arper.c o
WIN! OVER £1,300 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS!
craftyc
No.220 December 2015
E G78 E N FR HOI PAGE SN T I FTUR
December 2015 | Issue 220 | £4.25
«
««
The E D S K I LLZ
Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
Monumental Journey Preparation is key when tackling a large water for stunning carp
«
««
NICK HELLEUR On the trail of wary fish with a very crafty edge
JAKE WILDBORE Winter tactics to help you catch more carp!
+
SIMON CROW Big baits work all year round - FACT!
On sale 18th November–22nd December 2015
+
craftycarper.co
TACKLE ON TEST FROM: SHIMANO, WAVERUNNER, AVID, SONIK, JRC AND GARDNER 001_Cover_CC220.indd 1
03/11/2015 16:42
Contents /// December 2015
72
The Question Is This month’s carping
conundrums are answered by our panel of experts. If you get your question
40
answered, you’ll receive a cracking prize delivered straight to your door.
84
Subscribe If you want to get your
favourite carp-fishing magazine through your letter box every month, then this is the place to go. Take out a subscription this month and you can claim an awesome Sticky Baits Krill package.
93
Increase Your Expectations Chris Lowe
Carp-catching machine Chris Lowe tends to employ the same tactics all year round, and to good effect. Keeping the bait going in has done him proud for years, so why change?
99
Carpers’ Kit We take a look at some of the
best products on the market, and give you the low-down on what’s hot and what’s not. Plus the Crafty Team give you their essential items this month.
103
106
In Focus – JRC If you’re in the
market for a new bankside home,
111
Managing Fish Stocks: Room
For Growth David Smith
In Focus – Shimano
it’s well worth taking a look at
At this time of year, fishery
Are you looking to
the latest offering from JRC. The
managers and consultants want to
treat yourself to some new reels
Extreme TX Bivvy is a great all-
thin their stocks to create better
for Christmas? If so, we’ve got
round bivvy at a good price.
growth rates. This month, David looks
a cracking reel from Shimano to put on your list. Not only is it an awesome piece of kit, it’s also comes at a very affordable price point.
at how they go about such a task.
107
In Focus – Waverunner
We love a gadget, and the new Waverunner Sport bait boat is a
104
116
Inbox Keep up to date
with the latest news, and you
In Focus – SONIK
gadget of the highest order. It’s small,
can also get in touch with us
With quality, affordable
light in weight, and can take up to 2kg
to find out the latest rumblings
rods being high on SONIK’s list
of bait, so it’s definitely a purchase
on the carpy grapevine.
of products, we tested their
to consider for anyone looking to
Gravity-X offerings, and they
delve into the bait boat market.
definitely didn’t disappoint.
105
In Focus – Avid Carp You’ll find the new Avid
119
Tackling a New Water This
108
In Focus – Gardner Carbon throwing
Winter Julian Cundiff Jules takes a look at how you can
sticks are definitely a must-have
make your winter angling the
Carp Tardis Bivvy on page 105, which
item this year, and Gardner have
most successful it’s ever been,
certainly lives up to its name. It looks
entered the marketplace with their
simply by taking the time and
small from the outside, and it’s not
Pro Pela offering. It’s light, accurate,
effort to find the right venue.
until you pop your head in the door
comes in a carry case, and above
There are no complicated rigs
that you realise just how big it is.
all, it doesn’t cost the earth.
or baiting strategies here.
103 125
Crafty Ladies: A Year To
Remember Louise Bowes Louise has been concentrating her efforts around Frimley over the past year, and she’s been catching plenty of carp on very limited time.
130
Mega Deals If you’re up for a
bargain, then you’ll definitely want to head over to page 130 to check out our Mega Deals for some of the best offers from the country’s leading retailers.
Crafty Carper 004-005_Contents_CC220.indd 2
5 09/11/2015 13:13
NEW
D-TEC ALARMS AND RECEIVERS
Alarms designed by anglers, refined by computer, developed to be perfect! These alarms and receivers are just perfect for the job. D-Tec the new meaning in bite detection.
