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No.207 November 2014

November 2014 | Issue 207 | £4.10 PLUS FEATURES FROM

IT’S MAGGOT

Martin Bowler

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Dave Lane Mitch Smith Steve Spurgeon Julian Cundiff

Lee Collings reveals the secrets of his success

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Crafty Carper /// Issue 207 /// November 2014 /// www.craftycarper.co On the cover: Lee Collings with his awesome 40lb+ common from St Johns. Read all about his session on page 67.

Editorial James Turner

Editor James looks at what’s in store

when everything just falls into place

Starbaits D-Tec Alarms before they hit the shelves of your

and the fish actually want to play ball?

local tackle shop. We strongly advise you to head to page

Well, Lee Collings has recently, over

83 if you’re in the market for some top-quality alarms.

When It All Comes Right Lee Collings

Have you ever had one of those sessions

In Focus – Starbaits

We’ve managed to get an exclusive first look at the new

for you in this issue of Crafty Carper, as well as his thoughts for the month.

The Knowledge Dave Lane

Laney heads back to Burghfield for one of his favourite times of the year. There’s still a fish he wants from there, and with a full moon and

on Linear Fisheries’ St. Johns.

the equinox close behind it, how does he fare?

The Good Old Stick and Bag Paul Hatton

With a few mixes up his sleeve, which are ideal for use in mesh bags and sticks, we head to Baden Hall with Paul to see how he gets on with his little mixes.

Learning From Mistakes Martin Bowler

It’s not very often that Martin changes his approach to rigs, but after watching fish get away with it, he takes a few pointers from a friend’s rig, and soon the results speak for themselves.

Crafty Catch Column Sponsored by

Sticky Baits This is the place to get your catch pictures published, so send them in to us, and you’re in with the chance of a great prize from those top guys at Sticky Baits.

Carp Couture Competition If you like to look good on the

bank then you’ll already know that the Carp Couture gear is the one. We’ve got just shy of £400 worth of clobber to give away to one lucky reader.

The Great Crafty Debate This month’s panel of experts in

the debate give their take on their own baiting style as the winter approaches, and how they adapt to suit the change in weather. Turn to page 48 to find out more.

Crafty Carper Under-21s Brandon Butler tells the story

of an unbelievable session on Yateley Tri-Lakes, and our 2014 British Young Carp Angling champion, Michael Bamber, checks in with his monthly blog.

Carp Food Here you’ll find the latest and

greatest products of carp cuisine on the shelves of a tackle shop near you, as well

for a long time, so this month Mitch

for, there’s nothing better than having a place to

gets his DIY head on and guides you

yourself, and when there’s a good stock of cracking-

through a few different alternatives

looking fish, you have to be thankful. Roy is just that,

Moore which seems to have taken the

to try over the coming months.

especially when the bobbins start bouncing.

angling world by storm, with catch reports

Paste Baits Revealed Mitch Smith

Paste baits have been overlooked

The Private Pit Roy Allen

When that feeling of solace is what you’re looking

as the editor’s choice of the month.

Carp Food Special – CC Moore

We take a closer look at the bait from CC

galore ﬂying around social media.

Crafty Carper

004-005_Conts_CC207.indd 1

13/10/2014 16:02

of experts. If you get your question

sessions, you may feel that the

at SONIK, and this month they’ve

answered you’ll receive a cracking

odds are stacked against you,

given us some to offer as prizes to our

prize delivered straight to your door.

but Rich doesn’t let this faze him.

readers. What a giveaway this is!

The Question Is This month’s carping

conundrums are answered by our panel

With Time Ticking Rich Seeds

When you are restricted to short

He’s managed to reap the rewards

Carpers’ Kit We take a look at some of the

best products on the market, and give you the low-down on what’s hot and what’s not. Plus the Crafty Team give you their essential items this month.

In Focus – 30Plus

With the weather turning as we approach winter, we’ve had a proper

with little time at his disposal.

112

SONIK Competition Last month we took a

look at the new reels from the guys

115

Shallow Success Steve Spurgeon

Fox Competition With the arrival of the new

Steve takes on a lake for the very first time, and is faced with the challenge

Fox Warrior S50 rods, we’ve managed

of a very shallow water. How do

to secure some as prizes for our lucky

you approach a lake that’s shallow

readers. It’s well worth heading to

throughout? Find out on page 115.

page 94 to find out more and enter.

120

Inbox

The TicketMaster This month we’ve got

Keep up to date with what’s

been going on, and you can also get in touch

four day ticket fisheries across the

with us and see who won the Facebook

guys at 30Plus. It will definitely

country, with free fishing offers for

catch competition in conjunction with Fox

keep you warm, without a doubt.

every reader to take advantage of.

International, as well as a prize from NGT.

look at the new clothing from the

In Focus – Rig-It Tackle

Sticky-sharp hooks are a must,

100

Hot Holiday Venue – Olivemead Lake

If you’re looking at taking a break

122

The Fox and Crafty Facebook Catch

Competition Hall Of Fame

and one company specialises in

in beautiful surroundings, whilst

With six previous winners in the hall of

hand-sharpening hooks to order.

enjoying some quality angling for big

fame, this is where you’ll find out which

We caught up with the man behind

fish, without venturing out of the UK,

one of our six monthly winners gets to

Rig-It Tackle to find out more

then this is one to seriously consider.

fish with a Fox consultant. What a prize!

about the service it offers.

104

BCAC 2014 Final Uncovered

The 2014 British Carp Angling

Diary of an Everyday Carp Angler

Julian Cundiff

Championship final was held at

Our monthly diarist is here as normal,

RK Leisure’s famous Wraysbury

and as ever he’s been catching them.

1, so it was always going to be

We really don’t know where Jules

one to savour. Find out what

gets his energy from, but he’s always

happened on page 104.

just one step away from getting

108

Subscribe Fed up of going to the

newsagents? Let us deliver Crafty straight to your door, and this month

124

the rods out, wherever he goes.

130

Mega Deals If you’re up for a bargain

Visit our website to find your local stockist

then you’ll definitely want to head

we’re offering a variety of options

over to page 130 to check out our

from NGT to take advantage of to

Mega Deals for some of the best offers

bring you a great deal. Get in!

from the country’s leading retailers.

Crafty Carper 004-005_Conts_CC207.indd 2

END TACKLE AND HAND-SHARPENED HOOK SPECIALISTS

104

VALUE FOR MONEY WITHOUT COMPROMISING QUALITY

Contents /// November 2014

t us Visi o see e top n t onli nge of al in a r m our ity ter hooks l qua , PVA, er rk kle tac nd ma . a ts floa

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Editorial /// James Turner

Published by Angling Publications Limited, Regent House, 101 Broadfield Road, Sheffield S8 0XH T: 0114 258 0812 E: info@anglingpublications.co.uk Editorial Editor James Turner E: james@craftycarper.co Editorial Manager Steve Broad E: steve@craftycarper.co Subeditors Lynda Glover & Tim Paisley Jnr. Additional Material Dan Wildbore & Rob Hughes Advertising, Sales & Marketing Advertising Director Philippa Dean E: pip@anglingpublications.co.uk

EDITORIAL

was wondering when the low

most of the baited area; I had a feeling

get the rods out. Paul Hatton looks

pressure would eventually come

they were just starting to get on it.

at stick and bag mixes, Mitch Smith

in, and saw that it was scheduled to

The evening temperatures are finally

creates some awesome paste baits,

plummet while fishing Olivemead over

starting to drop as the daylight hours

and Dave Lane sets out his stall for

the last month, but unfortunately the

shorten, and from what I’ve seen from

his favourite time of the year. Rich

Design & Layout Production Manager Andy Gascoigne E: andy@anglingpublications.co.uk

low pressure never arrived – although

the catch reports and been hearing

Seeds looks at the problems we face

a monstrous thunderstorm did and it

from other anglers, it seems that

when time on the bank is against us,

Design Assistants Clare Froggatt & Tim Hurst

was the first time I’d actually felt the

more and more fish are coming out

while Roy Allen visits the Private Pit

ground shake from thunder. It was

during the hours of darkness. Now

and Steve Spurgeon takes on shallow

at that point that I actually hoped

is the time when quick overnighters

waters. You can always count on

the alarm wouldn’t scream out with

really can pay dividends, so take

Julian’s diary to be rammed, and Lee

a belter. It seemed to wake the fish

advantage and get out there and do

Collings seems to have everything

though, because the couple of days

it. There’s nothing more satisfying

falling into place on a recent session,

which followed saw me land two

than putting your net out to dry at

which results in a 40lb+ common!

20s and a 30. Small traps positioned

work the next day – it’s like flying

discreetly seemed to be the order of

the flag that says: ‘Yes, I caught!’

Advertising Manager Richard Newman E: richard@anglingpublications.co.uk Marketing Director Jemima Musson E: jemima@anglingpublications.co.uk

Distribution Seymour Distribution Print Polestar Publisher Tim Paisley Crafty Carper 207 November 2014 Not to be reproduced in any form without the permission of the publisher, Angling Publications Ltd., 2014. Crafty Carper Supports

the day, so it was perfect for my style

This month sees another packed

I’ll let you crack on with reading this issue of Crafty, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy putting it together.

of fishing because I’ve never been

issue. Martin Bowler is back in the

I wish you luck for

one to use loads and loads of bait.

pages of Crafty, and when Martin

the month ahead, and

I did try baiting a spot heavily but

writes you know it’s going to be

hopefully your next

it didn’t receive any action until the

good and get you in the mood to

fish will be a whacker!

final evening of our stay, so hopefully whoever fished it after us made the

>>>> GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? EMAIL ME: JAMES@CRAFTYCARPER.CO <<<<

This month we’ve mostly been…

James Editor @CraftyCarperMag

Broady Editorial Manager

Nigel Carpworld Editorial

@CarpworldMag

Richard Advertising Manager @CraftyCarperMag

I spent a week down in Wiltshire, and

I’ve just been on my final trip of the year to

It’s been a weird month for me, fishing-wise.

This month has been a little slow on

enjoyed my time off with Kirsty and Jake

France, and it proved to be rock-hard, with my

I’ve had a few extra days off work to make

the fishing front, and trying to find

while also getting the rods out. We had

fishing partner and me only banking a single

up a couple of longer sessions and was

enough time to squeeze in a session

a cracking time and Kirsty managed to

fish each in a whole week. With this in mind,

expecting some excellent results in the lovely

has proved easier said than done. This

up her personal best, so it was definitely

and the fact that many of you will be booking

Indian summer weather, but no such luck. I

has meant that only a few fish have

well worth the trip. The tranquility of

your holidays around this time, I thought I’d

managed a tatty 15lb mirror on another trip,

graced the bottom of the net. Outside

staying by the lakeside was great to wake

give you a little bit of advice. Firstly, pick a

but the last month has been (another)

of fishing, I emptied the contents of

up to each morning. Jake enjoyed having

venue which suits your needs, and be honest

disappointment. I took the quiet time to have

my wallet in Blackpool, but had a great

the run of the land and made the most

with yourself about what you’d like to catch.

a play around with my new camera, and I

time, and spent a few nice days away

of it, with family walks around the lake

Secondly, make sure you go with a good

managed to get some beautiful sunrise shots,

with some relatives I haven’t seen for

every day. I think he was in training for

friend, because if the fishing is hard work

along with some weird and wonderful night

a while. I’ve got a week off soon, so

a spot of stalking come the spring! Lol.

you need someone to keep your spirits up!

shots. Not fish, but good fun all the same.

loads of work to do in the meantime.

www.craftycarper.co 007_Editorial_CC207.indd 1

Crafty Carper

7 13/10/2014 13:35

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Knowledge The

Dave Lane

ANGLER PROFILE.

Dave Lane

Age Younger

than Chilly! Hometown

Bury St. Edmunds Occupation

Angling journalist UK personal best

55lb Favourite venue

Any large unknown pits Did you know...

It took Dave just 3 months to catch his target of the Burghfield Common.

This month Laney heads back to Burghﬁeld; it’s the magical time of the year which he loves. With many anglers struggling for bites, Dave thinks outside the box, and you know what happens when he gets his head on it.

his year we had a full moon in

big target fish around this time. Just

the first week of September

what it is I don’t really know. Maybe

and the autumnal equinox

it’s the shorter daylight hours, maybe

you had I not been proved at least

day before the

on the 23rd of the month, and both

it’s the cooler water, or maybe it’s just

partly right. After all, I’m in charge of

full moon, I set up stall at Burghfield for

have the potential to produce some

coincidence, although I don’t really

the keyboard and I can have a selective

a 3-night session. This was so I could

major results. However, in my mind,

believe that coincidence can be quite

memory at times! Seriously though, I

fish right throughout the full moon

the middle of September has always

so predictable. No, I am not repeating

hate making predictions, but time and

period, and I really tried my hardest

been the real winner. For years I

myself, nor have I accidentally

again, September proves to be a highly

to get amongst the fish. They hadn’t

looked forward to this period, and I

submitted last month’s article again. I

predictable month, and my first three

been showing very well for

have caught many personal bests and

just wanted to revisit my predictions

sessions fell straight into place. On the

weeks, so sightings were hard

and see how they panned out. Obviously, I wouldn’t be reminding

7th of the month, the

Crafty Carper 009-012_TheKnowledge_CC207.indd 1

09/10/2014 15:00

The Knowledge Dave Lane

to come by, and I had to rely on prior knowledge of decent areas and a fair bit of mobility. I had to know when to admit defeat and move swims. I started in the main body of water, always a good place to try at this time of year, but after a blank night, where the light levels were massively high, I packed and moved to the opposite end of the lake. Both swims had a fantastic view of the water, and due to the huge glowing orb in the sky, I could stay up at night and watch for any signs of rolling fish. By the end of the second night I was no closer to an answer and the bobbins had stayed steadfastly motionless, apart from one solitary tench at midnight. With only one night remaining, I decided to return to the main body of water and fish different areas. I didn’t really fancy any of the smaller back bays, as without any sightings to go on, I thought I would be increasing the gamble and reducing my chances of a fish. By the end of the 3 days I was still fishless and clueless, so I decided to put the last few hours to good use with a marker rod. The lake was covered in floating weed, and a lot of the swims had been ignored for ages because of the bottom weed which had closed off all the known feeding spots. The more I thought about the problem, however, the more I had to question where all this floating weed had actually come from. After all, if there are 10 or 15 acres of drifting weed on 96 acres of water, then surely somewhere must be missing a weedbed or two. The obvious place to start looking was in the speedboat channel, where the extra disturbance would help uproot the weed. Even without the TOP Sunset over the weedbeds, and

it was fast approaching bite time. RIGHT The full moon would soon be

rising but there wasn’t a fish in sight. BELOW A plan came together with a midnight linear.

“I felt confident that they would be using the cover in the day and feeding on the clearings at night”

help of boats, it is often worth checking

although no carp had actually shown

the heaviest area of canopy weed

themselves, I felt confident that they

because the reduction of light to the

would be using the cover in the day

growing weed often loosens its hold

and feeding on the clearings at night.

on the bottom. I have found this on

I deposited all my remaining bait

smaller lakes in the past, where an

and set off home with a new plan.

ignored and heavily covered swim

My next trip started on Monday

actually has a very fishable bottom

15th September, bang in the middle

below the canopy, and I have caught

of the month and my favourite time

many decent carp by exploiting this

to be carp fishing. There is nothing

before anybody else has realised.

quite as influential in improving your

There is a point of land which sticks

chances as free bait; I am not talking

out at Burghfield and forms a narrow

about cost to the angler here, I mean

channel directly in between the two

free to the fish without the added

swims I had just fished; it’s a bottleneck

danger of lines in the water. Prebaited

where the boats pass through, and

swims fill me with so much confidence,

an area which naturally collects a lot

and while I am sitting at home, I just

of drifting weed on both sides. It was

imagine all those carp happily tipping

there that I found what I was looking

up and gaining as much confidence in

for – three fishable spots next to,

the area as I have, and what might be

and surrounded by, heavy weed, and

going on. Even on busy lakes which

Crafty Carper

009-012_TheKnowledge_CC207.indd 2

09/10/2014 15:01

The Knowledge Dave Lane

ABOVE RIGHT The Classic, a 35lb mirror on a 2.30 a.m. recast.

have weeded up, there will be areas

bait and the rigs in position, I sat there

hanging on the end at 5.00 a.m. when

BELOW A lean low-20 and

that nobody fancies; areas where you

at dusk, unsure of what to expect. I

I decided on a recast!

can get something going for a while

felt I had done as much as I could to

without being disturbed. Weed totally

give myself the best chance possible

Burghfield had been a picture of a

changes the whole ‘map’ of a lake,

at this, potentially, great time of year.

mid-40 mirror, a randomly scaled linear,

another sleepless night.

and, to an extent, the behaviour of

I went to bed in shorts, with a set

My main reason for returning to

which I had seen on the lake’s website,

the fish. They can often be tempted

of Crocs positioned next to the

and I really wanted to catch this

to feed a lot closer in than the

bed, as I knew I’d need to go in

fish before my ticket expired.

normal, more recognised, hot spots.

the water if I got a bite.

I knew that the feeding times would

Imagine my delight when

The next thing I knew,

I looked in the net and

be likely to occur throughout the

I was standing in

night, and with a lot of weed about

the margins at

and small spots to hit, I spent the first

midnight, having

few hours practising the casts and

gone on autopilot

wrapping the lines around poles to

when the alarm

mark the exact distances. I even placed

screamed out.

rocks on the bottom in the shallow

That first fish,

margins to indicate exactly where to

a 30lb mirror,

stand in the dark, as the whole swim

confirmed my theory,

involved wading out to cast or land

and I decided to stay awake

fish. With the areas topped up with

for the rest of the night and keep

“I don’t want to sound greedy, but even with this result, I was still a bit miffed that one of the rods hadn’t produced”

saw him staring back at me from the bottom of the mesh. This was a really special capture for me, a huge fish which stretched from one end of the mat to the

other, and tipped the scales around to 44lb. I decided straight

watch on the water. However, as it

away that I needed to fish an extra

turned out, I was far too busy to just

night. Sessions like this don’t come

sit and watch. I ended up spending

along every day, and you need to make

the whole night casting, baiting, and

the most of them when they do.

playing fish. By the time it grew light

I was soaked to the skin; all my

I had landed five carp up to 39lb.

clothes were hanging in the trees and I

I don’t want to sound greedy,

was getting a bit crazy from the lack of

but even with this result, I was still

sleep, but I just knew it would be worth

a bit miffed that one of the rods

it in the end. I wasn’t wrong either, as

hadn’t produced, so I spent the next

I added another three fish to the tally

day trying to find a better spot to

on the extra night, ending up with a

position it on; something in between

massive haul of 11 carp in total – one

the two better areas to try to get all

40, six 30s and four 20s, including

the rods working for me. The next

my target fish. The miracle of mid-

night was also a blinder. I had one

September had struck again. Although

take on the new rod at midnight and

the fish were obviously on the munch,

two on the margin rod. The third one

I do think I improved my results by

hadn’t produced because I had been

keeping active at night,

wiped out by a bream, and I found it

rather than just recasting

Crafty Carper 009-012_TheKnowledge_CC207.indd 3

11 09/10/2014 15:01

The Knowledge Dave Lane

and going back to bed. I kept trickling bait into the swim in between takes, and recasting rods which I thought should have produced but hadn’t. When you get such a tight window of opportunity with a bite time, it pays to keep making sure you have everything right. One recast can really make all the difference, and to be honest, you would do it a lot more if the 5-hour period fell during daylight hours and not throughout the night. For example, on the last night, I had gone right up until 2.30 a.m. without a touch on the longest of the three rods, and I just felt I should have had something by that time. I retrieved the rig to check and found that the bait had been robbed by either a coot or a crayfish. With the floating weed being so thick, it was clinging to the line, pinning it in place and making the smaller indications very hard to register, hence the bream the previous night. I

ABOVE Back out in the open

water in time for the equinox. BELOW Target achieved – the

big random linear at 44lb. BOTTOM A plump 35lb mirror, one of five in a night.

rebaited, wrapped and clipped the line,

inactive on the surface for weeks.

waded out and cast back on the spot,

The move paid off within a few

using a tall tree as a back marker, and

hours, and by casting at showing fish

set the rod back on the rests. I decided

I had an unnaturally ‘late’ take at 9.00

to stand and watch for a bit because I

in the morning, which produced a

had a good view of the area, and the

nicely-scaled 24lb mirror. The second

moon was still bright enough to reflect

night, Tuesday, was the equinox itself

light off the still surface of the lake.

and the place just came alive. I must

I don’t suppose it was out there

have seen 50 fish over the next 24

more than 3 minutes before the tip

hours, but unfortunately, most of

whipped around and I was in. It was

these were about 300 yards away

definitely a fish I would have missed

from the nearest in-bounds swim.

out on had I been tucked up in bed,

I did manage one more take, which

and it turned out to be one of

was from an old wildie-looking

the ancient old originals, a carp

common of about 15lb or so. There

known as The Classic.

was definitely a shift in the

Unfortunately, I had caught him once before, but you cannot pick and choose which fish picks up your bait. What it did show me though, was that I had been

way the lake responded

“The move paid off within a few hours, and by casting at showing fish I had an unnaturally ‘late’ take at 9.00 in the morning...”

missing out on the previous couple of hours and the carp were obviously

hugely active, and had they been a bit closer, I think they would have been highly catchable as well. So, we now have October ahead,

another great month, but I won’t be making any

out there feeding all the time. I just

predictions at all because I am at a

didn’t have a bait on the end!

bit of a crossroads. I have a winter

The following session coincided

ticket which starts on the third week

with the autumnal equinox, the last

of October, and about three sessions

in the trio of events for the month,

to go until that date. I am not sure

and I was full of confidence as I once

about another return to Burghfield – I

again set up on the little point.

might, but I have had a few repeat

Unfortunately it had been fished

though; the fish were

captures now and I would hate to hook

for 3 nights by two anglers during my

the big common again and take away

absence. It hadn’t produced another

somebody else’s chance for the fish

bite in this time but I still felt as if

of a lifetime. I also know that there

I had to try. Maybe my spots were

are 10 new winter tickets starting on

better; maybe that one blank rod on

the 1st of the month, and the way the

the first night was indicative of what

weed is at the moment, there is hardly

to expect if the baits weren’t bang on

room for the few anglers left fishing

the marks. It wasn’t to be, however. I

there, let alone another 10 new and

also blanked throughout the night, and

keen members. I may just flit about for

at 5.00 a.m. I put plan B into action. I

a few weeks – who knows? Whatever

moved back out into the open water

happens, I will be trying to make the

where I had heard a few fish in the

most of the drop in temperatures, and,

night. This in itself was encouraging

hopefully, the long awaited area of

because the carp had been noticeably

low pressure, if it ever turns up! CC

Crafty Carper

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09/10/2014 15:01

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22/09/2014 13/10/2014 14:52 14:37

ANGLER PROFILE.

