win » cygnet Gear
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worth over £750
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arper.c o
No.223 March 2016
March 2016 | Issue 223 | £4.25
EXCLUSIVE An
UrbanBanx Adventure Jason Massay AND ALAN BLAIR tackle the Wharf in Cardiff’s city centre with spectacular results
10
Stillwater
REELS
TO BE WON
your essentials for the weekend
Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
The best baits Latest new rigs
Worth over
£520
Must-have gear
competition
Expert advice
On sale 17th February–22nd March 2016
Understanding zigs
Day-ticket tactics
have faith in singles
Dave Lane reveals why midwater baits should never be ignored
The man of the moment, Tom Maker, shares another epic session on St Johns
Crowy explains why fishing lone hookbaits can be simply deadly
craftycarper.co
ADVANCED BAIT ATTRACTION Boost your PVA for unbelievable results 001_Cover_CC223.indd 1
08/02/2016 15:25
Crafty Carper /// Issue 223 /// March 2016 /// www.craftycarper.co
7
On the cover: Jason Massay with a lovely carp caught while fishing Cardiff Wharf with Alan Blair for the Urban Banx feature.
Editorial Steve Broad Steve’s taken over the hot
seat as editor for the time being. He
14
Cygnet Competition Cygnet’s 20/20 bankware
is some of the best around, and
reveals what’s in store for you in this
87
Don’t Doubt The Singles Simon Crow
issue of Crafty Carper, and looks at
Do you have enough confidence
the exciting changes on a syndicate
to fish single baits in winter? Simon Crow
there’s lots to be won, along with
says you should, and here he lets us into the
butt grips and even indicators,
secret of how keeping it single and simple
in this £750+ competition.
can be a very effective style of angling.
venue that’s close to his heart.
16
Urban Banx – Cardiff Alan Blair
Crafty has the exclusive on Alan’s urban travels across the UK, and in this issue he heads over to a city-central venue that’s home to some cracking fish, the famous Wharf in Cardiff.
25
Mine’s A Pint Darren Belton We all know how effective
maggots are, but if your budget won’t stretch to the massive amounts of wrigglers that are often needed, can you still catch carp? Yes, says Darren Belton, and here he reveals how.
31
Take A New Line Steve Broad Braided main lines aren’t just for
spod and marker work, they also have a place on baited rods. Here Steve Broad explains where, when, and how to use this massively misunderstood product.
37
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 a chance of a great prize courtesy of Sticky Baits.
43
The Joy Of Solitude David Cooper
Many anglers don’t really enjoy the long, cold, lonely days of winter, but for David, this is the time when he can look forward to the peace and tranquility that fishing alone can bring.
51
PVA – The Biggest Edge Ever Roy Allen
PVA has made a massive impact on baiting tactics over the years, and Roy believes that when used correctly, this dissolving miracle will help you catch more fish than anything else in your armoury.
55
Crafty Carper Under-21s Our resident blogger, Dan Price,
has been out and about recently, and although the weather’s not been too kind, he’s still managed to bag several good fish, and on tactics that most of us would only use in summer.
10
Understanding Zigs Dave Lane Are you a fan of fishing Zigs? If not
you need to read this feature from Dave,
65
Red-Letter Day Tom Maker Tom makes a return visit to the
prolific St Johns on the Linear complex,
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Carp Food Hinders’ Blitz Multi-Mix comes
under the scrutiny of Steve Broad,
as he thinks it’s a tactic that should never
where he had an incredible Christmas
along with tips and tricks on how to
be ignored, and one that will definitely put
session. Little did he realise he would face
use maggots from Joe Turnbull, plus
more fish on the bank this spring.
another epic trip, a true red-letter day.
a look at Sticky’s famous Krill range and Mainline’s liquid additives.
4
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Contents /// March 2016
61
Carp Food Special –
14
Enterprise Tackle and PCF
We take a peek at the latest range of imitation baits from one of the best manufacturers around, Enterprise Tackle, and review Premium Carp Food’s Coco Fruit popups and hardened bottom baits.
