating
of manufacturers make very good
your own Method mix gives you
Method feeders. When fishing the
free rein; mixed particle and pellet
Method I always opt for a short soft-
is a great combination along with
braided hooklink material, nothing too
some Method mix straight off the
complicated either. If you’re unsure,
shelf. When it comes to additives,
the likes of E-S-P actually make ready-
take your pick. Include liquids in the
tied Method rigs. When it comes to
mix to help bind all the solid items
the choice of hookbait, I usually tend
together, or just use the liquid
to opt for a balanced bait, a piece of
to bind the straightforward
imitation corn, a pellet, a fluoro wafter,
Method mix from the bag.
TOP Short braided
hooklinks are the best bet when using the Method. ABOVE The hookbait
options you have at your disposal are endless. LEFT Method feeders
come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Take a look in your local tackle shop.
Crafty Carper 022-025_Fundamentals_CC205.indd 2
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Success OVERNIGHT
People often talk about making the most of your time on the bank, but if you’re restricted to quick overnighters between work, it will mean more to you than most. The majority of Mitch’s fishing is done on quick overnighters, so who better to help you maximise your time?
O
ne of the best ways to create an extra few days on the bank is to fish
overnighters, which to most people means finishing work, going fishing all night, and then going back to work the next day. This can be the most gruelling of fishing styles and can leave you exhausted. I would say that this style of fishing is what I do for 80% of my angling, I do it so much that I now have it down to a fine art. It’s not like a normal day session or a weekend stint; you have to be strict with what you do and how you approach the fishing in order to be successful in your angling – and not lose your job in the process! The biggest thing I have learnt is that you have to be really strict with yourself. Everything needs to run like clockwork, especially hitting the sack to get some sleep. Decide why you’re actually there; it’s all about catching the fish, not having a social with your carping mates. If you’re someone who needs a fair lump of sleep to get through the day, you have to be prepared to get in the bag a little earlier than normal to compensate for being up through the night landing fish, a bit like the newborn baby scenario. You know you’ll be up, so make sure you get enough time on the pillow to keep you alert and awake. Don’t get caught up drinking and giggling until the wee hours with other anglers, as you will pay the price at work the next day. When I go to the office in France, I try really hard to spend every night behind the rods, rather than sitting watching TV. I attempt to catch a few extra ones, but I can honestly tell you that by Friday I’m generally absolutely knackered; I struggle to focus on my daily routine because I’m so tired.
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Crafty Carper
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Overnight Success Mitch Smith
ANGLER PROFILE.
Mitch Smith Age 47 Hometown
Southend-on-Sea Occupation
Starbaits marketing and product manager UK personal best
44lb 8oz Favourite venue
Layer Pits Did you know...
Mitch has represented Great Britain in the shot put at European and International level, and was set to compete in the 1986 Commonwealth Games, until a multiple fracture of the spine put an end to his athletics career at just 20 years old.
VENUE >>
If you take it home or take it into work
Pick a suitable venue to match your
with you, you will have to leave more
term of stay at the lake. You don’t
time to pack up and leave, so that’s an
really want to be doing three or four
even earlier rise in the morning. And
overnighters on the trot on a lake full
don’t forget an alarm clock. Most phones
of doubles or even rammed with bream,
have them, so set them early enough.
which will keep you up all night. This will
It’s best to be up and out of your bag
destroy you the next day, and if you’re
15 minutes earlier than be 5 minutes
doing a few overnighters in a week, you
late for work and get it in the neck.
will be dead on your feet by the end of it. It’s not enjoyable doing it like that.
