Crafty Carper July 2016

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HOW TO TACKLE LARGE WATERS MARK WATSON REVEALS ALL

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On the cover: Mark Baxter with a stunning 26lb common from his Cambridgeshire syndicate.

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Post-Spawning Spectacle – Dave Lane

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Following on from his feature in the

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No.227 July 2016

July 2016 | Issue 227 | £4.25

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ENJ OY SCO RCH ING SUM MER ACT ION

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BY PREBAITING

7

Editorial This month, editor Steve Broad informs us of the recent happenings within The Carp Society, talks about his latest carping adventures, when he took his first trip to the historic Mangrove lake, and admits to a terrible tenching session.

10

Cast With Confidence Ian Stott Captor of six 50s in 6 months, Ian Stott reveals how he ensures that he has the utmost confidence in his rigs when fishing at long range, so they are fishing effectively and aren’t ever tangled.

19

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S HOW TO TACKLE LARGE WATER ALL MARK WATSON REVEALS

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TECHNIQUES

BAG TIE THE BEST SOLID PVA EVER WITH IAIN MACMILLAN

IAN STOTT UNVEILS HIS SIMPLY SETUP AWESOME TANGLE-FREE

ND TIPS E, BAITS, TECHNOLOGY A T H E V E R Y L AT E S T TA C K L

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43

Prebaiting On The Money – Mark Baxter Cover star Mark Baxter has tackled some

difficult venues in his angling life, and one of the secrets to his success is prebaiting. We caught up with him to see exactly how he goes about this brilliant tactic.

4

AND RIGS

2016 On sale 22nd June – 19th July

TACTICS

Reap The Rewards David Cooper Owner of Lac de la Ribière, David Cooper certainly knows a thing or two about French fishing, and gives the low-down on how to get the most from your carp-fishing holiday.

06/06/2016 16:41

25

Two Targets In Two Weeks Simon Crow Crowy has been on fine form in recent months, banking some incredible fish after having a slow start to the year. Check out his latest article on how he went about banking two stunning northern fish.

30

The Big Blue Mark Watson Tackling a large water can be a daunting task in itself, so where do you begin? Mark Watson is an experienced angler on these huge venues, and shares his knowledge on the matter, with some excellent advice.

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06/06/2016 19:44

99

The Great Crafty Debate Does rig concealment matter? Do we need to spend a lot of time camouflaging terminal tackle, or are we just overthinking things? Our panel of experts give their opinion on the matter.

103

Crafty Carper Under-21s Dan Price continues his monthly blog, and shares his latest carping adventures, including how he has been planning his fishing for when he finishes his busy exam schedule. In the meantime, he has managed to sneak some Zigs out to try to get a few bites.

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INSIDE THIS MONTH’S CRAFTY...

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TECHNIQUES

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LEARN HOW TO

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MARK WATSON REVEALS ALL

TIE THE BEST SOLID PVA BAG EVER WITH IAIN MACMILLAN

IAN STOTT UNVEILS HIS SIMPLY AWESOME TANGLE-FREE SETUP

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Supreme Solid Bags Iain Macmillan PVA bags are a phenomenal tactic when used in the right situation, and here, Iain Macmillan explains how to get the most out of them, and gives a great insight into how to tie up the ultimate oily solid bag.

58

The Question Is Our panel of experts for this issue consists of Jack Meyer, Brad Greening, Ellis Brazier, John Kneebone and Rich Adams, who are all highly experienced anglers in their own right. This month, you’ve asked the guys some great questions, including how to extract fish safely from weed, and how to approach the surface for first-timers.

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Carp Food This month, editor Steve Broad takes a look at some of the latest offerings from Mainline Baits, as well as Spotted Fin’s new Catalyst and Sticky Baits’ deadly Manilla range, which is set to be a big hit.

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The TicketMaster There are three great venues featured this month: Willows Lakes in the south of the country, the fantastic recently reopened Frisby Lakes in the East Midlands, and the ever popular Stanwick Lakes’ Mallard Lake. Be sure to take advantage of the free fishing on offer in this issue of TicketMaster.

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In Too Deep Ellis Brazier Deep venues can be notoriously tricky, especially in the warmer months, when bites can be hard to get. Ellis

115

No Passport Required Lewis Clayton You don’t have to travel across the Channel to get some big fish, and if you look in the right places, you don’t have to travel far at all. Lewis Clayton had a recent trip to Birch Grove, a fantastic UK holiday venue.

121

Overnighters Julian Cundiff Jules is back with his regular slot, and this month we joined him on one of his local venues which he regularly fishes. He explains how he goes about getting the most from the limited time he has on overnight sessions.