71
Fishery Management – Fish Movement and
Health Checks David Smith This month, our resident fishery consultant takes a look at the logistics of transporting fish, and reveals that there’s a whole host of regulations to deal with before you can even think about netting them.
76
The Question Is Kevin Nash, Mitch Smith,
John Kneebone, Ellis Brazier and Rich Adams look at questions as diverse as hand-sharpening hooks, tackling poissons chats, and when and where to use different styles of hook.
82
The TicketMaster Here are four more cracking
118
Stillwater
venues from all around the country
Competition
for you to try out – and each one is
Fancy a new set of big pit
offering free fishing for every reader. What have you got to lose? Get out
reels? You could be one of five
there and make the most of it!
lucky readers who will get their hands on a pair of Stillwater’s
93
Advanced Stick
cracking BPX Big Pit Reels in this
Attraction Ellis Brazier
easy-to-enter competition.
How do you make your hookbait more attractive? There are loads of ways to
113
121
Rig Special Julian Cundiff This month,
do this, but using a stick mix has got
Julian reveals his favoured pop-up
to be one of the best around. Ellis looks at how to harness the power of
rig, which he has christened the
the stick.
Tubed Multi-Rig. Take a look – it might be just what you’re looking
99
Carpers’ Kit
for, and Jules swears by it.
We take a close look at a new
126
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reel from SONIK, alongside two pages
Get your copy of
of all the best kit that’s in your local
Crafty Carper delivered to your door
tackle shop. There’s also a peek at what the Crafty team class as essential
each month, instead of slogging
items for your day on the bank.
down to the newsagents. Take
103
In Focus – Banana Rods
If you’re in the market for a set
105
In Focus – New Direction Alarms
By harnessing the power of Bluetooth
108
Spring – Nature’s Great Awakening
Adam Clewer
out a subscription and receive Nash alarms or a money-off deal.
128
Inbox
of bespoke rods, the likes of
technology, these feature-packed
After the long, cold days of winter,
which you’ve probably never seen
alarms can be used with the bespoke
spring is finally on its way, and
before, then quite possibly, these
remote or your mobile phone. How did
Adam says that by thinking carefully
around the carp-angling scene,
beauties from French company
they fare on the bank? Turn to Page
about your tactics, you can bag
along with the chance to win
Banana Rods will fit the bill.
105 to find out.
yourself an early-spring carp.
prizes if your letter is published.
104
In Focus – Wiley X Sunglasses
You’d be amazed at how a good
107
Nash Competition Nash has a new range
of Indulgence chairs which not only
113
Solving The Puzzle Ryan Heaton
RG Baits boss Ryan Heaton
Keep up to date with
all the latest news and views from
130
Mega Deals There are bargains
galore from some of the leading
pair of sunglasses reduces water
embrace comfort and strength, but also
reveals how, by taking time to
retailers around on offer in
glare and enables you to spot
redefine posture and lumbar support.
study your options, you can solve
our Mega Deals feature, so
fish you otherwise wouldn’t see.
This is your chance to win one of
the puzzle of carp location at
make sure you check out
These new models from Wiley X
four fantastic Indulgence Daddy Long
this time of year, and achieve
what’s on offer this month.
are some of the best available.
Legs LS chairs worth £131.99 each.
success on short sessions.
Crafty Carper
5
5.6ft
90º 2.7ft
G N I D N A T S UNDER DAVE L A N E
5.6ft
1.8ft
28º
1.2ft
1.2ft
g tle faith in fishin lit ve ha s er gl an Many s Dave Lane reveal re he so s, ig R g Zi r be that should neve why it’s a tactic at will definitely th e on d an d, re igno ring. the bank this sp put more fish on 10
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Understanding Zigs Dave Lane
Black and yellow is a good combination to use.
