Crafty Carper April 2016

N I W

e ag k ac t p fin ai b b ted r e ot up sp s A om fr

New: darrell peck’s must-read rig series

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arper.c o

No.224 April 2016

April 2016 | Issue 224 | £4.25

----DAVE

LANE-----

SPRING SINGLES Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

He reveals the secret edges that will catch you more

+ + +

Steve cliff Shows you how to be bang on the money with every single cast

Myles gibson Gives an insight into his baiting strategies that make all the difference

darren belton Teaches you how to create the ultimate bag mix that will bank you more carp

On sale 23rd March–19th April 2016

What’s new in tackle and bait craftycarper.co

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Crafty Carper /// Issue 224 /// April 2016 /// www.craftycarper.co

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On the cover: Dave Lane returning an early-spring mirror which fell for one of his specials.

Editorial Steve Broad This month, Steve talks about

his enjoyment of a spot of pike

15

Spotted Fin Competition New kids on the block,

Spotted Fin, are giving you the chance

102

fishing, the build up to the Carpin’

Pecky’s Way – Darrell Peck

On show, and the plans he has in

Darrell is back with some

store for his spring campaign.

carp-fishing wisdom in this new regular

to win a fantastic selection of their

feature. The prolific big-fish angler talks

new range of baits worth up to £320

about the rigs, tactics and presentations

in this month’s competition.

which have been key to his success.

9

The Long And The Short – Lewis Read

Everyone worries about their rig being sunk into the silt and not fishing effectively, so Lewis reveals his favourite presentation when it comes to fishing over the stinky stuff.

18

Food Signal – Darren Belton When people talk about food

signals, they tend to think along the lines of piling it in. Darren Belton explains that that’s not always the case, and shows you how to get maximum attraction without using loads of bait.

23

Tightrope – Steve Broad Finding a way round problems

is something which anglers have to face. Steve had to cope with deep margins and some very line-shy fish, and here he gives an insight into how he resolved the situation.

28

The Rig Mechanic – Ellis Brazier

In this new miniseries, Ellis talks about carp rigs, and in this first instalment he shows us how to tie one of the latest and greatest new rigs in the game.

32

A Dream Come True – Matt Hart

Matt Hart was like a kid in a sweet shop when he was offered the opportunity to work with a new bait company, Spotted Fin, and to be in from the start of this very promising and fresh firm.

37

Crafty Catch Column Sponsored By Sticky Baits

This is the place to get your catch pictured published, so send them in to us, and you’re in with the chance of a great prize, courtesy of Sticky Baits.

42

Getting Started – Lewis Clayton

Starting a campaign on a new water can often be tricky. Lewis from Phat Fish gives the low-down on his first trip to a new venue.

48

Colour Coded Zigs – Tristan Peel

83

63

look at the very latest kit to hit the shops,

in Zig fishing, and Tristan Peel is a

angling to suit the way in which the

including a brand new bivvy from JRC, and a

dab hand when it comes to getting

fish are behaving. Here he reveals

range of PVA from the guys at Nash. We also

it right. Here, he sheds some light

how he has changed his approach.

have carp food from Mainline and Spotted Fin.

on how small changes can make big

Spring Singles – Dave Lane Spring has sprung, and Dave

Lane has already started adapting his

Tackle and Bait This month we take an in-depth

Playing around with colours and depths is something which is common practice

differences when it comes to colour.

4

Crafty Carper

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Contents /// April 2016

54

The Question Is Rich Adams, Ellis

Brazier, Mitch Smith, Tom

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The TicketMaster This month we’re

featuring four venues from

91

Crafty Carper

On The Money –

Steve Cliff knows what

of Wight to good ol’ sunny

it means to be super-

This month, Steve Broad

Leicestershire, and be sure

accurate when it comes to

looks at the new range of very

to take advantage of the

fishing venues with steep

appealing liquids from Mainline

free fishing on offer in this

sides, small pockets within

and Solar’s new Mega Big Shots,

issue of TicketMaster.

weedbeds, and hard to find

way of offering pellets without the use of PVA. There’s also a look at Enterprise Tackle’s

75

he makes sure it’s bang on

Check out all kinds of

the money every time.

tackle items this month, ranging from Rig Marole’s new LinkteQ

Krill Pellets from Sticky Baits.

leader material to the clever new rod sleeve systems from

97

Pink and blue corn

Little? – Myles Gibson

JRC, and there’s also the items

for Myles this month – knowing

which the Crafty Team consider

when to add more bait, how

to be essential this month.

to use it right, and what he

so we thought it would only be right that we found out a bit more about the launch of Spotted Fin.