MINIMAL GEAR TO CARRY>> As well as rods and nets, etc., I carry
TOP During the summer months,
this is generally the way I do overnighters; super-lightweight and easy to pack away. ABOVE If the weather is bad, a
SET UP AND PACK
one big bucket with me. It holds all
DOWN TIMINGS >>
my bait requirements, from boilies to
BOTTOM Three days on the bank and
Once you’ve selected your overnighter
pop-ups and pellets. If I need spod mix
lake, decide which tackle you don’t
then that’s in the bucket too, and the
need. Obviously, rods, nets, alarms, etc.
bucket also becomes both my seat and
the fish started to come, but check out the baggy eyes! After 5 days you look like death warmed up – I know!
are a must, but bivvies, tables, cooking
table for the night. I generally leave
a mess, and it creates more litter for
gear, computers, etc. are all luxury
the bivvy at home and sleep under
you to clear up – and can have you
tag-ons – are they really needed? The
the stars in a warm sleeping bag, a
bog-trotting for the toilet! I make sure
object of the time there is to catch fish,
Gore-Tex rain cover, and at most, a
all my number twos are left at work!
so the last thing you want is to turn
small umbrella, Oval, or a quick set-up
I don’t want to leave my gear when
up and carry two barrows full of gear
session shelter. For me, it’s all about
I’m fishing short sessions like this for
halfway around a lake, and then have to
what I DON’T HAVE TO PACK UP that
a toilet session – time is everything.
start packing up from 6.00 a.m. so you
determines the kit I take. One big
So, it’s chips, burger or a pizza, and
can get it all back to the car. It’s worth
carryall has all my gear in it, including
it’s often eaten in the car on the way
mentioning here that if the tackle has to
a small camera and any essentials
to the lake. I don’t want anything to
sit in your car all day while at work, is it
that may be needed, such as daily
waste my time when I’m at the venue.
safe? If you can’t
medicines, etc. It also carries my Jetboil
leave it safely
brolly is a must, but keep it light.
so I can have a quick hot drink. I take an
AT THE LAKE>>
then what are
extra bankstick on which I can mount
So, you’ve left work, eaten your chips
you going to
the camera so I can take self-shots of
en route, and you’re finally in the car
do with it?
my captures, because at 5.30 in the
park at the lake. Get all the gear out
morning there’s never anyone around
and loaded on the barrow, or on your
to take them for you. Get used to doing
shoulders. There’s no time to chinwag
it yourself, and get a good flash for the
in the car park, and you don’t have
camera; take the pics when you’ve
the time to walk round the venue to
caught the fish, not in the morning,
choose a swim and then go back to
because it’s hard work on your own
the car for your gear. Get loaded and
with a fully rested, angry carp.
get walking, and watch the water as you walk around. Quickly ask where’s
FOOD>>
producing and get in a swim. The first
When it comes to food, I generally
job is fishing rods out and baits on.
leave work and pick up something
Make the rods up ready to cast with
along the way; simple foods
bait and any PVA setup or the like. Don’t
like fish and chips or pizza
be putting up bedchairs and arranging
are great. Spicy Chinese
things. Get the rods up and ready, and
and Indian meals may
don’t even worry about pods
taste good but make
and buzzers; just rest them
Crafty Carper 040-043_OvernightSuccess_CC205.indd 2
41 11/08/2014 12:41
Carp Food
Team Crafty Carper
QUICK BITES
1
2
3
4
5
6
1. Nutrabaits Blue Oyster Pop-ups
2. RG Baits The Formula Wafters
3. Sticky Baits Cloudy Krill Liquid
rrp: £4.85 per tub
rrp: £5.45 per pot
rrp: £8.99 per 1ltr
online: nutrabaits.net
online: rgbaits.co.uk
online: stickybaits.com
An absolutely massive success story since
Available in 15 or 18mm round as well as
Made using fresh krill, this is a natural liquid, and
they were released, the Blue Oysters have
dumbbells, The Formula Wafters are made
once it enters the water it creates a hazy cloud
been doing the business for anglers from the
using the same ingredients as the boilies,
which is full of attraction and sits close to the
off. The pop-ups include the identical attractor
albeit the liquid blend is used at increased
lakebed. An immense addition to any spod mix,
combination that’s used in the boilies and are
levels to create optimum leakage. This fishy
especially if you want to spod over Zigs. We love it!
definitely worthy of a place in your bag.
bait is sure to catch carp, no doubt.
