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No.235 March 2017 Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
Mar 2017
Issue 235
urban banx star
alan blair
On sale 15thth February - 21 st March 2017
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UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT DAVE LANE REVEALS WHY MARCH IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR
HOW MUCH ACTION CAN YOU GET WITH £20 WORTH OF BOILIES?
craftycarper.co
WHY DO FISH JUMP? WE FIND OUT!
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Crafty Carper /// Issue 235 /// March 2017 /// www.craftycarper.co
7
Editorial
On the cover: Alan Blair doing what he does best.
This month, Steve talks about
the very successful Evening of
9
Carp, reveals some important news
95
As Spring Arrives Dave Lane
As we look forward to the start of spring, it’s vital that we use this time
Catch Column
about BYCAC and ventures out on
This is the place to get
pike super-water Chew and has
your catch pictures published, so
to prepare for the season ahead. Dave Lane shares his knowledge and
send them in to us, and you’re
gives advice on how he makes the most of this awesome time of year.
in with the chance of a great prize, courtesy of Sticky Baits.
a little success quite literally.
16
The Coffee Time Interrogation
After finally tracking down Nash Tackle’s very own Alan Blair, we got the chance to quiz him with
FREE
our interrogation questions.
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There are some very interesting answers, so sit back, grab a brew, and enjoy what Alan had to say.
23
Full Potential Ed Betteridge
craftyca rper.co
No.235 March 2017
Having the right tools for the job is important in most aspects of life, and when it comes to casting, it certainly makes a big difference. Ed Betteridge gives some advice on how to gain those all-important extra yards.
35
To Bait Or Not To Bait? Simon Crow
You can always put more bait in, but once it’s in, you’ll struggle to take it out. Getting the balance right can be the difference between catching and blanking, especially at this time of year, as Simon Crow explains.
Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!
40
Extraction Plan Ross Tierney
If you’ve never attempted snag fishing before, you’ll soon realise
Mar 2017
that it can be very tricky at the
Issue 235
best of times. Here are a few dos
£4.50
alan blair
st On sale 15thth February - 21 March 2017
urban banx star
and don’ts to consider before you begin, as Ross Tierney reveals.
46
The Question Is This month’s panel of experts consists of Ellis Brazier, Craig Leyland, Lee Collings, Alan Blair and Kris Ollington, a selection of highly-skilled anglers with a vast amount of knowledge. This month, they’ve been tested with questions ranging from how air pressure affects carp feeding, to just how well carp can hear us on the bank.
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT DAVE LANE REVEALS WHY MARCH IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR
HOW MUCH ACTION CAN YOU GET WITH £20 WORTH OF BOILIES?
craftycarper.co
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The Great Crafty Debate03/02/2017
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53
We have some of the latest
12:15
Most waters are beginning to wake
Score Draw
59
Carpers’ Kit
WHY DO FISH JUMP ? WE FIND OUT!
tackle in the industry, from some of the top manufacturers. This
up from their winter slumbers, and are
month we look at the Bluetooth Bite
displaying signs of life. The carp are starting
Alarms from New Direction Tackle,
In this day and age, 20 quid doesn’t get you a
to show themselves, but what does it mean
which are packed with features, and
great deal, as we all know when visiting the local
when they are jumping? We questioned our
there’s also tackle from Nash, as
tackle shop. But if you spend it right, you can have
panel of experts for their thoughts on the
we take a look at their KNX Sleep
an action-filled day, as Tony Smeets found out.
matter. Here’s what they had to say.
System. Plus tackle from NGT, JRC,
Tony Smeets
Trakker, Avid Carp and Berkley.
4
Crafty Carper
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Contents /// March 2017
65
Overnight Success
KEEP CALM AND DRINK MORE TEA
Loz East
It takes a dedicated type of angler to endure overnighters during the winter period, something that Loz East has down to a fine art. Here, he tells how preparation is key to his success.
70
U21s Stories Of Success
Finley Todhunter
This month’s story comes from a regular BYCAC competitor who has his
70
own YouTube channel. Finley Todhunter tells the story of his most successful spring ever.
