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No.222 February 2016
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February 2016 | Issue 222 | £4.25
Results
From small waters
Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
start planning
consistency is key
keep on moving
Prepare for your next campaign Luke Vallory keeps the bait going Stay mobile on the bank and with help from Dave Lane in to succeed all year round be sure to reap the rewards craftycarper.co
On sale 20th January–17th February 2016
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Crafty Carper /// Issue 222 /// February 2016 /// www.craftycarper.co
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On the cover: A stunning small-water beast for Roman Buczynski.
Editorial James Turner Editor James looks at what’s in
store for you in this issue of Crafty
36
St Leonard’s Competition This month we take a look
at a new range of bait which comes
Carper, and gives a rundown on what
15
Keep Mobile, Keep Catching Rich Seeds Sitting on your hands isn’t an easy thing
to do, especially if you’re like Rich and always
with massive plaudits from around the
on the move. Many times a move has resulted
carp-angling world. Are we impressed?
in a capture for him, so find out how he goes
Turn to page 51 to find out.
about chasing carp at this time of the year.
he’s been up to over the past month.
20
Small-Water Syndrome Roman Buczynski
We’re glad to have Roman back in the pages of Crafty, and he doesn’t disappoint with his feature, where he tries to get the best of some wily old carp living in a very quaint abode.
27
Crafty Carper Under-21s Dan Price checks in with his
monthly blog, as he heads over to a Midlands syndicate for a spot of carping. Kieran Stokes features in our Stories of Success when he finds freedom after passing his driving test. Bring on the carping adventures and road trips!
31
Crafty Catch Column Sponsored by Sticky Baits
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 at Sticky Baits.
39
The Wonders Of Winter Ed Skillz
This month’s carping conundrums are answered by our panel of experts. If you get your question answered, you’ll receive a cracking prize delivered straight to your door.
47
Carp Food Here you’ll find the latest and
greatest products of carpy cuisine on the shelves of a tackle shop near you, as well as the Editor’s Choice of the month, a tip for winter from Rich Adams, and a crafty tip from our man Joe Turnbull.
51
Carp Food Special – DNA Baits
Fluoro baits are extremely popular, and with this in mind, the guys at DNA have put together a vast range of brightly-coloured bait items. Find out more on page 51.
52
Carp Food Special – RG Baits We managed to go behind
the scenes at the bait-making company which is currently making a great name for itself, and find out all about the baits, the set up, and the production process at RG Baits.
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Planning Ahead Dave Lane Big-carp angler Dave looks at how he
prepares for the season ahead, including venue
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Consistency Is Key Luke Vallory One of the most consistent
catchers of carp in 2015, Luke Vallory
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Up Your Hookbait Attraction Mitch Smith
Mitch loves to make a tweak or two to
choice, target selection, and everything that
seems to be carrying his rich vein of
his hookbaits at this time of the year,
goes with it. The planning of a campaign isn’t
form into 2016. Here he details how he
in order to get him a few bonus fish on
a simple job, but it pays to be prepared.
achieves such results all year round.
the bank. If you’re looking for something outside the box, then it’s right here.
4
Crafty Carper
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Contents /// February 2016
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61
83
Our resident fishery consultant takes us
you the low-down on what’s hot and
for creating extremely warm, hard-
you want a lot for your outlay, then
into the world of fish grading and the
what’s not. Plus the Crafty Team give
wearing clothing is Snugpak, and the
the 301 series rods on page 94 are
delivery of fish stocks. It’s nowhere near
you their essential items for this month.
coat we take a look at this month
worth a close inspection, as they
is sure to keep you toasty warm.
totally outperform their price tag.
90
96
Fishery Management: Delivery and
Grading David Smith
as simple as you may think; it’s a big old job to undertake, and I’m sure you’ll find this article to be very informative.
66
Carpers’ Kit We take a look at some of the
best products on the market, and give
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In Focus – Nash The R3 Alarms have been
somewhat of a hit for Nash over the last
The Question Is
year, so we take a closer look at what
This month’s carping
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In Focus – Snugpak Highly respected within the
outdoors market, and well known
In Focus – Coleman Something a little different
in the review pages this month,
94
In Focus – Wychwood In the market for some
new rods? If the answer is yes and
Creating Winter Success Simon Crow
Simon has had a very fruitful winter this
you can expect from a set if
as we look at an item which could
year, so we tracked him down to find out
conundrums are answered by our panel
you’re on the lookout for
prove to be extremely helpful if
exactly how he managed to put so many
of experts, and if you get your question
some new alarms.
you’re thinking of taking on longer
fish on the mat over the last month or so.
answered, you’ll receive a cracking prize delivered straight to your door.