Paul Hatton Age 34 Hometown

Altrincham Occupation

Company owner UK personal best

35lb Favourite venue

Redesmere Did you know...

Paul is very partial to chocolatey snacks whilst on the bank, usually the ones belonging to our editor!

THE GOOD OLD BAG AND STICK Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve all seen features about using PVA, but Paul Hatton has gone one step further. His aim is to get you more bites by letting you in on his most successful mixes which have accounted for plenty of fish over the years.

Crafty Carper 015-018_GoodOldBags_CC207.indd 1

15 09/10/2014 16:15

The Good Old Bag and Stick Paul Hatton

he good old PVA bag – I’m sure that pretty much every carp angler uses PVA on a regular basis. A simple mesh bag can work wonders for your presentation, and it also draws more attention to the

hookbait, which is rather handy. It can be as simple as using some chopped boilie or some pellets, but over the years I’ve experimented with all sorts and believe me, it’s often worth putting a little more thought into what you’re chucking out there. For this feature I’m going to look at a few options for when you want to present a mix in PVA mesh with minimal fuss. I’ll talk hookbait choices too, and, of course, the reliable terminal gear which will ensure that your prize arrives safely in the folds of your landing net.

Stick Mixes There are normally two options when it comes

Mesh Bags

to using PVA mesh; first of all, stick mixes. These

Bag mixes allow you to use larger food items,

are compressed into narrow mesh and threaded

and rather than threading them onto the

down the hooklink to the business end. The hook

hooklink, you can simply nick them on the

is pulled into the end of the stick so that it’s

hook. Bags are much better if there are any

protected from light weed or debris out on the

nuisance species in the lake which can polish

lakebed. When the PVA melts, much of the mix

off a stick mix in a couple of minutes. Again,

settles on top of the hook and part of the hooklink

the possibilities are endless when it comes

so it’s completely hidden from an approaching

to ingredients, and I really could go on all day

wary carp which may have picked up its scent.

about them. However, for this feature on Baden

There is very little chance of a tangle, and a stick

Hall’s Middle Pool, I wanted to keep it dead

mix can be fished at very long distances because

simple. Instead of using lots of ingredients

of its low diameter. So what about the contents?

(which will more than likely put a large dent

You need to make sure there is nothing in the end

in your wallet), I use mixes which come ready-

of the stick which can mask the hookpoint when

prepared for use with PVA, along with a few

it’s pulled into the end of the bag, and it’s best to

bits you probably already have in the kitchen at

avoid ingredients which may end up threaded on

home. Many of us have limited time on the bank,

the hooklink when it’s pulled through. With that

and with Christmas fast approaching, you just

in mind, the possibilities are pretty much endless.

might fancy a quick, easy and affordable edge

There are plenty of good groundbaits in the shops

that will catch you plenty of fish without having

these days, and these can be used as a base, and then you can add things like micro

to concoct all sorts like a mad scientist!

pellets, boilie crumb, tuna, etc. Spices such as garlic, fenugreek and chilli are well worth using because carp absolutely love them, but don’t go over the top with how much you use. You can carefully dampen down a mix with a little water, but the addition of oils derived from salmon, tuna, halibut, hemp and peanut are superb. It’s worth considering water temperature when choosing ingredients; if it’s cold, loads of oil won’t do you any favours. I would go for liquid liver or CSL with a little bit of molasses. It’s best to make the mix the day before you head out to fish, as this allows the liquids to soak in properly. When you take a handful and squeeze it firmly, it should just about hold together; if it binds too much it takes longer to break down.

ABOVE Tying up little

bags is very quick and easy to do.

RIGHT Threading a stick down

the hooklink is a great way of concealing the rig.

Crafty Carper

015-018_GoodOldBags_CC207.indd 2

09/10/2014 16:16

The Good Old Bag and Stick

Paul Hatton

BELOW Grating luncheon meat into any mix is a brilliant edge.

My Favourites The Cloud: First up is The Cloud. It makes a superb spod mix when the carp are up in the water and you’re fishing Zigs, but it’s also a really good stick mix. It’s packed with tried and tested ingredients which carp absolutely love, and many of the additives are completely soluble in cold water. I mix a small amount of water in with this a bit at a time; when it’s slightly damp it goes into a stick nicely without melting the PVA, and when the bag melts out in the lake it releases a white cloud which smells great to passing fish. I attach a semi-buoyant hookbait, white in colour so that the fish hardly notice it in amongst the stick mix on the lakebed. As the water gets colder and colder, this presentation comes into its own, and it’s definitely an edge over a single hookbait which many people cast out during the winter months. BELOW The Cloud mix, originally an awesome sloppy spod mix but use it dry to create a great stick mix.

“...the subtle savoury smell from the added garlic really pulls them in”

Bread: Liquidised bread is a true classic which is often forgotten about when carp fishing, but it’s another ingredient which carp love, and it’s

BELOW Micro Mix; already PVA-friendly, but add some luncheon meat and you’re adding pure fish attraction.

effective in any water temperature. Its yeasty smell attracts lots of species, which can sometimes be a problem, but carp love a high-energy food that carries plenty of vitamins and minerals – it’s underused and well worth a go.

Micro Mix: Another mix which works

it I do so in small quantities, but it

For this feature I’m going to make a

really well in a bag is the Micro Mix,

really is a fish magnet. Did you know

stick/bag mix with it; I’ll also add some

which is a digestible food source that

that it contains betaine? Many of the

corn which has done a few rounds

is excellent at any time of the year.

very best bait-makers won’t roll a

in the blender. This is another true

The special palatants and additives

boilie without including betaine – it’s

classic which catches fish absolutely

used trigger a great feeding response,

one of the best feeding stimulants

anywhere, and it’s no surprise that it’s

and the subtle savoury smell from

around. Meat can also be added to

a pretty tasty food source containing

the added garlic really pulls them in.

the bag mix with the use of a cheese

lots of useful nutrients. If I can get

The mix is PVA-friendly, so it’s fish-

grater. I’m going to use a punch to

this anywhere near a fish, this mix will

catching convenience in a bucket. I’m

cut out a neat cylinder shape, and

definitely be irresistible and soon trip

going old school with the hookbait for

then use a plastic screw to secure

them up. Along with this I’m opting

this one – how about luncheon meat?

it to the Hair. If you try this you’ll

for a piece of maize as the hookbait;

This is yet another classic which is

be surprised at how well it stays

it’s more durable than the sweetcorn

often forgotten about. The meat has

on. How many people use luncheon

I’m using inside the bag and it’s still

a high fat content, and when I use

meat at all these days? Be different.

the right colour. A bag mix couldn’t be any simpler – as long as the mix is only damp and not wet, it’s fine in the PVA. It may be worth mentioning that this mix takes on food colouring pretty well too, so if you fancy something

PAUL’s TOP TIP #1

more visible in coloured water, or just something very different to what others are using, why not experiment with food colouring? The missus may have some in the cupboard for making cakes. Go and steal it and then deny it if she asks – that’s what I do!

ABOVE Bread; with a little added blended corn you’re on to a sure-fire winner.

Using a meat punch, create some cracking hookbaits from luncheon meat.

Crafty Carper 015-018_GoodOldBags_CC207.indd 3

17 09/10/2014 16:17

The Good Old Bag and Stick Paul Hatton

Getting Riggy

PAUL’s TOP TIP #2

So what about the terminal gear? As always, it’s impossible to pick the ideal rig until you have an

Get a blender and create liquidised corn. Carp love it! Just remember to add plenty of salt to make it PVA-friendly.

idea of what you’re fishing over. If the lakebed is clean and firm, I like to fish a fairly short rig of around 6ins; this allows enough movement but it should snare a fish which is sucking and blowing over the top of one of my mixes. If there is any light weed present, I lengthen the rig considerably, and use a light stick mix which will settle on top of it. There is a barbless hooks rule here at Baden, so it’s a beaked point all the way for me because they stay in really well. The trusty Wide Gape Talon Tip with a small kicker, attached to a 25lb Trickster Heavy hooklink, will do nicely. I will fish a lead clip in conjunction with a Camflex Leadfree leader, and the lead

“I’m hoping for quick bites and I’ll keep my eyes peeled with a view to moving onto fish whenever possible”

To Conclude The Middle Pool at Baden is very shallow, and

size will depend on what’s

in front of my chosen swim it was no more

happening out in front of me. I

than 2½ft even at 25 yards, it then dropped

like heavy leads, but if I’m casting

off into a silty channel and this is what I

to showing fish I use maybe an ounce or

fished to. The fish were showing in this area

something just heavy enough to get the distance

now and again, and patches of fizzing could

with minimum disturbance. I’m hoping for quick

be seen hitting the surface whenever the

bites and I’ll keep my eyes peeled with a view to

wind dropped for a few minutes. I caught

moving onto fish whenever possible.

fish on all of the stick/bag mixes which I have talked about in this piece, but I did have to make some slight changes. It quickly became apparent that the Micro Mix with meat was the one they really wanted, but using the meat as a hookbait was doing me no favours on this lake – the bream and roach took a liking to it! I changed the hookbait to a balanced boilie and ended up using this on both rods. I went on to land 15 carp during

ABOVE My trusty Wide Gape Talon

Tips are often the first choice.

ABOVE I love it when a plan

the session. The fish were very responsive

comes together. Two in the net and it was job done.

to changes in the weather because of the depths; spells of sunshine encouraged them into shallower water and repositioning rods at the right time kept the bites coming. Even though one of the three bag mixes reigned supreme on this session, I would still fancy the other two to be better in colder water – I’ll find out during the frosts! I really enjoyed the feature; Baden Hall is a great well-run fishery with a lake suited to anyone who wants to wet a line. I think I’ll be returning pretty soon in search of some of the larger residents! CC

RIGHT This was the

average stamp of the fish, but I’ll be back for the bigger ones!

ABOVE With the bags out on

Baden Hall’s Middle Pool, the action came thick and fast.

Crafty Carper

015-018_GoodOldBags_CC207.indd 4

09/10/2014 16:18

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14/10/2014 09:38

Learning From Mistakes Martin Bowler

Crafty Carper

022-026_Learning_From_Mistakes_CC207.indd 1

10/10/2014 12:04

Learning From Mistakes Martin Bowler

LEARNING FROM MISTAKES M A R T I N

We welcome Martin back to the pages of Crafty, and he tells us about a new bottom bait rig which has been the downfall of many carp over the last few months. Read on to find out how his rig outwitted some seriously tricky carp after he learned from his mistakes.

B O W L E R

anGLER PRoFiLE.

Martin Bowler age 42 hometown

Chippenham, Wiltshire occupation

Professional angler/journalist UK personal best

45lb 5oz Favourite venue

Anywhere quiet and picturesque.

Crafty Carper 022-026_Learning_From_Mistakes_CC207.indd 2

23 10/10/2014 12:04

Learning From Mistakes Martin Bowler

“What an idiot!” I muttered to myself, standing high above the baited rig, which afforded a grandstand view of a shoal of 20lb+ carp devouring my boilies but avoiding becoming anchored to the hook. Worse still, the rig had been inside a set of lips four times, unsuccessfully finding any flesh and being spat out! I continued to berate myself. “Why did you change/ why did you believe the hype?” You see, even after countless articles telling people to keep it simple, I, too, had been taken in, albeit momentarily. I had read of an angler with amazing carp-catching prowess, so it stood to reason his rig would also be a step up

Six big black shapes circled in the

from what I could tie. Unfortunately,

jade-coloured water before diving

the carp had a different opinion,

down into a cloud of chalk sediment

easily spitting it out, and worse was

created by the waves. The bottom they

to come – on the fifth occasion it did

hit had a little weed but was primarily

find a rather bizarre hold in the roof of

clean and hard. Before every set of lips

the mouth and the alarm eventually

could make contact, one was already

screamed. Now imagine if it hadn’t

leaving, startled by a pin-prick, with it

been clear and I hadn’t had a good

desperately shaking its head trying to

vantage point over the margins. In

rid itself of the metalwork. No matter

all probability I would have still been

which way it went there was no reprieve

using the said rig today, spurred on by

and the carp was soon left with only one

a crumb of success, putting the lack

option – run! Instantly an alarm roared

of action down to a run of bad luck. I

into life and predictably my friend said,

was, therefore, even as the carp hit

“I told you so.” I still wasn’t completely

the landing net, angry with myself for

convinced as, after all, my first attempt

being a fool, although the whole fiasco

had been with something close to

was about to have a silver lining before

useless, so I stuck to my standard coated

I swapped back to my standard setup.

braid Snowman arrangement for the

With there being only a single ‘going’ swim, and because I was on a social trip

rest of the session, although it was obvious by the end that I caught at a

with a good friend, we had decided to double up and share the fish rather than have one of us blank. In between his laughter, a contraption was

far slower rate. There

“No matter which way it went there was no reprieve and the carp was soon left with only one option – run!”

produced from

were some aspects of the rig I didn’t like from observing it in the margins, but there was also much to learn from its prowess in the hooking stakes. Combining

under the brolly which appeared to be a

this mindset with the use of the

Chod setup on steroids, and he gleefully

Chod Rig for 90% of my pop-up

declared it as his ‘crank’ rig – a stiff

fishing, this arrangement certainly

boom section with a rather crude Chod

warranted closer scrutiny when I got

arrangement stuck on the end, alongside

home and into the tackle room.

a standard bottom bait. Although I do

The lead arrangement was a simple

have a love affair with the Chod for

E-S-P safety clip which I was more than

pop-up fishing due to its non-tangle

happy with, as well as a 4oz lead which,

and great presentation properties, I

again, I agreed helped with the bolt

have never liked the look of it when

effect. My friend’s section of tubing,

company, so instead I plumped for this,

from the safety clip with a loop-to-loop

on the deck, even though I had read of

just behind, however, was something I

although as long as it was able to recock

arrangement. So, either when arriving

other anglers’ successes. My puzzled

could do without because I intended to

the rig in the unfortunate situation of

or during the session, leading around

expression didn’t put my friend off,

make the boom section stiffer than the

the hook being spat out, I would be

to decipher the bottom make-up could

and he proceeded to announce that he

20lb Amnesia he was using. Therefore

content. To facilitate this still further, as

easily be done without the rig and/

wouldn’t take a fraction of the time I had

leadcore or tubing could be avoided,

well as the anti-tangle properties, I tied

or the necessity to cut if off. The need

and I should sit back and watch. A lob up

which is always the preference on any

a loop via a Rapala loop knot at one end

for a sleeve was also removed, and the

the margins followed, topped with two

rig unless snags dictate the use of the

of the boom, which in total would span

knot formed was the perfect place for

good handfuls of bait, and within 10

former with its abrasion-resistance. To

6ins. By doubling up the material in this

a piece of tungsten putty to grip onto.

minutes, despite all the disturbance, our

make the boom, I had every intention of

manner, it would help to kick everything

quarry returned, pushed into the shelf

using brown 25lb E-S-P Two Tone, until

out on either the cast or when being

loop affords, and have used it for years

by the combination of a warm wind and

I was sent a prototype material with a

ejected, and also be a very flexible way

in this manner, which then got me

the pungent aroma of S-Core boilies.

similar degree of rigidity by the same

of connecting to the swivel protruding

thinking. Could I do the same at the

I really like the flexibility such a

Crafty Carper

022-026_Learning_From_Mistakes_CC207.indd 3

10/10/2014 12:05

Learning From Mistakes Martin Bowler

How To: CREATE MARTIN’S SUCCESSFUL RIG

Follow these simple steps to create the winning rig.

Using a Rapala loop knot, tie two loops in a 6ins boom section.

For added security, use a lighter to blob the tag end.

The loop nearest the swivel should be twice the size of the loop connected to the Uni-Link Swivel.

Mould a small amount of putty around the knot of the large loop.

Mould a lump of tungsten putty (the size of a swan shot) around the knot of the small loop.

Now simply cut off the ‘D’ and blob the tag end with a lighter.

Thread on a bead, micro ring swivel and shank stop, like this.

Connect the small loop to a UniLink Swivel on a loop-to-loop basis.

Put an arc in the bristle filament material using your finger and thumb.

Thread PVA tape through the ring and nick it on the hook, and you’re ready to go.

other end of the boom, thus making it

extremely beneficial when trying to

doctoring was necessary. This was

that such offerings are avoided in the

easier to replace blunt hooks, and also

prick fish and keep an anchor because

due to the buoyant nature of a bottom

future. Of course, just below the hook

be quicker and more cost-effective?

they furiously shake their heads when

bait and pop-up in combination,

would be a Size 11 Uni-Link Swivel, an

Therefore the same knot was tied at

realising a mistake has been made.

which was what I wanted to use. The

equally large piece of metal but in a

the other end, albeit half the size, to

The Uni-Link Swivel would be

hook sank the Snowman but it was

shape that didn’t arouse suspicion in the

which a Size 11 E-S-P Uni-Link Swivel

forming the Claw/Chod section of

critically-balanced and this meant the

same way as generally its use, in such

could be detached and reattached very

the rig, and in reality, be prepared

two boilies always sat over the eye,

close proximity, would with a Chod and

easily. Again, the small knot formed was

separately from the boom. The original

leaving the rest of the metalwork

therefore always be hidden from the

ideal for attaching putty, but a bigger

intention was to use E-S-P ready-tied

exposed and on show. I’m extremely

carp under a pop-up. The upshot of all

piece than before, the size of an SSG

short Chods for this, being extremely

paranoid about the fish’s capability to

this was to keep the Claw element of

shot. I learned long ago, primarily while

convenient and constructed as good as

learn by association, and if every time

the bristle filament but combine it with

barbel fishing, that a weight close to

anything I could make, but on observing

they get hooked, a bent piece of metal

the stealth afforded by

the hook, even with a bottom bait, is

how the bait was sitting, a spot of

is lying by the bait, it stands to reason

my basic Snowman Rig.

Crafty Carper 022-026_Learning_From_Mistakes_CC207.indd 4

25 10/10/2014 12:06

Learning From Mistakes Martin Bowler

After cutting off the D of line and micro ring, I blobbed the tag end of the loose mono next to the knot. A soft bead was pushed through the hookpoint and down to the knot, followed by a micro ring swivel, and then an E-S-P Shank Stop was positioned on the bend. The two boilies could be attached with bait floss onto the ring swivel and fixed via a couple of overhand knots plus a dab of superglue. Now while the hook (a Size 5 Stiff Rigger) sat flush to the deck, the bait would hover directly over the middle of it, thus keeping it out of view. Then, by rubbing the bristle filament between my fingers, I could create an acute arc which would act as an extension to the hook. This would make it very difficult for the carp to suck it in without being pricked, or when hooked being able to shake free, especially with the putty keeping it in position. The final improvement was to ensure the arc stayed as acute as when I had formed it after impacting on the surface when casting. The solution was simple; a short length of PVA tape passed through the loop of the Uni-Link Swivel, to which the hookpoint was nicked onto. This minor addition also had the benefit of making the rig 100% tangle-proof (so far!), with the end of the rig temporarily fixed in place. By the completion of its construction I was quite proud of myself. I had a real carp rig at last, as opposed to my general basic approach, but it needed fieldtesting because, as the saying goes, ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating!’