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LINEAR FISHERIES, NEAR WITNEY, OXFORDSHIRE, OX29 7QF 06/06/2016 19:45

p a e R ER D AV ID C O O P

O

S D R A W E R ns for top destinatio as re e th p u France are and s, and trips to teresting tips ay in e lid o m h so g s in e iv sh la Ribière, g ard to our fi of Domaine de We all look forw r e n ow r, e p o g. David Co big-carp fishin and catch. to get it right, ow h n o ts h g insi

Thomas Kamin with Alex at 72lb, caught using light leads.

Crafty Carper 019-023_Reap_the_Rewards_CC227.indd 1

19

06/06/2016 19:35

Reap The Rewards David Cooper

KNOW THE VENUE

big. I would put myself under pressure

still need to find the spots. With the aid of bait boats and echo sounders, it’s not difficult to see what’s in front of you within a short period of time.

MINDSET

to do well and end up making a lot of mistakes, not enjoying the experience or the holiday. I would kick myself after: Why did I do that? What was I thinking?

Get the map out and add the depths It’s never been easier to research a

and any features to the peg, and then

I love fishing in France, and like many

venue now we have the Internet. Lots

take stock. I always run a lead over

anglers, I have fished a wide range

the added edge of competition. I have

of them have maps of the lake and

the lakebed, to make sure I have a feel

of venues. One thing they all have in

learned now to relax a little more, and

pictures of all the swims, and quite a few

for what I am fishing on – silt, hard,

common is that they are pressured

spend more time on my preparation well

have video clips which can be found on

soft, weed, etc. For me, the depths

and the fish are often very clued-up,

in advance of a trip, especially if it’s a

YouTube. A few hours spent researching

and the key features in front of me

so if you go there thinking it’s going

new lake. Starting with the right mindset

gives you an idea of the lake in your

are so important to unlocking the

to be easy, you can often get caught

is key for my fishing. My preparation

mind, and on paper. The first thing I do

peg. At Ribière, every peg fishes in a

out. Looking back at my records and

focuses on four key areas – venue and

is print off a Google Map of the water

different way. On some you need to

approach over the years, it’s certainly

peg knowledge, bait and bait application,

and start marking the pegs and the lake

fish long in the far margin, tight to

changed quite a bit, hopefully for

rigs and tactics, and finally, watercraft.

depths, including any features I can see.

the bank or under a tree, on others

the better. In the early days, I often

Being prepared allows me to relax and

you need to be at the bottom of the

felt the pressure to catch, and catch

put it all together once I am at the venue.

On Ribière, there are pictures of every swim and you can see each peg drained

shelf, in the silt, or on the edge of the

down. This is very valuable information

silt, and on others you fish short.

because you can see key features

Quite often at Ribière, most of the

such as the drop-off areas and sunken

runs will come from one spot, so getting

bridges, other snags, and nice areas of

the spots to produce can be vital. If fish

hard lakebed. The next stage is to start

are in the area and you aren’t catching,

talking to as many anglers as you can

small changes can be key. I have seen

who are regulars on the lake. You will

spots produce for 3 days and then go

find them in the catch reports and on

dead, but a move of 2-3 yards right or

Facebook pages. There will be someone

left can have the fish back on it again.

you know, and a quick message asking

Anglers here for a week spend

for advice on key spots can be worth its

less than a couple of hours actually

weight in gold. Also, don’t be afraid to

finding out what’s in front of them.

talk to the owner. I am often asked about

Think about it! You have the whole

specific pegs and areas, and I’m happy to

week, so half a day is nothing to spend

give out information, but not everyone

making sure you know what’s out

does this. There is no excuse for turning

there. Equipped with this knowledge,

up in a peg without any prior knowledge

you can make decisions on the spots,

of the venue and the swim itself.

taking into account the weather, fish

Once you’re in your chosen peg, you

If I was with friends, there was also

Remember to try something different. Use Zigs, running rigs, heavy or light leads.

movement, and the key features.

Above: With a boat and echo sounder, it’s easy to map out the swim and any key features.

Main: Even in cold weather, the fish will be moving, so stay alert.

Right: It’s important to know about any features and potential snags in your peg. The bridge at Ribière needs to be approached with extreme caution.

20

Crafty Carper

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06/06/2016 19:35

Reap The Rewards David Cooper

BAITING AND BAIT APPLICATION

Remember to try something different. Use Zigs, running rigs, heavy or light leads.

How much to bait and how often is another question I am asked a lot.

In winter, if the fish are in front of me and I feel they are feeding, I often have a couple of kilos of bait over each rod.

When it comes to bait, for me, the

In November at Ribière, I have caught

starting point, again, is research. How

fish to 60lb with this type of approach.

many fish are in the lake? How big are

I keep it going in every day because

they? Are they young and growing?