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The TicketMaster We’ve got four day ticket
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sessions, or heading over the In Focus – Petzl Renowned for proper outdoors
hardware, Petzl headtorches have always been a much-loved item of
Channel for a carping holiday.
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In Focus – Avid Carp Avid are releasing some top-
101
Diary Of An Everyday Carp
Angler Julian Cundiff Jules is back, and catches up on his
quality products into the carp-angling
diary after a couple of months of looking
addition to the range boasts a unique
market, and the new Folda-Cradle is
at tactics. There’s plenty of short
and free fishing offers for every reader
reactive lighting function. It impressed
no exception. Carp care is paramount,
sessions and shedloads of fish too.
to take advantage of. Get on it!
me anyway!
so you need the right kit for the job.
fisheries from across the country in
kit for many anglers, and this new
the pages of TicketMaster this month,
92
In Focus – GoodYear Finding a pair of waders
which fit perfectly can
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
GoodYear haven’t taken
a subscription and you will receive a
are offering a bespoke made-to-measure service for their new Combi-Neo Waders.
load of the amazing Sticky Baits Krill.
110
Inbox Keep up to date with
the latest news and rumblings
In Focus – E-S-P
on the carpy grapevine, and you
Keeping warm and dry
can also get in touch with us.
on the bank is imperative, and with this in mind, we take a close look at the latest offering from
52
Subscribe
be a struggle for some. this matter lightly, and
93
108
E-S-P – their newest Super Grade Jacket and Salopettes combo.
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Mega Deals Up for a bargain?
Check out some of the best offers from leading retailers.
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SMALL-WATER
SYNDROME R O M A N
B U C Z Y N S K I
We join Roman Buczynski on the bank, as he targeted a small intimate venue in Oxfordshire. It contains some extremely wise old carp which are known to be a little rig-shy.
A
t first light, Roman pulled
contained a phenomenal stock of large
through the main gates at
old carp. Unfortunately, some of those
Croft Fishery, and after driving
larger ones have now passed away,
along the full length of the venue’s
but there’s still a really good number
otter fence, he parked in the small car
of fish in the lake, including seven over
park close to the side of the lake. After
the magical 30lb mark, with the largest
grabbing a jacket and his polarising
tipping the scales to 38lb 12oz.”
sunglasses, he had a wander around the lake to see if he could find some carp. “I’d never fished this place before,
if you want to reap the rewards.
isn’t the case. Carp in small venues
Shortly after arriving at the lake,
know their environment inside out,
Roman noticed a couple of bubbles
and as soon as you turn up at the lake,
emerge, just a few yards away from
they know they are being fished for.
some dead pads. Although dead pads
It is essential to go with a good plan
offer little in the way of cover at this
At 2 acres in size, you’d think it would be a piece of cake to find a couple of Croft’s jewels, but with a
but live just a couple of miles away,
biting wind blowing across the lake
so I’ve heard a lot about it. The lake
and temperatures set to plummet, it
is steeped in carp-fishing history in
didn’t look too promising. Many anglers
Oxfordshire, and until a few years ago, it
seem to be under the impression that
was an exclusive 2-acre syndicate that
small venues are easy to catch from,
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but more often than not, this simply
On small waters, it’s a good idea to spread the rods and keep your options open.
Crafty Carper
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Small-water Syndrome
Roman Buczynski
Roman watching the water while keeping disturbance to a minimum on such a small venue.
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The Wonders of Winter Ed Skillz
it has happened before to anglers not
from the moon, and I can see the mist
My mind drifts off. Am I that strange to
the fish. I try to follow the line as I drift,
taking precautions. So please be aware
above the water in the light rising up to
enjoy being out, hoping for the one bite
but it disappears into the thick mist. My
of your safety when it comes to winter
the top of the trees. It is wonderful, like a
that will raise my adrenaline level up to
heartbeat quickens further still, and I
angling, and if you do, you will have a
scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, and
dizzy heights, while fighting a stranger
know this might be the only chance I
wonderful time out there, and hopefully
at any moment something could happen.
on the other end of the line? Maybe it’s
get to catch a fish on this overnighter.
enjoy winter fishing as much as I do.
I’m alone at the lake deep in the forest.
because of the fact that I am addicted
Sitting above 52ft of water, it’s fair
It still amazes me that at this wonderful
to that adrenaline rush. I need to catch
game, and there is always a chance of
quiet that I can hear my own heartbeat.
time of the year, not many anglers dare
carp and be out there, no matter what.
losing the fish while playing it. The line
The darkness is lit by a subtle soft tone
come out to endure the long cold nights.
When I don’t go I feel empty, restless,
continues being pulled into the mist
searching for fulfilment but just not
in front of the boat, and being in the
getting it. My lighter flickers from the
middle of thick fog, I become a little
cold while firing up my kettle. A hot cup
disorientated, but I must be somewhere
of tea will ease my mind, I’m sure.
near the middle of the lake.