4. Carp Bait Specialists Fish Amino
5. Enterprise Tackle Zig Beetles
6. Mistral Baits Fruit Bomb 6mm Hard Feed Pellets
rrp: £7.50 per 250ml
rrp: £3.99 per pack
rrp: £5.99 per 900g bag
online: carpbaitspecialists.com
online: enterprisetackle.co.uk
online: mistralbaits.co.uk
This is awesome when used as a bait soak or
These imitation beetles have been based on the
These are low-oil pellets which are perfect for
dip, yet equally effective when added to a spod
body shape of the great diving beetle, which
all-year-round use, and as well as harbouring
mix, Method mix or general groundbait. It can
forms part of a carp’s natural diet. They are easy
fruity flavours they are also a fluoro colour,
even be added to base mix if you like to play
to mount on the Hair and also come supplied
so add a great visual aspect to any bag mix or
around making your own bait. Fruit, Frankfurter
with foam to give the ultimate in buoyancy.
spod mix. Couple some of these with a fluoro
Sausage and Maple Aminos are also available.
56
pop-up in a solid bag and you’re away.
Crafty Carper
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Carp Food
Team Crafty Carper
7
8
9
10
11
12
7. Bait-Tech Liquid Corn
8. Nash Suckers
9. Mainline Baits Activ-Ades
rrp: £3.49 per 250ml
rrp: £2.99 per 40g tub
rrp: £7.55 per 100ml
online: bait-tech.co.uk
online: nashtackle.co.uk
online: mainline-baits.com
Corn is a proven fish-catcher and has been
Utilising the same proven attractors as the
Activ-Ades are feed-inducing flavours containing
since the start of time. Add some Liquid Corn
Slicker Floaters and the Riser Pellets, Suckers
a combination of amino-based attractors, taste
to anything you may be using, whether it’s
are balanced floating hookbaits designed to
enhancers and palatants. The whole range is
pellets, groundbait, spod mixes, or even just to
behave like soaked freebies to help encourage
water-soluble so has a good leakage rate. If
make corn offerings more potent. You can use
more confident takes. They are 10mm in size and
you use it to make your bait you only need a
as much or as little as you wish – perfect.
available in Pure Crustacean and Strawberry Oil.
bottle of this and a chosen flavour. Get rolling!
10. Kent Particles Mixed Combo Pellet
11. Starbaits Add It Fluoro Ink
12. Richworth Original S-Core Boilie Dip
rrp: from £12.49 per 5kg bag
rrp: from £3.99 per pot
rrp: £5.95
online: kentparticles.co.uk
online: starbaits.co.uk
online: richworthbaits.co.uk
This is an assortment of highly nutritional
If you’re an angler who likes to create your own
S-Core has been a massive hit since its release
pellets, perfect for adding to spod mix to
hookbaits, then you’ll like this product for creating
back in 2013, and no matter what you use as
bulk it up a bit, or even keep some bait
high-viz fluoro pop-ups. You’ll struggle to find a
a hookbait, you still have the benefit of the
going in over a few margin spots you may
dye for bait which is brighter than this offering.
amazing Aminoplex, which is housed within
be prebaiting. It’s extremely affordable and
Available in White, Yellow, Purple, Orange and Pink.
the S-Core flavour. Glug your baits or just
available in 5, 10 and 25kg bags or buckets.
give them a booster dip before the cast.
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ED BETTERIDGE
ANGLER PROFILE.
Ed Betteridge Age 38 Hometown
Swadlincote Occupation
Media manager UK personal best
49lb 12oz Favourite venue
Burghfield Did you know...
In a past life as a lab technician, Ed carried out all the microbiological trials for the inception of Tesco’s Pure milk.
88
In this thought-provoking article, Ed Betteridge looks at the fascinating subject of steep underwater gradients and how to combat the whole host of problems that they can cause.
