Crafty Carper CC234

FREE

FISHING FOR EVERY READER THIS MONTH

craftyc arp

er.co

No.234 February 2017

catch

GET

more

UPS

- OUR P O P OR Y

ES R U ICT

F

P

o n day t ic ket

ven ues

Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

ALSO INSIDE Feb 2017

ELLIS BRAZIER CARL & ALEX SMITH

Issue 234

SCOTT LLOYD JULIAN CUNDIFF

£4.50

HOT HOLIDAY DESTINATION CARP FISHING IN THAILAND MADE EASY

DIVING FOR THE TRUTH A CARP’S EYE VIEW OF YOUR TERMINAL TACKLE

UNDERSTAND SINGLES DISCOVER THE RIGS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

craftycarper.co

On sale 18 th January - 14thth February 2017

IAIN MACMILLAN DAVE LANE

M AG G OT S — A R E T H E Y R U I N I N G O U R WAT E R S ?

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09/01/2017 16:58

Crafty Carper /// Issue 234 /// February 2017 /// www.craftycarper.co

7

Editorial

On the cover: Carl Sharp with a stunning Merrington mirror.

This month, Steve recounts

his venture to the newly opened Teakettle Fishery, for a social

34

23

After some fantastic winter success on the venue in the

talks about An Evening Of Carp,

difference. Situated just a 2-hour drive from

past, and with a reputation of good form in the colder

which will soon be upon us.

Bangkok airport, you’ll find 17 different exotic fish

months, Carl returned to Merrington to experience

species to catch, with weights reaching over 350lb,

some more great winter action. Here’s how he did it.

Hot Holiday Jurassic Mountain Resort

This month’s Hot Holiday Venue is one with a

Mastering Merrington

and an enjoyable day’s pike

Carl Sharp

fishing with some friends. He also

and it’s all set in beautiful, tranquil surroundings.

9

Zig Theory Dave Lane

Fishing Zig Rigs is an incredibly effective method during the colder

FREE

months, when fished correctly,

FISHIN G FOR EVERY READE R THIS MONTH

something that Dave Lane knows too well. Here he shares his knowledge on how to get the best out of them.

16

Coffee Break Interrogation

This month, we managed to get

er.co

No.234 January 2017

in touch with Carl and Alex of

craftyca rp

YouTube fame, and grill them with our interrogation questions.

Grab yourself a brew, sit back, and

catch

GET

more

UPS

POFOPR YOURES R U

PICT

on day tick et

ve nu es

enjoy what they had to say, plus there’s some great imagery.

29

The Great Crafty Debate The water is gin-clear on

a lot of venues, with very little evidence of fish activity, so how important is it to ensure that all the rig is perfectly concealed on the lakebed? Our panel of experts consists of Loz East,

Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

Marv Wait, Scott Lloyd and Mike Bridges. Here are their views.

37

The Truth Is Out There Ellis Brazier

With small baits and maggots being a great winter tactic and the current fashion, Ellis Brazier reveals why it is important to know your venue and the small species which live in there. Here he explains why you should understand what

ALSO INSIDE

goes on below the surface.

IAIN MACMILLAN DAVE LANE ELLIS BRAZIER CARL & ALEX SMITH SCOTT LLOYD JULIAN CUNDIFF

CARP FISHING IN THAILAND MADE EASY

DIVING FOR THE TRUTH

A CARP’S EYE VIEW OF YOUR TERMINAL TACKLE

£4.50

UNDERSTAND SINGLES DISCOVER THE RIGS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

th On sale 18 th January - 14th February 2017

HOT HOLIDAY DESTINATION

Feb 2017

Issue 234

craftycarper.co

M AG G OT S — A R E T H E Y R U I N I N G O U R WAT E R S ?

09/01/2017 14:43

001_Cover_CC234_V2.indd 1

100

Diving For The Truth Andrew Gardner

In a day and age where we put so much effort into

53

Understanding Singles James Salmons

43

Carpers’ Kit We have some of the

latest tackle in the industry, from some of the top manufacturers.