Protective, rubberised case
WIRELESS RECEIVER
www.starbaits.co.uk ad template.indd 1
www.starbaits.com 06/11/2015 16:43
A Change Of Scenery Daren Norman
A familiar sight over the session; doing battle with another Mets carp.
24
Crafty Carper
023-026_ACOS_CC220.indd 2
05/11/2015 15:48
A Change Of Scenery Daren Norman
I
have a full-time job and a family,
be fished, but it was the Mets that
decision. Thankfully we didn’t, because
to be off the mark. I had to wait until
so finding the time to go fishing
I was keen to look at. After a short
we then saw a group of shows out in
4.00 a.m. before I received my first
can be quite hard. I often keep
walk and a trot across a little bridge,
open water. After a fish slid out of the
bite, and to my amazement, it was the
the warmer months free to take the
we were met by what can only be
water, it paused momentarily before
rod on the shallow bar. I was fishing
missus out, or if I do go fishing, I opt
described as carp-fishing paradise.
a huge sheet of bubbles appeared.
little balanced baits, trimming enough
to have a social with a friend on a
This lake had absolutely everything.
They were feeding, and we knew
off the glugged pop-ups to let them
The water was clear, there was
this was where we needed to be.
sink slowly to the bottom. I saw fish
day ticket water. I have a number of tickets for various lakes, all of which
weed, snags, glowing bars, islands,
aren’t easy to catch carp. Sure,
and absolutely everything you could
the rewards are there when I do,
ask for. We began to walk
but the nature of big-carp angling
around the lake, and
can be demanding and draining.
the shape made it
We went and grabbed the gear and began to set up. I found a really shallow bar of around 3ft
show on top of the bar for another couple of hours. The rods on the back of it were doing nothing, so I decided
in front of me. Pretty
to put all three rods on the shallow
much everywhere
bar. No less than half an hour later
A friend and I fancied a social
confusing to see
somewhere. Both of us wanted to
where you were
other than on top
by a cracking-looking 21lb common.
have the chance of a nice fish, but
in relation to
of, or around, that
Amazingly, it didn’t stop there, and
didn’t want to wrestle for swims;
the entrance.
feature. I decided
three more bites followed. One of the
something a lot of day ticket lakes
Every corner
to put one rod
fish was a real old-looking common of
have a growing reputation for. I
we turned there
on the shallow
over 24lb. It had a slightly deformed
gave my old mate Dan Wildbore a
was another little
call to see if he knew anywhere
secluded bay, and
that fitted the bill, and although
we must have said,
he had never fished the place,
‘This swim looks good,”
only walked around it in the past,
for pretty much every one of them.
else was weedy,
I like to add a small dose of L-Zero-30-T to my boilies to give an extra kick.
bar and spray a few pouches of Krill boilies over the top of it.
I had another small mirror, followed
tail, but I could tell he had been around a while, and fish like this are always a pleasure to catch. At 8.00 a.m. I was
I then put the other two rods
shattered, but really happy with how
at the back of the feature and spodded
things were going. I kept on spraying
We stumbled on a group of eight
a good 3 kilos of mix out there. I had
16mm Krill boilies back to the spot
travels all over, shooting features
fish in a small weedy bay. It looked
boilies, hemp, sweetcorn and pellets,
after every bite, and the fish seemed
with anglers, and if he thought it
good, and it’s always a good idea to
a right old concoction, and hopefully
to be on the bait straight away.
would be a good idea, I trusted him.
actually set up on fish, but the weed
enough to get the fish back again.
he suggested the Mets Lake. He
All the rods were back out to the
We arrived early morning and
was savage. This was our top choice of
Nothing happened all day, and it
pulled up in the car park, gazing
swim, but we carried on walking round
wasn’t until the middle of the night
the area. The right-hand rod pulled
over the picturesque Thorney Lake.
the lake. There was nobody else on,
that my friend got a bite. It was a nice
up tight and I was away
This was another lake that could
so we weren’t in a rush to make a solid
upper-double, and great for one of us
again, and this time it
spot and the fish were still clearly in
A perfect and absolutely pristine 22lb common.