I want there to be bait available for

At Ribière we have over 500 fish with

them to eat. At certain times of the

an average weight of mid-40lb, so

year, putting more in when you’re not

that’s 20,000lb of carp in 22 acres,

catching can be a big leap of faith. On

and they need to eat. If you are at a

high-density waters, I have had a lot

venue for a week, you know that the

of success doing this in the spring.

fish will feed at some stage (in normal

It’s not the norm but it can work, and

conditions), so making sure you have

it seems to get them going and they

enough bait in the swim to get them

respond to it. In very hot weather, I have

feeding is key. In normal conditions,

adopted a little-and-often approach by

with carp moving, water temperatures

fishing singles and a few scatterings.

above 11°, and no big natural hatches,

The water is warm, there are lots of

I am more than confident to feed

naturals, and you need to catch them

heavily as the week progresses,

out. Attraction, curiosity, and having

and especially if I start catching.

it in the spot they are patrolling can

However, the first couple of days are always a time for caution. You don’t

Try mixing it up, with chopped boilie, maize and pellet over a wide area, rather than just dropping a tight spot using the boat.

and feel, and not just blind faith.

give you the take when it’s difficult.

The wrong way to go about it is to

know how much has gone in the week

come here with a preconceived plan

before, and you have no idea how the

of piling it in and sitting and waiting.

fish are behaving when you arrive. My

It’s a one-chance approach with a very

advice is always to build the swim,

high probability of failure. Once it’s in

and bait easy-to-moderate to begin

you can’t take it out, so build it up in

with. If you’re catching from the off

response to the behaviour and feeding of

and the fish are having it, then it’s an

the fish, not assumptions. By all means,

easy decision. When the fish are rolling

bring the bait and have it with you, but

and moving and you’re not catching,

don’t start on Saturday with 20kg in

or when you get no indication of how

your peg. On good weeks at Ribière, you

they are responding and the lake just

can use 50kg of boilie and particles, no

isn’t fishing, you need to be cautious.

problem. I know Gary Covell very well,

In this case, small clumps of bait, a light

and his recent trip included three 50lb

baiting approach, and even singles can

fish and a couple of 49lb fish over big

work well. The key is to make sure you

beds of bait, but it was applied once

are basing your decision-

the fish arrived, and was consistently

making on observation

fed during the rest of the trip.

Bob with a beautiful 53lb mirror.

Crafty Carper 019-023_Reap_the_Rewards_CC227.indd 3

21 06/06/2016 19:35

U “

the more you fish it, the smaller it will

“

feel, and that is key to unlocking it

30

Crafty Carper

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03/06/2016 15:19

The Big Blue

Mark Watson

MARK WATSON Tackling vast waters can always be a challenge, and discovering where to begin can be a daunting task in itself. We caught up with big venue specialist Mark Watson to share his knowledge on how to approach lakes of epic proportions.

Crafty Carper 030-034_The_Big_Blue_CC227.indd 2

31 03/06/2016 15:19

The Big Blue Mark Watson

W

hen I first started on this

work out what is in front of each swim,

huge 200-acre pit many years

the more likely it is to work out where

ago, there weren’t an awful

fish will be. For example, there may be

lot of fish in here, and it made things

plateaus, bars, silt patches, weedbeds,

very difficult. When I say there weren’t

or other kinds of underwater features

many, I’m talking around 30 carp, a good

that fish are attracted to. Initially,

handful of mirrors, with the rest being

the lake will feel massive if you are

commons. As the years went on, it was

used to smaller waters, but the more

stocked with around 800 fish, which

you fish it, the smaller it will feel,

made things a lot easier, but still, finding

and that is key to unlocking it.

them in 200 acres is hard work. As well

Before you even start on the lake,

as the stock of carp being low, there are

do your research, and find out as much

also several elements against you, but

information about the place before you

this should never deter you from taking

even start. There are a lot of things you

on a challenge such as this.

might want to know, such as the stock

One of the most important parts of

levels. If it’s an old pit, find out what it

taking on something like this is your

was originally dug for, as this will help

mindset. You have to be committed to

to know the make-up of the lakebed

the task in hand, and something you

before even casting the lead out. In this

need to take into account is the amount

case, the lake was originally dug for the

of time you are willing to spend to try to

sand and gravel, and if you’ve ever seen

suss out the venue. The more you fish

pictures of these sorts of pits before

the lake, the more you unlock it in your

water filled them, you’ll know all about

head; you won’t fully understand the

the steep slopes and various trenches.

lake if you only stick to one swim where

These can be great features for

it may be comfortable, and you certainly won’t be on the fish every single time by having a one-track mind. Try lots of swims, which may not mean you catch more initially, but when you start to With everything looking pretty, I sit back to watch the water, and the boats.