“The solution was simple; a short length of PVA tape passed through the loop of the Uni-Link Swivel...” The first trip out, and two spots screamed Chods, which were duly dispatched, but a third consisted of a hole the size of a brolly (excavated by carp) with a solid bottom, perfect for the Claw. I was excited to cast it out, but even more so to catch a couple of 20s within a few hours. The coup de grâce, however, came at dusk, with the lake’s biggest mirror, at just under 37lb, screaming off down the lake after slipping up on the creation! Six weeks later and it’s still sitting on my rods, after being not only successful, but also very user-friendly, with the ability to detach the entire rig or hook section at will. Of course I’m not foolish enough to think it’s the answer to everything, original, or revolutionary, but when using boilies on the bottom I’m confident in using it, and that’s what really counts. However, should you wish to tie it up and try it, do so at your own risk, as I don’t want you calling me an idiot if it doesn’t work for you. CC

Crafty Carper

022-026_Learning_From_Mistakes_CC207.indd 5

10/10/2014 12:06

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ANGLER PROFILE.

Roy Allen Age 30 Hometown

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Postman UK personal best

51lb Favourite venue

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prIvate pIt R O Y

A L L E N

Roy Allen may not be known to many readers, but his carp-catching prowess around the Cotswolds is something which shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be ignored. We find out about his jaunts to what he calls the Private Pit, a very intimate water which holds some true jewels. Crafty Carper 029-032_PrivatePit_CC207.indd 1

29 10/10/2014 14:54

The Private Pit Roy Allen

t’s difficult, as an angler, to come

being caught were off the top using

to terms with the fact that just

mixers or floating trout pellets. The

when you’ve got things working, it

number of takes coming from the

ABOVE A 25lb+ from years gone by, before I got near one of the private lake’s 30s. RIGHT Kettle on and it was looking good for a bite.

can all go horribly wrong. For me that

bottom, using boilies, was minimal, and

moment was in the summer of 2011.

over a period of around 3 weeks it was

I’d been fishing the Carp Society’s

possible to add up the lake’s captures

Farriers Lake in the Cotswold Water

on one hand. Slowly, most anglers

of the Cotswold Water Park. It’s lined

Park, for which I had held a ticket

adopted the method of fishing on the

with tall dark-green conifers and

for the last couple of years. I’d not

top but something still wasn’t quite

surrounded by an 8ft fence, and to

managed to do much fishing at the

right, and eventually the lake was

say it’s private is an understatement.

lake for a while due to diverting my

shut after the Carp Society ran some

attentions to fishing Coate Water Park,

tests which revealed the lake’s low

were special, and although not huge,

and also the birth of my daughter in

oxygen levels. I can remember turning

they mattered because they were

the spring the year before. My time

up in August for my usual 36-hour

the nice-looking carp that I like to

was very much limited for this reason,

session and seeing carp gulping away

catch. The largest fish in the lake was

and I find that once you can’t get to

on the surface. They were struggling

a lovely 37lb+ mirror with one scale

the lake regularly, it becomes easy to

to survive in the environment in

on its side, which rarely visited the

fall out of the system of knowing the

which they were living, which was

bank, and below this ranked anything

fish movements and patterns. During

distressing, so I was pleased when the

up to 10 other 30lb+ carp at the right

the spring I had managed to get amongst some fish on the occasions when I was able to angle, and I caught some lovely fish, including carp to mid-30s. I’d noticed some change in success after switching

lake was shut and aerators were brought in.

“It was the sort of lake where I could go for some peace and tranquility when needed, somewhere to escape to during times when I needed comfort”

This did, however, leave me stumped for

time of year, with a total of around 50 carp living in its mystical water. When I first managed to gain a ticket on the private pit, there was a really bad problem with crayfish.

somewhere to

This was the first lake where I had

fish. Cue the

experienced crayfish problems and

private lake

they were a nightmare, to say the

– deep, low

least. I started off using plastic corn

stocked, and

on the rigs, fished over particle in

really carpy!

the hope that this would prolong the

I’d held a ticket for over 5 years

from my previously

and had ventured

used Snowman Rigs

over there on occasions;

to Short Hinge Rigs, and

The fish which the lake contained

I chose to fish it every now and

baited spot and keep some food on the deck for the carp to home in on, rather than boilies, which no doubt would be munched up in no time by the hungry pests. I will never forget my

found that the hookholds were

then so as not to ruin its appeal. It

first session. I cast out and within just

unbelievably good, being central in

was the sort of lake where I could go

a few hours I got the telltale beeps

the bottom lip, rather than in the

for some peace and tranquility when

which meant that the crays were

carp’s scissors, which was what I’d

needed, somewhere to escape to

already playing with my rigs. When I

been getting with my Snowman Rigs.

during times when I needed comfort,

reeled in, it revealed that they had not

and this was most certainly one of

only turned my coated hooklink into a

it became apparent that something

those times. The lake is situated not

mangled mess, but had also taken the

wasn’t quite right. Nearly all the carp

far from Farriers and sits in the heart

plastic corn from the Hair! I don’t like

As the spring turned to summer,

Crafty Carper

029-032_PrivatePit_CC207.indd 2

10/10/2014 14:54

The Private Pit Roy Allen

“I love the feelING of knowing that you’ve got something good to go on, when the chance of a bite is definitely on the cards”

to be beaten

carp moving along these naturally

by problems

created roads looking for food.

within my angling, so after making some phone calls to knowledgeable

Moving forward in time a little, to September 2011, and I found myself driving through its gates once again.

TOP Another one from years previous, at 24lb. ABOVE The lake – you can see why I loved it there so much. ABOVE LEFT One in the net – get in!

The lake had hardly changed since my last visit nearly a year before. I had a

of the lake off to my left, in an area

rough idea of where the carp would

next to a swim known as The Shed. I

wooden balls for soaking in my chosen

be at this time of year, and so headed

didn’t have a bait positioned near the

flavour; this seemed to be the only

for the far left-hand corner of the lake

sighting, so I quickly wound a rod in to

way of getting around the problem.

where I had previously caught from,

cast near to the fish. It was a difficult

The false takes stopped, my rigs were

after not seeing any signs of fish

side cast from the swim where I was

left with a hookbait on (if that’s what

activity anywhere around the lake. It

fishing, but the first chuck landed

you could call it!), and I was again

was great to be back and experience

bang on and went down with a solid

angling for an entire session. Although

the peaceful surroundings of the

thump on the bottom of the lake. I

I had found a tactic which helped

private lake, well away from the rat

could tell it was deep from the length

me get around the problem, I soon

race I was used to on Farriers – I was

of time that it took for the lead to hit

found myself fishing other venues

the only angler on the lake! I got the

the bottom. For the last few remaining

closer to home. I wasn’t the only one

rods set up and attached some of my

hours of my stay I awaited some

who struggled with the crayfish on

successful Short Hinge Stiff Rigs, and

action, but nothing developed. I was

the private lake though, and soon

cast them out towards some likely-

itching to have a better lead about in

the owner of the lake changed the

looking areas near to where I had

preparation for the following week’s

game completely. The private pit

caught from in the past. I then decided

fishing, so I banged a marker over to

was netted and the vast bulk of the

to get my head down for some sleep

the spot and walked round to The

crays were removed. I could again use

so I could get up at first light and be on

Shed Swim. What I found was that the

boilies, and over the next few years

the lookout for some fish activity. The

carp had shown close to a big bank of

I caught a few of the lake’s prizes,

alarm clock woke me up at 6.00, rather

weed which lay 16-rod lengths directly

but none of the large ones. The lake

than one of my bite alarms. After

in front of the swim next to The Shed.

was deep, being 20ft+ in areas, with

quite some time of looking out at the

The swim itself was fairly tight, but it

clean divides between weedy and

water, I was beginning to lose hope of

allowed me to put two rods out on the

big barren expanses. All my captures

seeing any signs of fish whatsoever,

spot. I put the remainder of the bait

came from fishing tight to the weed

but whilst putting the kettle on, out of

with me out on the spot and intended

walls, which towered up to mid-depth

the corner of my eye, I saw what I was

to return the following

across the pond, and I envisioned the

hoping for. A large carp slid silently out

week, along with a good

friends, I found myself in Hobbycraft, purchasing various-sized

Crafty Carper 029-032_PrivatePit_CC207.indd 3

31 10/10/2014 14:54

The Private Pit Roy Allen

friend of mine as a guest. For this

still looking good, and the breeze

and the time away from the lake

TOP Bang on 30lb.

reason I returned a few days later

was building in pace as the morning

seemed to drag on forever, but 7 days

ABOVE LEFT One of the lake’s

and found some areas in the swim

turned to afternoon. At around 1.00

later we were both sitting beside the

next door, and baited all the spots

p.m. the same rod was away again,

lake with the rods in position. It was

with 5 kilos of 20mm boilies.

and this time the culprit was a mirror

a Friday evening and I had planned to

weighing 30lb exactly. For such a

fish the night and then go off to work

When we arrived at the lake the next week I was really excited.

low-stocked venue it was truly a

I love the feeling of knowing

red-letter session, purely

that you’ve got something good

for the excellent

to go on, when the chance of a

stamp of fish

bite is definitely on the cards.

which we had

At around 7.00 that evening, my

averaged

mate Dean had his first one from

between the

the lake, from fishing down his

two of us.

right-hand margin up against an

I knew

biggies at 32lb 10oz. ABOVE My mate Dean having

success on a guest session. He really wanted to go back there.

at 5.00 a.m., leaving the gear with Dean, intending to return later on the Saturday.

“For such a low-stocked venue it was truly a redletter session, purely for the excellent stamp of fish which we had averaged between the two of us”

Dean had a 19lb

time to assist with the netting. There before my very eyes lay one of the best-looking carp I’ve

common in the late seen to date. The hookhold was hours of Friday

perfect and it was clear that I

evening and

wasn’t likely to lose the fish in a

the conditions

hurry. My name was certainly on

were ideal. I

this one! Once on the scales we

went to bed

recorded a weight of 32lb 10oz – I

not long after

was ecstatic! After doing some

overhanging tree. The fish turned

that Dean

out to be one of the lake’s largest

was keen to

residents, weighing 33lb 10oz. We

go back with

were both buzzing at this capture,

me for another

and things were looking good

stab the following

for the rest of the session. The

week, so I cleared it

following morning I had a take on

with the lake’s owner to take

my left-hand rod, which resulted

him as a guest again. I made a repeat

a bite was imminent – and I did

lucky enough to catch a 30lb+ fish

in a lovely jet black common

visit to the lake to bait the same

something I rarely do – I called in sick!

from the private lake, I would drop

weighing 27lb 8oz. This was the

spots a few days later, with another

Within 30 minutes of making the

my ticket and give somebody else

lake’s biggest common and it was

5 kilos of 20mm boilies. The next trip

phone call, my right-hand rod registered the chance to have a go. I had been

a real corker of a carp. Things were

couldn’t come around fast enough,

a slow, constant run, but after bending

given the blessing of landing two

into the fish it almost instantly weeded

of these within a matter of days.

and had the alarm set for 4.00 a.m., but when the

morning bell sounded I got the gut feeling that

me up – it was solid. After all the usual

photos of the fish, it was time to sit back and reflect. I had plans of moving on to a new venue for the coming season, and had always promised myself that if I was ever

We fished the Saturday night

attempts to try to free the fish, I put

together, and polished the session

the rod down and went to fetch Dean.

off with a takeaway to celebrate

He had a small inflatable boat in the

our luck. Sunday morning soon

back of his van and agreed to go out

came around and I knew that it

and free it from the weed. Dean got

was time to say goodbye to the

above the fish and pulled on the line,

private pit for the final time.

removing the carp from the weed.

Farriers was due to reopen soon,

This put me in direct contact with it

and as I locked the gate behind

once again, but the fish made another

me on the way out, I took some

dive into the weed and all went solid

fantastic memories with me. So,

once again. After a bit more pulling

if plan A doesn’t work for you,

on the line from Dean, I soon had the

remember that the alphabet has

fish heading in the right direction and

a lot more letters behind it!

back towards the waiting net. Dean

rowed back as fast as he could (with

Tight lines,

the one oar that he had!) and just had

Roy Allen. CC

Crafty Carper

029-032_PrivatePit_CC207.indd 4

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10/10/2014 14:45

The

Catch Column I N

A S S O C I A T I O N

W I T H

With winter just around the corner, the catch reports keep flying in! Send us your catch shot and the details and we’ll send you some pop-ups, and the monthly winner will receive a Sticky Baits prize package worth over £60!

CATC COLU H MN WINN ER

NOVEMBER WINNER Carpy Catch Shot This 31lb 15oz mirror has won Jamie Gibbs first prize this month. Granted, it is a stunning fish, but the catch picture is just awesome. We love it! Jamie was fishing a new venue on the

OUR READERS’ PICS WIN PRIZES!

Cotswold Water Park, at 30yds’ range, using Bossbaits 18mm CCM. An Amnesia hooklink

Thanks to the awesome team at STICKY, we’ve got prizes to give

and Size 6 Drennan boilie hook was enough

away for every reader whose picture we print within these pages.

to tame the creature.

Yep, you read that right – EVERYONE whose picture gets printed will receive a pot of Sticky’s super-duper The Krill White Ones pop-ups worth £5.95, and the main winner for each month will also receive 5kg of Sticky Baits The Krill Boilies and cap worth £62.98, as used by top anglers including Adam Penning, Sean Leverett, Tom Maker, Dan Wildbore and more. Not bad eh? Turn over for more Crafty readers’ captures

Crafty Carper 035-038_CatchColumn_C207.indd 1

35 13/10/2014 16:41

The

Catch Column

 Bradley Does It

 North Yorkshire 30

A new personal best of 26lb 8oz was on the cards

Hartlepool-based Martin Brady took to a private

for Greenwich-based Bradley Revett. A Nash Purple

North Yorkshire water to bag this 32lb 2oz

Monster Squid pop-up fooled the dark common

chunk, which took a liking to a white pop-up

and beat his old PB for a common by 17lb!

fished over a kilo of freebies close to an island.

 Double Bubble

 Overnight Success

 Martin’s Bright One

Double pop-up corn was the downfall of this

This 27lb 5oz mirror was the best of a three-

A Mainline Hybrid hookbait fished tight to some

personal best 32lb mirror for Arron Choate of

fish catch on an overnighter for Martin

pads did the trick for Martin Brighton from

Portsmouth. It was one of eight fish caught

Longden. It was taken from a far margin

Essex as he bagged himself a new personal

in 48hrs over a bed of hemp and corn.

using a critically-balanced 18mm Steamie.

best with this 32lb beauty on a day session.

 Minter!

 Digger Lakes PB

 Near The Magical 40!

Rhys Bowden from Somerset bagged this

A new personal best in the shape of this 25lb

Paul Daniels (no, not that one) took a week-

stunning 18lb 6oz mirror on a tweaked pop-

3oz was very welcome for Peter Sharp, who

long trip to Cretelakes in France and bagged

up fished with a pineapple pop-up tight

tackled Digger Lakes with a Sticky White pop-up

this 39lb 8oz common on his second night.

to the weed over a bed of sweetcorn.

topped with pink corn and a bag of pellets.

It isn’t half a stunning common too!

I N

I A T I O N A S S O C

W I T H

STICKY TIP OF THE MONTH – MARCUS HOWARTH

The Maggot Approach Maggots are a brilliant bait to use at this time of year when the going gets tough. Many of the pressured waters see plenty of anglers using them, so gaining an edge will catch you more fish. Marcus Howarth is a huge fan of mixing maggots and casters together. To this he adds plenty of Krill liquid and powder, which is absorbed by the maggots, making them take on their fishy flavour. A small bright pop-up fished over such a mix can be deadly, so give it a try.

Crafty Carper

035-038_CatchColumn_C207.indd 2

1. BRIGHT POP-UPS FISHED OVER MAGGOTS AND CASTERS ARE A REAL WINNER.

Facebook: /stickybaits Twitter: @stickyofficial 13/10/2014 17:48

The Crafty Carper Catch Column

In Association with Sticky • www.stickybaits.com

 Parr Is Above Par On Par!

 Scaly Stunner

 Free-lining Fun

Confusing title we know, but here’s why. Andy

Daniel Homer took a family trip to Tattershall

Kai Sanderson had some fun free-lining next to

Parr took a trip to Par Fishery and bagged this

Lakes Country Park and managed a new

the lily pads on a local Scunthorpe syndicate. It

immaculate 29lb 4oz mirror. A Sticky Krill boilie

personal best with this 13lb 8oz mirror; the

was his first time carp fishing, and he bagged

tipped with a white Krill pop-up came out on top.

Method feeder scoring on this occasion.

this personal best 15lb common in no time.

 Good Start On The Club

 French Carrot

 Dad Beats Best

Sam Beswick’s first session back on his

Nottingham lad Luke Hopper took a trip

On the same French trip as Luke Hopper, his

local club water proved fruitful with this

to Roseau Fishery in Northern France,

dad Michael beat his personal best with this

stunning 13lb 2oz mirror. The Surrey-based

and caught this striking 12lb 2oz koi on a

37lb 1oz common. Ghurkka Spice did the

rod can’t wait to get back for more.

20mm Quest Baits Ghurkka Spice boilie.

business again, over around 20 freebies.

 Like Buses

 Charlie’s Mint Common

 Naked Chod = Naked Carp

Michael Moyes fished for 48hrs and had two

While fishing with his granddad, Michael Moyes,

A Naked Chod fished with a Sticky White Krill

fish within minutes of each other. One was a

who landed the upper-30, young Charlie Allen

pop-up worked a treat for this 12lb leather

24-pounder and then he had this awesome 37lb

managed this 25lb 4oz specimen from MKF

carp for Leigh Rodgers of Bourne, Lincolnshire,

4oz common – and what a chunk it is too!

Swan Lake on the same 48hr session.

who fished to the edge of weed at 60yds.

2. ADDING KRILL POWDER TO MAGGOTS IS A REAL EDGE.

3. GIVE MARCUS’ MAGGOT MIX A GO THIS WINTER AND YOU COULD BE CATCHING CARP LIKE THIS.

www.stickybaits.com 035-038_CatchColumn_C207.indd 3

TURN OVER FOR MORE CRAFTY READERS’ CAPTURES

Crafty Carper

37 13/10/2014 17:49

The

Catch Column I N

A S S O C I A T I O N

W I T H

Bag Yourself a Beauty and Win with Crafty Carper and Sticky!

 Jeepers Scheepers

 Just An Afternoon Is Needed

Watford angler Jack Scheepers fished a Cell

Bill Towart took to his local club water

boilie glugged in Tutti Frutti to trip up this 29lb

around the Loughborough area for the

10oz specimen whilst fishing a 24hr session.

afternoon, and managed to slip his net under this lovely 19lb 10oz mirror.

Do you fancy seeing your catch picture in the Crafty Carper Catch Column? If your picture gets published, you’ll receive some of Sticky’s fantastic pop-ups the White Ones, and some Crafty stickers. If you’re selected as the monthly winner, Sticky bait goodies to the value of £60+ will also be yours. Remember, it’s not always the biggest fish that wins. If your catch details and picture stand out from the rest, then your chance of scooping the monthly prize is much higher. All you need to do is send us your catch picture and details of the capture.

SEND US YOUR CATCH PIC NOW!

 Stumpy Signs In

 Jenny Notches Ladies Lake Record

ONLINE

Ian Palmer checked in with Stumpy, at 66lb 8oz,

Jenny Handley recorded a new ladies lake

www.craftycarper.co

from Cretelakes in France. It was his first trip to

record at Le Monument Lake in France, with this

Look for the Submit Catch option on the left-

the complex and he caught it on his first night in

42lb 10oz monster. She also added 6lb to her

hand side, fill in your details and attach your

a new swim, on a balanced 18mm Cell boilie.

previous personal best in the process. Get in!

digital picture – it’s as simple as that.

BY POST Fill in the form below, and send it with a printed catch picture to: Crafty Catch Column, Crafty Carper Magazine, Regent House, 101 Broadfield Road, Sheffield S8 0XH.

CRAFTY CATCH COLUMN ENTRY FORM

TEAM STICKY CATCH OF THE MONTH TEAM MEMBER: SCOTT LLOYD VENUE: STONEACRES LAKE WEIGHT: 30LB 8OZ

Although it’s not the biggest fish caught this month, this one really is something else. Scott Lloyd enjoyed a recent 3-night session on Stoneacres Lake and caught two fish, including this incredible-looking 30lb 8oz mirror. A Krill wafter fished over chopped Krill boilies on a clear patch surrounded by weed was the downfall for this special carp.