This fish turned out to be the biggest of the trip, at 29lb, certainly a 30 before it spawned.
The Colne Valley is known for its old carp, and this gnarly old common fits the bill.
Crafty Carper 023-026_ACOS_CC220.indd 3
25 05/11/2015 15:49
2016 12th &13th March, Five Lakes Resort, Essex
A great day out for only *£10.00. Under 12s go free (*Booking fee’s apply)
HAVE YOU VISITED THE BEST UK CARP EVENT OF THE YEAR? IF NOT, WHY NOT?
EXHIBITORS INCLUDE:
This year, Carpin’ On is in its 15th year and it’s gained a great reputation along the way. It’s the show that has always been known as the one organised for carp anglers, by carp anglers! Carpin’ On is a great day out and is your chance to rub shoulders with your favourite angling personalities.
ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE: Get inked by Ed Skillz / Previews of the latest innovations in bait and tackle / Bag a bargain from the UK’s biggest retailers / Talks and forums from the biggest names in the business / Nearly a hundred different exhibitor stands / Competitions, freebies and giveaways / Interactive area for rigs, bait and all things carpy
CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS! www.carpinon.co.uk CarpinOn2016_A4_DPS_CC220.indd 1
12/11/2015 16:12
FREE GIFT FROM DNABAITS WORTH £10 WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE BUYING TICKETS AS A PRESENT? REQUEST A FREE GIFT CARD!
*PHONE ORDERS ONLY
Tickets Now on sale. For more info visit carpinon.co.uk or call 01430 440624
10 GREAT REASONS TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS CARPIN’ ON 2016 6. Bag a bargain from one of our 1. Buy your ticket online in advance and many resident retailers. bag yourself a FREE Session Pack from DNA Baits. Limited gifts available so book now! 7. FREE parking, on-site catering, cash machines and all-day licensed bar!! 2. All the biggest brands under one roof! 3. Different line-up of main stage entertainments on both Saturday and Sunday! 4. Two-day ticket for only £15 now available! 5. Get your FREE ticket for the Mega Prize Draw on entry to the show! Thousands of pounds worth of bait and tackle to win.
8. Get an edge from some of the country’s top carpers at our interactive Rig & Bait Clinic. 9. First-view product launches from the top bait and tackle manufacturers in the game! 10. The chance to purchase the latest book releases from the authors themselves, and get them signed.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH:
CarpinOn2016_A4_DPS_CC220.indd 2
12/11/2015 16:15
BOAT TRIPPIN’ E
D
S
K
I
L
L
Z
Good friend Ed is a bit different to the norm when it comes to his carp angling. Tackling public waters on the Continent is his usual forte, although he also likes to go against the grain with the aid of his carp boat.
I
t’s a foggy morning as I drive
What I crave within my angling – serenity.
my boat out of the harbour. Luckily for me, I know these
waterways very well. I sense the presence of a bridge when I pass, but can’t see it. It’s that time of the year when the lake I’m heading for is at its best; moving into winter makes it mysterious and silent. To get there, I have to drive the boat through a system of canals for about 45 minutes. I’m praying nobody has come up with the same plan and taken my spot. The only thing breaking the silence this morning is the engine of the boat, and the ducks which wake up as I pass
bottom, to ensure I won’t be waking
for definite that my chance of a
them. Not amused, they throw me
up somewhere else on the lake in the
take is between minimal and zero.
their best Donald Duck imitation
coming days. Let the games begin.
before disappearing into the mist.