I like to use heavier indicators to help combat the severe undertow.

a decision of where I want to be on the lake, and I can batten down the hatches finding fish, but can cause you to lose a lot of fish due to the sharp rocks and

32

On your first visit to the venue, it’s very

things which may be there. Use the

important to choose a swim with a view of

Internet and maps for an aerial view

as much of the lake as possible, because

of your chosen water, and if you look

you need to be watching it at all times. By

closely, you will see the difference in

doing this, you can work out where fish

areas; the shallower areas are lightly

are in the current conditions, which helps

shaded, and the deeper areas are

give a starting point for the next session

generally a lot darker in colour. They

if the conditions are similar. You can use

can often reveal things which you can’t

this knowledge to your advantage, which

actually see from the bank, such as piles

may mean fishing a different swim, but

of boulders, as at this venue. These are

if you’ve seen fish there, you stand a

obviously very attractive to fish because

good chance of getting a bite, rather than

they provide cover and give an element

sitting behind motionless rods for your

of safety. This means they will be

session. Take into account all the different

confident to feed in these areas, as they

elements which create the conditions,

have the security of the rocks near them.

make a note of them, and then choose

While on the subject of maps, take

Using a weather app can help predict your next move on to fish.

ready for an incoming weather front.

your swim based on this, as you stand a

note of wind directions. Print off a map

good chance of locating the fish. On these

of the whole lake with a compass in the

massive venues, you can’t just turn up

corner; this will help you work out wind

and expect to catch. A lot of research has

directions, so you are ready to jump on

to be done, and for the first few sessions,

to a new wind, or steer clear of a wind

you shouldn’t be disheartened if you don’t

if it’s a bitterly cold northerly. As well

catch. Eight-hundred fish sounds like quite

as this, you can be prepared to make

a few, but when you put that number

moves before the changes in weather

of fish in 200 acres, they can be hidden

even happen. I do this with the aid of

anywhere. Fish in big pits are generally

a reliable weather app, so I can make

fairly nomadic. The odd few will group

Crafty Carper

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03/06/2016 15:20

The Big Blue

Mark Watson

Two very simple rigs which lend themselves very well to my style of fishing.

Heavy leads and anti-tangle sleeves are the main factors to ensure my rigs are set correctly.

up, but compared

Undertow can be a nightmare,

to commercial-style

and in really harsh conditions you

venues, where you can

may find that your rigs have been

expect many big hits in

moved. Lines get caught in the tow

quick succession, with this style of

and pull the rigs about, which means

fishing you may get one or two fish

you have to keep an eye on them. I use

in a shorter period of time, and be

large leads to try to keep everything

waiting quite some time for a hit.

anchored, and to be able to cast my rods

Before this lake was restocked, and

out there, which can be very difficult

the original ones were all that was in

in serious crosswinds that are all too

here, I remember being the top rod

common when tackling big venues.

for one of the seasons, with only five

Whilst on the subject of strong

fish to my name. Five fish in a season

tackle, this is replicated in my rigs.

doesn’t sound a lot, but when you

The thing with big pit fish is that they

catching five of the 30 fish in 200 acres, it’s actually quite an achievement.

I was very pleased with this,

“

aren’t massively pressured compared to those in smaller

The fish can very much be loners in the world of carp, so it pays to be fairly mobile.

although it’s not for the impatient anglers.

“

think about

Stay active and on the move, and be prepared to change swims at the drop of a hat.

venues. This is because they obviously have a lot more space to escape angling pressure, and because they aren’t pressured

Another big pit victim; fish like this make the time and effort worthwhile.

all that much, they aren’t riggy.

I use very simple

The fish can very much be loners

but strong rigs, and this is another thing

in the world of carp, so it pays to

to remember when tackling lakes of

be fairly mobile. You may be able to

such large proportions. Big strong hooks

drive around the lake, but if you can’t,

and strong braided rigs are what I use,

strong, lightweight gear is important.

and I don’t stray away from two rigs

It may not feel windy when you’re

which have worked very well for me to

loading up the car for your trip, but

date. I tend to use a blowback-style

on these huge expanses of water,

rig for my bottom baits and

the slightest of breezes can feel like

Snowman presentations,

gale-force winds! This means you

usually around 7-8ins long, with

may have to balance the lightweight

a big, strong curve shank hook, a

properties with strength; your kit is

bit of shrink tube over the eye as

going to be facing elements which you

a kicker, and silicone on the shank

may not be used to if you usually fish

of the hook to keep the Hair in position.

secluded lakes. Across this much open

The other is the rig I use for pop-ups,

water, the wind can pick up easily,

and that is the Multi-Rig. It’s simple to

which also affects the undertow.

tie and very effective, so I can be sure

Crafty Carper 030-034_The_Big_Blue_CC227.indd 4

33 03/06/2016 15:20

The Big Blue Mark Watson Returning a big pit beast – back to the depths it goes.

Giving my bait a good glugging using some KS15 liquid for extreme attraction.

I’m not shy when I’m putting bait in, and I like to use a very potent bait.