This month we look at Fox’s Easy Shelter Camo, which is perfect for travelling light and looks great too.

There’s also tackle from Chub, as we look at their Vantage Five-Season Sleeping Nag, plus lots more.

50

The Berkley Guide To Knots

Connecting things together is

When anyone talks about cold-water carping,

something that anglers do an awful

trying to camouflage our terminal tackle, one thing that

you automatically think about single hookbaits,

lot, whether it’s simply tying on a

hasn’t changed a great deal is leads and their coatings.

but do you actually use them? James discusses

hook or attaching a leader. Knots

Andrew Gardner takes to the depths of Wraysbury to

how and where to use his favourite rigs

make it all possible, so it pays to

see how much difference these coatings make.

for presenting a bait all on its own.

have a selection in your armoury.

4

Crafty Carper

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09/01/2017 16:09

Contents /// February 2017

81

9

Maggots – Friend Or Foe?

Linear Fisheries is one of the busiest day ticket venues, and has recently put a restriction on maggots. We decided to ask people from the carp-fishing community, including fishery owners to anglers, for their opinions on maggots.

87

Carp Food In our Carp Food section

this month, including an insight into the latest from RG Baits.

There’s also a great tip from DNA’s Mark Dunwell about catching in the cold, plus bait from Nash, Sticky Baits and Mainline.

16

93

Catch Column This is the place to get

your catch picture published, so send them in to us, and you’re in with the chance of a great

KEEP CALM AND DRINK MORE TEA

prize, courtesy of Sticky Baits.

105

Flick The Switch Julian Cundiff

It’s freezing cold and you’re struggling for a bite. Many anglers would sit around and wait it out, but Julian Cundiff has some tips to help entice a bite, which can sometimes be just like flicking a switch.

110

CC Inbox

57

74

Fishing Kev Grout

around the carp-angling scene,

to get amongst the carp, Tony

Kev has a superb knowledge

plus have your carpy questions

had to rethink his approach,

of behaviour in carp and their

answered by Team Crafty and win

and instead of following the

nutrition, from his ongoing career

some prizes, courtesy of NGT.

crowd, he found his own

as a fishery management lecturer.

winning formula to make the

He shows how he utilises his

most of a special venue.

wealth of information to his

Paradise Found Tony Smeets

After initially finding it tricky

My Approach To

Keep up to date with

Winter Carp

all the latest news and views from

113

Mega Deals There’s always a

bargain to be had in Mega Deals,

advantage to tackle the challenges

64

The Question Is…

of winter, which we all know too

from some of the leading retailers

This month’s panel of

well can be a very difficult time

in the industry, so check it out

of year to put fish on the bank.

and pick up some great offers.

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER August 2016 | Issue 228 | £4.25

r.co craftycarpe

craftycarper.co

001_Cover_CC228.indd 1

THIS YOUR BEST CARP FISHING HOLIDAY WITH JON MAC

PERFECT SELFIE

MASTER SELF-TAKE PHOTOGRAPHY + YOUR CHANCE TO WIN THE KIT

08/07/2016 11:47

more

RES

PICTU

on day ticket

v e nu es

AND WHY THE EFFORT

EQUALS THE

Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

REWARDS

ALSO INSIDE RICH SEEDS / IAIN MACMILLAN JACK FUNNEL / RICH ADAMS

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

ELLIS BRAZIER / LOZ SMART JAKE WILDBORE / SCOTT MASLEN

ALSO INSIDE

& JULIAN CUNDIFF

TECHNIQUES

TACTICS

On sale 21 st September – 18 th October 2016

VENUES

FISH CARE

BAIT

Oct 2016

WHY THE PULLING POWER OF PELLETS WILL CATCH YOU MORE

£4.25

CARP FISHING IN THAILAND MADE EASY

Dec 2016

Issue 230

12/09/2016 15:49

PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAIL WILL PUT MORE CARP ON THE BANK