The luxury of boat-fishing is the
As I bring out the first line with my dinghy, the mist is being broken
I smile and realise how happy the
fact that you are fishing from your own
by the upcoming sun. Small fish are
simple things in life can make a
little private island, and you can place
breaking the surface, possibly due
man. As I finally reach the open
that island wherever you think best.
to being hunted by the big zander
water, I take a deep breath and set
This time of the year, I like to target
which share this particular lake with
focus for the upcoming adventure.
the deeper spots of the lake, from
the carp. I’m checking the depth
Hopefully, 3 weeks of prebaiting
7m up to 15m in depth, which tend
on my sounder to make sure I drop
the chosen spot will pay off for me.
to produce the most bites between
the rig spot on. It may sound like
Ain’t there a saying – you reap what
the months of October and January.
OCD, but I simply can’t rest on the
you sew – or doesn’t that count for
This is only after I have done some
boat when I have the feeling that I
carp fishing? I drive the boat into
prebaiting. If I hadn’t prebaited the
may have dropped the rig
the reeds and fix the back-side with
swim over the last 3 weeks, I know
outside the exact square
two long poles deep in the muddy
stayed quiet, but as The hours of daylight came to life. s rod the , fell darkness
40
Crafty Carper
040-045_EdSkillz_CC220.indd 1
04/11/2015 16:39
Boat Trippin’ Ed Skillz
Crafty Carper 040-045_EdSkillz_CC220.indd 2
41 04/11/2015 16:39
CHOMPING AT THE BIT Young Lee Wheeler relives his jaunt from last winter, when he prebaited a local venue containing a handful of old carp. He couldn’t wait to get a rod in the water, but with such high stakes, he held his nerve and stuck to his baiting plan. ANGLER PROFILE.
Lee Wheeler Age 18 Hometown
Suffolk UK personal best
Under-21s
33lb 8oz
O
ver the space of a couple
to wet a line in the lake, but I knew I
comfortable of swims but it felt
of months, I had been
had to prepare to succeed on there.
right, and I had seen fish around the
baiting a little intimate
After the weeks of baiting, which
general area before, which is a good
water, one which a lot of people
seemed like an eternity because I held
starting point for any new water. I
seemed to have forgotten about.
back from fishing, I eventually decided
got the bivvy up and was set for the
Every week I introduced a mixture
that it was time to see if all my hard
night. I felt confident, and the fact
of Quest boilies onto the same spot
work had paid off. I wanted to catch
of not knowing what might take my
for a good 5-6 weeks. With the
one of the lovely dark originals which
hookbait was definitely exciting. I
lake being a specified match lake,
swim in the gin-clear water, and I was
had heard rumours that there was a
there were a lot of nuisance fish to
thinking about the place all the time.
really big mirror and a couple of lovely
compete with, so larger Snowman
I arrived just before dark, got the rods
commons which would snap up the
hookbaits were my first line of attack.
clipped up to the spots, and introduced
odd match angler now and then.
The lake is situated on the Nunnery
a little scattering of bait. Both rods went
After a few hours of sitting and
Lakes complex, and with it only being
down with a firm crack, which made
listening, I decided to get my head
targeted by match fishermen, I knew
me feel confident that fish had been
down for some sleep. I was woken
I could bait spots and not really worry
feeding hard on the areas I’d primed, and
at around 1.00 a.m. by a huge bosh
about the swim being taken when I
had cleared the light covering of debris
from what sounded like a really good
went to fish it. I made sure I walked
that seemed to litter the lakebed.
fish, and on looking out to the lake,
around a few times before I started
I decided to fish just two rods in my
I could see ripples slowly creeping
trickling in the bait, and I managed to
chosen swim, as it was literally only a
into the bank in the moonlight. I sat
spot some fish on the odd occasion.
small gap in the trees through which I
up for a while and waited to see if
This made me more determined
could poke the rods. It wasn’t the most
there were any more shows. The fish which crashed out wasn’t far
A good mixture of different-coloured boilies were applied over the next 5-6 weeks.
off my left-hand rod, which upped my confidence and adrenaline levels somewhat. I got a feeling that I’d be woken by my alarm at some point. At 7.00 a.m., the left-hander melted off and I was into my first carp. After a short battle, the fish gave up and slipped into my waiting net. It wasn’t the biggest, being a mid-double, but the colours on it were truly amazing. It was a fish which was
Watching it waddle back home was a great feeling.