O
ver the last few years, I have
Zigs for a few hours each day. After all,
bottom. Basically, you have to hit
really started to appreciate the
what do you have to lose if you aren’t
the right level and be prepared to
difference that fishing a bait
receiving any bites on the bottom?
change it when the bites stop.
in the mid-layers can make when the
On the other hand, if you are waiting
water is at is coldest. There is something
for a specific bite time that occurs
odd take, even with the Zigs, it can be a
about low water temperatures and air
once a day, what about the rest of the
leap of faith to change from something
pressures that we seem to be missing
time; what are the fish doing then?
only a short while after catching on it.
in our winter, and especially early-
The truth of the matter is that the
On waters where you only expect the
Changing the depth of a Zig can, in the
spring fishing. The problem is that we
fish spend massive proportions of their
right conditions, bring instant results,
already think we know too much, and
time somewhere in the mid to upper
but if you go the wrong way, it can mean
personally, I believe we are already
layers of the lake, and are perfectly
no more action. The obvious solution
resistant to the plain and obvious
catchable with the right
truth, particularly if it doesn’t fit in
approach. Personally, I
with our current way of thinking.
think that they are
to the problem of finding the right depth is to fish all
“I HAVE WASTED three rods on Zigs set ENTIRE WINTERS at different depths, SITTING ON BIG DEEP and this, nowadays, PITS, WAITING FOR BITES is how I generally THAT NEVER CAME, AND fish throughout the LOOKING BACK NOW, I early spring months, COULD KICK MYSELF at least during the FOR NOT TRYING TO hours of daylight. I FISH ZIGS...”
In the past, and I only mean a few
only physically
years ago, we all assumed that deep-
comfortable on
water pits fished better in the winter
the bottom for
because they were not affected so
short periods of
much by the change in temperature.
time in the winter,
We assumed, and believed, that any
hence the short and
reasonable depth of water would stay
exact feeding times.
warmer for longer, and the fish would
Whether it’s down
be more willing to feed in the deeper
to temperature (which I
water. The more we fished throughout
doubt), air pressure, oxygen levels,
the winters, the more we realised that
or some other common denominator, it
is always a good chance of action on
long on these sorts of venues. I just
this wasn’t exactly the case. In fact
really makes no difference to us. Just
the bottom at these times, and then I
plumb the depth in front of me and start
it was entirely the opposite. Shallow
the knowledge that they are in those
wind all three rods in and attach Zigs.
off with one in the middle, one a bit
waters were a lot more susceptible
mid layers is all we need to know. All we
Nothing else in the setup needs to
higher, and the other lower. For example,
to changes in the weather and would
have to do is find the best way to utilise
change. It is a simple case of cutting off
in 16ft I would start with Zigs set at 6,
respond a lot quicker to a rise in air
this knowledge to our advantage and,
the rigs and attaching the Zigs. Even
8 and 10ft from the bottom. If I had a
temperature. Even a single degree could
most importantly, decide at which depth
the same areas can be fished, and often,
bite at 8ft, I would then swap one of the
affect a shallow lake, and in reality,
the fish are at certain times of the day,
if you have been getting any action
other rods to 8ft as well, but leave the
the deeper pits were more likely to
because this seems to vary incredibly.
on the bottom, this is the best plan.
other to see if the bite depth changed.
close down for long periods of time.
There is no set depth (or height) at
usually fish bottom baits
at night, and up until about 10 o’clock in the morning, as there
So, which depths are best, and when?
in the middle layer. For example, the optimum depth in a 15ft-deep area is between 5ft and 10ft. Even on lakes with depths of only 5 or 6ft, Zigs can still work. I’ve had quite a few bites fishing hooklinks between 2½ and 4ft
I feel that the bite depth is likely to get
I have wasted entire winters sitting
which a Zig is ultimately successful,
It varies from lake to lake, but in my
higher throughout the day, so I would
on big deep pits, waiting for bites that
and a bait fished at the wrong depth
experience, a good starting point is
leave the 10ft Zig and change the one
never came, and looking back now, I
will produce as little result as one
always the central third. Simply take
at 6ft. If I then got a bite on
the depth, divide it by three, and fish
the 10ft Zig, I would fish two
could kick myself for not trying to fish
fished on the
Everything you need, for not a lot of money.
Light mono is best, and this one is my own personal choice.