Crafty Carper
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30yds Out, 30ft Drop Ed Betteridge
I
doubt that many anglers have fished in the depths at which I am currently angling, or have had
to contend with the steep slopes that are par for course in these deep pits. But I would also be willing to wager that most anglers have fished steep shelves at one time or another, whether that’s tight to an island, the side of a gravel bar, or in their own margins. What I’m going to outline in this piece is applicable to steep slopes of any kind, whether they signify a depth change of 6ft or 60ft. It’s not just my current water (Bundys) that has presented me with the severe slopes; I have also fished the notoriously deep Elstow 2, where all my bites came from the slopes in the edge. The main body of the pit produced very little and the average depth was over 35ft. Other waters that I have fished are a lot shallower, but still have big gradient changes. One such place is a huge gravel pit close to home, where the depths in the area I was fishing only really go down to 1213ft, but these areas rarely do fish. Most of my bites came from tight to the out of bounds bank in about 3-4ft of water on the steep gradient. On Elstow, Bundys, and the local water, the bites were very much depth-specific, depending on the times of year, so it is very important to hit the correct mark to allow the lead to fall into the correct depth
part in where the carp want to feed.
on the shelf. If I consider that the
It must be so much easier for carp
shelves I’m fishing can be as steep
to feed on slopes than on a flat
as 1:2 or even 1:1, this can cause
lakebed, because there is very little
Bundys can go uncaught for a number
all sorts of issues with hitting the
need for the fish to tilt to feed. On
of years. However, I really think the
correct mark. If I miss a mark by
a steep gradient the carp only need
water will throw up a big surprise
casting the lead 6ft wide on a flat
to alter their body position slightly
soon, with a few fish going half a
lakebed, then I will be fishing 6ft
over horizontal to graze on the shelf,
decade without gracing the bank.
wide of my mark. But if I miss the
which in itself makes our rigs a lot
spot on the surface by 6ft
less effective. If the fish doesn’t right itself after picking up
on a 1:1 gradient, I
the hookbait, this makes
will be 12ft away from where I want to be! And the water will be 6ft deeper! This can often mean the difference
it very difficult for our
“If the fish doesn’t right itself after picking up the hookbait, this makes it very difficult for our rigs to straighten and become effective”
between a bite and a blank. I’m using the 45% gradient
rigs to straighten and
ABOVE Even throwing round
baits by hand makes them spin and not sink vertically.
I’ve played with my rigs a little to try to swing things back in my favour and eliminate the slack hooklink, as the fish feed up the shelf which I mentioned earlier. I’ve played around with very short links and also very
become effective.
stiff ones, but I’ve swayed back to my
Combine this
usual coated braid or fluorocarbon
with the fact that
rigs, because there is a lot of
generally the rigs
undulation on the slopes, caused
hang down the shelf below the lead, and
the carp generally feed up the shelf; this means that
by rocks, twigs, weed, and general debris. I don’t think the short or extra-stiff rigs were fishing correctly on every cast; it’s too easy for a
as an example to illustrate my
the carp will pick up the hookbait
short rig to be buried in silkweed
point, but I try to avoid slopes this
and move towards the lead, so the
or the stiff rigs to force the bait too
steep because it presents all kinds of
hooklink will be slack in the carp’s
far off the deck as it sits over a twig
issues with keeping the rig and bait
mouth and easy for them to eject.
or rock, but a softer fluorocarbon or
in place, although there are ways of
This puts a lot in the carp’s favour,
coated braid is more forgiving and
doing it which I will come to later.
and I think that the pickups-to-bite
will present better amongst debris.
ratio is very low in comparison to
Whilst on the subject of rigs, I can’t
feeding habits are depth-specific at
fishing on the deck. This means the
stress how important it is that every
certain times of year, I also believe
carp get away with it very frequently,
cast is feathered down. I
the slopes themselves play a huge
which explains why so many carp in
hit the clip with the correct
Although I mentioned the carp’s
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89 11/08/2014 16:53
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