74
Tactical Baiting Dave Magalhaes
As the days begin to get longer, and signs of life start to show in our rivers and lakes, Dave Magalhaes shows you how a tactical baiting approach can be devastating at this time of year.
80
The TicketMaster TicketMaster
offers free fishing on
74
100
112
Keep On Catching
CC Inbox
Alex Shields
Keep up to
As many anglers start to dust off
date with the latest news
three fantastic venues
their rods from a winter in the
and views from around
this month. Lavender
garage, Alex Shield’s rods haven’t
the carp-angling scene,
Hall Fishery is set in the
had a break at all. Here’s what
plus have your carpy
Midlands and is home
Alex does to keep the action
questions answered by
to some cracking fish;
coming as we move into spring.
Team Crafty and win some
Millbrook is immaculately kept, and has a new lake record; and Todber Manor’s Wadmill Lake is ideal for a bite at this time of year.
prizes, courtesy of NGT.
105
How Times Have
115
Mega Deals
Changed Julian Cundiff
There’s
This month, Julian recalls some fishing a well-known northern
had in Mega Deals, from
Carp Food
venue, the Tilery Lake, and
some of the leading
There’s plenty of
reveals how times have changed
retailers in the industry,
bait to check out in our
since he last stepped foot on
so check it out and pick
Carp Food section. DNA
there with a rod in hand.
up some great offers.
85
Bait’s Intense Boosters smell superb, and are sure to get a bonus bite, plus there’s bait from Mainline, Sticky Baits, and SSP Baits, and a look at the latest subscription bait package
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DYNAMITE BAITS BRILLIANT BAIT PACKAGE
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we’ve put together with the
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guys from Dynamite Baits.
91
6x c500 gas
always a bargain to be
very special times he had
S FLAVOUR TO CHOMOSE FRO
The Rig Mechanic Rob Theobald
The Rig Mechanic is back! This month, Essex-based rod Rob Theobald shows us how to tie one of his favourite rigs that has accounted for a number of his big-fish captures, including two PBs.
www.fostersofbirmingham.co.uk
ALL THIS
20
63
moor lane, witton, birmingham, west midlands, b6 7hh enquiries@fostersofbirmingham.co.uk
£
Crafty Carper 004-005_Contents_CC235_V4.indd 2
0121 344 3333
per s of Crafty Car plus 12 issue r door for just you delivered to
5 06/02/2017 14:11
Welcome FROM THE EDITOR The marshalling team from 2015.
her tireless devotion, all the AP team, past
rivers were out of sorts. But I did manage a
and present, who have taken part, the vast
day on mega-pike water Chew Valley, with
army of marshals who have run the event
my good friend Gav Young. Every time I fish
over its 14-year history, including Oz Buchan
this 1,500-acre reservoir the anticipation is
and his fantastic family, and Simon Crow. It
huge, and when and if anyone does get a bite,
is also important to remember the event
it is proper heart-in-mouth stuff because the
sponsors which have been so generous in
prizes are so big. Let me put it into perspective.
their support, including Korda, Carp-Talk,
On the day we went out, one guy really hit
and Linear Fisheries, for helping to put
the jackpot when he landed a brace of 30lb
something back into the sport we love.
pike, an awesome result. Our results were a
Hopefully, another professional company
bit more meagre, but we did land several fish
or organisation can take over the mantle
to mid-doubles and we had a great day, so
of running this event.
I can’t wait to get back there in a couple of
Finally, back to fishing. I haven’t done a
weeks. So, until next time, be lucky.
massive amount over the last month, simply because most places were frozen and the
Broady.
I
’ll start this month with our Evening Of Carp at Doncaster, and what a great night it was. The two speakers, Chilly and Dave
Lane, were excellent, and really did keep the crowd entertained. I’d like to thank everyone who attended (it was packed), the speakers themselves, and all the people from the trade who supported the event. The raffle, as always, was a huge success, and raised important and much-needed funds for The Carp Society. Sticking with the same theme, on the horizon is the awesome Carpin’ On 2017 in Essex, and I look forward to seeing you all
All the finalists from last year.
there on the 11th and 12th March, so get your tickets now. It’s my fourth year here at Angling
job that has been undertaken brilliantly by
Publications, and one of the events that I
her. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons,
became involved with very early on was the
mainly greatly reduced participation numbers
British Young Carpers’ Angling Championship.
and overall logistics, it has been decided that
It’s something that marked the start of many
we are no longer able to run the event. This
successful anglers’ careers; the likes of Tom
was no easy decision and wasn’t taken lightly.