79

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does which makes him such a In Focus – JRC Stealth Bloxx Compact

In the market for a new bivvy?

If that’s a yes, then be sure to check out the new JRC

successful all-round angler.

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Rig Special Part Two –

Stealth Bloxx Compact. With

The second part of Julian

Young Carpers’

its clever and lightweight

Cundiff’s Rig Special is all about

Angling Championship

design, this is a bivvy which

a bottom bait rig which he

Could you be the 2016 British

will appeal to a lot of anglers.

never thought he would use.

champion? If you’re a keen young carper and are 17 or under, then this one is for

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In Focus – Nash PVA We were keen to get

our hands on Nash’s new PVA,

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you. Test your angling skills

and as with all things Nash, you

door each month, and save

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NEW FOR 2016

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Young Carpers’ Angling

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It’s all about bait application

Spotted Fin

about this new bait company,

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Too Much Or Too

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Food

Signal Darren reveals how to create a massive food signal without putting in loads of bait, a real advantage at this time of the year. It’s an important tactic when approaching day ticket lakes where you are trying to nick a bite in the harshest of conditions, and every little edge helps.

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Food Signal

Darren Belton

Everything you need to create a massive food signal.

A decent fish caught on a bag this winter.

T

here is no doubt that carp are

with as many things as possible to

day, lots of the hemp floats, again

PVA bags, and I have the utmost

attracted to food – which is a

create a signal that says ‘eat me’. My

spreading the attraction. On the

confidence that it will draw carp to

natural instinct of all animals –

mix is pretty much off the shelf, but

day, I add some fresh hemp to the

my hookbait. However, you must

because they know to take advantage

every single morsel does a job and is

mix to keep the attraction round

remember that any bait is only as

of a source of nutrition. The only

food-related. The formula is easy – I

the hookbait. Finally, in goes my

good as where you put it, and even

thing that affects this in the case of

chuck a few handfuls of very small

secret ingredient, Sweet & Salty

a carp is its metabolism. At this time

mixed pellets into a bucket, and add

Popcorn. You know how

of year, the days are getting longer,

a load of crushed boilies. Both these

moreish this stuff is

which is a major factor into triggering

things are mega-attractive, and in

to humans – just

carp into feeding – but, and it’s a big

the form they are in, they break down

the smell can get

but, the water temperature is still

in water and help to transmit the

you slobbering

really cold. Even though this winter

signal. Next in is the hemp oil, which

– and exactly

has been really mild in comparison

is high in fatty acids and actually

the same thing

to most, the water is still only a few

great at rising to the surface, giving

happens to

degrees, enough to keep a cap on any

fish higher in the water column a

the carp. Crush

carp’s appetite. The trouble is that

sniff of food. Then I add one of the

the popcorn

the carp are still attracted by a big

Mainline liquids, which are heavy

into a fine

bed of bait, but will only eat a tiny

and sit on the lakebed, kicking out

powder; this stuff

bit of food once it has arrived, simply

‘eat me’ signs. A spoonful of GLM

binds to everything,

because they are slow in digesting

goes in; even a small amount coats

and rises and falls in the

anything eaten. When I’m fishing

everything, and it’s another big

water, creating a halo effect and

I deliberately fished the sheltered

easier day ticket waters in winter

draw. Hemp is next, and I do this at

kicking out even more attraction.

side of the island that was getting

and early spring, I try to capitalise

two different stages. I add a couple

This is a mix that is absolutely

the most of the sun and the least

on this attraction to a food signal

of handfuls to the pellet and boilie

loaded to the gunnels with bits and

of the bitingly cold wind. As far as

by making my one small PVA bag as

crumb the night before, so that they

pieces, and has the biggest food

I was concerned, this was where

attractive as a whole kilo of boilies.

suck up the hemp juice. This actually

signal possible. For my short spring

the carp wanted to be. I

dries the hemp, and the following

session, I fish this mix in small

am familiar with this lake

This is achieved by packing a bag

carp in day ticket lakes will have certain areas where they want to be in certain conditions, so

“Finally, in goes my secret ingredient, sweet & salty popcorn. You know how moreish this stuff is to humans…”

you still need watercraft and have to fish correctly.

For this feature, I was on Elphicks, which is near my home in Kent.

The lake I tackled

has a central island, and

A spoonful of GLM is a must.

Pellets have loads of pulling power.

This chunky mirror responded to a big food signal.

Everyone loves popcorn, even carp.