This stunning mirror is one of the 800 stocked, which has now darkened up.

that if I hook a fish, I’m confident I will

fish often show themselves early in

away, I don’t put any bait over them, or

savage undertows on these big waters,

land it. When you have waited so long for

the morning. If I’m there when they

try to figure out what they are showing

the scent can travel a long way, and

a bite, the last thing you want is to lose

are showing, I can often get amongst

over with a marker float. I simply put

carp can home in on this from greater

the fish, especially if it’s the one you’ve

them quickly, and set up on the fish

single hookbaits over them – and the

distance than just a standard boilie

set your sights on. I don’t use things

without having to do too much work.

best single hookbait anglers are all

being put into the water. I also use

like swivels and bits of putty all over

I can figure out where they might be,

from Yorkshire! If I catch one or two

particles, but they are only worth my

my rigs, as I like to keep them simple.

and this goes back to knowing more

from the showing fish, I wait until there

while when bream are not a problem.

The only thing I do use on them is an

than just one swim. The fish could be

hasn’t been anything showing for a

You can cause a lot of disturbance

anti-tangle sleeve, and this is because

anywhere on the lake when you arrive,

little while to avoid spooking them off

when wading through shoals of

when my rigs go out, I need to be 100%

but you’ll have a rough idea when you

the area, and that’s when I put in my

bream, because of having to keep

confident that they aren’t tangled on

suss out the wind direction, and this

freebies. When I do this, contrary to the

baiting and recasting onto the spot.

the lakebed; they may be out there for

is where knowing features in different

Yorkshire stereotype, I actually put a

a day or more while I wait for a bite.

swims can pay off. If they are in a swim

fair amount of bait in. I glug my boilies

the lake, things will become easier.

When you really get in tune with

When I turn up for my sessions on

you know, then the chances are that

for maximum attraction in the water,

It doesn’t feel like the mammoth

this venue, I often arrive at the crack of

you’ll be able to put rods onto known

as I want lots of food signals out there

challenge it started off as, and

dawn. Something I have noticed from

spots you have fished previously.

to keep the fish searching long after

eventually, things will come good and

the last bait has been eaten. With the

those big pit fish will soon be yours! CC

fishing here over the years is that the

34

If I turn up and see the fish straight

Crafty Carper

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03/06/2016 15:21

The

POST-SPA W

SPECTACLE The majority of the fish across the UK have now finished spawning, possibly even more than just once. It’s safe to say they are at their lowest weights, and the fishing can be very difficult. Dave Lane has tackled this issue year in, year out and gives the low-down on how to get the most from this tricky time.

Playing a fish from a big bed of bait in late summer.

50

Crafty Carper

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06/06/2016 22:05

The Post-Spawning Spectacle Dave Lane

A WNING S

o, the summer is passing and

gained almost 5lb in weight, which is a

point of attack is to learn where the

for 3.30 a.m., which is a hideous time

the fish have completed their

pretty amazing statistic, but one that

fish do the majority of their feeding,

to be waking up, but once you are

spawning ritual, maybe even

cannot be denied; the same scales,

and then gave them exactly what

up and about, it is by far the most

more than once, but we will forgive

the same angler, and digital dating on

they are looking for. Carp can get very

magical time of all. Watching the

them that. After all, they have waited

the photographs, let alone the obvious

predictable for a while, and use the

world come to life is a spectacle in

a whole year for the chance! After

physical changes. Obviously, eating

same routes, the same feeding areas,

itself, but seeing how the carp behave

spawning, the fish are obviously at

went a long way towards this process,

and lay up in the same safe houses

as the sky breaks each day is a very

their lowest weights of the year,

and I would imagine that bait was the

during the day. What we are looking

revealing process that cannot be

but they will be keen to replace that

greater part of this feast, but here is

for is where the fish are during feeding

replicated at 8.00 a.m., or whenever

weight and repair any damage they

an interesting fact that I never knew

times, and midnight to mid-morning

else you crawl out of the sleeping bag!

may have sustained, and a good food

before then. Female carp actually start

source is the quickest way to achieve

to grow spawn,

this. Depending on the sort of weather

or eggs, for

we get, there may well be hard times

the next year

ahead from an angling perspective.

very soon after

For example, a roasting-hot August

clearing out

often puts a spanner in the works,

what they were

but for now it is full steam ahead.

already carrying.

Carp can feed heavily after spawning,

I only learnt

and the food source we offer them is

this through a

particularly good. High-quality boilies

conversation

contain just about everything a carp

with Simon Scott

needs to aid healing and bulk up.

from Sparsholt

I have witnessed some

“

are the classic times during this period

It’s amazing how much there is still to learn about carp, even after a lifetime spent pursuing them

Fishery College,

“

E

DAVE LAN E

First light and last light are quite

of the season.

often the calmest times of the day as

As with all

far as wind is concerned, and during

carp-angling

these periods it is often possible to

scenarios,

see where the fish are feeding. Scan

there is no

the water with binoculars, and look

substitution for

for bubbling and fizzing, which is

observation.