Name Age Occupation

Caught on

The Kr ill

Tel Address

Postcode Email address

Weight of carp

Please attach a separate sheet with all the details about your capture, including the venue, length of session, features you were fishing to, and your winning tactics, e.g. rig and bait.

Crafty Carper

035-038_CatchColumn_C207.indd 4

✃

New PB (please tick):

Facebook: /stickybaits Twitter: @stickyofficial 13/10/2014 16:44

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13/10/2014 14:48

Competition

Carp Couture Competition

TWO WAYS TO WIN: FIRST, ANSWER THIS RATHER EASY QUESTION:

What is the name of the item of clothing that is a hoody which incorporates a snood? A Sshhhnoody

B Snoody

C Hoosney

NOW EITHER:

ENTER VIA MOBILE PHONE

Simply text CC7 then a space, followed by your answer to the question above (either A B or C), to 82070. For example, your answer could be CC7 A

0:00 AM

Messages cost £1.50 per message plus standard network charge. Under-18s only with bill payer’s permission. Text details may appear on phone bill. Service provider Digital Select Ltd. Helpline: 0844 448 0165. Competition closes midnight 18/11/2014.

OR:

ENTER VIA POST

Complete the form below, pop it in an envelope and post it to us at the following address: Carp Couture Competition, CC207, Angling Publications Ltd., Regent House, 101 Broadfield Road, Sheffield S8 0XH You may photocopy this page to avoid spoiling the magazine. Winners will be notified in writing, please allow 28 days for the delivery of your prize (for which a signature will be required), which will come direct from the manufacturer. No cash alternative. Competition closes midnight 18/11/2014.

CARP COUTURE COMPETITION ENTRY FORM Crafty Carper Issue 207, November 2014

WIN Quality Carpy Clobber We’ve got a massive amount of clothing to give away to one lucky reader this month. Nearly £400 worth to be precise, so you’ll be dressed head to toe in high-quality carpy clothing for every future session.

Your answer (please tick one) A



Name Postal address

arp Couture are quickly becoming a household name on the banks of fisheries up and down the land, and anglers associate the brand with high-quality garments which are different to the norm and offer

great value for money, whilst not being mass-produced. The fact that the clothing isn’t mass-produced can be seen in the quality of the finish and

HERE’S WHAT YOU WIN: • Bobble Hat – £12.99 • Cheesecutter Flat Cap – £14.99

the fit of each garment. All are 100% cotton and have been handmade. A

• Beanie Hat – £9.99

lot of time and effort looks to have gone into the whole Carp Couture range,

• Baseball Cap – £14.99

with includes the usual hoodies, polo shirts, tee shirts, caps and beanie

• Classic Tee – £14.99

hats – but there’s more. You can also get a Carp Couture Cheesecutter Flat

• Coolite Tee – £14.99

Cap, a Bobble Hat, and our particular favourite, the Snoody. It’s a hoody-

• Classic Polo – £19.99

style with a built-in snood; the snood neck can be worn up or folded down

• Coolite Polo – £19.99

to suit the situation, and when it’s up it doesn’t half keep your neck warm, and it looks cool too. There are also jogging bottoms in the range, as well as combats and combat shorts, which are made from extremely hard-wearing material and are built to last. You won’t find anything in the range of Carp

• Joggers – £29.99

for Carp Couture, from scratch, and to very specific designs. On the Hoody

• Coolite Zipper Hoody – £44.99

and Snoody there’s a nifty little receiver pocket to the right breast, the

• Snoody – £39.99

Carp Couture logo to the left breast, and wording on the left shoulder.

• Coolite Snoody – £39.99

You’ll also like the main pocket on both these items; it’s perfect for those cooler days and nights because the pocket is fur-lined and doesn’t half

or clothing a little larger or smaller than the ones offered on the website, Carp Couture are more than willing to discuss options and possibilities. CC

Mobile Email Daytime delivery address (if different from above)

• Combat Shorts – £34.99 • Hoody – £44.99

M-XXL, although if you have a specific requirement for personalised gear,

Telephone no

• Combat Trousers – £39.99

Couture products anywhere else. It is all bespoke and made specifically

keep your mitts warm, that’s for sure. All products are available in sizes

Postcode

Postcode Tick here if you do not wish to receive further information  from Angling Publications and affiliated companies.

TOTAL

£397.85!!! Crafty Carper

041_CarpC_Comp_CC207.indd 1

41 10/10/2014 16:56

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13/10/2014 13:10 14:49 08/10/2014

ANGLER PROFILE.

Mitch Smith Age 47 Hometown

Southend-on-Sea Occupation

Starbaits marketing and product manager UK personal best

44lb 8oz Favourite venue

Layer Pits Did you know...

Mitch has represented Great Britain in the shot put at European and International level, and was set to compete in the 1986 Commonwealth Games, until a multiple fracture of the spine put an end to his athletics career at just 20 years old.

PASTE BAITS Paste baits are seemingly a thing of the past, so we got Mitch to give them some of the limelight they deserve. They have been the downfall of many a carp in the past, and which carp can resist a high-quality paste bait?

Crafty Carper 043-046_PasteBaits_CC207.indd 1

43 10/10/2014 17:12

Paste Baits revealed Mitch Smith

Matching Boilie Paste ver the years, the use of paste baits has dwindled. With the onset

Because I like to use paste as an extra

of the Method and different ways to use Methods and sticks, many

level of attraction, and also as an anti-

anglers have shied away from a traditional paste bait. Some, like me,

fouling technique around the hook, I

have always gone down the route of using boilie base mix paste as a little

began to look at ways of making my

extra attraction wrapped around the hook, but generally today, paste baits

own. I found it very easy to take a few

are not the vogue. I think that because it’s not the normal five-bait stringer

handfuls of the boilies I was already

or stick mix, etc., the good old paste has become too awkward for anglers to

using and grind them to a fine level,

obtain. Let’s be right, Method mixes and stick mixes are everywhere, but you

and then add an egg to make boilie

won’t see a bucket of paste piled high in the tackle shop – it’s such a shame!

paste which was exactly the same as

It’s the best way to flood an area with attractors that match your feed.

the boilies I was scattering around as hookbaits. After tweaking and playing around with it, it became clear that it was easy to make the paste stand out even more by adding more liquids; because the paste broke down so fast, it left my swim full of attractors and encouraged the carp to look around a bit more, especially in the colder months. Just by mixing boilie crumb with egg and a simple matching glug, I was confident that the carp would search out my hookbait over that of a standard boilie.

All that’s in the paste is the boilies in front of it, and they’ve come straight out of the bag.

Once the mix starts to come together, get your fingers in and knead more boilie crumb into the mix. Look for a consistency like this.

ABOVE Using the Layerz Bloodworm

dip mixed with the Bloodworm Method Mix makes an awesome paste which turns the water blood-red around the hookbait. LEFT Look at the bloodworm that’s in

the dip – where else can you get a paste with this style of enhancer?

Crafty Carper

043-046_PasteBaits_CC207.indd 2

10/10/2014 17:12

Paste Baits revealed Mitch Smith

Mix the ground boilie with the eggs and liquids a little at a time, until it starts to firm up.

You can see here that the ball on the left is smoother than the one on the right. This is down to how long you whisk with a fork. I prefer the smoother mix.

BELOW By scalding pellets with boiling water,

all the gluten in the pellet starts to release. After a few minutes this can be worked into a coarse paste, and the more you whisk it with a fork, the smoother it gets.

Trout Pellet Paste As well as boilie paste, there are so many other items you can turn into a hookbait paste. Trout pellets have to be the UK’s number one feed, and

**TAKE NOTE**

this is due to it being heavily

All pastes don’t need expensive or extraordinary kit to make them; if

used, and ease of use within

you’re making boilie paste, all that’s needed is a method to break down

PVA stockings and solid bags.

the boilies; if it’s pellet paste, you just need a hot kettle. Breaking down

In fairness, it is the easiest to

boilies is a simple procedure, but you must make the crumbed boilie to

convert into a super-

the same consistency, in a relative powdered look – just broken down

malleable paste

chunks will not make a paste. I use either a boilie crusher or an electric

“The pellet is so glutinous that it holds together like a dream”

coffee bean grinder. The latter does the job so well that you can make a super-smooth paste, but obviously you need to do this at home, whereas a crusher means you can make it on the bank.

which will wrap around anything, and the smell it gives off is so carpy, I still believe it to be the best. If it’s

pellet you’re after, you can, if you wish, put them through a hand crusher or through the grinder. This produces a super-smooth powder which can be made into paste with just water. The pellet is so glutinous that it holds together like a dream. In fact, if you are making a boilie paste and it’s not holding too well, add one or two spoonfuls of ground pellet and it will soon roll up into a good paste. Just as a tip, I like ABOVE Any self-respecting carp

BELOW When using a crusher to

and prefer egg as my binder, as

angler should have both of these; a commercial crusher from the angling industry (left) and a high-speed coffee bean grinder (right), great for the job.

grind down boilies, you must keep going. The boilie in this picture is too coarse, but a little longer will make it finer.

I really do think carp like it, and on heavily fished boilie waters they do see a lot of egg. Another super binder, if you’re having a little trouble holding it together, is a product from Sensas called PV1, but go easy with it because use too much and the paste will sit on the lakebed like a

MITCH’S TIP #1 When the mix has to be kneaded by hand, put it in a plastic bag and then you won’t get mucky.

brick for a year. Try to make the paste so it breaks down after a couple of hours, and then all the attraction will leak off and be sitting around the hookbait.

Crafty Carper 043-046_PasteBaits_CC207.indd 3

45 10/10/2014 17:12

Paste Baits revealed Mitch Smith

Alternative Pastes There are loads of great mixes which can double as a paste that you can purchase over the counter

A soft paste like this adds plenty of attraction, and ensures the hookpoint is protected from any lakebed debris.

– Method mixes, stick mixes, and, of course, boilie base mixes. They all make fantastic pastes. I have had excellent success with Starbaits Signal; I use a 50/50 mix, combining Method and stick mixes with an egg and Liquid Liver from the Add It range. I add a spoonful of PV1 and it holds lovely. It leaks off during breakdown in about 1½ hours and protects the hook well in the weed. Another winner from Starbaits is the Layerz Bloodworm; just mixing the Method Mix with the glug creates a remarkable paste that’s full of bloodworm and turns the water red. ABOVE A soft paste like this adds plenty of

In the Starbaits Add It range

attraction, and ensures the hookpoint is protected from any lakebed debris.

there are so many different ingredients you can mix to make paste, and equally, as many liquids to match. If you’re just looking for a simple attractor paste, the easiest to make is equal parts of semolina and soya flour. Add

MITCH’S TIP #2 This is pure liquidised chilli. Mix this with any commercial boilie base mix to create a fiery paste, but remember to wash your hands before touching your body. You have been warned!

RIGHT This mix makes a near-perfect paste for

little bits to float off; it’s Starbaits Hemp Eazi Stick – try mixing this with the Sambal Chilli. BELOW Mixing Marmite with a yeast mix creates a

beautiful paste with so much attraction, but make a little at a time because it soon bubbles up.

Other pastes I’ ve m caught welladae which have re:-

Smooth peanu t butter mixe d with ground pe llet powder. Marmite and Starbaits Tig er Nut Eazi S Tiger Nut Ea tik. zi Stick with a n e g g and some full fat milk po wder and cru m be d Belachan. Liver Eazi Sti ck mix with L iq ui d Liver and pelle t powder. Liquidised swe etcorn with pe llet powder and g round Vitalin. Ground Vitalin with ground O mega Dog food with Probiotic Red Dip.

this to an egg and you get a really nice paste which you can colour and add to with any liquids you feel like. Don’t forget the good old bread paste; carp go absolutely wild for bread, so a bread paste over the hookbait can be just the ticket. If that doesn’t get you all ready for a day with Playdough then nothing will! Don’t miss out – put in the extra effort. CC

(I burst some of these powd ered mixes th the grinder to rough create a smoo ther, finer m ix)

One of the best baits going and

ideal to add to a paste once liquidised – and carp love it!

Crafty Carper

043-046_PasteBaits_CC207.indd 4

10/10/2014 17:13

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10/10/2014 11:04

The Great Crafty Carper Debate.

As winter comes around, how do you adapt your baiting approach for the cold months ahead?

This month’s experts are: Steve Broad is the editor of our sister title Carpworld, and he’s a great person to add to the Crafty debate panel because he’s seen pretty much all you could ever imagine carp-angling-wise – if not done it! Broady loves nothing more than fishing local lakes, but especially fishing over the Channel at Rainbow.

Nick McDonald is the main man behind Ashima and knows how to catch carp. His fishing continues right through the winter months, making him an ideal candidate for this month’s debate topic. Nick can be found angling around some of the stunning venues which the northwest has to offer.

James Conway is a consultant for Bait-Tech and has been carp fishing for over 20 years. He started off in the Lea Valley, and nowadays fishes a little further afield, targeting syndicate waters in the Colne Valley and Bedfordshire. He angles on limited time due to working full-time and having a family.

Iain Macmillan is a carp-catcher of the highest order. He tends to favour a couple of set tactics in which he has extreme confidence, and likes to spend his days on syndicate waters with monster carp or on the banks of some of the busier commercials. Either way, he can’t half catch ’em!

Mitch Smith hails from Essex, and as well as being the UK manager for Starbaits, he also owns a few fisheries in the south. He’s a cracking bloke, and is equally at home using lots of boilies or a variety of particle baits when chasing carp, both in the UK and abroad.

Ellis Brazier can usually be found in the deepest parts of Shropshire, fishing silty meres in the search for big original commons, but he also likes to fish for runs on some of the more commercial waters in the area. He loves particles and he also likes the good old peanut.

Crafty Carper

048-050_Debate_CC207.indd 1

13/10/2014 10:17

The Great Debate

Team Crafty Carper

Steve Broad says: “Through the late autumn and early winter I keep baiting, and probably use more at this time of year than any other. By bait I’m actually referring to boilies, and I like to use very digestible types. I tend to go for ones which I can use all year round so that I don’t have to chop and change. I only start reducing the amount of boilies I feed if the action

Nick McDonald says:

declines drastically. Depending

“Right then, this is a good little question.

on the weather through winter,

I’ve tried a few different tactics, from fishing

it isn’t unusual to get to early

a week’s session to the quick overnighter,

spring before I have to stop

and 90% of the time I use boilies, but one

feeding. My technique is to bait

thing I would say is that I always like to keep

up little and often to keep the

an eye on the weather. If there’s a good

carp eating and active for as

low pressure and rain but it’s not too cold,

long as possible. Interestingly,

then a little trickle of bait on a spot every

on waters that I’m not fishing

so often can pay dividends. One thing I have

regularly, I rely on spod mix to

learned is that as the nights get longer and

attract them, which generally

the days shorter, I always try to find those

comprises finely chopped boilies,

little nooks and crannies where the carp

hemp, small pellets, corn, and

like to hang out. These little spots seem

tuna flakes or sardines in chilli oil.

to work well with a single boilie approach;

This is fed on a little-and-often

I like to prewash my baits for these areas

basis, so I can adapt to how the

too. The areas of the lake which see the

carp are feeding on the day in

sun first seem to work well, and the funny

question. For hookbaits I use

thing is, you can usually set your watch by

either plastic corn or small pop-

the takes, so for me, it’s 100% less bait in

ups with a shot on the Hair.”

the colder months and a well-placed single.”

James Conway says:

any signs of fish should be acted on,

“My baiting approach definitely

which is perfect for the single hi-viz

Iain Macmillan says:

changes once we enter the colder

pop-up approach. Certain colours or

“There’s a myth that you have

months. During the summer, if the

flavours work on different days, but I

to radically change the way you

situation is right, I happily use a lot

don’t think you can go far wrong with

fish and bait through the winter,

of bait. However, once the weather

white, yellow or pink in a fruity, sweet

when, in fact, I’ve found that if

cools and the water temperature

or creamy flavour. The only bait I would

you do ALMOST the same, the

drops, I use much less bait,

happily use in any quantity is maggots.

results can, at times, continue to

sometimes none at all. In the cooler

These really come into their own during

flow. All I tend to do on certain

temperatures, the metabolism of

the colder months, and can often tempt

syndicate waters is slightly reduce

the carp is lower and they become a

a bite when all else fails. Solid bags with

the amount of bait I introduce

lot less active. This means they use

maggots and other small food items,

at the start of a session. Firstly,

less energy and therefore require

such as low-oil carp pellets or crumbed

I am convinced the carp don’t

less food to survive. It also means

birdfood-type boilies, is a great method.

want to eat a large amount, and

that they move around a lot less and

It offers a small attractive parcel of

secondly, because the waters

become more localised to certain

food, which, as with a single pop-up,

are crystal-clear in the winter,

areas of the lake. With this in mind,

can be cast to any signs of carp.”

the birds instantly see the free offerings and cause problems.

warmer months. It’s fair to say that

Let’s be honest here, why change

for 99% of my fishing I use two

your approach for winter? You’re

baits, the classic Monster Tiger

still fishing for the same fish, so

Nut if it’s a nut bait-dominated

presuming they’re not lying up

water, and The Crave if I want to

somewhere, then why the need

use a fishmeal. I have NO issue

to change? It’s the same with the

whatsoever using both these

fishmeal debate; some people

baits during the colder months,

preach that using a fishmeal bait

on exactly the same rigs and hook

in winter is a no-no. I wouldn’t

sizes as I’ve done for the rest

shovel out 10kg of the stuff,

of the year. I believe the reason

but fishmeal baits are far more

that winter fishing can be hard

digestible these days than they

is due to the water temperature

were 20 years ago, so I don’t see

and fish hibernation, not the

the need to not use them – just

fact that our rigs are too bulky,

use in lower volumes than the

and our baits indigestible.”

Crafty Carper 048-050_Debate_CC207.indd 2

49 13/10/2014 10:17

The Great Debate Team Crafty Carper

Mitch Smith says: “If the weather stays warm I keep trickling my usual bait onto my spots – currently it’s Probiotic Red or Spicy Salmon – probably not as much as I do through the autumn, but about half a kilo per spot. As the water temperature drops and the daylight hours become very short, I switch to nice bright overflavoured hookbaits and use my special winter bag mix, either in a solid bag or a mesh stick. I think larger amounts of boilies just sit and rot, whereas a single hookbait can be removed and the contents of the PVA stick will eventually drift away or get eaten by roach. Another big edge I like is to use sweetcorn as a feed, with a plastic corn stack on the Hair. I often add some glug to the corn tin just to give the bait an added kick. I’ve found that if I use a glug like the Probiotic Red One or Signal and add it a few days before, then the sweetcorn behaves better in the PVA. It doesn’t melt as fast, and adding a little salt also helps slow the meltdown. Dust the sweetcorn with a little ground Vitalin, or even a powdered mix such as the Layerz Method Mix. Sweetcorn is a great winter banker.”

Ellis Brazier says:

keeps the fish active. I fully appreciate

“I do most of my carp angling in the

that this method is best practised on

colder months. Getting bitten by

local venues, as travelling to bait up

mosquitoes and midges while sitting by

can be expensive both in time and

a packed lake in the sun has no great

fuel. For me, the winter is a time to

appeal to me at all – give me a cold and quiet venue to bait and

stay close to home. If the venue of choice is a distance away,

fish and I’m in heaven.

which makes baiting a

The colder months are all about regular visits with small amounts of bait, which, for the most part, is a boilie. I try

chore, then I always

“I fully appreciate that this method is best practised on local venues”

to trickle my chosen bait into likely or known winter holding areas at least three to four times a week;

seem to have my best results when angling with maggots and casters. Nature has already established these as a desirable food source in the carp’s mind, so they are

accepted instantly, even in

not many baits, just a handful each

the coldest of weather. Once again,

time. Some anglers think you must be

with these baits, as with any I have

mad walking around a venue with just

used in the cold weather, a little-and-

a few dozen baits, but if you can keep

often approach has undisputedly

this little-and-often approach going for

been the most successful.”

as long as possible in the cold weather, you will reap the rewards, plus you will be constantly in touch with the venue and its inhabitants. Night or day, it doesn’t matter to me, the walk helps keep me active in the cold, and the bait

NEXT MONTH: When choosing a single hookbait, is it all about having visual attraction or is it the smells and flavours which matter for you?. CC

Crafty Carper

048-050_Debate_CC207.indd 3

13/10/2014 10:17

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13/10/2014 14:50

ANGLER PROFILE.

Brandon Butler Age 15 Hometown

Bracknell UK personal best

TRILAKES RED-LETTER DAY

Brandon Butler Young Brandon Butler is this month’s Under-21s writer, and not only has he got a great story to tell about catching lots of fish, they are also absolute stunners.