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c i n a h c e M

e h T g

i R

IER Z RA B IS ELL

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In the first of a four part miniseries, Ellis takes an in-depth look at some specialised presentations and how to tie them. This month it’s the aptly named DP Claw Rig

I

t has been said, in the pages of this

the results I have enjoyed have been

of points, but

publication, that I am not a ‘riggy’

strong enough for me to pen this piece.

the principle

“…this winter has seen a change in my thinking, and the results I have enjoyed have been strong enough for me to pen this piece”

what a rig it is proving to be.

angler, and I would have to agree. My

The rig came about on my Christmas

ethos has always been to keep it simple

night out with the lovable Dave Preston

interesting. To cut

on the rig front, and to work at the

(the founder of Preston innovations,

a long story short, we

feeding situation to provide the bites.

Avid, Korum and Sonubaits), or should

never got out that night;

That said, though, I have always had a

I say the night in. When I got to Dave’s,

in fact, I relieved Dave of as much of

commonly, my favoured Snowman setup,

keen interest in the more technical rigs,

he started enthusing about a new rig

his wine as I could manage, and we

on the back of the curve hook, extends

but perhaps not quite the desire to tie

he had been playing with, and I asked

sat at his rig table swapping ideas for

down the shrink tubing to stiffen the

up some of them. However, this winter

if I could take a look at this wonder rig.

the entire evening. Needless to say,

curve that is created when

has seen a change in my thinking, and

To my mind, it needed work on a couple

that’s how the DP Rig got its name, and

boiling. The length of tubing

was extremely

The technical side is fairly simple,

in that the D, which can house a pop-up, or more

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29 10/03/2016 16:38

Too Much Or Too Little?

Myles Gibson

Here are three items Myles always takes fishing with him, and they cover every aspect of baiting that he requires.

B

Check the lead to see if there is any weed out there, and how much there is. If there isn’t a lot, then a Hinged Rig would certainly be fishable.

aiting in the spring is something

much prefer the mobile approach, being

and in the spring especially, it can be

that differs a lot, depending on

ready to react to any situation with

really effective. If I choose to fish more

the lake you are fishing, the

which I am faced. I look for showing

of a bites water, somewhere with a lot

weather, and the time of day. So much

fish and do my best to get on them.

of fish, such as Linear Fisheries, then I

varies, and the most important thing

Single hookbaits in areas with just

may change my approach. The lakes are

is to work out the current situation

a few baits, by catapult or throwing

often busy, so moving can sometimes

you are faced with and adapt to it.

stick, can be a real winner. If it isn’t too

be out of the question. This is when I

far out, I like to mix up the size of the

look to create a feeding situation where

about the pond quickly, and will be

baits, just to create a bit of confusion.

I can catch more than one fish. It is key

searching for food as and when they

This is the sort of approach I tend to

to be different on these sorts of waters,

want. There will be plenty of naturals

adopt on the waters that I fish. They

and think carefully about what you put

in the weed, which also flourishes, and

are often weedy and not always well

out. A standard spod mix of hemp, corn,

the fish don’t always need to feast on

stocked, and bites can be few and far

pellets and some boilies will work, but it

angler’ baits until May time. They will

between. I fish for a bite at a time, and

is what most people on the lake will be

still eat it, of course they will, but it’s

the ideal rig for this is something like

using. I like to make the base of my mix

about taking care in what you are doing.

the Hinged Stiff Rig, which will kick

around boilies; I crumb and chop most

Just because it is 15° during the day, and

out and sit over most bottoms. When

of them, and mix in a bit of corn for the

the carp are leaping around left, right

feeling for the drop, if it goes down

visual aspect. It is slightly different, and

and centre, it doesn’t mean that you

hard or slightly firm, you know that it

also releases loads of attraction. This

need to Spomb buckets of bait to them.

is fishing. It is only when it’s really soft

spring I am using the Manilla, on the tail

that it will most likely be weed, and

end of an obscene winter for me, which

this is when I turn to the Chod Rig.

involved four 40s on a couple of trips.

The fish are on the move, getting

You may find yourself committing to areas of the lake, and when the swim is vacant, you feel inclined to fish there, even if the carp are somewhere else. I

I am not a religious user of the Chod, but it certainly has its time and place,

It worked wonders then, so it certainly will in the spring. It’s not just

Two very simple rigs made with strong and reliable components.

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Too Much Or Too Little?

Myles Gibson

Chopped Manilla and some sweetcorn has worked for Myles so far this year, and it’s a great mix to stop the birds robbing the bait.

If the fish are showing all over you and you don’t have a bite, lead around to find out what they are doing, and make a note of it.

Two- or threebait stringers are underused but extremely effective.