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X N A B URBAN BANX N A B UR CARDIFF CARDIFF A
L
A
N
As ever, Crafty has the exclusive on Alan’s urban travels across the UK, and this time he headed over to the famous Wharf in Cardiff. There are some cracking fish to go at in this urban jungle, and he was bang up for it!
I
B
L
A
I
R
that was it. I knew I had to fish this
It wasn’t the nicest of areas; in fact it
place. It was all about trying to find out
was far from it back in the day. However,
a bit more through Google Earth and
in recent years the whole area has
tapping up other anglers. I eventually
undergone extensive redevelopment,
made contact with a guy called Andrew
much like Salford Quays, and it is now
Riste. We got chatting via email, and it
a more affluent part of the city.
n late 2015, it became hard to
The fish were pretty special too; they
transpired that he had recently taken
ignore the Wharf in Cardiff. There
weren’t small (there were reports of
responsibility for the water. It had
on and it has become one of the top
was a spurt of catch reports in Carp-
Over the years the fish have grown-
them being over 40lb), and they were
previously been a free-for-all, and long
fisheries in Wales. Andrew and a few
Talk, and the backdrop of the concrete
good-looking – quite a mixed bag, and
before that a club had run it, but it had
other guys, who are interested
jungle really grabbed my attention.
when the 40lb grass carp turned up,
been left to go to ruin a few years back.
in the future of the Wharf and
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Urban Banx Alan Blair
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Carp Food
Team Crafty Carper
QUICK BITES îîCrafty Catcher Crafty Floaters
èèBaitology
RRP: £3.99
Black Squid Pop-ups and Dip
Online: copdockmill.co.uk/crafty_catcher/
RRP: £3.75 Online: baitology.com
These little beauties are like nothing else. They’re a bit like a spongy version
If you’re on a budget but don’t want
of a floating mixer, and they come in
to sacrifice quality, then take a look
several colour/flavour combinations.
at what Baitology has to offer. The
They last ages and are packed with
low prices belie the quality, and these
oils and flavour. A really novel idea.
pop-ups and dips are just a sample from Baitology’s large range.
èèMistral Baits Rosehip Blanche Pop-ups RRP: £5.99
èèStarbaits Tracix Bait Dye
Online: mistralbaits.co.uk
RRP: £3.75 Online: starbaits.co.uk
Rosehip is one of those baits that lots of anglers use in France, as
Available in several colours, Tracix is
they seem to repel the dreaded
ideal for adding colour to groundbait/
poissons chats and crayfish.
Method mixes, liquids, or virtually
There are several
any sort of paste or spod mix. It
colour versions
creates a cloud of colour which
available, and
pulls fish in to investigate.
don’t worry, the carp absolutely love ’em.
èèNorthern Baits Krillicious
êêRG Baits The Formula
RRP: £139 DKK (approx. £12.75)
RRP: £10.95/kg
Online: northernbaits.dk
Online: mistralbaits.co.uk
This liquid is 100% pure liquid krill, and it’s
A predominantly fishmeal bait, with
so thick that it’s hard to get it out of the
added krill, kelp and RGs secret Formula
bottle! It sinks to the lakebed where it slowly
liquid, this is one bait we really like. It
dissolves, oozing flavours and attractants into
has a pungent fishy aroma, and contains
the water. Great as a thick, gloopy bait dip.
just about everything that current thinking says should be in a good bait.
ççDNA Baits Betastim RRP: £4.99 Online: dnabaits.com Betastim harness the natural form of betaine, as opposed to the synthetic betaine with which HCL anglers are more familiar. DNA say that because of this, Betastim can be used in large amounts because it cannot be overused. Sweet, sticky, and ideal for coating pellets.
58
Crafty Carper
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Carp Food
Team Crafty Carper
MAINLINE BAITS ADDITIVES AND OILS ONLINE: mainline-baits.com
oils. By mixing oils you can get them
Meta-Mino
RRP: Multi-Stim – £10.25; Fosoil – £6.65;
to settle at various levels which
Another feed-inducing liquid,
Hempseed Oil – £7.75; Meta-Mino – £10.25
can prove very attractive to carp.