+

A GUIDE TO LOOKING AFTER YOUR CATCH WITH ED BETTERIDGE

HOW TO GET RESULTS FROM ONE OF THE BEST COLD-WATER BAITS

Issue 232 £4.25

O U R G U I D E TO T H E B E S T C A R PY C H R I S T M A S P R E S E N T S

001_Cover_CC232_v3.indd 1

Feb 2017

Issue 234

SCOTT LLOYD JULIAN CUNDIFF

craftycarper.co

DISCOVER THE CARPERS’ PARADISE OF LAKE CHIRA ON GRAN CANARIA

HOW TO GET AN EXTRA EDGE USING A BAITING POLE

IAIN MACMILLAN DAVE LANE ELLIS BRAZIER CARL & ALEX SMITH

HOT HOLIDAY DESTINATION

DIVING FOR THE TRUTH A CARP’S EYE VIEW OF YOUR TERMINAL TACKLE

£4.50

UNDERSTAND SINGLES DISCOVER THE RIGS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

M AG G OT S — A R E T H E Y R U I N I N G O U R WAT E R S ?

001_Cover_CC234_V2.indd 1

09/01/2017 14:43

07/11/2016 16:57

Crafty Carper 004-005_Contents_CC234.indd 2

0121 344 3333

catch

GET

PS P-U R YOU POFOR

winter

www.fostersofbirmingham.co.uk

FISHING FOR EVERY READER THIS MONTH

ADVENTURE ABROAD

06/06/2016 MAKE 16:41

T H E V E R Y L AT E S T TA C K L E , B A I T S , T E C H N O L O G Y A N D T I P S

TO SURVIVE THE

Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

+

FREE

LAYER CAKE

HOW TO CATCH CARP UP IN THE WATER WITH TOM MAKER

+

HOW

RE

PICTU

craftycarper.co

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HOW TO TIE THE AWESOME FLICK RIG THAT IS CATCHING EVERYWHERE

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AND RIGS

IAN STOTT UNVEILS HIS SIMPLY AWESOME TANGLE-FREE SETUP

09/05/2016 14:02

- dave lane -

FREE

PS P-U R YOU POFOR S

PS

with dave levy

TACTICS

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No.234 January 2017

harvest

FREE

YOU R PICTUR ES

TECHNIQUES

TIE THE BEST SOLID PVA BAG EVER WITH IAIN MACMILLAN

On sale 18th May – 21st June 2016

MARK WATSON REVEALS ALL

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H E V E R Y L AT E S T TA C K L E , B A I T S , T E C H N O L O G Y A N D T I P S — GET READY FOR SUMMER WITH DAVE TLANE

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POP-U FOR

TACTICS

REVEALS EVERYTHING LITE INSULATED BOOTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ZIGS

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S CRAFTY...

We have the very latest tackle, baits, techniques and tips that will help you catch more fish this weekend.

HOW TO TACKLE LARGE WATERS craftycarper.co

the

autumn

S E S SI O N

BY PREBAITING

TOM MORRISON

10 PAIRS OF

JULIAN CUNDIFF

MORE Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

WIN

r.co

No.228 August 2016

CATCH

Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

LEARN HOW TO

PERFECT PLUS

ONE OF THREE NASH BROLLIES >>

craftycarpe

No.227 July 2016

PERFECT SPODDING MADE EASY

FISHING FOR EVERY READER THIS MONTH

With Ronald De Witte

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recently had a new lake record.

ED BETTERIDGE

No.232 December 2016

and Majestic Pool, which has

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Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

Lake being in focus this month;

WIN

WITH DAVE LANE

craftycarper.co

East Delph Lakes, with the Front

ONE OF FOUR CHUB FLATBEDS >>

July 2016 | Issue 227 | £4.25

ENJOY SCORCHING SUMMER ACTION

No.230 October 2016

venues this month: Barston;

£45

MASTER THE METHOD AND CATCH >

S IR A 00 C H £10 E D TH WOR

June 2016 | Issue 226 | £4.25

Get Crafty... GET CATCHING!