29lb 10oz

Under-21s

With all my kit loaded onto the

Trilakes Country Park because I

barrow, I rushed down to the snaggy

have been trying to get amongst

area and headed for the Big-fish

1 The ghostie at 20lb 12oz.

mirror at 17lb 1oz.

3 A lovely upper-double

Swim. The wind was pushing into the

seen there. The weather was spot on,

area and there was no one on the lake

with low pressure and overcast with

at all, so it looked like I had the place

westerly winds, and I knew before I

to myself for the night. I knew this

got there that this would push the

swim and the spots to fish extremely

23lb 8oz – stunning!

carp down to the snags area; they

well; they were clean hard areas of

6 Another mint common.

would be holding up in groups in part

light gravel, with depths ranging from

of the lake called the Big-fish Swim.

4-7ft of water. I decided to set up and

I have had some great results from

take a look around the small channels

2 A proper old Trilakes

the bigger residents which I have

common at 17lb 4oz.

4 Some of the components

of my Hinged Stiff Rig.

5 This dark common went

act like a motorway for carp traffic.

this area of the lake, but as we all

between the mass of dotted islands.

know, the weather plays a big part in

I took about a kilo of ABS Ninja in

presentation, using an 18mm bottom

carp fishing. When I arrived in the car

14mm to loose-feed two spots which

bait with a 14mm pop-up, and I

park, I had about half an hour to get

had produced well for me in the past.

made sure I took the time to get the

into the park because it closes around

When I got back to my swim I hadn’t

hookbait balanced perfectly. The

6.00 p.m. There were several people

seen anything, but that wasn’t to say

hooklink was approximately 7ins long,

leaving the venue, who had been

there weren’t any fish in front of me. I

which was tied using 20lb Trickster

fishing throughout the day, and after

knew they patrolled regularly through

Heavy in Camo-Brown, which sinks

chatting to a couple they told me they

the island channels and I

had only managed to catch a few low-

have had some big hits

doubles, and this was with

from there. Often

them stalking around the main lake.

52 052-055_Under21s_CC207.indd 1

decided on a 48hr-session at

these channels

I decided on a Snowman

like a brick and blends in perfectly with the bottom. On the

“The weather was spot on, with low pressure and overcast with westerly winds, and I knew before I got there that this would push the carp down to the snags area”

business end I chose a Size

Crafty Carper 10/10/2014 17:08

Crafty Carper Under-21s

6 Covert Mugga, as I have

had seen fish feeding hard on this

found this pattern to be

particular area, maybe because of

one of the strongest and

the bloodworm larvae. I opted for

sharpest hooks on the

a Stiff Hinged Rig, with the hinge

market. The rig was very

being only an inch off the bottom,

simple, just how I like my fishing;

using 15lb Trip Wire tied to a boom

the simpler it is, the less that can go

section of 20lb Trick Link and a Size

wrong. I used a 2oz lead Helicopter-

6 Covert Incizor. After several casts

style with a small anti-tangle sleeve

to get it exactly on the spot, I was

just to kick it out and sit

happy with my second trap.

exactly how I wanted. As I cast out my first rod of the session at about 25 yards’ range, I felt it hit the bottom with a thud. I locked the clutch down and was ready – my first trap

As the sun started to

“...the tip bent round as I struck into it and felt the connection of the fish”

had been set. I had made sure that everything

go down, my righthand rod sprang into action. The bobbin hit the underside of the rod and the tip bent round as I struck into it and felt the connection of the fish. After a good battle, I had a

lovely upper-double common

had been set correctly, and the

on the mat. One of the reasons

angle of rod and line was spot on. I

why I love this lake is because

have seen a lot of people fishing in

nearly every carp is a beauty.

these areas and not using the right

Sometimes it’s not all about the

approach or tackle that’s needed.

size, more about the quality.

I decided on a slightly different

I got my rod back out and scattered

approach for my second rod, purely

another 30-50 boilies over the spot,

because I wanted to fish tight to

and watched and waited, but after

the other channel amongst a maze

several hours I hadn’t seen or heard

of islands. One particular area

anything. I was beginning to think I

took my fancy, which was a silt

was in the wrong swim, and I

pocket just off an area of gravel. I

also questioned my approach

Crafty Carper 052-055_Under21s_CC207.indd 2

53 10/10/2014 17:09

and tactics. The night passed without a single bleep, which was worrying

7 & 8 I couldn’t believe how many fish I’d managed to catch on this session!

considering I was fishing tight lines, I watched the sunrise and decided to see the day out. I had another night and felt maybe a move would

swim. It got me thinking that maybe

be good if I hadn’t had anything

they were holding up behind the

throughout the day. I walked up to

islands and had decided to move

my rod on the left-hand buzzer because I was

into open water during the daylight hours. I had fish

going to reel in and check everything was OK, when I noticed a lot of bubbling and fizzing right on the spot I was fishing. As I looked down at my

showing all over my

“...my confidence started to grow, and there seemed to be a lot more movement and signs of fish showing in the swim”

rod, the bobbin dropped to the floor and the water exploded! I

spots, so I decided to get more bait out before recasting, as I didn’t want them feeding and moving on. I put about half a kilo on the spot from where I

had taken the mirror and then recast. As I reset

20, and I wasn’t disappointed when

this swim, which included three 20s.

the scales read 20lb 12oz. As soon

By the afternoon it had gone quiet

as I returned her, my remaining rod in

and I noticed the carp start to head

the water let off a single bleep and

out to the open-water area. I made

then went into meltdown – the place

a quick decision to follow the fish

lifted into the fish and after a good

the clutch and locked everything

had come alive! It felt like another

and set up in a swim which covered

fight slid my net under a beautiful

down, my right-hand rod tore off,

good carp, and hit the surface early

them. The night passed quietly,

old mirror carp. I was buzzing

and after pulling into it I knew this

into the fight. I soon had her in the

although I did manage another

because the mirrors are few and

was a bigger fish. It tried its best to

net, and as I lifted it up to take a

common, which tipped the scales at

far between in this lake, and those

get around the back of the channel,

look, I was greeted by the sight of a

23lb. I was over the moon, and still

which are there are prized originals.

but after a lengthy battle I felt I

beautiful dark common, which tipped

had a couple of hours left before I

was starting to get the upper hand.

the scales at 23lb 8oz. I had tallied

had to pack up and get my lift home.

mirror (another upper-double), my

I dropped my net into the water,

two 20s in a matter of minutes,

All the effort had paid off, and I

confidence started to grow, and there

and she raised her head and I slid a

and the day had only just begun!

certainly had a real red-letter day.

seemed to be a lot more movement

lovely-looking ghostie over the net

and signs of fish showing in the

cord. It looked like it might scrape

After weighing the lovely old

I continued with the same tactics and landed 10 carp up to 23lb+ from

Brandon Butler.

Crafty Carper

052-055_Under21s_CC207.indd 3

10/10/2014 17:09

Crafty Carper Under-21s

ANGLER PROFILE.

Michael Bamber Age 16 Hometown

Preston UK personal best

36lb

MICHAEL BAMBER’S BLOG With the first proper instalment of his monthly blog, Michael heads back down to Oxlease in the hope of recreating his epic BYCAC win just 6 weeks prior. Does he hit the jackpot once again?

ello Crafty readers, this

lost it, I would have said it was a

month has been fairly busy

big ’un. However, it weighed in at

for me. I’ve started college

21lb 8oz. It wasn’t the target fish

1 This linear was just what I needed, and I was more than happy to get it in the net after a proper scrap. 2 After blanking on Oxlease, slipping the

so I’ve not had as much time as I

I was after, but it turned out to be

would have liked to try to nick a

one of the stunning linears which

couple of sessions in my spare time.

I was eager to catch. The same rig

However, I couldn’t disappoint you

always seems to work for me on this

all, and this is what happened.

water. It was an IQ and Supernatural

next afternoon, a peg down the far

combi-rig, fished with a 15mm boilie

end became free and I didn’t hesitate.

and piece of white plastic corn.

With the wind hacking down that end

After the exciting end to the BYCAC event in August, it was time to head down to a local water with my brother,

A couple of weeks later I decided

net under this local 25lb mirror got my confidence growing again.

and fish crashing all over the place, it

Chris, for a quick 24-hour session;

to get on the bank again, but this

there is always a little rivalry between

time I headed down to Oxlease on

us to see which one of us comes out

Linear Fisheries to try to recreate the

got the rods out and set up, the

on top. He chose to fish in one of the

memories of winning the BYCAC. After

wind drastically changed from a

bays, and I opted to fish near the

talking to anglers and the bailiff on

northeasterly to a southwesterly.

islands, so I could hopefully pick off

Oxlease, it seemed there weren’t a

It was a new wind so the fish were

fish as they patrolled around them. My

lot of fish coming out. The gallons of

bound to follow it. Two new anglers

approach was a boilie application – I

bait going in from the BYCAC seemed

moved into our previous pegs, so Chris

spread boilies between the islands

to have slowed the action down

and I were forced to stay put because

and put two rods on the baited area.

dramatically. Like most commercial

no other pegs were free. Hours passed

I used a throwing stick to scatter

waters at the weekend, it was heaving.

and still nothing – it seemed like a

the boilies, and aimed to leave a

There were two swims on the far

totally new lake to the previous month.

foot or two between each bait.

bank which were free, so we

was a no-brainer, and I opted to move. It was just my luck that after I

Spombing and working the swim didn’t

In essence, I was keeping the

dropped in there. I chose to

carp moving for more boilies.

do exactly the same as I

a shame to leave the lake after not

At 1.30 in the morning I

did in the BYCAC event,

catching, but it was time to move on.

was abruptly awoken by a screaming run which almost took my rod into the water. It was a dogged fight, and if I’d have

which was 5-6 weeks before, but nothing was working. No one seemed to be catching; hours passed and there was no action. The

help at all. Nothing was working. It was

After blanking on Oxlease, it was time to get back on the bank and do a quick day session to get the confidence growing again. The water was only about an acre or perhaps 2, but with carp pushing 30lb and loads

of features to go at, I had to give it a go to see what would happen. An overhanging tree seemed to be heaving with carp, so that was my starting point. I managed to nick out a 25lb mirror a couple of hours before darkness fell, which was a success for me and a lovely end to the day. I hope you all enjoyed reading this month’s blog, and you’ll hear more from me next time. Put in the hard work and you will be rewarded. CC

Crafty Carper 052-055_Under21s_CC207.indd 4

55 10/10/2014 17:10

OUT NOW Every Bit of Blue

The debut book from Frank Warwick “Back in the early days of what has become the prolific carp scene of today, carp waters were few and far between, and ‘every bit of blue’ on the Ordnance Survey maps used to be explored to see if there were carp in that particular bit of blue. It was a time when a rig meant free-lining or ledgering, and baits were as big a mystery as the location of waters containing carp. Frank has lived through, and fished through, all those formative years, and has contributed handsomely to the development and refinement of carp-catching methods and baits. He’s enjoyed more than his share of success, home and abroad, along the way, and in this long overdue first book Frank relives some of the highlights of his 40+ years of carp fishing. It’s been an unmissable journey. for him.”

Frank Warwick

ORD ONLIN ER E OR PHONE BY

AVA I L A B L E F R O M

Fifty limited edition leatherbound copies available. To register your interest call: 0114 258 0812 (Option 1) www.thecarpstore.com 0114 258 0812 W W W. T H E C A R P S T O R E . C O M

EveryBitOfBlue_A4.indd 1

10/10/2014 11:17

CARP FOOD

This month I’ve been lucky enough to get an exclusive ﬁrst look at the new range from the guys at Richworth which is set to hit the shelves very soon. The results so far have been outstanding and the new range is sure to be a winner. You can always trust the guys at Richworth when it comes to quality.

CRAFTY CARPER EDITOR'S CHOICE

totally different areas of the lake. In a

Richworth Type-R Bait Range

mad 6 hours, Pete Wilson put his name

Expect to pay: under £10 per kilo!

James Anthony also slid the net under

OPEN HERE

THIRTY YEARS PERFECTING EXCELLENT RESULTS

OPEN HERE

on a 37lb common and Jack Murray caught the Small Plated at 41lb, while a 30, this time a mirror, not to mention the fact that a few doubles were also

richworth are the original boilie

taken by the lads. This is top bombing

boys, and with a new range hitting

by anyone’s standards. To catch them

the tackle shops very soon, I’m

all during one short session on bait

really looking forward to trying

they were testing is incredible, and

these out over the coming months.

excites me and the team here at

Looking at the results during

Crafty even more as we await the

testing, the Type-r bait range is

release of the four different flavours.

set to make a big impact, and if it

Not only are these baits going to

gets anywhere near the success

be catching plenty of fish from far

that has been enjoyed by users of

and wide, they are also going to be

S-Core, then it’s a sure-fire winner.

even more affordable. The guys at

The Type-r also goes by the name

richworth have priced them more

of rapid response, and it

appropriately at under £10 per kilo.

seems to be living up

Although the price has been dropped

to its name; three

in comparison to the original boilie

richworth anglers

ranges, richworth have assured me

used the Type-r

nothing has been compromised with

range on St Johns

regard to the quality of ingredients.

at Linear

The range is set to consist

Fisheries,

of four unique high-leakage

in three

flavours, in 14mm and 18mm boilies, 4 and 8mm pellets, a stick-mix/ groundbait, 14mm popups, and rapid response boilie dips.

richworth consultant Jack murray with the small plated at 41lb, pete wilson with a 37lb 2oz common, and James Anthony with a 30lb mirror. All the ﬁsh were caught recently during a hectic 6 hours on st John’s whilst testing the bait.

"Richworth have assured me nothing has been compromised with regard to the quality of ingredients"

Crafty Carper 057-060_CarpFood_CC207.indd 1

57 13/10/2014 09:22

Carp Food

Team Crafty Carper

QUICK BITeS

1. Richworth S-Core SweetPlex and Pop-ups

2. Mainline Baits Profile Plus

3. Mistral Baits Strawberry Split Pop-ups

rrp: from £6.75 per 60ml

rrp: £5.99 per pot

rrp: sweet-plex £7.99; pop-ups £5.95 per pot

online: mainline-baits.com

online: mistralbaits.co.uk

online: richworthbaits.co.uk

Profile Plus flavours are highly concentrated and

Just like the actual shelf life boilies available in the

S-Core is without doubt one of the bait

are of the highest quality. Only a little of the

bag, these pots of pop-ups come with both red and

wonders of the angling world, and so you really

flavour is needed in a mix because it is so potent,

white offerings in the brilliantly pungent and sweet-

shouldn’t be without at least a tub of pop-

yet highly soluble in all temperatures. There are

smelling strawberry flavour. If you’re looking for a

ups in your bag all year round. Go one step

14 flavours available, including Clockwork Orange,

fruity hookbait for winter, then look no further.

further and give them a boost with the potent

Juicy Fruit, Condensed Milk, and much more.

Sweet-Plex and you won’t go far wrong.

4. Starbaits Preparation X Giant Corn

5. Solar Chilli Club

6. Rod Hutchinson Fruit Frenzy Legend Spray

rrp: £9.99 per 1ltr jar; £17.99 per 2ltr jar

rrp: £10.99 per 1kg bag

rrp: £9.99 per bottle

online: starbaits.co.uk

online: solar24-7.co.uk

online: rodhutchinson.co.uk

This particle comes ready-prepared and is ideal

The original Club Mix was a massive success,

ramp up the attraction of anything you are

for adding to a spod mix, plus a few can be saved

and now with a few tweaks and some added

going to put out there. Give the hookbaits

to use as hookbaits. We all know that carp love

chilli and spice, it has been revamped and

a fruity blast, spray it into a stick and bag

corn and it can be a massive winner in winter, so

tested, with some amazing results to show

mix – some anglers even use it to spray

try fishing a baited area of standard corn with a

for it. Solar have long been making top-quality

their leads and rigs for added attraction. Its

single or even a stack of Giant Corn on the Hair.

bait, but their best has just got better.

massively fruity appeal screams bite!

Crafty Carper

057-060_CarpFood_CC207.indd 2

13/10/2014 09:23

Carp Food

Team Crafty Carper

7. Enterprise Tackle Pastemate

8. RG Baits 365 enhanced Hookers

9. E-S-P eucalyptus Cream Pop-ups

rrp: £1.80 per pack of 10

rrp: £5.45 per pot

rrp: 12mm £4.45; 15mm £4.95 per pot

online: enterprisetackle.co.uk

online: rgbaits.co.uk

online: esp-carpgear.com

If you’re looking to fish with a paste bait over

The enhanced Hookers feature the exact same

This is sure to be a winter winner. The first smell

the coming months, you will already know that

attractors as the standard 365 boilies, with

you get reminds you of chest rub, but when it

it can be a pain to present. With the Pastemate

the only difference being an increased level

comes to winter angling, eucalyptus essential

you won’t have that problem. Simply take the

of the liquid blend to give optimum leakage.

oil is a must. These pop-ups have the great

hookpoint through the stem and mould the

The 365 has been designed to perform all year

smell of eucalyptus, which is nicely rounded

paste around the body of the Pastemate. No

round, so get a pot and up your chances.

off with soft creamy undertones – very nice.

10. Sticky Baits The Krill Active Mix

11. Hinders ready Prepared Sweet Tigers

12. Papa’s Pop-ups Zukes

rrp: £4.99 for 900g; £12.50 for 2.5kg

rrp: £5.99

rrp: £6 per tub

online: stickybaits.com

online: hinders.co.uk

online: website currently under development

This is perfect for binding a spod mix, or is more

Tiger nuts are a massive edge on many waters,

These are highly attractive, smell awesome, are

commonly used as a cracking bag or stick mix. The

even just as a single hookbait. With this offering

amazingly well rolled, and are made right here in

active mix is just that – active! Once in the water it

from Hinders, there are enough nuts to last a while,

the UK. These pop-ups actually ooze the attraction

reacts brilliantly, sending off bits of the mix into the

as you can simply add half a dozen to a mesh bag

they are stuffed with, not only by the smell in the

water column. It’s hugely attractive and full of high-

and fish with one on the Hair. They are PVA-friendly

water, but also visually, with a radio-active-looking

quality ingredients, perfect for setting small traps.

and have been boosted with the amazing Betalin.

fluoro green leaking from each bait once submersed.

need to use a Hair at all – it’s very simple.

Crafty Carper 057-060_CarpFood_CC207.indd 3

59 13/10/2014 09:24

Carp Food

Team Crafty Carper

Midwater Attraction As bites become harder to come by, it pays to feed the entire water column and try to fish throughout the layers until you find exactly where the fish are most comfortable in feeding.

So, to create this mix, start by

or spodded over your chosen area

grabbing an empty bottle. Pour in a

at a rate of roughly one Spomb/

good helping of the powder and add

spod every half hour. It’s good to

around a pint of lake water. Then give

point out here that this is a method

the whole lot a good mix-up until all

where you don’t really sit down

the powder has more or less dissolved

much. You must keep the bait going

into a solution. Next, take the Goo and

in constantly, so it will also keep you warm on a chilly yet bright day.

ishing up in the water has

fact, all the colder months, will see no

add a good helping of it until you notice

always been something

exception for carp to be found in the

the colour of the water start to change.

which has kept me thinking,

upper layers on bright sunny days. Over

This signifies that it has mixed properly

and over the years I’ve had many

the last few months I’ve been messing

and is ready for pouring over the pellet

a successful session by swapping

around with some excellent additions

mix. I suppose it’s fair to say you could

All the best,

my bottom baits to fish midwater

for a highly attractive mix, which not

use this for any Zig or Method mix, but

JT. CC

and almost surface-fished baits.

only produces a nice cloud in the upper

I’ve found it works brilliantly with

This method can, and often will,

layers but also leaves feed on the

an assortment of mixed pellets.

turn a somewhat slow day session

bottom. V-Cloud from Velocity Baits

into one to remember, as we often

comes in five flavours and colours. Here

pellets (at this time of year

learn by our mistakes. When float

I’m using the brightly-coloured yellow

you don’t need to go mad)

fishing, we generally start off

Creamz, which has a lovely sweet smell

and place them in a bucket.

over-depth, and throughout the

to it. The powders have been designed

Pour the liquid over the

day adjust accordingly until we find

to create an extensive cloud without

pellets (liberally)

the correct level at which the fish

any actual food content. As well as

until they are all

are feeding. Usually, especially on

this, I’ve been using some of the latest

covered, and

warmer sunny days, carp will be

Goo in the Squid Supreme flavour. It

leave them to

found in the upper layers, so it’s

has a pungent but sweet aroma and

soak until you

obvious that we should be venturing

adds another excellent dimension to

notice the pellets start

higher with our baits in this case.

the mix; its amazing cloud effect only

to soften. The mix is

October through to January, and in

helps to prolong the whole reaction.

now ready to be Spombed

I hope it becomes as effective for you as it has for me.

Take a good few handfuls of

A lovely Zig-caught lump for me.