Meta-Mino is packed with various
Like virtually every other bait manufacturer, Mainline
Hempseed Oil
on as a feeding source. It has
Baits have a range of oils and additives that are designed
This oil is one of the all-time classic
very little smell, so it’s great
to add extra attraction to bait, but what do they actually
natural attractors for carp. Mixing
for adding to flavours to use as
do, and what’s the best way to make use of them?
it into pellets or groundbait mixes
a dip. It’s very soluble in water
creates a huge slick on the surface
and is ideal for all-year use.
amino acids that fish home in
Multi-Stim
for boilies, and even maggots
of the lake, and it’s irresistible to
Try mixing it with hempseed or
This is an ideal stimulant to use in
and sweetcorn. One of the good
every fish, not just carp. Try mixing
Fosoil because it dissipates in
winter because it’s very water-
things about thicker oils is that
it with other oils so that they all
the water differently, creating
soluble. It has various feeding
they tend to last longer in the
rise and slick at different rates.
various levels of attraction.
triggers and is ideal for adding
water and also settle at different
to spod or groundbait mixes, and
levels in comparison to lighter
it also works well when used in pastes. Try mixing it with Meta-Mino, which will boost the amino profile as well as stimulate feeding. It also works well when mixed with Mainline’s flavours, such as Profile Plus, Activ-Ade or Response ranges, and used as a bait dip to stimulate feeding as fish start to feed more in the spring. Fosoil This is a thick oil with a pungent aroma. Originally designed for the fish-farming industry as a feed inducer, it’s great for coating pellets and mixing into fishmeal base mixes (5ml per egg). Try mixing it into groundbait or Method mixes at a rate of 20ml per kg. It’s quite a bit thicker than most oils, so it also makes a good coating
STICKY BAITS KRILL ONLINE: stickybaits.com RRP: Various
lightly on weed or silt. Looking at
required. Try dipping them into
the bait/boilies themselves, the
the krill liquids or the dips, and
dumbbells are different from the
then into the pure krill powder
norm because they’re coated with
to get a liquid/powder coating
We’ve looked at Sticky’s Krill range
a liquid hydrolysate, which allows
a water-soluble layer that gives
that will rise and fall through
before, but it’s well worth revisiting
amino acids to be absorbed much
more instant attraction. They
the water column.
because it’s one of the most popular
quicker into the body. Treating with
are excellent for short sessions
bait ranges at the moment. The
enzymes is the key to making Sticky’s
or stalking when a little
difference with Sticky’s krill products
Pure Krill and Cloudy Krill liquids into
extra pulling power around
is that pure fresh krill is used in the
highly water-soluble liquid sources of
the actual hookbait is
liquids and powders. There are some
protein which are highly stimulatory
out there which are treated or mixed
to fish. There are lots of different
with other products because krill is
products to choose from in the
getting expensive, but not Sticky’s.
Krill range, including a very
The production of krill liquids is
interesting pure krill powder.
quite interesting. After harvesting
This is very buoyant so is really
from the cold Antarctic or Southern
good for adding to base mixes if
Pacific oceans, it is pulped and heated
you fancy making up baits that
up, which starts the hydrolysis
sink very slowly. Alternatively,
(predigestion) stage. At this point,
why not try adding it to spod/
enzymes are added to produce a
groundbait mixes; it sinks
controlled breakdown of the krill into
so slowly that it just rests
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N I W
BAG UP
WITH A PAIR OF BIG PITS
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09/02/2016 11:58
Competition Stillwater
This month, five lucky readers will get their hands on a pair of Stillwater’s excellent BPX Big Pit Reels in our cracking competition.