Dove, Alexei Bygrave, Tom Maker, our own
Even with my very brief involvement,
Tom Morrison, Harry Charrington, Elliott Gray,
BYCAC left its mark on me in a positive way
and many more names than I can list here.
– meeting so many fantastic people, and
I didn’t really know what to expect when I
watching the young anglers grow in their
first attended, but soon had my eyes opened
ability and outlook. I’ve made some cracking
to this brilliant event that has been taking
friends and found the whole experience very
place for 14 years, thanks to the AP team.
rewarding, so I’d like to take this opportunity to
BYCAC, as it’s affectionately known, has
thank everyone who has taken part and been
always been organised by Jemima Musson, and
involved in BYCAC. You all made it very special.
it very much became her baby; it’s a gigantic
I’d also like to personally thank Jemima for
It might not be big, but at least it’s a pike.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? EMAIL ME: STEVE@CRAFTYCARPER.CO <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PUBLISHED BY: Angling Publications Limited | Regent House | 101 Broadfield Road | Sheffield |
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| T: 0114 258 0812
| E: info@anglingpublications.co.uk | PUBLISHER: Tim Paisley
EDITORIAL
ADVERTISING, SALES & MARKETING
DESIGN & LAYOUT
CRAFTY CARPER 235 MARCH 2017
Editor Steve Broad E: steve@craftycarper.co
Advertising Director Philippa Dean E: pip@anglingpublications.co.uk
Graphic Design Tyler Lowe-Fowler / Dan Roberts
Not to be reproduced in any form without the permission of the publisher, Angling Publications Ltd., 2017.
Staff Writer Tom Morrison E: tom@anglingpublications.co.uk
Advertising Manager Richard Newman E: richard@anglingpublications.co.uk
Distribution Seymour Distribution
CRAFTY CARPER SUPPORTS:
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Marketing Director Jemima Musson E: jemima@anglingpublications.co.uk
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Crafty Carper
7 06/02/2017 14:25
DAVE LANE
As
SPRING
ARRIVES
As we look forward to the start of spring, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital that we make the most of this time to prepare for the season ahead. Dave Lane shares his knowledge and gives advice on how he makes the most of this awesome time of year.
Crafty Carper 009-013_As-Spring_Arrives_Laney_CC235.indd 1
9
01/02/2017 13:35
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21 03/02/2017 11:58
ROSS TIERNEY
EXTRACTION
PLAN
Snag fishing can be tricky if you haven’t attempted it before, and there’s a few dos and don’ts you must consider, as Ross Tierney reveals.
40
Crafty Carper
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Keeping an eye on the snags.
O
ver the last couple of years, snag
a big lead is because it ensures instant
fishing has been my preferred
hooking, especially with a hand-sharpened
method of angling. Whenever
hook (I never cast a rig out with a hook
I turn up to my chosen lake, the first
straight out of the packet).
place I look is in overhanging bushes
I personally don’t like going for
and along reed lines, as these areas are
something too blatant. I like to match the
carp magnets. I have recently settled on
hatch, which is a bit more inconspicuous
a small intimate syndicate lake which has
than trying to present a bright hookbait
all the above features.
when the fish are already cagey about
There are a few procedures I follow
leaving the safe haven of the snags. Once
when it comes to fishing to snags. I always
I have sorted out the rig end, I attach a
assess the realistic possibility of landing
couple of PVA nuggets, which serves
a fish from these particular areas, and
two purposes: it ensures the rig settles
get as close as I can to the snag without
on the lakebed clear of any debris, and
putting any fish in danger.
acts as a target for me to spread a few
It’s always worth trying to work out if
freebies around.
the bushes go to any depth in the water,
I feel that bait preparation is also key
and it’s the same with reeds, mainly to
when fishing to snags. After all, if the
see if it’s possible for a carp to plow
fish are deep within them, drawing them
through them. Make a few casts and
out can be tricky. I empty about 1.5kg of
slowly edge your way tight to the snag;
Manilla freezer bait into a bucket, and soak
this saves you plowing right through the
it in the matching hookbait glug. As the
snag, either spooking fish or risking losing
baits thaw out, it draws in the liquid and
any end tackle.
takes on a matt-type coating.