a sure sign of feeding carp. It’s my

Watching the

considered opinion that the evenings

water is always

are not what they used to be as far as

the greatest

feeding carp are concerned, hence the

way to invest

early starts. As a kid, I remember that

your time

the last vestiges of light were always

spent on the

the trigger for feeding activity, and I

bank. You will

used to hang on as long as possible,

learn nothing

staring through the twilight at the

at all from

top of a quill float when fishing for

amazing growth rates in the

shortly after

period from spawning through to

this capture. It’s

early autumn; a pound a week is

amazing how

not unheard of with larger carp,

much there is still to learn about carp,

your phone, Facebook, Twitter,

small wildie commons. Nowadays

once they get on the munch.

even after a lifetime spent pursuing

Instagram or any other distraction.

though, the evenings seldom seem to

them. This little snippet of information

Observing will help you catch carp,

produce for me, and I put my full faith

Northampton where I caught a

isn’t going to help you bank any more

or find where they are feeding.

in the coming of each day, learning

spawned-out mirror on 17th July. She

fish, of course, but I just felt like

was a little battered after her ordeal, and weighed 32lb. On 7th August

I remember fishing a lake in

I caught her again, and she looked

I always like to be awake and

as much as I can to keep me going

sharing it with you. Now we are all

watching just before it gets light. It

until the next dawn comes around.

that little bit smarter – cheers Simon.

always amazes me how many anglers

So what will help us bank more fish

Once you have identified the

sleep through the most telling times of

areas where the carp are during the

fantastic, weighing a few ounces

after spawning time has passed? For

the day. In the height of summer this

hot times, it’s just a case of giving

under 37lb. In 3 weeks exactly she had

this month at least, I reckon the main

may actually mean setting an alarm

them what they need in the right

Crafty Carper 050-054_Dave_Lane_CC227.indd 2

51 06/06/2016 22:05

The Post-Spawning Spectacle Dave Lane

All spawned-out at 32lb.

areas, and making sure your rigs are

am moving on to fish which are already

do it well ahead of the predicted bite

positioned, and undisturbed, well ahead

feeding, then I am happy to fish singles

time, probably the evening before,

of time. What they need, of course, is

or a very small and delicate scattering

and then sit and wait, causing as little

top-quality boilies, or at least that’s

of bait, rather than risk spooking them,

disturbance to the swim as possible.

what always works for me at this time.

but if I have identified a good area and

Quite often I actually bait the swim, clip

I know you read a lot about particle

I am setting traps, then I feed a lot

up all three rods, and then go off for a

use in the summer – hemp, tigers, corn,

heavier than in previous months. At

walk or a social barbecue with mates

etc. – and this approach will work, but

this time of year, I like nothing better

on the opposite bank, leaving the swim

after spawning, I think that a bed of

than to have all three traps set over

rested and free of lines for hours at

boilies gives the carp exactly what they

a bed of good food, and know that

a time. If I am convinced that I know

need in an easy meal, apart from the

each rig is presented as well as it can

the bite times, then I cannot see the

odd one with a hook in it, of course. If I

possibly be. This may take time, but I

point in risking spooking the fish before Three weeks later and nearly 5lb bigger.

52

“I like nothing better at this time of year than to have all three traps set over a bed of good food and know that each rig is presented as well as it can possibly be”

Weed changes the game completely!

Crafty Carper

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The Post-Spawning Spectacle Dave Lane

they get settled by thrashing about in the swim. Just three quick casts with clipped up rods before I retire for the night is often the best method.

In the morning, nice and early, I will be hovering over the rods and watching the spots, although this can sometimes be frustrating. Quite often it’s almost impossible to resist the urge for a recast when the fish are bubbling all over you and you still haven’t received any action, but it is

Carp spawning on a big gravel pit.

seldom the right answer. I always try to sit tight and leave the rigs in position, putting faith in the fact that I have cast them out perfectly the previous

The end of the point rod, a bite every night.

evening. Sometimes it can take hours for a feeding carp to actually make one mistake, and I often wonder how many times they have rejected or purposely avoided the hookbait before slipping up. Once again, keeping everything low profile and the swim undisturbed will help speed things up, as will bait application over the previous days or weeks. Prebaiting, or regular baiting of the better areas will always work in your favour, but on a lot of the busier pits it is just as likely to work in someone else’s favour. If you can get an area going and keep some freebies going in when you aren’t actually fishing, this will vastly increase your

One of my many hot spots last year.

chances of a bite. Even baiting when you leave the lake, as long as you are Better than Facebook – why would you rather stare at a tiny screen?

fairly sure that nobody else is just about to move in, can help lower the defences of the fish as they feed on bait without lines or rigs present.

Going back to the Northants pit for a moment; I discovered an area at one end of the lake where the fish were feeding every morning, during the first 3 hours of daylight. It was in a large bay and easily fishable from the side of a small point which jutted out into the lake and actually formed one side of the bay. More importantly, however, while watching the water in the evening, I spotted a fish very close in to the end of the point, only a rodlength or so from the bank. Normally this swim would be fished at range, but that single sighting changed the course of the following few weeks for me.