How To: Give Your Hookbait Added Attraction

Perfect for the job.

Next, add the Goo and shake well.

Add some V-Cloud to an empty bottle…

Add the liquid until the pellet is covered and then leave to soak.

…followed by some lake water.

Spomb out small amounts at regular intervals.

Crafty Carper

057-060_CarpFood_CC207.indd 4

13/10/2014 09:24

In Focus CCMoore

and because

“...Equinox also contains fruit extracts, yeasts and other natural feeding triggers which create the unique spiced fruit aroma”

include milk,

CC MOORE EQUINOX BAIT RANGE

of this the

that people up and down the land

to create an incredibly attractive

ONLINE: ccmoore.co.uk

have been sharing the same success

food source for all seasons.

as the CC Moore-backed anglers did

Alongside the highly nutritious

pre-release. The results have been

base, Equinox also contains fruit

nothing short of phenomenal!

extracts, yeasts and other natural

CC Moore are equally as

feeding triggers which create the

RRP:

£various

This month we take a closer look at one of the newest arrivals in the CC Moore bait range, and as expected, it has been catching fish galore since its release. Roll out the Equinox!

anticipation for the release to the general public was huge. Since the

release of Equinox, it seems

fish, vegetable and egg products, as well

as carbohydrates, spices and the eversuccessful Haith’s Robin Red®

impressed, as are the guys who

unique spiced fruit aroma. Once

have been testing it after over 15

you’ve had a sniff you’ll know that

months of product development,

the fish will love it just as much

I don’t think I’ve seen social media

to promote the fact that they have

fieldtesting trials and some fine-

as you; you won’t be able to stop

promotion go crazy until the CC

really been having it away whilst

tuning. It has been tested by over

going back for another sniff!

Moore anglers started using the

putting the bait range to the test. It

100 hand-picked anglers in 20

new Equinox. Every other day there

seems there have been an amazing

countries over three continents –

as well as the usual shelf life and

have been tweets or Facebook posts

number of captures on the bait,

now that’s extensive! Equinox has

fresh frozen boilies, including paste,

been designed to be an instantly

dips, liquid additives, glugged

attractive food source boilie, and it

hookbaits, standard pop-ups, cork

has proven to be effective all year

ball pop-ups and cork dust wafters.

round. As ever with any bait from

There’s plenty to go at, that’s for

the CC Moore stable, it is made from

sure, and it will definitely keep

high-quality ingredients, which

you catching all year round. CC

There’s a full range available

Crafty Carper

061_CF-Special-CCmore_CC207.indd 1

09/10/2014 16:33

Giving you something… To sleep on The Rod Hutchinson brand was established in 1980 with the introduction of the ever-popular Dream Maker carp rods, Cabrio bivvy and Big Kipper bedchair. More than 30 years on, carp fishing has changed dramatically and so has the tackle. Take a look at what the company has to offer carp fishermen in 2014.

PART 1

BEDCHAIRS

ur range of Big Kipper bedchairs have been designed to specifically combine comfort and practicality.When we set out to create the product brief, we felt that, first and foremost, the bedchair had to be comfortable, considering the amount of hours that many anglers spend sleeping on theirs. We identified that one of the major causes of discomfort was the fact that most mattresses tended to sink far too much in the middle, providing very little support for your back as well as making it very difficult to get out of at times, almost forcing you to roll out rather than simply swinging your legs to one side and standing up. We considered a number of solutions to address this problem, but in the end the most effective was to actually remove the elastics from the centre part of the mattress, opting instead to let the padding provide the comfort without allowing the mattress to sink below the frame.To do this, we combined 50mm standard and memory foams into our

mattress to create a perfect combination of comfort while providing enough body to help the cover maintain its shape. We then turned our attentions to the frame. For this we considered that strength was the key factor so we chose to use steel as opposed to the lighter, but far weaker, aluminium options.After all, with the times changing, weight has become far less of an issue, with more fisheries improving access to their swims by car or with the explosion in popularity of the carp barrow; a fact that means that very few people ever carry a bedchair anywhere nowadays! Next to go were the cams.Again bedchair design has changed rapidly over the past few years, with increasing numbers of anglers now actually focusing on their bedchair as somewhere to sleep, which is why comfort is paramount.Therefore, both our Big Kipper lay flat bedchairs are what is considered a lay-flat design, where the rear legs can be extended should you feel

the need to raise the head section slightly. Its four-leg design creates the ultimate in stability and the one-touch leg adjusters make levelling the chair a breeze. Available in two widths, the standard Big Kipper features a 72cm-wide frame with a 82cm mattress, while the Big Kipper XL boasts a whopping 86cm-wide frame with a 94cm mattress. Both are finished with our durable, hard-wearing, matt-green, powder-coated finish. To complete the range of bedchairs we came up with the sleep system.This comprises the Big Kipper XL bedchair along with our Extreme 5 sleeping bag, which zips directly onto the mattress of the bed, allowing the bag to remain attached. Large twin-hinged folding brackets enable the sleeping bag to be left folded inside the chair making it simple to pack up/move, creating the ultimate sleeping combination for all-year-round use.

Big Kipper

Bedchair design has moved on in recent years, with the market trend now being for beds to be much flatter than they were previously.As a result, the new Rod Hutchinson bedchair rangee reflects this.The first in the lineup is the Big Kipper. Measuring 82 centimetres wide by 200 long, it’s an ample size as well as being designed for comfort and ease of use.

RRP: £149.90

VISIT THE WEBSITE TO SEE OUR FULL RANGE

www.rodhutchinson.co.uk 

p_TC_10_Rod Hutchinson.indd 1 ad template.indd 1



05/09/2014 13/10/2014 13:36 14:54

Rod Hutchinson Advertorial

Sleep System

This kit combines the Rod Hutchinson Extreme 5 sleeping bag with the Big Kipper XL bedchair to create the ultimate sleeping combination year round.The system means that the sleeping bag zips directly to the bedchair mattress and offers comfort and incredible ease of use.

RRP: £399.90

Big Kipper XL

The Big Kipper XL is a larger model of the original, at 94 centimetres wide by 217 long, and is designed to provide the most comfortable sleeping position possible.The extra width makes a big difference and it also features a memory-foam mattress to adjust to the user’s body shape for increased comfort.

RRP: £199.90

Key features of the Big Kipper Bedchairs • Eight-leg design providing high stability and strength • Large twin-hinged folding brackets enable sleeping bag to be left folded inside the chair when packing up • Detachable fleece-covered 50mm foam mattress • Durable and hard-wearing 600-denier polyester outer cover fabric • Hard-wearing textured green powder-coated finish • Elasticated foot and header sections • Fully adjustable legs with swivel mudfeet • Webbing strap and buckle to keep bedchair closed during transit • Elasticated pillow-retaining straps

Rod Hutchinson fishing tackle – coming to a shop near you November 2014 p_TC_10_Rod Hutchinson.indd 2 ad template.indd 1

05/09/2014 13/10/2014 13:36 14:54

CHAIRS

ur range of chairs comprises ses two models.The Lounger g is intended as a day chair. With itss higher back and padded lumber support, the seat cover iiss filled with high-density foam covered in a hard-wearing 600-denier denier polyester and peach-skin fabrics. Featuring a rear frame adjuster, djusterr, the back can be reclined to allow you to move the frame into nto on one ne of three positions, allowing you to sit with the rear frame in an n alm almost ost upright position, relax with it in the second setting or take ke a nap n when it’s fully reclined. Leg adjustment couldn’t be simpler pler wit with th our one-touch legadjustment mechanism, while the he legss feature our large, fully adjustable swivel mudfe mudfeet. eet. Supplied with two webbing straps ps to en ensure nsure the chair remains closed while you’re ou’re c carrying it, it’s finished off in the same durable able h hardardwearing, matt-green, powder-coated ated fin finish nish as our bedchairs.The Lounger chair hair represents exceptional value for mone money! ey! The second model in our range ge is our Guest Chair.This was designed ed as a lightweight chair for short-session fishing, n fishin ng, the roving angler and as the perfect rfect ‘occasional’ chair for sitting outside your de yo ur bivvy or for when you have friends ds call round! Incorporating the same hardwearing 600-denier polyester/peacheachskin combination cover, its matt-green, green, powder-coated steel frame provides d des the increased strength required to withstand the constant jumping in and out of a chair while fishing.

Guest Chair Gues G

Lightwe Lightweight and comfortable, this is the pperfect cchair for either short sessions oor as an occasional guest chair when friends fr riends ccome to call at your swim. Its rear-frame angle has been set fifixed xed rea for maximum comfort, while the arms fo or maxi make it easy to get in and out of. m Features K Feat Key Compact low chair • Comp Comfort arm rests • Comfo Padded foam mattress • Padde • Durable Durab and hard-wearing, 600-denier polyester outer cover fabric with polyes peach-skin seat peach Hard-wearing, textured, green, • Hard-w powder-coated finish powde fully adjustable legs with • Four fu swivel mudfeet • Steel fframe for increased strength

RRP: £39.90 R

Lounger Chair

Combining comfort with functionality, the Lounger ger chair features a pair of moulded clips on the rear of the frame, allowing it to be set at three preset angles, removing the need for awkward cams.With arms for added comfort, this chair offers the excellent cellent head and back support required for long periods of sitting. g. Key Features • Three-position adjustable rear frame for sitting, g, relaxing or even sleeping • High back design provides excellent lumbar support • Leg design creates high stability and strengthh • Comfort armrests • High-density padded foam mattress • Durable and hard-wearing, 600-denier polyester ster outer cover fabric with peach-skin seat • Hard-wearing, textured, green, powder-coatedd finish • Steel frame for increased strength • Four fully adjustable legs with swivel mudfeett • Webbing strap and buckle to keep chair closed ed during transit

RRP: £59.90

VISIT SIT THE WEBSITE TO SEE OUR FULL RANGE

www.rodhutchinson.co.uk 

p_TC_10_Rod Hutchinson.indd 3 ad template.indd 1

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05/09/2014 13/10/2014 13:37 14:55

Rod Hutchinson Advertorial

CLIMATE COVERS & SLEEPING BAGS

hen we started looking at sleeping bags, it soon became apparent that most, no matter what they claimed, simply weren’t warm enough.Therefore, when the specification was laid down for our Extreme 5 XL, we made sure that it would keep you snug and warm, no matter how harsh the weather, to ensure that the ever-increasing number of anglers who now fish throughout winter can be safe in the knowledge that cold will never be a factor again. The outer shell is produced from fully breathable/waterproof polyester, ensuring you remain warm and dry even if the atmosphere is damp, while the inner contains a silicone-treated, 100 per cent polyester, hollow-fibre filling. Split into two sections, the main bag, or outer, contains 30 per cent and the removable inner boasts the remaining 70 per cent. In addition to being fully removable, the inner is also reversible, allowing the angler to choose between having a fleece-to-fleece or peach-skin-to-peach-skin lining, depending on their preference.The main/outer bag, as it will be used during the warmer months of late spring, summer and early autumn, is lined with peach skin on both h halves to help keep you from sweating and to ensure

that the bag doesn’t cling to you as you move around. Featuring heavy-duty crash zips that ensure you can burst out of the bag in a hurry when the occasion calls for it, they are protected by generous padded baffles to prevent any heat loss through them.The Extreme 5 is fitted with pockets at the top and bottom that fit over the bedchair and secure around the leg frames to hold the sleeping bag firmly in place. A webbing strap with 50mm buckle then secures around the centre of the bedchair for added securing. Designed to fit our Big Kipper XL bedchair, this wider sleeping bag is supplied in a 600-denier carry bag and all the zips feature our ‘Hutchie Green’ stirrup-style zip pullers, making it easier to close the zips when you’re inside the bag. Also available in the Rod Hutchinson range is the double-faced Sleepeaze pillow, which is designed with peach skin on one side, which is ideal for those hot summer nights, and a warm fleece lining on the other to suit the cold winter months.The pillow itself includes a hollow-fill fibre to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep and comes elastic loops that will secure to both the Big Kipper with toggle and e bedchair and the XL version.

Extreme 5 XL Sleeping Bag

Billed as the ultimate in sleeping bags, this is perfect for fishing on those hot and humid nights right through the harshest of winter conditions when temperatures get down as low as minus 10°C.You can be certain that the Extreme 5 will keep you at a comfortable temperature, whatever the season.

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All Season Sleeping Bag

As the name suggests, this bag has been designed esigned to cope with the varied weather conditions of spring right through to winter.While not designed to cope with very ery extreme temperatures, it’s more than a match for when en temperatures drop down to freezing.

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Climate Cover

This is the perfect solution for those short sessions or summer evenings.The climate cover is totally waterproof so it allows you to fish under the stars without a bivvy, safe in the knowledge that you’ll remain dry from overnight rain or morning dew.

RRP: £69.90

Pillow

Designed with dual surfaces ess to suit anglers’ preferencess – one side is made from a smooth peach skin, while th thee other is made from fleece.

RRP: £18.90

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05/09/2014 13/10/2014 13:37 14:56

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13/10/2014 13:24 14:56 06/03/2014

L E E

ANGLER PROFILE.

Lee Collings Age 39 Hometown

Wolverhampton Occupation

Retailer UK personal best

48lb Favourite venue

Elstow Did You Know

Lee once tried to gain sponsorship with McDonalds.

C O L L I N G S

WHEN IT ALL COMES RIGHT With the film cameras rolling, Lee feels the pressure at the start of the session while fishing at St. Johns on the Linear Fisheries complex. Things are looking bleak with catfish on the munch, but in a mad spell it all comes good and his plan pays off.

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When It All Comes Right Lee Collings

ecently I was asked to do a bit of filming on the Linear Fisheries complex in Oxford

for Phat Fish Clothing. Not one for shying away from the camera, I agreed to do it, even though I knew I would be putting myself under more pressure than normal to catch. The plan was to fish Oxlease; I know

RIGHT All being well, this approach would definitely fool a few fish. BELOW RIGHT What carp could refuse this

offering? I just couldn’t believe they were rooting that hard, and they were managing to mask my rig with the uprooted weed. BOTTOM Topping up the bait was

essential after every fish.

on Zigs or the surface, but in for a penny, in for a pound!

a few of the lads who fished the BYCAC

I set out early to get to St Johns

and they were catching a lot using large

for when the gates opened, but I got

quantities of maggots, anything up

stuck in traffic because there was an accident on the M42, which

to 15 or 20 gallons, and either fishing Zigs or

added another hour to

on the deck. Straight

my journey – not an ideal start to the

away I ordered my bait from Fosters of Birmingham to make sure I could get a load of maggots – 20

“ IT COST ME A SMALL FORTUNE, BUT I’M NOT THE KIND OF PERSON WHO DOES THINGS BY HALVES”

gallons to be precise, and 10 gallons of casters. Before anybody says it’s OK for me because I get free bait,

session. After a quick walk around St Johns, it was clear the lake had been fishing slow because of the high pressure, with only a few fish being

caught. However, it seemed the catfish were more active than

I had to pay for all my maggots and

the carp; one of my mates, Chris Lowe,

casters and it cost me a small fortune,

had caught three cats to 41lb, but it

but I’m not the kind of person who

was evident that the fish had moved

does things by halves. Just a couple

from the main area of the lake down into

of days before filming, the venue was

the shallows, which wasn’t surprising

changed to St Johns because Oxlease

because the weather was warming up.

was too busy, but I was happy with

The only swim free in that area of the

the choice of St Johns because I had

lake was on the end of The Social Bank

fished it a few times in the past.

opposite Kempy’s Point. I could see it

The weather forecast for the trip

was fairly weedy with the

wasn’t great, with high pressure

amount that was on the

and temperatures averaging

surface, but there were a

20°C for the duration of

few fish in the area, so that

the trip. It wasn’t ideal

was good enough for me.

when I’d bought a quantity of maggots and casters and

After a quick flick about with the marker, the only clearish area I could find was about 40 yards out and 6ft deep. It looked like a good

wanted to

interception point. If the fish

be fishing on the deck rather than

moved either out of the bay or into the bay they would come across my baited area. So, with the weed in mind, I opted to lengthen my rigs to 15-20ins because there was a fair amount of silkweed on the bottom. I decided to fish a critically-balanced

Crafty Carper

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When It All Comes Right Lee Collings

ABOVE I definitely wasn’t expecting this! I didn’t realise how big it was until I lifted the net – 41lb 9oz of cracking common.

pop-up to sit just on top of the weed.

little surprised when I had a screaming

Rig-wise, it was fairly simple. I used

take out of the blue after only a couple

20lb green Strip Teaze with a Size 4

of hours. The fish led me a merry

Drennan Super Specialist fished on

dance, wiping my other rod out in the

a blowback ring, and I opted to fish a

process, but after a 5-minute battle

white Cell pop-up tipped off with a pink

it came in covered in weed and the

Evolution Tackle Maggot Ball. I know it

whole lot was bundled into the landing

fully expecting another catfish to be

was fairly crude tactics but I wanted to

net. When I cleared the weed I found

attached. However, after a short battle

land everything I hooked, and it’s a setup

a catfish of about 16-18lb sitting in

a carp popped up in the margins and

which has served me well in the past.

the net. Not really what I wanted!

was soon sitting in the folds of my net.

The area I was fishing was quite

The rest of the night was fairly

small, so I opted to fish only two rods

uneventful, other than the

to start with, well, at least for the first

odd liner. I didn’t really

24 hours. Initially I spodded out about 3 gallons of casters and 3 gallons of maggots onto the

into meltdown

after all the disturbance, so I was a

weight had been lifted from my shoulders because I had a

“I SCRAMBLED OUT OF MY BAG, EXPECTING THE ROD TO RIP OFF, BUT THE BOBBIN SETTLED BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION”

nice surprise when

action occurred. In the past

get on to the bait

I let out a big sigh of relief. It felt like a

fish for the cameras. It

happen, so it was a my alarm went

24hrs for the fish to

cats smashing my spot to bits, I was more than happy with a 27lb 4oz fish for the cameras.

expect anything to

spot, and would top up if any I have known it to take

BOTTOM LEFT After a couple of

at 2.00 a.m., although I wasn’t best pleased to be beaten up

didn’t look massive but was a more than welcome sight, and at 27lb 4oz, it was job done. I could relax a bit now because anything else would be a bonus.

by another catfish

Both rods were redone

of about 20lb. I was starting to worry; I have had

and I topped up the spot with

it before when the catfish move

another 20 Spombs of maggots and

in on a baited area, and they seem

casters. I was feeling the effects of

to push the carp off the spot.

hardly any sleep and soon crawled

I went back to bed and wasn’t too

back into bed. I’m not sure how long

optimistic about catching anything. I

I had been asleep when the bobbin

could hear the odd fish jumping but they seemed a fair distance away from

pulled up tight to the rod. I scrambled out of my bag, expecting the rod to rip off, but the bobbin settled back to

me, so when I

its original position. I put it down to a

was woken up by

liner and went back to bed,

a slow take, I was

but the next thing I knew,

Crafty Carper 067-070_LeeCollins_CC207.indd 3

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When It All Comes Right Lee Collings

the same happened again. I was still trying to work out what was going on, and decided to pick the rod up because I had a feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Immediately, the line was pointing 40 yards to the right of the baited area. The fish must have hooked itself, discharged the lead on the take, and then swam on a semi-tight line into another weedbed. It was holding ground and I was weeded up, so I fumbled into chest waders and waded out to get a better angle on the fish. I eventually managed to get it moving again, but it was kiting down the reeds, and because it was pitch-black I was struggling to see what was going on. There was no moon and I had left my headtorch in the bivvy due to the scramble and confusion. After what seemed an eternity, the fish swirled just 20 yards out and then flat-rodded me. At this point I thought I had hooked another cat because it was a similar fight, so I gave it a bit of extra pressure. There was weed everywhere ABOVE I couldn’t believe how quickly this fella got on the bait. Just an hour after Spombing out I had this 23lb 8oz mirror.

on the line, and I was just trying to keep

fish into the retaining sling and went

thing I was expecting only an hour after

the fish moving. Eventually it surfaced

to get the cameraman and Lewis in the

putting the bait out was a take, and this

quite close in. I could just about make

next swim. The next 10-15 minutes

one resulted in a 23lb 8oz mirror. The

out it was a carp. I fluffed my first

seemed like a blur; I was on cloud nine.

weather had started to get warmer and

netting attempt but it was second time

After all the pictures and video footage

the fish were drifting more into the bay,

lucky. It wasn’t until I was clearing the

had been done, my swim turned into

and I was just hoping that when they

process, so I was very pleased when

weed out of the net that I realised it

the social swim for the next few hours,

came out I could stop one or two of them

it rolled into the net. At 33lb 8oz the

was a decent fish. I didn’t know how

and soon resembled a bomb site.

en route. The lake by now was rammed

session was getting better by the day.

BOTTOM LEFT It just got better

and better, with a 30 to add to the scoreboard, at 33lb 8oz.