48
Crafty Carper
047-051_Under21s_CC220.indd 2
09/11/2015 15:05
Crafty Carper Under-21s Stories of Success older than me – awesome! The size was irrelevant; I was ecstatic to have landed one after all the effort I had put in. I recast the rod back onto the baited spot, and put around 30 more Ghurkka Spice boilies out there. I started to receive liners about an hour later, which showed there were obviously a few fish moving around in front of me. Just as I thought my session couldn’t get any better, the right-hand rod burst into life. The tip was pulling round into the branches of the trees from where the rods were poking out, and when I lifted the rod, I knew straight away that it was a better fish. It continued to peel line from the spool and took me on a right old runaround. After a truly awesome battle, an immaculate common hit the surface and took its first gulp of air. I was stretched to the maximum, trying my hardest to get the fish in the net, and was relieved when I peered down and looked at my prize. I let out a shout of joy, even though I was in the middle of nowhere with no one to hear me; it was just the way I was feeling. I placed the fish into the retainer sling and quickly got the rod back out, in case there was the chance of another one if fish were still in the area. After some selftakes and weighing, it was a pleasure to watch such a beautiful creature waddle back into the depths. This was definitely one of my most special captures. Catching a carp from a match lake where there are possibly only 10 original fish is one thing, but catching two on the first night of fishing is something else. A cracking low20lb common and a jet-black mid-double certainly made me one very happy angler. I think the prebaiting gave me a definite edge; the fish had been helping themselves to a kilo of boilies every week for the last 5 weeks on the trot. They weren’t expecting the 6th week to be the one when they encountered some hookbaits, and it took me by surprise too. It just goes to show that effort really does equal reward. My quest was complete and I had achieved my target of a historical fish from the lake, and a 20-pounder to boot.
Immaculate! 20lb+ of stunning common carp, and one I will cherish.
Crafty Carper 047-051_Under21s_CC220.indd 3
49 09/11/2015 15:05
AVAILABLE NOW A BOOK ABOUT CARP FISHING BY ALI HAMIDI
THE CARPERS’ HIGH
Softback 448 pages, £20.00 + P&P
Carp fishing has never seen anything like this before
Is it a biography? Is it a technical book? Is it anecdotal and story-based? Quite simply, it’s all these things rolled into one. With a diverse geographical chapter base, from as far away as Japan, to Paris, Ockendon, and even Turkey, this book brings variety by the spodful as it charts how Ali achieved many of his finest moments and angling highs. This is a book which was written to inspire the working anglers, something to make you laugh, while also giving a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Ali Hamidi’s working and fishing life. More importantly, it is a book littered with angling edges and technical advice, to help anyone reading it put more fish on the bank. It is built around Ali Hamidi’s angling adventures since 2005, a period which saw him join tackle giants Korda, an era when he helped bring Thinking Tackle, Underwater 7 and 8, The Big Fish-Off, and numerous other highprofile angling projects to your TV screens. It has been over a decade of pressure cookercarping which has drawn tactical guile, effort and innovation from the author; vital lessons and stories that he wants to pass on. This book is dedicated to and focused on working anglers. A richly illustrated 400+ pages which will not only help you catch more under time constraints, but will also have you laughing, sighing, and relating to much of what you read. Frank, honest, detailed, technical, and varied just about begins to describe the nature of The Carpers’ High.
TheCarpStore F O R M E R LY T H E A N G L I N G P U B L I C AT I O N S S H O P
TheCarpStore TheCarpStore F O R M E R LY T H E A N G L I N G P U B L I C AT I O N S S H O P
TheCarpStore FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF
AND
TheCarpStore Order NOW to get your exclusive signed copy! at
First 2,500 copies signed by the author
www.thecarpstore.com or call 0114 258 0812 A4_AliBookAd_CC218.indd 1
26/10/2015 16:45