I had stumbled across the route the

this helped a lot with my catch results.

for them, and hopefully, was part

The rod on the end, fished on single

of the reason they stayed so long.

carp were using to go in and out of the

banksticks and a sounder box, produced

bay to feed, and during the night, on

at least one fish every single night,

the weed growth greatly affects the

a single rod on the end of the point,

and always between midnight and

fish and the areas they are using,

I caught as many carp as I did during

2.00 a.m. The bay, on the other hand,

and even within a swim, things can

the hot times from the bay. I had not

never gave me a bite at these times,

change dramatically. Last season

one, but two, target areas which fished

and it was usually first light as they got

I fished a certain swim on St Ives,

at different times of the day, and I

settled in, or occasionally, an evening

as often as I could get in there, and

managed to land a good number of fish

bite before they left again. I think the

over the year it accounted for 10 of

in a short period, culminating in the

fish had originally started using the bay

my total of 18 carp from the lake.

three largest fish in the lake in a frantic

in the mornings because of the way it

I always keep a record of all the

12-hour spell. I kept both areas topped

faced the sun, and the abundance of

spots I fish, particularly those I catch

up with bait and loaded the swim

fresh weed and natural food in there.

from, and the period between the

before I left each week, and I think

My bait had come as a welcome bonus

end of June and mid-August tells an

During this latter part of summer,

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53 06/06/2016 22:05

No Passport Required Lewis Clayton

After a short rest in the sling, she was ready for some pictures.

spots, where there was a clear gap between the pads and snags. Bait boats are allowed on Birch, so I thought that these spots had probably been pretty well-fished over the years. I’d fallen into the same trap on the first night, and fished my rods in these gaps, but I’d received no action so a rethink was the cards. I decided to fish to the middle area of each set of pads. I looked for any indentation or Vs in the pads that I could fish to, and once I’d picked

W

ith the onset of the warmer

a small stalking swim at the far end

weather, the inevitable

of the lake. The stock is a mixture

spawning up and down the

of mirrors and commons to well over

country has been taking place, the

30lb, and although it can be a tricky

result being that my current syndicate

water, the rewards are there to be

was closed for a month, so I was

enjoyed. There’s also a small lodge

left pondering my options for a few

with a stunning view of the lake, which

nights on the bank. During a chance

houses a flushing toilet, shower, a

conversation with Jemima at Angling

kitchen with a fridge, and freezer. This

Publications, the subject of Birch Grove

is perfect when you book the lake for

came up. She let me know that nobody

a full week, and allows you and your

was fishing the venue for the next few

party to eat like kings, which really

days, so plans were quickly made for a

does add to the whole experience.

couple of days on the historic water.

I made a quick phone call to my

Birch is a stunning, beautiful 5-acre

mate Si to ask if he fancied it, and to

mere which offers anglers the chance

see if he could get the time off work

to fish one of the most famous waters

at such short notice, and the next day

in the UK on an exclusive basis. Its

we were Shropshire-bound. I had fished

peaceful surroundings, comfortable

the lake once before, so I gave Simon

swims, and good facilities attract

the choice of swims. He opted for the

anglers from all over the UK, who want

last swim known as the Main Boards,

to sample a piece of carping history.

and I dropped in the middle swim to Si’s

There’s the added advantage of not

left, called the Helipad. It was around

having to mess around with long drives,

teatime by the time we had the rods

ferries, or passports, and it’s surprising

sorted, and the weather wasn’t great. It

how this keeps the cost manageable.

was reasonably high pressure, but was

Birch Grove features include a

Safe and strong was all that I needed.

due to drop over the next 48 hours.

smooth, silty bottom, bloodworm beds,

The first night passed without

overhanging trees, lily pads, reedbeds,

event, although in the night I heard

and deep margins with lily beds and

a few fish crashing in the pads to my

overhanging trees. The water is around

right in Si’s swim, and also at the back

13ft deep, and houses four comfortable

of the pads and snags on the far side

pegs, comprising the Caravan Swim,

in front of me. It’s a good chuck from

the Compound (often used as a double

the middle swim, and ask anybody

swim to ensure the lake is fished as

who knows me, distance casting is not

efficiently as possible), the Helipad

my forte! However, the spots I fancied

and the Main Boards. Birch can be

were around 135 yards, so not out of

fished by a maximum of four people

range for me. I figured the majority of

at any one time. In addition there is

anglers might well fish to the obvious

116

Home from home – the Birch lodge.

Crafty Carper

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No Passport Required Lewis Clayton

three spots, the rods were dispatched

promised, and there was heavy cloud,

had rods on the deck, line tangled round

and I spread a kilo of boilies all across

so I couldn’t see a thing. At such a range

alarms and reel handles, both rods on

the pad line. I settled in for afternoon

with snags and pads all over the show,

the floor with open bail arms, and line

of rig-tying and coffee drinking.