After all the commotion had died

and virtually every swim was taken.

By the time I eventually got all three

of the water. I thought the mesh was

down, I eventually managed to get the

A lot of people had seen me baiting

rods sorted and fired another 20 Spombs

caught on the bottom at first, and then

rods redone and back on the spots. The

heavily so there were markers and spods

to the area to keep them going, it was

I realised it might be bigger than I first

spot was definitely getting cleaner.

flying here, there and everywhere.

pitch-black. I could hear the odd fish

thought. As soon as I put the fish on the

There was still weed present but not

No wonder the fish were driven into

showing in the vicinity of my area. I

mat I thought it was a mid- to upper-30,

as bad as it was, and it seemed to

the bay with all the disturbance!

turned in early that night, after hardly

until I put my headtorch on and saw the

be getting slightly bigger too, which

length of it. On the scales it went 41lb

enabled me to get my third rod on it. I

that I had my next take, which was

rudely awoken by an angry 20lb mirror.

9oz – it was The Big Common. I was

put another 6-7 gallons of maggots and

totally out of the blue. It was a proper

The area was topped up again in the

over the moon; it was one of the A team

3 gallons of casters out there to tide me

one-toner, but this fish didn’t want

dark, with another 2 gallons of bait going

fish which I wanted to catch. It was just

over for the day.

to come in. It gave me a proper scrap,

in before I got my head down again.

big it was until I tried to lift the net out

starting to get light, so I slipped the

The last

It wasn’t until it was just going dark

taking out my other two rods in the

sleeping the night before, and was

When I reeled my rods in the next morning, they were all covered in weed, which must have been where the fish were ripping up the baited area. It had settled on top of my rigs, rendering them useless, so I decided to go all out for the last day. I put in all the bait which was left – I was spodding for hours! Putting the maggots and casters out was hard work, especially with the amount I had taken with me. Just on dark, I could see fish jumping over the baited area and I was getting liners galore. All I could think was that at any minute the rod was going to rip off, but I couldn’t buy a bite and blanked for 24 hours. I even recast the rods in the night because I thought something was wrong, and when I reeled them in, they were all covered in weed again, hence why I think I had no action. So, it was a frustrating last 24 hours, even after what I had caught, but I was well happy with my result considering the weather conditions. CC

Crafty Carper

067-070_LeeCollins_CC207.indd 4

13/10/2014 11:48

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www.starbaits.co.uk 13/10/2014 15:20 14:57 19/08/2014

Three ways to get your carp-anglingrelated questions answered: Email: questions@craftycarpermagazine.co.uk Web: craftycarper.co By post: The Question Is…, Angling Publications, 101 Broadfield Road, Sheffield S8 0XH.

Our panel of carp-fishing experts are on hand to answer questions from you, the readers, and you can be sure to pick up some handy tips from the excellent answers given. ASK AND WIN! Every person who has their question published on these pages will receive a prize from some of the top tackle and bait manufacturers in the business. If you would like your question to be answered by our star-studded panel, simply send it to us, and we will forward it to your chosen recipient.

Hi Guys, Am I right in thinking that I can use a Midi Spomb on a normal carp rod, not a spod rod, and if this is correct, would I have to use a shockleader? If so, could you tell me how long the leader would have to be, and could you explain how to join it to the main line. I use Gardner Pro Carp in 12lb b/s. Regards, John.

weighs between 2-3oz (no more than a lead), and my favourite application

you will almost certainly require a

with it is when I want to put a small

shockleader in conjunction with a strong

bed of boilies on the spot at shorter

braided main line to do the job both

distances. By using a quick-link and

safely and efficiently. You obviously

clipping up, I can bait a spot accurately

have confidence in the Gardner Tackle

before replacing it with my rig (via the

lines, so I would suggest that you use

quick-link), and put my main rig on the

the Kinetic Spod Braid in conjunction

same spot, all in a matter of minutes.

with the shockleader material they

Going back to your question, you are absolutely right in saying that a Midi Spomb can be cast using your normal

make, called Sure Shock; a breaking strain of 50lb should be plenty.

ABOVE LEFT This is a brilliant shockleader material. ABOVE Spombs were a massive advancement for angling when they were released. BELOW When fully loaded this still only weighs around 3oz. Perfect for use on a standard rod. BELOW LEFT This 40lb ghostie was taken from a tightly baited spot which wasn’t far out.

Attaching the main line to the leader

carp rods, as can the latest edition to

material is relatively easy. There are

the range, the Mini Spomb. These are

several ways of doing this, but my

excellent for topping up a swim with

personal favourite is to use a knot

simply wind the leader onto the

Hi John, and many thanks for your

bait both quickly and accurately, and

known to me as the Albright Special

reel, making sure that it only goes

question. Baiting accurately whilst

again, at 3oz fully loaded, they won’t

Knot. With a little practice it’s easy to

onto the spool a couple of turns. Cut

carp fishing is very important, and

put any more strain on your normal carp

tie, and it’s a very strong knot which

the leader approximately halfway

over the years this task has been

rods than casting a lead. With this being

won’t let you down. It is tied as follows:-

down the spod rod (somewhere

made easier with the introduction of

the case, I personally can’t see the need

various baiting tools which can be

for any type of shockleader, especially

attached directly to the main rod or

as you are using the Gardner Pro line,

onto a casting tool made specifically

which is very strong and very abrasive.

for the job, such as a heavy-duty

That said, there are limits to how

Once the two materials are joined,

near the spigot will be fine), attach • Fold the leader material back on itself, about 10cm. • Pass the main line down the leader

your chosen baiting tool with either a Grinner or Palomar Knot, and you’ll be ready to rumble.

and then whip it back up seven times.

rod like a spod rod. Spods have been

far you can put bait with these smaller

around for a while now and can be

baiting tools, and if you are in a situation

used with devastating effect, but

where you find yourself needing a bit

I personally feel that the process

more distance, you may have to step up

saliva, gently pull the knot tight,

of baiting up at distance, both

to their bigger brothers. This is when

and once tight, cut off both tag

effectively and accurately, took an

you will definitely need a rod

ends approx. 1cm from the knot.

even bigger step forward with the

and reel built to do the

introduction of the Spomb. Not only

job. Casting further

do they cast extremely well (mostly

with a heavier baiting

due to the aerodynamic design), they

tool puts a lot more

can also carry just about any kind of

strain on the equipment

bait without any spillage on the cast.

you use, and

• Then pass the main line through

I hope my advice helps next

the bend of the leader material.

time you’re out on the bank and

• Finally, wet the whole knot with

need to bait up accurately, and I wish you every success. Rich ‘Fatbloke’ Adams.

There are various baiting tools which can be attached directly to the end of normal carp rods, and all serve a purpose when baiting up over shorter distances. One of my favourites is the small Pocket Rocket Spod from Gardner. When filled with bait and water, it

Crafty Carper

072-076_QuestionIs_CC207.indd 1

13/10/2014 11:07

The Question Is

Ask our experts anything, online at www.craftycarper.co

Team Crafty Carper

Answering our readers questions this month are: Rich Adams – Mistral Baits

Ellis Brazier – JRC

John Kneebone – Mainline Baits

Mitch Smith – Starbaits

Haydn Hoskins – Nash

Rich is a regular

Ellis is a Question Is

John has long been a

Haydn loves fishing

Mitch has been

Crafty contributor and

veteran, with many years’

member of the Mainline

pits around the

answering questions

a mainstay of The

experience of hunting carp

Baits team, and he

Colne Valley, and

for you guys for

Question Is. He loves answering

in his beloved Shropshire meres.

certainly knows his stuff. He’s

he has some cracking fish to

years now, and loves nothing

your questions, and because he’s

He’s not one to use the latest fiddly

caught some cracking big fish along

his name. He fishes all year

more than a carpy conundrum

predominantly a boilie angler, any

rig and scores extremely well on his

the way, and loves pitting his wits

round and loves to tinker

from our readers. He’s straight-

questions you may have on boilie

simple, yet very effective approach

against the carp in big lakes, which

with the odd rig here and

talking and doesn’t half know

fishing are ideal for him and will

to his end tackle, and he also has a

many people would class as the

there, so he’s the one to ask

his stuff, so you can be sure to

help you catch more.

wealth of knowledge.

harder venues in the UK.

about anything riggy.

learn a thing or two.

Hi Crafty Team, I have got some pre-tied Chod Rigs from one of the big companies, but can you tell me how to add a stiff boom to make it into a stiff boom Chod Rig? Thanks, Eddy.

the margins on this very famous lake. Pop-ups and Snowman Rigs had been used to great effect that year, and the carp were starting to shy off any bait which seemed to have any buoyancy. I personally witnessed a group of carp feeding over my tightly baited patch, and as each one encountered the Hinged Pop-up Rig, it quickly rejected the bait

Hi Eddy, and thanks for your

and became almost tense, and stopped

question. Your problem is easily

feeding. My answer to this was to simply

solved with a few simple steps,

put a bottom bait on the rig and lower

which I have listed below.

it back onto the same spot. As soon as

The rig you ask about is indeed a

the carp started feeding again I got a

very good one, and can catch out shy

confident pickup, which resulted in a fish

and wary carp with great efficiency.

on the bank. For the rest of that season I

Another situation where it can be

used this rig with bottom baits on a few

of great use is when the normal

different waters and had some excellent

Chod Rigs have done the rounds and

results, so don’t always be blinkered

been overfished a little. In these

and think that a pop-up

circumstances, the Hinged Stiff Rig

is the only way in

can be exceptionally effective at

which to fish this

catching out ultra-wary carp which

style of rig.

have sussed out the mechanics of the standard Chod. By the rigs’ very

The boom itself is very

nature, when you add the boom, be ABOVE Look how the boom kicks the rig away from the leader.

it stiff or slightly supple, you add another dimension of movement that

LEFT An autumn mirror on the Hinged Stiff Rig.

assists greatly in its ability to look more natural and ultimately hook carp.

BOTTOM LEFT The components I favour when creating my booms.

Although this rig is purpose-designed to be fished with a pop-up, I can assure you that it will work equally as well with a Snowman or bottom

Figure of Eight loop knot but these

bait. This fact was proved to me some

crimp; blob the tag end of the boom

years ago when I was watching Birch

material with a lighter after crimping,

Grove fish encounter this very rig in

which is mega-effective. This rig can be fished as you would a Chod, on a easy to make, and with your ready-made

rotary system, or it can be fished on

Chod you should be fishing in no time.

a lead clip. Personally, if I am fishing

For the standard stiff boom, I either use

over hard gravel or clay, I use the

Berkeley’s 30lb Big Game fluorocarbon

lead clip to make it different from

or Trilene 25lb fluorocarbon. Both are

the norm, but if angling over silt, I

stiff enough to push the rig away from

use a rotary system, much as you

the line or leader, yet both are supple

would a normal Chod. Either way,

enough to lie flat on the lakebed and

this rig should give you a new and

follow the contours, plus they are

improved presentation which will

invisible due to being fluorocarbon.

hopefully catch you a few more carp.

My booms vary in length, from around

I hope this has answered

6-10ins, dependent on how I feel the

your question, Eddy, and I wish

rig requires added movement; i.e. longer

you the best of luck next time

rig gives more movement. Korda Crimps

you’re out on the bank.

are utilised to create a loop at either end of the boom so the rig can swivel

All the best,

and adjust naturally. I did used to tie a

Ellis Brazier.

Crafty Carper 072-076_QuestionIs_CC207.indd 2

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The Question Is

Team Crafty Carper

Hello, I have started fishing a new private water with a good stock of carp, and there are some really nice fish up to the 31lb mark. I’ve done a few sessions with absolutely no joy whatsoever. When speaking to other anglers, they have not had a great deal of luck there either, and unfortunately there is no night fishing allowed, so you are limited to the daylight hours. The carp are always on the surface, but my attempts at targeting them with floating tactics have proved impossible. I have yet to witness a carp even take a freebie. I’ve tried numerous rigs: Zigs, Method, basic inline rig, pop-up, Chods with several hooklinks and hook sizes, even down to a Size 10 hook with fluorocarbon, and still nothing. It’s the same with baits; I have tried several types of boilies, meat, corn, but the carp just seem so shy and uninterested, and not many people catch. The lake is a gravel bed with a few silty/weedy patches. The water is relatively clear and it has one island and a few beds of lilies too, and the depth is around 4-5ft in most places. I just wondered if you had any tips on how to approach this kind of water. I love a challenge but it’s becoming quite soul-destroying that I haven’t even had a bite, let alone got a fish on the bank! Any advice or help would be great. A very frustrated Shaun.

Hi Shaun,

to forget all you have done or tried

The first thing to do is to stop

and get back to basics. With the

trying so many different tactics

lake being 4-5ft deep, I would be

and ways of approaching this

confident to draw fish down to the

water, because this doesn’t really

bottom even when seen close to the

allow for the fact that on

surface – especially as dawn

any venue there are

breaks and at dusk – so I’d

always times when the fish are simply not interested. Use a winning method on a slow day, but change methods

try to be on the lake as

“ ...the longer it is applied, the more it increases the confidence of the fish to eat it”

for the next session and you may never know you were on the

early and as late as possible. This also means that for the time being at least, you can discount Zigs, etc. and focus on bottom bait tactics to simplify your approach.

Next, choose a high-quality

right track. So, a style of approach

food source boilie such as Cell and

needs some time to be proven

Hybrid, or the High Impact shelf life

wrong, right, or perhaps develop,

range, and stick to it – the longer

receiving a little tweak here and

it is applied, the more it increases

there as you observe and learn.

the confidence of the fish to eat it.

This means starting again; try

Couple this with a straightforward

TOP The confidence these baits provide allows you to focus on other aspects of your approach. ABOVE Keep the food baits going in and they will get on it. BELOW The High Impact range; nutritional food source baits in a shelf life form.

reliable Hair Rig (8ins of a coated braid tied to a Size 6 Wide Gape hook is a good place to start), and you’ve little more to think about other than choosing your spots. Again, there’s no need to overcomplicate things. Simply have a lead about and choose clean presentable areas. To begin with I would suggest fishing a rod on the gravel and another over the silt. Use the same approach to see if there is any preference shown by the carp as to the type of lakebed they are more willing to feed on. If there is, direct your approach to this kind of bottom. Keep to these tactics and I’m sure they will bring you fish, or you will at least get to a point where any changes are obvious rather than those made for the sake of change. Hope this helps, John.

Crafty Carper

072-076_QuestionIs_CC207.indd 3

13/10/2014 11:07

The Question Is

Ask our experts anything, online at www.craftycarper.co

Hi, I have just bought some tungsten putty, so could you please give me some advice on how to use it to give my pop-ups a good presentation in the water? Neil Elbourn.

Team Crafty Carper

of presentations, from bottom baits

coating for tying the Knotless Knot

through to balanced or wafting rigs.

whilst retaining a stiff boom section

I’ll start with a pop-up presentation.

which works for the angler in a couple

There is no need to get too complicated

of ways. Firstly, the stiff boom prevents

when it comes to the rig itself. A

tangles on the cast, and secondly,

simple Hair Rig presentation tied with

should the rig get ejected or even

a Fang X hook and short Hair is very

moved around by nuisance fish, it

effective. The only decision is what

effectively resets itself. Once I have

This is a very good question which

type of hooklink to use; for this I prefer

tied the knot I strip about an inch of

raises the important issue of improving

a coated braid such as the

coating with my fingernail, and bite

rig presentation. In fact, not only will

Combilink Silt in 20lb.

the use of effective tungsten putty

The reason for

give the pop-ups a good presentation

this is because I

in the water, it can also be

can strip part

used to create a variety

of the

away any excess. This is where

“I utilise the philosophy of a slow-sinking hookbait for much of my Chod Rig fishing. This ensures a perfect presentation over pretty much any lake bottom”

TOP Keep it simple. There’s no need to make it any harder for yourself. TOP LEFT Make sure you test the rigs in the margins when tweaking. ABOVE A tackle box essential which can be incorporated into a whole host of rigs. BELOW LEFT One taken on the simple pop-up rig detailed.

joint sitting hard on the bottom. Taking this principle a step further,

the tungsten comes in, and

I utilise the philosophy of a slow-

where you need super-

sinking hookbait for much of my

sticky, ultra-reliable

Chod Rig fishing. This ensures a

putty for the job.

perfect presentation over pretty

The Cling-On range

much any lake bottom. Adding just

ticks these boxes

enough putty to ensure the rig and

and more, including

leader sink means that a supple

superb density, colour

leader will follow the contours,

options and malleability.

which adds versatility to pop-up

I take a pinch and rub the

putty in my hands to activate it, and apply it to the previously

fishing. The same principle can be applied to the Naked Chod. Saving the best till last, a slow-sinking

mentioned rig at the point where the

pop-up means the buoyancy of the

stripped section of the hooklink meets

pop-up is magnified when the carp

the coated section. About an inch below

pricks itself, and as it tries to spit the

the eye of the hook is a good starting

rig out, the buoyancy of the pop-up

point. Once you have attached the

counteracts the density of the putty.

pop-up, place the rig in shallow margins or try it out at home in the sink. The rig

All the best, and stick with it,

should slowly sink, with the weighted

Haydn.

Crafty Carper 072-076_QuestionIs_CC207.indd 4

75 13/10/2014 11:08

The Question Is

Team Crafty Carper

Hi Guys, Bobbins, swingers, springer indicators – are there specific differences between them and when would one type of indicator be better than the others? I use Fox swingers and I am wondering if I would be better in some instances to use something else, but I don’t know what or when to change around or whether I should just stick with my swingers. Dave. Hi Dave, Good question – there are so many types and different ones available I’m surprised it’s not asked more often. Within reason they all do the same thing, which is let you know that a fish has picked up the hookbait and is doing something with it. The

ABOVE My choice of indicators is swingers with clear heads full of isotopes and illuminated LED connected to the power-out socket. RIGHT Try to keep a little bit of weight within the hangers and indication will be better.

one you choose is really a matter of personal opinion and desire; cost

illuminated swingers, where the wire

can play a huge role because a set

plugs into the power-out socket of a

of three complete swingers with

buzzer, the swing arm helps the electric

short, long and spring arms can

wire to last longer. When used as a

set you back a good few quid.

bobbin, the electric wire is being twisted

In my opinion, the swinger is the all-round favourite and best, as it

and pulled and soon breaks down. When fishing at long distance, you

can do everything in one unit and is

need the bobbin, whether it’s a swing

better in adverse weather conditions,

arm or just a hanger, to be heavier,

especially windy days. With a swinger,

because there’s not a lot of sense using

you can use a long arm or a short arm;

a mega-lightweight hanger. When

the long arm increases sensitivity,

150 yards of line is in the water the

and you can remove weight or add

indication will be very poor, especially

weight, depending on the situation.

with dropbacks. I have seen heavy

When the wind and rain blows hard

hangers fly towards the alarm so

it will still sit quite still and not give

fast that the bobbin has

false indication. With most models

broken LEDs on the

you can change the arm for a sprung

buzzer. This doesn’t

version, either in carbon or plastic. I

happen with a

also think that if you’re using alarm

swinger because

“In my opinion, the swinger is the all-round favourite and best, as it can do everything in one unit and is better in adverse weather conditions”

the bobbin

they offer more positive points than

is kept at the

hangers. Incidentally mate, if you

same radius point. Beware though,

as I have also seen a swinger head hit a rod so hard it damaged the carbon top cloth. On the opposite side of the coin, a

use hangers, in particular lightweight versions, please take care with the chains. In the past I have used little Union Jack hangers with chains, and have had strong runs where the line has been moving so erratically on the

swinger offers more resistance when

take that the bobbin has spun over the

fishing very close in and you want

line and sometimes the rod itself. The

everything to be super-slack. I never

line has got caught in the chain and

really fish with a super-slack line

snapped straight away, so not only

like those you see with the hangers

did I lose the fish but also the poor

sitting on the floor, as I feel it offers

fish was trailing about 80m of line

no indication at all, especially if you

because the break occurred at the rod.

use lead clips and not running leads

Please be mindful of what can happen.

and can receive the dropback bites.

I hope this has helped you a little.

So, as you can see, Dave, I’m an advocate of swingers because I feel

Mitch.

Crafty Carper

072-076_QuestionIs_CC207.indd 5

13/10/2014 11:08

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10/10/2014 11:08

13/10/2014 15:44:20 13/10/2014 16:31

Carpers' Kit CrAfty CArper edItor's CHoICeI

CygNet 20/20 stAge stANds, BANKstICKs ANd 3-rod sNugs RRP: Stage Stands £14.99; Banksticks from £9.50 each; 3-Rod Snugs £12.99 each | Online: cygnettackle.co.uk

Starbaits Boilie Table  RRP: from £11.99

I've gone and got myself some new metalware over the last month, and can’t rate it highly enough. Not only does it look good, it also more than does the job.

