OFFER! GET A FREE HEADTORCH WORTH £49.99
TO... WE SHOW YOU HOW
CATCH YOUR BEST PERCH!
DAIWA N'ZON GEAR WORTH £1,050
l Experts' top rigs revealed
ait ig stripey l Essential tackle to bank a b l Make maggots your No.1 b
TOP WINTER ADVICE
RIG SCHOOL DES SHIPP ANDY MAY Learn to tie a Foolproof tactics The secrets to his chub link leger for winter F1s silverfish success ISSUE 357
NEW GEAR: GURU FEEDER BOX, PRESTON REELS & MORE
Nov 19 – Dec 17, 2019 £3.90
This month... Issue 357 November 19 – December 17, 2019
Fishery Focus 8
24
Woodland Waters Ancaster, Lincolnshire
14
Doncaster Canal South Yorkshire
Tactics 24
NEW SERIES!
Mark Griffiths Why maggots are No.1 for big perch
30
Andy May
34
Tony Grigorjevs
40
Glen Picton
44
Quick fix
Secrets to winter silvers Force ’em to feed in winter Big results from tiny rivers How to use a loop tyer 34
46 50 53 56 60
4 IYCF | Issue 357
Expert perch rigs Five deadly set-ups
Know your species Perch
62 66
Winter’s hottest swim at 5m Trick wary carp in the edge
Rig school Link leger for chub
Find the right depth
Fish Better with Des Shipp Essential advice to max out your winter F1 catches
Brad Parkes Tom Downing
Steve Parry
70 74
Q&A Your questions answered
Below the surface Man-made refuges help fish
80
96
Tackle 76
78 82
86 88
Object of desire Preston Innovations Magnitude reels
New gear The latest tackle releases
On-the-bank test: Free Spirit Feederlite rods
Guru Fusion Feeder Box
Essential perch kit Must-have lure and coarse tackle to catch stripeys
Carp tactics 96
100 102
104
40
Rob Hughes Carping on a time limit
Rig of the month The mag-aligner
Carp Q&A Sticky’s experts solve your carping problems
Matt Povey How to tackle small waters 82
Your IYCF 20 92 94
Subscribe... ... and get a free head torch
Your letters Have your say
Daiwa Mission Your catch shots
Crossword
108 Win a Korum Lure Bag
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE!
Get a FREE Silva MR350 headtorch worth £49.99 30
VISIT: www.greatmagazines.co.uk/IYCF CALL: 01858 438 884 QUOTE: ‘LFAA’ (closing date December 16, 2019) www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 5
FISHERY FOCUS An in-depth guide to the best stillwaters, rivers, and canals that you can fish for the price of a day ticket
Woodland Waters
Deep-water roaching Deep, specimen waters offer excellent roach fishing. Dynamite Baits’ Leanne Knott shows you how to tackle these venues for silverfish Words Leanne Knott Photography Mark Parker
8 IYCF | Issue 357
T
HE one thing this country isn’t short of is specimen carp lakes. One such water is – unsurprisingly – called The Specimen Lake. It’s at the beautiful Woodland Waters in the heart of Lincolnshire. At around 14 acres, it holds carp to over 30lb as well as quality bream, rudd, perch and pike. But it’s the mouthwatering roach sport which has drawn me here. With the average being around the pound mark, there is also a huge number of fish pushing 1lb 8oz as well as quite a few barging through the 2lb barrier. The problem with Woodland Waters’ Specimen Lake is that like many ‘carp pools’ it is very deep – more than 20ft in places, with the average depth roughly 14ft-15ft. In situations such as this, many anglers struggle to present their rigs and loosefeed correctly. This often results in the roach being spread at all depths, which leads to finicky bites and foul-hooked fish. Well, today, I’m going to show you just how I target deep specimen carp lakes in search of their silver fish bounty.
NEW SERIES! Deeper and down The Specimen Lake is an old sand pit, so the bottom is pretty hard and clean, enabling you to present your rig with relative ease. For those looking to fish the feeder, there are few bars and other underwater features, as the lakes were originally excavated by pump, rather than the more common means. For this feature, I will be fishing the pole at 13m into around 14ft of water. I have done this for two reasons. First, this being a sandpit, the water is always on the clear side, so the fish tend to push out from bankside disturbance. Second, this range is where the bottom starts to flatten out, so I get a better presentation of both rigs and baits. Yes, roach in these types of water don’t tend to be overly rig-shy, but the better your presentation, the more you will catch regardless of where you fish.
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 9
SUBSCRIBE THE UK's NUMBER ONE Coarse Fishing Monthly Magazine...