I just started pumping the fish away

everywhere – not what I needed at all!

Dusk soon descended, and as I stood

Somehow, and I have to say more

watching the water, a whopping great

way I knew which direction the fish

by luck than design, I managed to

carp came crashing out at the back of

was heading was by feel, and it soon

finally slip the net under a rather large

the pads. My confidence was growing

made its intentions known by kiting

common. I took one look at the sea of

as I went to bed that night, and it

right into Si’s swim. I had snags close in

carnage in my swim and thought I could

was well founded because I was soon

to my right, in the shape of some fallen

do with another pair of hands on the

scrambling from my sleeping bag to hit

trees, so I knew I needed to gain line. If

job, so I went and woke Si. The fish was

the first bite. The rod was locked up

it carried on going

solid so the fish couldn’t go anywhere,

I was in trouble.

which is a must when fishing like

Luckily, I

this. It was one of those pitch-black

managed to turn

nights; the low pressure had rolled in as

the fish, but to be completely

A stunning 34lb 7oz common, proof that Birch still has it.

honest, it didn’t feel particularly large. I wasn’t too concerned until it surfaced just my

“

unhooked but I thought I’d leave weighing her until the morning, as I

It was reasonably high pressure, but was due to drop over the next 48 hours

side of the close-in snag to the right. I could then clearly see its frame, and

“

I put a good spread of bait along the edge of the pads.

from any potential problems. The only

now had all three rods out of the water. It was just after 3.00 a.m. and it would be light in an hour or so, so I slipped her into a retainer and proceeded to sort out my swim.

Morning was

realised it was a better carp than I’d

soon upon us, and after a quick coffee

originally thought. At this point it was

to kick-start the day, we weighed her at

doing its utmost to get into the snag,

34lb 7oz. After taking a few photos in

and I was giving it everything, hoping

the morning sun, she was slipped back

and praying that the hookhold held. I

to her watery home. Just 10 minutes

knew I’d won the battle when a change

later I was standing at the front of

of tack from the carp saw it scream

swim watching the lake, when I saw

across the front of the swim in the

one of Si’s lines cutting through the

opposite direction to the snag. It wiped

water. He was in! After a fairly short

out both my other rods, and it could only

spirited fight, a lovely mirror around

be described as a scene of devastation! I

the mid-20 mark went into the net

Si’s cracking mid-20 – a real bruiser of a fish.

Crafty Carper 115-118_Lewis_Clayton_CC227.indd 3

117 06/06/2016 15:08

No Passport Required Lewis Clayton at the first time of asking. We’d both

so I was brimming with confidence. I was

had a carp, so we were really happy

woken from my slumber by just a couple

with how things had gone so far.

bleeps in the middle of the night. I was on

An hour later, the same rod on which

it instantly, and was soon battling another

I’d had the common was away. After

carp at range. This fight was much more

just a few bleeps, the bobbin pulled up

straightforward than the common, and

tight and I was instantly on it. I walked

it wasn’t long before I was netting a

back to steer the fish away from danger,

stunning heavily-scaled mirror. It went

but unfortunately, I gave it a little too

just over 22lb, and it was evident that

pulled. However, you can’t take risks near snags, and I’d rather have a hookpull in open water than have a fish snagged. I’d already had a mid30 so I wasn’t too despondent, and

“

they were feeding hard. I’d put my last 2kg of S-Core in the previous evening,

After just a few bleeps, the bobbin pulled up tight and I was instantly on it

it gave me hope that there was a good chance of another bite or two.

After a quick phone call to Jemima,

“

much and the hook

and this carp was passing it out all

Gently returning her to the tranquil waters of Birch.

over the mat. It was a great way to finish the session, and I can’t wait to return.

The perfect hooklink for silty meres.

If you want to give this fantastic little water a go, you can book it exclusively

for 7 days. For more information visit

we managed to arrange to stay on for

birchgrovefishing.co.uk. It was the

one more day. Friday night plans were

ideal break for us, without the hassle

cancelled, and after a quick supermarket

of travelling down south, across the

run to stock up on provisions, just over

Channel, and then a few hours at

an hour later we were ready for the final

the other end. Instead we enjoyed

night. The carp were still crashing in the

some great fishing where there was

pads on the far side as I retired to bed,

definitely no passport required. CC

A stunning 22lb mirror which obviously loved its food.

118

Crafty Carper

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06/06/2016 15:08

IN NEXT MONTH’S CRAFTY CARPER THE RIG MECHANIC IS B AC K W I T H L E E WAG N E R

M A R K BA RT L ET T S TA R T S H I S FA N TA S T I C NEW SERIES.

+ F E AT U R E S F R O M TOM MAKER D A R R E N B E LT O N JULIAN CUNDIFF

ON SA LE: W E D N E S DAY 20T H J U LY 2016

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