Hitting the clip when baiting up is essential.

there for attraction, it’s also difficult for

something you see a lot

the birds to take advantage of. They

of – people bait every morning

can be a real pain at this time of year,

and evening and expect a bite.

and a kilo of boilies on the spot doesn’t

This is fine if you have any indication

last long, whereas a kilo of this mix will

that the fish have fed, but if they

be nearly impossible for them to clear

haven’t, it can hinder your chances.

Bright hookbaits are always a winner, and are something in which Myles puts his faith for 12 months of the year.

single hookbait

up. I never want too much out there to

I like adding lots of particles, full of

start with; I much prefer to build

sugars and salts, which, of course, are

is enough, providing you put

high in energy and carbohydrates, but

yourself in the right area.

up the swim as I go. If I am catching fish, then I give

only after they spawn. I tend to stick

If I find fish showing and fizzing, I

to the boilie approach in the spring.

cast rigs to the zone and leave them for

I don’t see the point

As I mentioned, if I am on a high-stock

sometimes 24 hours. If nothing occurs,

in putting out bait if I

water, then I like Spombing to clips

then I get out the leading rod and

have had no indication

with a mix of crumbed baits. If I am on

investigate what those fish were doing.

bigger fish waters, I tend to use the

There might be a nice clear hole in the

throwing stick and the catapult for most

weed, but thick Canadian everywhere

of my fishing. You don’t have to empty

else. This tells me where the fish were

a bucket of bait into a spot to make the

feeding, and there is a good chance

them some more bait.

that the fish have fed. This is

carp feed. Sometimes even a

that they will be back. Even if they don’t return while I’m there, I make a note of the spot, and next time the fish are showing in the area, I am all set to get the rods out to a feeding spot without having to lead around again.

An awesome 37lb mirror caught early last spring, over a catapulted spread of boilies to the back of a bar close in.

I am a huge fan of bright or highattract baits, which I use for 99% of my fishing all year round. I very rarely cast out straight bottom

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99 10/03/2016 16:58

Pecky’s Way Darrell Peck

In a new regular feature, big-carp hunter Darrell Peck reveals the rigs and presentations he uses to achieve his outstanding results. Read on and learn from the master.

O

ne of the things I often see anglers getting wrong is the lead system. It’s easy to understand why because there are so many conflicting ideas floating around. Personally, I like to keep things

simple and choose the right arrangement for the job. This decision is based on a number of things, such as lakebed type, weed, and how far I need to cast. As a quick aside here, I’d like to mention dropping leads, which is a very emotive subject for many anglers, but one that should be addressed with honesty. I definitely don’t think you should be randomly dropping leads, and the only time I choose to do it is when it is in the best interests of the carp because of weed or snags. So, here is my quick guide to when and where to use the lead arrangements that I choose.

In-lines This is probably the original purpose-designed lead arrangement, and was used by stacks of anglers, including me, but I have ceased to use it with any regularity. It was initially used because of its great anti-tangle properties, and this was one of the major reasons for relying on it, plus the fantastic hooking potential it has, thanks to the weight-forward design, which unfortunately is also one of its downfalls. This style of lead will dig into a soft bottom, and if you are using a slightly stiff hooklink, this could result in the rig being very poorly presented. I would always use a braid hooklink, and really only ever use this type of lead over a hard lakebed, preferably gravel. It is ages since I last used an in-line, but perhaps I should have a rethink because it really does have a place in some situations.

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Pecky’s Way Darrell Peck

Lead Clips These are probably the most common arrangements used, and I can understand why because they are just so versatile. I tend to use the Hybrid Lead Clips, which are very easy to use. This setup is very good for casting, and with a coated hooklink it remains virtually tangle-free as long as you hit the clip or feather the cast. I predominantly use this when the bottom is soft or has a light covering of weed. This is probably my favoured presentation, simply because it ticks so many boxes, which is a huge bonus to me.

Helicopter Rigs Finally, there is this style of rig. I’m talking about standard presentations rather than any form of Chod, which is a subject I’ll discuss in its own right. I tend to use the Helicopter Rig when the bottom is very soft or there is a good coating of low weed. I thread on a small Sinker and carefully position a 4mm Rubber Bead on it, so it will pull over and release the hooklink in case of an accident. This can also be achieved with a Safety System NoTrace Bead. Next, add a ring swivel, with the ring on the line and a Helicopter Sleeve, before finally adding the lead. This is a really great casting rig which very rarely tangles.

Just recently, I’ve been using this presentation on Northey Park, and it suits this lake.

Well, that’s it for now. Next month I’ll be talking Chods, to try to point you in the right direction. CC

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103 11/03/2016 10:34

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