GET A FREE HEADTORCH WORTH ÂŁ49.99
The Silva MR350 is a durable and lightweight headtorch which boasts a variety of light settings. It has a white light of 350 lumens, a red light that preserves your night vision and an orange mode that is best for reading. In addition to this, it has a 15 lumens super-low mode that is perfect for close range work and prolonging battery life. The double light beam technology features a unique combination of a long reach spot and a close floodlight which results in less head movement and better control. It is also fully waterproof and can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of one metre should it accidentally fall in
RRP:
ÂŁ49.99
RED LIGHT
ORANGE LIGHT
The spec OUTPUT 350 lumens LIGHT COLOURS White, orange & red Produced for the Norwegian Military
CHOOSE FROM 2 OPTIONS:
TO
PRINT ONLY + GIFT
Catching you bigger and better fish! "It's the best general coarse fishing publication out there"
"I enjoy reading it and have picked up lots of tips"
"IYCF is a grea t read! It's full of v useful inform ation and artic ery les"
ve caught "I''ve so many fish following the advice in IYCF"
13 ISSUES FOR £44.10 WHEN YOU PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT
DIGITAL ONLY + GIFT
13 ISSUES FOR £33.80 WHEN YOU PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT
VISIT: WWW.GREATMAGAZINES.CO.UK/IYCF OR CALL: 01858 438 884
QUOTE: 'LFAA' CLOSING DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2019 ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?
IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO US ABOUT A SUBSCRIPTION ORDER, RENEWALS, MISSING ISSUES OR ANY OTHER SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAIL BAUER@SUBSCRIPTION.CO.UK OR CALL THE UK NUMBER ON 01858 438884 (OVERSEAS +44 1858 438884) DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN ALSO MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION ONLINE? SIMPLY VISIT WWW.GREATMAGAZINES.CO.UK/SOLO
Terms & Conditions: Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. The minimum term is 13 issues. Recurring payments will continue to be taken unless you tell us otherwise. This offer closes on December 16, 2019. We reserve the right to provide an alternative gift or a 3 issue extension if stocks are exhausted. Please allow 28 working days for the delivery of your gift. Cost from landlines for 01 numbers per minute are (approximate) 2p to 10p. Cost from mobiles per minute (approximate) 10p to 40p. Costs vary depending on the geographical location in the UK. You may get free calls to some numbers as part of your call package – please check with your phone provider. Order lines open 8am-9.30pm (MonFri), 8am-4pm (Sat). UK orders only. Overseas? Phone +44 1858 438828. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training purposes. For full terms and conditions: please visit http:// www.greatmagazines.co.uk/offer-terms-and-conditions
Why maggots are No.1 for big perch When it comes to day-ticket perch, worms and prawns are the ‘go to’ baits for most anglers. But Mark Griffiths shows maggots can catch more
TACTICS: POLE SPECIES: PERCH DIFFICULTY:
24 IYCF | Issue 357
TACTICS
Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs
T
HE number of commercial fisheries that hold a solid head of big perch has risen steeply in recent years. In days gone by it would be a complete surprise to slip the net under a giant stripey at your local complex, but they are now so common that anglers make the trip solely with these fish in mind. Worms and prawns are the usual baits on the side tray of those targeting perch, but Mark Griffiths gives both a wide berth. The Guru-backed angler has visited numerous venues where perch are abundant and has found that maggots are even more effective. “I’ve lost count of the
number of times I have been fishing with maggots for carp and skimmers and suddenly found myself playing a big perch,” revealed Mark. “Maggots may be slightly less selective, but if they are used in the right manner I am confident they will outscore everything else and attract more perch into your swim.”
Maggots can outscore worms and prawns for perch
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 25
Force ’em to feed in winter IYCF’s Tony Grigorjevs demonstrates how your catapult can turn a motionless session into a winter warmer with plenty of fish in the net Words Tony Grigorjevs Photography Lloyd Rogers
I
’VE never been a fan of inactive tactics and styles of fishing. Whether it is adjusting the rig or feeding a little bait, I need to be on the go in one form or another to keep my mind on the job. That’s why when the bomb is mentioned as a winter winner I can’t help but wince a little.
34 IYCF | Issue 357
This is a tactic that is associated with casting out a single bait, feeding nothing and placing the rod on the rest before sitting motionless in the hope that the tip will eventually go round. Put simply, this doesn’t create any excitement for me! But not fishing for the whole winter season isn’t an option so I decided to see what would happen if I broke one of the tactic’s golden rules. Out came the catapult and a slow but steady trickle of pellets went over the top of where my rig was placed. Initially the move was done to keep my mind focused but when the tip wrapped round and a big F1 was the culprit, I perked up. Was it a fluke or had going against the ‘zero feed’ policy actually had a positive impact? Several other big F1s were enough evidence to give me confidence to keep the catapult rattling, even when the big chill really hits home.
TACTICS: BOMB SPECIES: CARP/F1s DIFFICULTY:
TACTICS
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 35
G I R OL SC H
CHUB LINK LEGER
O
This is one of the simplest, most sensitive and easilyadjusted rigs you can use to target this greedy river species
HOOKBAIT Smelly cheese paste is a classic chub bait and if there’s any chub close to where you’re casting you’ll soon know!
