Crafty Carper March 2017

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No.235 March 2017 Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

Mar 2017

Issue 235

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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

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alan blair

st On sale 15thth February - 21 March 2017

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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

29

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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6x c500 gas

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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

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moor lane, witton, birmingham, west midlands, b6 7hh enquiries@fostersofbirmingham.co.uk

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Crafty Carper 004-005_Contents_CC235_V4.indd 2

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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 |

S8 0XH

| 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:

Subeditors Lynda Glover & Tim Paisley Jnr.

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

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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

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01/02/2017 14:29

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

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06/02/2017 14:59