Once I am happy with where the lead
When I have found a nice spot and can
has landed, I make a further cast and then
hit the same place each time, I make a
sort out the desired rigs. I don’t go too
mental note of a skyline marker and wrap
complicated, so as far as rigs are concerned,
round the sticks. I know that the wraps
I use a straightforward KD with a wafter
around sticks is a well-used technique, but
as a hookbait. This is a fail-safe rig for me
it really does help in hitting the same spot.
in the way it performs. I usually go for
I usually fish on a Thursday night after
around 6-7ins maximum, coupled with a
work, and leave early doors to go to work
big lead of 3-3.5oz. The reason I go for
on a Friday, which further reinforces the
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41 01/02/2017 14:29
Tactical Baiting Dave Magalhaes
As the days begin to get longer, and signs of life start to show in our rivers and lakes, Dave Magalhaes shows you how a tactical baiting approach can be devastating at this time of year.
74
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Tactical Baiting
Dave Magalhaes
T
he early part of the spring can be a tricky time to catch carp. Having said that, there are opportunities
to have some really good results, especially when it comes to catching the larger fish. They are starting to wake up, and having had such a poor winter this year, they will be looking for food. As the days start to get longer, the fish really start waking up, particularly on the sunny days. The water warms up and the carp’s metabolism increases by the day. The biggest giveaway is how much the fish show, which makes it much easier to get on them. Follow the shows and then it’s up to you to get a bite. If they are not showing, one of the biggest signs, particularly when there is a ripple on the water, is a small flat spot. This is often carp which are just below the surface, and those small flat areas can be a subtle way of searching them out. I pay a lot of attention to weather condition changes more than anything. If it’s been cold with a stale, bitter wind, there’s a good chance of a bite when there’s a bit of warmth and more pleasant winds. Generally, though, the fish will be waking up day by day, regardless of the weather. I think it goes on daylight hours more than anything, particularly sunshine. We need the sun to help warm the water, and should that happen, the lakes will fish really well. The main theory behind this is the number of fish I have caught during high-pressure weather systems, which many dismiss, but they bring a lot of sunlight. Usually, low pressure brings rain, and if the water falling in the lake is cold, it can be the kiss of death. The baiting situation depends on a number of things: the venue being fished, the weather, and even the length of the session. I vary the way I approach a lake, depending on where I am. If the fish are showing in an area, my first action is to cast a couple of singles to the zone. A simple Chod Rig with a white pop-up is my go-anywhere approach. Especially in the spring, bright hookbaits can be so good, even for the biggest fish. I use white a lot and that’s a personal preference, but pinks are also a fantastic colour. Quite often the fish are awake, but not quite ready to really feed, and that’s when the bright ones work best. If I haven’t had a bite in an hour and the fish are still showing, then I flick a Zig out to the area and see if that picks up a bite. It’s uncanny how many times I have watched fish show over my rigs, put a Zig out, and had a bite within minutes. At times, the fish are just held up in the water, particularly during the days when most people are struggling for a bite. There tends to be small bite windows on the bottom, so I always make
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75 02/02/2017 10:01
IN NEXT MONTH’S CRAFTY CARPER MARK WATSON wE PICK THE BRAINS OF BIG-FISH ANGLER MARK, TO FIND OUT HIS TOP TIPS FOR CATCHING MORE IN EARLY SPRING.
A FIRST LOOK AT J PRECISION’S HAND-SHARPENED HOOKS.
CARL SHARP GOES DAY TICKET CARPING.
F E AT U R E S F R O M T E A M C R A F T Y, JULIAN CUNDIFF AND MANY MORE!
ON SA LE: W E D N E S DAY 2 2 N D M A RC H
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