C
hapmans Angling
office for long-term testing, and we
off to give line on the take, and
is one of the major
were impressed from the start. The
can be locked-up solid in two full
retailers in the UK,
reels look good in their matt black
turns. During some prolonged
with an ever-expanding
and red livery, and they have a good
and powerful battles, the clutch
range of tackle under the
solid feel to them, which inspires
has been very impressive
Stillwater brand. We’ve
confidence. However, like anything,
and displays no snatching or
seen a lot of this gear
it’s only when you use something
sticking; it’s a great performer
now, and to be perfectly
that you can truly comment. On
and inspires confidence. This
the bank we filled the reels with
reel has the power and guts to
heavy-duty 0.40mm line, and off we
be an excellent spod or marker
went. The BPX is actually what we’d
reel, but don’t be fooled into
call one of the new generation of
thinking that it doesn’t also make
essential part of your gear, as it
compact big pits. There are certainly
a great all-round carp-fishing
is the drive train that does all the
bigger reels available, but sometimes
reel of a size that is perfect
work. Big pit reels, in particular, come
they can be a big unwieldy, and
for most fishing situations.
in for some real stick in use, both
the BPX is a great compromise. It
from fighting fish and from slogging
holds more than enough line for
and offers outstanding value for
away winching in rigs, spods, or even
most of us, yet it’s well balanced on
money, and when you consider
marker floats from long range. Quality
the rod. The machined aluminium
you can pick up these reels for
is key in big reels, and it used to be
spool is impeccable and finished
only £44.99 each, you can’t really
the case that to get a good big pit
superbly with a line-friendly
afford to ignore them, can you?
reel, you needed to take your money
clip; in fact, it takes a stated
to the tackle shop in a wheelbarrow!
160yds of 15lb breaking strain.
honest, we’re amazed at how good it is for the money. Take the BPX Big Pit Reel as an example. A good reel is an
These days, though, it’s perfectly
TECH SPEC
However, those nice people at Chapmans have given us 10 reels to give away, so if you fancy
possible to get a reel that performs
the line lay has remained perfect so
being one of the five readers
well at a more reasonable price.
far, which is 3 months of heavy use.
lucky enough to win a pair, just
The clutch is also very smooth and
answer the question below to be
has the capability to be slackened
in with a chance. CC
A few months ago, the Stillwater
• Bearing 5+1 • Easy to use, linefriendly line clip • One-way clutch system • Instant anti-reverse • Rubberised sure-grip handle • Machined aluminium spool • Super-compact body design
In use, the reels cast superbly and
The BPX is well worth a look
BPX Big Pit Reels came in to the
WHAT YOU CAN WIN
TOTAL PRIZE VALUE:
Five anglers will each receive a pair of Stillwater BPX Big Pit reels.
£449.90
TWO WAYS TO WIN. FIRST, ANSWER THIS SIMPLE QUESTION:
Q
How many yards of line does the
BPX spool hold?
A: 160yds B: 200yds C: 275yds
1
ENTER VIA MOBILE PHONE
Simply text CC3 then a space, followed by your answer to the question (either A, B or C), to 82070. For example, your answer could be CC3 A. Messages cost £1.50 per message plus standard network charge. Under-18s only with bill payer’s permission. Text details may appear on phone bill. Service provider Digital Select Ltd. Helpline: 0844 448 0165.
2
ENTER ONLINE
Head over to www.craftycarper.co to enter via our website.
The competition is open to UK and European entrants only. The winners will be selected at random and will be notified within 28 days of the closing date and be required to provide a delivery address to which the prize will be sent. Please allow a further 28 days for the delivery of your prize. No cash alternative available.
Competition opens Start date: 11/02/2016 End date: 21/03/2016
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Fallen Kings
By Dave Levy Fallen Kings is the story of Dave Levy’s angling so far, and takes its title from the mirror and common carp under the king carp strain. It follows Dave from being a small boy who dreams of catching fish, angling in streams, to growing up to become a wellrespected carp angler fishing some of the well-known big-fish waters in the country. What is most extraordinary about Dave’s story is the fact that he’s achieved his ambition of catching big carp while balancing everyday life that most of us face.
£30
+P&P
O R D E R Y O UR CO P Y N O W AT WWW.THECARPSTORE.COM M A IL O R D E R H O T LINE 0114 258 0812 A4_DaveLevy2016_Ad.indd 1
20/01/2016 10:23