TicketMaster offers

free fishing on three fantastic

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No.226 June 2016

70

The TicketMaster

W

12 THAT’S ES ZIN MAGA R RED FO DELIVE

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On sale 20th July – 23rd August 2016

getting advantages over others

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how to achieve a better cast to

THE PRICE OF 10!

On sale 18 th January - 14thth February 2017

with questions ranging from

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This month, they’ve been tested

12 ISSUES FOR

On sale 22nd June – 19th July 2016

a vast amount of knowledge.

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of highly-skilled anglers with

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Kent and Loz East, a selection

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Craig Leyland, Rob Tough, Jed

On sale 23 rd November - 20 th December 2016

experts consists of Ellis Brazier,

6x c500 gas

5 09/01/2017 16:09

DAVE LANE

ZIG THEORY

Fishing Zig Rigs is an incredibly effective method during the colder months, when fished correctly, something that Dave Lane knows too well. Here he shares his knowledge on how to get the best out of them.

Crafty Carper 037-041_Zig Theory - Dave Lane_CC234 1

9

05/01/2017 09:22

CARPIN’ ON 2017 The Carp Show! 11TH & 12TH March. Five Lakes Resort, Essex

A great day out for only *£10.00. Under 12s go free (*Booking fees apply)

R ENTE O T FREE -DRAW

A ait MEG f tackle & b

0’s o bs! £100 r gra up fo

HAVE YOU VISITED THE BEST UK CARP EVENT OF THE YEAR?

IF NOT, WHY NOT?

This year, Carpin’ On is in its 16th year and it’s gained a great reputation along the way. It’s the show hat has always been known as the one organised for carp anglers, by carp anglers!

Carpin’ On is a great day out and is your chance to rub shoulders with your favourite angling personalities.

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS! www.carpinon.co.uk CarpinOn2017_A4_DPS_CC232.indd 1

07/11/2016 17:07

KEVIN GROUT

MY APPROACH TO WINTER CARP FISHING With a superb knowledge of behaviour in carp, and their nutrition from his ongoing career as a fishery management lecturer, Kev Grout shows how he utilises this to tackle the challenges of winter.

74

Crafty Carper

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06/01/2017 16:09

Crafty Carper 074-078_My_Approach_To_Winter_Carp_Fishing_CC234.indd 2

75 06/01/2017 16:09

TheCarpStore F O R M E R LY T H E A N G L I N G P U B L I C AT I O N S S H O P

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D AN BR EW N

EVERY BIT OF BLUE

THE CARPERS’ HIGH

Frank Warwick

Ali Hamidi

£30.00 +£2.95 P&P

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This book has a technical aspect combined with the humour, antics and stories that we have come to expect from Frank. He allows us glimpses into his private life and shares some of his incredible thought processes which have made him the person he is today. The book offers readers thoughtprovoking information and a lot of ‘laugh out loud’ moments.

Is it a biography? Is it a technical book? Is it anecdotal and storybased? Quite simply, it’s all these things rolled into one.

With a diverse geographical chapter base, from as far away as Japan, to Paris, Ockendon, and even Turkey, this book brings variety by the spodful as it charts how Ali achieved many of his finest moments and angling highs.

F O R M E R LY T H E A N G L I N G P U B L I C AT I O N S S H O P

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09/01/2017 11:12

IN NEXT MONTH’S CRAFTY CARPER

WE’VE ALL SEEN FISH CRASHING AND JUMPING, BUT WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN? OUR EXPERT PANEL EXPLAIN ALL

CROWY KEEPS US UP TO DATE WITH HIS LATEST ANGLING ADVENTURES AS HE KICKS OFF HIS 2017 CAMPAIGNS.

GOING THE DISTANCE Fishing at long range can have some great advantages, but are you doing it right? Ed Betteridge shows you how.

+

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 ES DAY 15T H F E B RUA RY

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09/01/2017 16:37