When out there, it’s often quiet; it’s so
A moment to savour as she powers away in the darkness.
Did I place everything right, or should
I close in, and as I
I have chosen the other side of the
prepare for the end
plateau I’m fishing? It has been quiet
battle, my main
since I placed the rods 6 hours ago.
line goes into
There is no wind and nothing seems to
the deep
be moving down at my swim. At the first
about 6ft
sip of my tea, the answer comes – my
to the
right-hand rod gets a take. The teacup hits the ground as I jump up and make my way to the rod. I grab it and hurry out into my dinghy, and just a little pressure is applied while I drift towards
No words are needed!
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The Wonders of Winter Ed Skillz
left of me. Every inch I gain on the fish
me at the surface. My clutch is ticking,
in the water. I stand in the mist, holding
is countered with a powerful but slow
and when I try to stop her, the rod is
this beautiful carp in the middle of a cold
withdrawal back into the depths. Every
pulled to the side of the boat and I see
winter’s night. I feel on top of the world,
time the fish stops to power up, I try to
my tip disappearing under the water.
and it’s hard to control such a big smile.
bring her up a little further. It seems to be
I give her more line – I have to play
After a few snaps I release her, and watch
working; she must be tired of this game
along – and after a 20-minute cat-and-
her swim away in the moonlight and back
mouse game, she finally gives up. Tired
to the depths. Now the fight is over, I
from her fight, she slides gently over
start to come back down from cloud nine
the net cord, and now it is time for me
and realise just how cold it is. I remember
to see what I have caught. I lean over
I had thrown away my cuppa, so it’s
the boat to grab the net and a beautiful
time to have another tea, and this time
dark mirror looks back at me. I head
actually finish it to get a proper warm-up.
by now. I stare at the water, hoping to see a glimpse of my heavyweight opponent. She is playing me though, and shows me she really isn’t ready to greet
back to base camp, carrying the fish by
In the morning hours, I catch one
holding her in the water close to the
more before I have to pack up and travel
boat. Going back isn’t that easy without
back home. It is this kind of fishing
sight, but after reaching another part
that powers me up before a hard week
of the shore, I know which way to go.
of work. It is this kind of adventure
I pull her out of the water and into
that lets me dream when I’m not out
my cradle to have a better look. What
on the bank, longing for the next
a beautiful fish! This is exactly what I am out here for, and I put on my waders to get a shot of her
chance to chase such beautiful carp. Don’t dream your whole life – go out there and live your dream. CC
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CREATING S
W I N T E R
96
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C
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O
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S U C C E S S
Crafty Carper
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Creating Winter Success
Simon Crow
W
inter carping isn’t as difficult as many try to make out. Of
Simon is no stranger to catching carp all year round. Here he looks at the key factors to create a successful winter campaign, while ensuring you receive consistent action along the way and slip the net under some much sought-after carp.
course, it’s hard to sit there
through sub-zero temperatures and long dark nights, and stay motivated, waiting for the moment to arrive. That, however, is the hardest part, because technically, carp fishing in the colder months is mainly about being confident in what you’re doing and staying on top of the fish. You don’t need to fine-down your rigs, as some anglers talk about, or drop down to minute hooks and miniscule baits. In fact, that sort of advice is really misleading, and can cost you fish if you are in snaggy or weedy situations. I’ve caught carp in all sorts of wintery conditions, including -20°, in snow and under ice, and in my experience, you don’t need to do much different to what you would normally do at other times of the year. The mind game is the hardest part because you have to sit and wait with hardly any signs to go on. Carp aren’t as active in the winter as they are in the spring, summer and autumn. Of course they have to feed, but they extend as little energy as possible when doing this, and are likely to stay in the same place all winter. That’s why it’s important to know where they over-winter, because a bait fished close to them is always the best possible chance of catching. BEST AREAS TO LOOK
Past capture information always helps when uncovering the best places to fish at this time of the year. The chances are that the best winter spot is the same year after year. If you can’t find where this is, look towards the snaggy areas, because carp love to feel safe. If there aren’t any on your chosen water, there will be other features to which they will be drawn. These may be in the way of drop-offs, dying lily beds, margins, or even something as simple as varying depth. On heavily pressured waters, the fish may even find an open-water spot to be the safest holding area. This might be right out in the middle of the lake which only the long-range casters can reach. The lake I’ve been fishing recently is an example I can use here. It’s a fairly big piece of water for North Yorkshire, measuring 11-12 acres. There are plenty of features in the way of bars and overhanging trees, but these get battered week in, week out. The fish aren’t daft, so they avoid the obvious features and hold up in the deep water out in the middle, where they feel safe. They have been there for several weeks now, and most anglers know it. The lake has therefore
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