Online: starbaits.co.uk If you’ve ever toyed with making your own baits then you need a good-quality rolling table. But

fishing from the decking of the

have no fear because the guys at Starbaits have

lodge, so I also invested in a set of

got it covered. It's available in boilie sizes from

stage stands, which, to be honest,

10mm right up to 32mm and is very affordable,

I have been waiting for Cygnet to

which makes your bait even cheaper.

release for the original sticks for a while. Well, they are also out now, so if you own a set of the original banksticks, you can now get stage stands for them

too – bonus. The Stage Stands come

2 years now, and as soon as the

base of the stand and

new 20/20 was shown to me by

into the platform

Cygnet brand manager John Walker,

from which you are

I just had to get myself on the new

fishing – job done.

’ve been a long-term user

supplied with a Phillips screw,

of the original Cygnet sticks

and it’s a quick and simple job

and Snugs Buzz Bars for over

to screw it through the

20/20 gear. It’s thicker than the

All in all, if you

original metalware, at 16mm, and

are on the lookout

Diem EVA Stiff Rig & Accessory Bag 

the thumbscrews are now metal

for some new sticks

RRP: £17.99

rather than the original plastic

and bars, which have

Online: diem-angling.com

versions; they have the Cygnet logo

sleek looks and a matt-black

emblazoned on them, which looks

finish, tidy stainless steel

With this bag, the EVA construction gives

the nuts, may I add. I absolute loved

thumbscrews, and perform

maximum protection to the contents. There is

the original Snugs for keeping my

just as well as they look, then

a rig board included as well as a padded inner

rods super-tight and looking good on

you’re on the right track with

divider, and strong snag-free zips. Featuring a

the bank. I always used the 2-Rod

the new Cygnet 20/20 range.

soft-touch carry handle, it’s well worth adding

version, but this time I opted for the

I absolutely love mine and

one of these to your luggage collection.

3-Rod Snugs because I was getting

definitely wouldn’t change

ready for a few fishing trips where I

them for anything in the

would be using more than my normal

world. I moved from stainless

two rods. I love the bulkier look to

over 2 years ago now due to

the 20/20 gear, and not only does it

the weight, and although it

look a lot sturdier and more robust,

took some time to find the

it also definitely proved to be just

right mix of looks, weight and

that. The thumbscrews seem to hold

strength, the original Cygnets

the inner shaft perfectly tight and in

were the ones for me. And

place, as I have not had any slipping

now, with the bulkier and

of the inner of the sticks whilst using

more robust look of

them. There’s nothing worse than

the 20/20, yet still

G-Force Wide Gape Hooks 

sitting under the brolly and being

with such a light

RRP: £4.25 per pack of 10

startled by a wide range of bleeps

weight, they tick

Online: gforceuk.com

from the alarms when the stick slips

even more boxes

and the rods drop down about 4ins!

for me. They are well

When you talk about a sharp hook straight out

I was going to be fishing a couple of

worth the money too, as they

of the packet, you definitely get it when you

venues which have stages and also

are very competitively priced

purchase a pack of G-Force hooks. The Wide Gape

taking a trip to Olivemead, where

in comparison to many other

version features a beaked point, and to add to the

I knew I would be quite possibly

ranges of sticks and bars.

sharp attribute, they are also as strong as you like.

Crafty Carper 079-082_CarpersKit_CC207.indd 1

79 13/10/2014 12:06

Carpers’ Kit

Team Crafty Carper

Keep yourself WELL fed Hot Pack Self-Heating Nutritious Meals RRP: £33.95 for six meals Online: hotpackmeals.co.uk

E-S-P Back Rest  If you like travelling really light or just want to keep it simple with

RRP: £2.95 each

regard to bankside cooking, and not carry around the stove and

Online: esp-carpgear.com

pans as well as various ingredients, then these are a big must-have. The meal comes supplied in a foil pack which is simply placed into a

Extremely affordable and arguably one of

flameless heater. All you have to do is add a little water and give it

the best on the market, the E-S-P Back Rests

10 minutes to heat up. The food reaches a staggering 70ºC so you

are cracking bits of kit. The rubber head is

can be sure that it will be hot enough when done. There are a variety

flexible yet very strong, and there are two sizes

of meals available, including an all-day breakfast, meatballs and

available. If you’re looking for a top-quality

pasta, vegetable curry, chicken dopiaza, Lancashire hotpot, chicken

back rest then you’ve definitely found one.

casserole, and much more. They are actually really tasty too, and we will definitely be scoffing these on our future quick overnighters.

Nash Chod-Link  RRP: £5.99 per 20m spool Online: nashtackle.co.uk Available in both 20 and 25lb breaking strains the Chod-Link is perfect for all Chod, Hinged Rigs and stiff boom sections. It is very tough and has been specifically developed to combine both rigidity and high memory, which enables rigs to be shaped or steamed straight.

Fox Neoprene Rod & Lead Bands 

Gardner Mark-It 

RRP: £4.99

RRP: £2.99 per 8m spool

Online: foxint.com

Online: gardnertackle.co.uk

The Rod & Lead Bands allow you to break down

A must-have item for when it comes to marking

a rod and secure it neatly for transit and storage.

line to enable you to hit the spot time and

Not only do the bands provide a cushioned and

time again. Available in Green or Yellow and

tight binding, the lead can also stay attached

made from 0.8mm latex rubber - perfect for

to your setup because the band prevents it

tying marker knots on the main line.

from knocking and damaging the rod.

Phat Fish Cap  RRP: £11.99 each Online: phatfishclothing.co.uk This is a brand new design from the guys at Phat Fish, available in three colours. The new caps feature a raised embroidered logo to the front and a leather strap and buckle to the rear to adjust the size. The buckle is also detailed with the Phat Fish logo, which is a nice touch.

Crafty Carper

079-082_CarpersKit_CC207.indd 2

13/10/2014 12:07

Carpers’ Kit

Team Crafty Carper

JRC Cocoon Recliner Chair  RRP: £88.99 Online: jrc-fishing.co.uk An ultra-strong, very lightweight chair from the guys at JRC. It features a practical pocket to the side, perfect for storing valuables on day sessions. The backrest is multi-adjustable and the chair is really well padded, while the legs are fully adjustable.



NGT Air-Dry Bag

RRP: Small £9.95; Large £10.95 Online: facebook.com/nextgentackle Everyone needs an air-dry bag in their life, and the guys at NGT not only give you a quality one but it’s also very affordable. It's well made and built to last, with high-quality zips and a little pouch for storing hookbaits. Very well thought out.

Ashima Revenge Snag Leader  RRP: £11.99 per 20m spool

Atomic Tackle Detecta Marker Float 

Online: ashimauk.com

RRP: £6.50 each Online: atomictackle.co.uk

Revenge is a fast-sinking leader material made from a mixture of Dyneema and

The Detecta is a cracking marker float. The body is

Kevlar. It has huge strength with minimum

very flexible and you’ll even notice it flex in flight. It’s

stretch and is also amazingly abrasion-

extremely buoyant and is available in three different

resistant. It is available in Dark Green and

colours: Fluoro Orange, Fluoro Lime and a Black and

Sand colours with a 45lb breaking strain,

White striped version to cover all weather conditions.

and comes supplied on 20m spools.

Slug It To ‘Em Wychwood The Slug RRP: £12.99 Online: wychwood-tackle.co.uk These new little bite indicators are as cool as you like. The Slug bobbin aids in bite indication and is fully adaptable to your favoured angling situation, whether it be slack lining, fishing tight lines, or semislack lines. You get a lot for your money in each pack too; each bobbin comes supplied with adjustable weights, chains and a Dacron cord as standard, so you can adapt the bobbins to suit. They are available in Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple and Black, and a spare White body comes supplied as standard.

Crafty Carper 079-082_CarpersKit_CC207.indd 3

81 13/10/2014 12:07

Carpers’ Kit

Team Crafty Carper

The members of Team Crafty give a rundown of all the indispensable items which have seen them through the past month. Coleman

and easier than carrying several gas

Sportster II Stove

canisters. It works just as well in winter

Expect to pay: £55

and you won’t be sitting in the cold

What Nigel says: When we’re

because you’re conscious of spending

talking stoves in the office, I’m

money on gas. There are several

usually ridiculed because I use a

Coleman models around, but recently

petrol stove. Apparently they’re not

the price has been hiked up to a new

the ‘in’ thing – but I love ‘em. OK,

high for some reason. However, I’ve just

they’re a bit of a faff because you

bought a new one from Erics Angling

have to pump ‘em up and they’re

and their price was the cheapest I

a bit smelly, but to me the plus

could find anywhere. Admittedly, they

points far outweigh the negatives.

can be a bit temperamental if you

For one thing, you’ll never run out

use dirty fuel, but that would be your

of fuel because you’ve only got to

own fault. Mine have always been

nip to Tesco and you’ll get enough

very reliable, and with a bit of care, a

very respectable and more than

to last a year for a few quid! A full

petrol stove will last you years. I know

enough for most situations.

tank burns for several hours and a

lots of you won’t agree and just say

The rear-mounted baitrunner

portable fuel bottle holds enough

I’m old school through and through,

facility also has a good range,

for several fill-ups – much less space

but it will always be petrol for me.

and should suit a broad spectrum of different angling situations.

Shimano

The exterior package is complete

Medium Baitrunner Ci4 XTR-A LC

with Aero Wrap II line lay, which

Expect to pay: £349.99

is excellent, and a powerful

What Broady says: This reel has

5.3:1 gear ratio, which means

been in my hands for just over 6

loads of cranking power.

months, and in that time it has

Internally, this new Shimano is

experienced some real abuse,

packed with goodies, such as six

including two sessions on Rainbow.

S A-RB ball bearings, which are

Thankfully, even though it has shed

built to last a lifetime, plus a roller

the weight, it is still a bombproof

bearing. There are also a host of

workhorse of a reel that can

other features, including Floating

withstand anything you chuck at it.

Shaft II, Super Stopper II, X-Ship

The reel itself is front drag, which

System, two-speed oscillation,

is strong enough to be locked up

and AR-C Line Management. The

solid – an essential on Rainbow,

upshot of all this jargon is that

but also handy if you are doing

the reel feels really positive,

any snag fishing. It actually takes

performs brilliantly, and I can’t

290m of 0.35mm line, which is

recommend it highly enough.

Gardner

Nash

Two-rod Nano Bars and So

Spot On Line Marker

Solid 6ins Bank Sticks

Expect to pay: £3.99

Expect to pay: Bars £19.99;

What James says: When marking

Sticks £15.99 per pair

my lines I’ve always used marker

What Richard says: If you

elastic, but recently I put a bottle

are looking for a compact and

of this stuff in my bag to give it

lightweight setup which is both

a try, and although before using I

strong and cost-effective, you'd

thought it looked like a bottle of

be hard pushed to better this

nail polish, it totally surpassed my

combination. The 6ins sticks offer

expectations. You simply brush the

a very stable, low to the ground

liquid on the line and it is dry in

setup which weighs next to nothing

seconds. Once dry it actually takes

and takes up very little space,

on a rubberised texture, so it can

ideal for mobile anglers. Should a

Nano Bars and So Solid sticks are

easily be peeled off the line when

situation arise where a longer stick

finished with an olive green powder

no longer needed and causes no

is required, simply remove one of

coating and are definitely a little

damage. All four colours are highly-

the points and screw two sticks

different from the norm. Overall a

visible too, with Purple, Green, Blue

together to create an individual

very well thought out product which I

and Red available. It’s definitely

12ins stick – very clever. Both the

will be using for many sessions ahead.

an item which I underestimated.

Crafty Carper

079-082_CarpersKit_CC207.indd 4

13/10/2014 12:08

In Focus Starbaits

STARBAITS D-TEC ALARMS AND RECEIVER

conserve the battery life. How many

RRP: £TBC ONLINE: www.starbaits.co.uk

and gone back to them after a few

times have you put the alarms away weeks to find one of them has run out

We managed to get an exclusive first look at the new Starbaits alarms and receiver, which are set to be at the top of plenty of carp anglers’ Christmas lists in the coming months. They are impressive, to say the least.

of power due to not switching it off? The receiver boasts a great little feature when it comes to registering a bite. The coloured light of the alarm

he guys at Starbaits are releasing

the use of an Allen key (supplied as

lights up on the receiver to notify which

a brand new alarm which, in our

standard), so it can be cleaned if needs

alarm is receiving a take, but here’s the

opinion, is set to become a huge

be – they have a habit of picking up dirt

clever bit – if it’s a dropback, the white

hit; we have been lucky enough to see

and spod mix during spodding. There’s

light in the middle of the receiver also

the final production sample over the last

also a 5mm indicator fitting to the

lights up, as well as the specified alarm

few weeks. There will be two versions

front of the alarm which will take the

light. The receiver has a volume control

available – the standard D-Tec, and the

popular D-Tec indicators, which means

knob and a knob which sets the type

D-Tec E, which will offer full wireless

there’s no need for hockey sticks here.

of indication you wish to receive, which

capabilities and can be used alongside

The on/off switch

a very easy-to-use receiver which is of

can be found at

a practical size. The alarm heads aren’t

the bottom of

hard to use either, and although they

the alarm, and on

come supplied with full instructions,

the rear there is

once you’ve done it it’s simple, and to

a number 2 and 4

be quite honest, it’s self-explanatory. The alarms have a metal back

could be sound

“The receiver boasts a great little feature when it comes to registering a bite”

above the switch.

only, vibrate only, or both sound and vibrate. All in all, for the price this is a lot of product

If you switch it to number 2, you get

for your money. The alarms look good,

plate so are fully waterproof (it

the roller wheel sensitivity set to two

perform extremely well, and are very

also looks the nuts), and this plate

magnets, and then obviously, number

easy to operate. A massive thumbs up

can be removed easily enough to

4 means full sensitivity utilising all

for Starbaits from us here at Crafty, and

replace the batteries. You really

four roller wheel magnets. Now here’s

we’re sure that they’ll be a winner. We

can’t go wrong with a roller

the clever part; if you forget to turn

expect to be seeing lots of these on

wheel alarm; with this offering

the alarms off, yet still place them

the banks in the very near future, so

in the cover (which comes supplied),

make sure you get your order in early

they automatically turn off to help

with your local Starbaits stockist. CC

we liked the fact that the roller wheel can actually be removed with

Crafty Carper 083_InFocusStarbaits_CC207.indd 1

83 10/10/2014 11:18

P U B L I S H E D B Y A N G L I N G P U B L I C AT I O N S

K C BA MAND BY DReEprinted

for 20

y Misspent Youth is the story of a young lad who dreamt of catching big carp above all else. The story charts Darrell’s carpangling life so far, from early beginnings at the little-known Essex Quarry aged 17, to holding his own amongst some of his idols at some of the UK’s toughest circuit

TheCarpStore

waters. Read how Darrell catches some of the UK’s best-known carp, including the incredible Two-Tone from Conningbrook, Yateley Car Park’s Arfur, Heather and pals, and the Fat Lady from St. Ives. Darrell’s determination to succeed, along with his obvious natural gift for catching carp, shines through in this deliberately honest tale.

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13/10/2014 11:38

In Focus 30 Plus

Kodex S-5000 Clothing Range Online: Specimen30plus.com

With the focus being on a quality winter clothing range, 30Plus have gone above and beyond with the new S-5000 gear. We take a closer look at it this month, so be prepared to be tempted to make a purchase. Kodex S-5000 Salopettes

of fish. Both the pockets are fleece-

RRP: £62.50

lined for added warmth, and all seams

Salopettes have long been an item of

are waterproof-taped. The storm

clothing which gets put in the boot

cuffs are fully adjustable to help

of my car as the temperature begins

retain heat and stop any unwanted

to fall and the wet stuff comes in.

draughts. Available in sizes M-XXL.

When you get to the banks of a lake, you never know if it will be boggy

Kodex S-5000 Hoody

when it’s raining and cold. Salopettes

RRP: £45

not only keep you warm, they also

When it comes to hoodies, how many

ensure you stay dry throughout. The

times do you put one on yet still feel

Kodex S-5000 ones are very light in

a little chilly? Well you won’t with

weight and have been made using

this one because it’s fleece-lined,

easy-move material, so they don’t

and so is perfect for use on those

constrict any movement while on the

chilly mornings or as the temps begin

bank. The shoulder straps are fully

to drop just before dark. It boasts

elasticated, which means they are

the same high quality as the rest

comfortable to wear and fit snugly.

of the new Kodex S-5000 clothing,

The pockets have been fleece-lined

and features elasticated cuffs and

to ensure your hands are kept warm

pull-cord toggles to the hood. It’s

while waiting for a winter chunk to

extremely warm for a hoody, and

take the hookbait, and the product

definitely worth wearing on its own

as a whole has a thermal fleece

in the transition between autumn

lining, so you won’t feel the cold.

and winter. It’s also ideal as an added

The 30Plus team have really thought

warm layer in the middle of winter –

about these; the bottoms of the legs

very nice. Available in sizes M-XXL.

have been made wider for quick foot access when wearing winter boots or the like. We also love the fact that there is a zip on them so you don’t have to pull the salopettes down and mess about when you get the call of nature. Available in sizes M-XXL. Kodex S-5000 Jacket RRP: £79.99 To complement the Salopettes and ensure you are fully togged up for the winter ahead, the S-5000 Jacket is fully lined and extremely warm. It’s also light in weight, so you won’t get too hot and sweaty whilst walking the lake in your toasty-warm winter attire, and it’s easy to move about in. This is an extremely high-quality piece of clothing and a must-have for winter, and we’re really impressed with it. The hood is adjustable and also detachable, and features a peak for protection from the dreaded rain and the bright winter sun, so you won’t have to squint when looking for signs

“It boasts the same high quality as the rest of the new Kodex S-5000 clothing” Crafty Carper 085_InFocus30Plus_CC207.indd 1

85 13/10/2014 15:58

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10/10/2014 10:32

In Focus

Rig-It Tackle

longer because there is more metal

RIG-IT TACKLE

to remove when trying to create a slimmer point, although care must be taken not to alter the hook too much. We are just looking to take

ONLINE: www.rigittackle.com

Rig-It Tackle’s hand-sharpened hooks are creating a stir. We took time out to chat with Lee, the man behind the sharpening, to find out what all the hype is about.

the original shape and make it finer towards the point. When I first started sharpening hooks, I used a match-angling hook-tier as a vice, but over the years I have done away with

CC: You specialise in hook-

can you give us any

this due to the fact that if I sharpen

sharpening, so can you explain to

examples of this?

a hook in my hand, I can move the

the readers exactly what you do?

Lee: Every hook

file to follow the contours of it, thus

Lee: We offer three different types

commercially made can

keeping to the original shape as much

of our own hooks in the two most

be improved upon and

as possible and not weakening the

popular sizes, 6 and 8, as well as two

made sharper. I would never

hook. I have seen some sharpened

branded hooks in our standard range.

consider casting out a hook

hooks which have been filed so much

We also offer custom hook-sharpening

which hasn’t had some work

that it weakens the hook. We aim to

of any brand and size of hook. We

done with a file. When watching

ensure the strength of the hook is

split them into two pricing bands and

the various underwater filming,

not compromised. Great care is taken

this is based on the cost of the hooks.

it’s obvious that fish are picking up

when sharpening hooks because

We purchase the required hooks then

rigs and blowing them out without

they can easily be made worse by

hand-sharpen each one, using Swiss

giving any indication. Sharpened

shortening the length of the point. I

files in varying grades to achieve

hooks definitely help reduce the

use two grades of file and sometimes

the needle-sharp finish. Each hook is

number of times a fish ejects a

a sharpening stone to hone the hook

examined with a jeweller’s loupe to

hookbait; in the last 5 years of

and make the area filed smooth.

ensure the sharpening is correct. We

using sharpened hooks, my catch

We can also apply, on request, a

strongly believe that every hook on the

rate has increased even though

solution to slow down oxidation

market can be sharpened, and in turn,

my fishing time has decreased.

processes when immersed in water.

made better. Certain brands sharpen

Other examples of this are when

better than others due to the metals

we have supplied hooks to a new

CC: On your website, it states

used, but with experience and by using

customer. The feedback we get

you make rigs to order. Which

the right files, I can get an excellent

is great and extremely positive.

sorts of presentations are

result on all hooks. All our hooks

My own fishing is done on two

you happy to tie, and which

are supplied with a protective tip

northwest syndicates, and over

materials do you use?

to prevent damage of the points.

the last 2 years I have had the best

Lee: We can supply any rig requested,

We aim to have each order sent

seasons in over 10 years for the

and to add to the service we

out within 48 hours, but sometimes

number of fish I’ve caught. Both

incorporate a hand-sharpened hook.

it’s not possible when we have to

these waters could be classed as

During the time I have been carp

order the custom hooks. We have

hard, and if I’m waiting for a bite for

fishing, I have used most of the

gained many repeat customers who

a few sessions, I want to give myself