HOOKLINK Fluorocarbon is almost invisible under water so is hard for even the wariest of fish to spot
60 IYCF | Issue 357
C
HUB are the archetypal opportunist feeders. Not only will they take a wide variety of baits, but they will use as little energy as possible in their pursuit of an easy meal. They spend most of their time close to creases – the visible wrinkle on the water surface where there is a change in current speed. Here they can lay in wait in the slack water, only sticking their noses into the current to intercept a likely meal. For the would-be chub angler, knowledge of this energy-sparing behaviour can make locating areas to fish very easy. A bait positioned on the crease is likely to be in the perfect position to be picked up by a chub. Even more so if there is a snag, or overhead cover also present. Presenting a bait stealthily in this zone requires a simple rig that can be easily adjusted
to ensure that the bait comes to rest in the perfect spot every time. Utilising split shot, rather than a conventional leger weight, enables fine-tuning of the rig in seconds. When moving between swims the weight required to hold position in different flows will vary, and can be easily altered. By casting slightly into the flow and allowing the rig to come to rest it will find its position slightly on the inside of the crease, just where the chub are most likely to be. In its simplest form split shot can be pinched on to the mainline a few inches above the hook, but this causes some resistance, which can lead to missed bites. This free-running version creates less resistance and so can give more positive indications and more fish on the bank.
HOW TO CREATE A LINK LEGER
the leger bead on to t wo rig stops on to the end of the mainline the mainline 1Thread 2 Thread
Tie the hook on to a 30cm U se a four-turn water knot length of fluorocarbon using 4 to tie the fluorocarbon to the 3 a four-turn grinner knot end of the mainline
short length of line to Pinch the required split shot 5 Tiethe aleger bead to create a link 6 on to the link
FREE RUNNING
VERSATILE Using split shot as oppposed to a leger weight enables you to finely adjust the weight depending on the flow in the swim you’re fishing
This running rig creates less resistance than having the shot directly on the line
YOU WILL NEED ✔ Size 10 Nash Flota Claw hook ✔ 6lb fluorocarbon ✔ Free-running leger bead ✔ SSG and 2 SSG shot ✔ Rig stops
TACKLE NEW GEAR REVEALED, ON THE BANK TESTS & EXPERT ADVICE
The 5:1 gear ratio is the perfect n compromise betwee power and a fast retrieve
EXPERT OPINION: LEADING THE WAY IN TACKLE TESTS & REVIEWS
OBJECT OF DESIRE
PRESTON INNOVATIONS MAGNITUDE REELS RRP: £109.99 - £119.99 MARK SAWYER Tackle Editor
76 IYCF | Issue 357
JAMES FURNESS IYCF Editor
TONY GRIGORJEVS Features Editor
THE new Magnitude range of reels has been designed with input from top match anglers Lee Kerry and Des Shipp. Available in 320, 420 and 520 sizes, they are manufactured from high-grade materials
Key Features Spare aluminium spool included
The 3mm alumini u bail-arm m is extreme ly reliab le
Dual line clip Super slow oscillation CNC machined aluminium die-cast body and side cover Forged aluminium fully machined spool Rotor brake system Soft-touch rubber grip handle 3mm aluminium bail-arm Anti-reverse system
The reels hav seven ball bea e ring for a smooth s performance
and are at home on commercials and natural venues when using mono or braided lines with wagglers or feeders. The body of the reels is extremely compact but inside you’ll find a powerful gearing system. The super slow oscillation of the worm drive system results in incredible winding power for the size of the body while also providing impeccable line lay and no line twist. The 5:1 gear ratio is the perfect compromise between power and a fast retrieve - ideal for venues where you expect to be catching regularly throughout the session.
All three reels have a 3mm aluminium bail-arm which is extremely robust and reliable, both while fishing and in storage. The spools are manufactured from CNC
machined aluminium, with stylish blue detailing and a dual line clip that makes it easy to fish accurately at all distances. www.prestoninnovations.com
The reels at a glance Magnitude 320 Magnitude 420 Magnitude 520
Gear ratio
Weight
Line per turn
Line capacity
5:1 5:1 5:1
301g 311g 323g
75cm 85cm 95cm
0.23mm/150m 0.26mm/150m 0.28mm/150m
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 77
IE REV WS Y
●
CAN TRUST U O ckle
●
CAN TRUST OU
82 IYCF | Issue 357
IE REV WS Y
IYCF’s ta awyer ark S editor M eviewing r n e has be re ar for mo e g g to fishin s e r n he ca years tba mber reme
TACKLE
LIVE TEST
Feederlite sets the standard You’ll struggle to find a feeder/bomb/Method rod to match the performance and quality offered by iconic Free Spirit
T
FREE SPIRIT Hi-S FEEDERLITE 12ft RRP: £299
HERE are thousands of feeder rods on the market, spanning every conceivable scenario. From tiny pub-chuck models through to long- and medium-range rods… not to mention bomb and Method rods for rivers and stillwaters – the list is endless. As to the variety of feeders and leads you might want to attach to one, it could be a minuscule cage feeder that wouldn’t fit over the end of your little finger, right up to a massive metal-clad monster delivering enough feed in one go to last a canal match angler five hours.
Little wonder, then, that choosing the right feeder rod is more difficult than trying to mix your groundbait with treacle. It’s even more difficult when you’re looking for a rod that stands out from the crowd. So let me point you along the right path. There’s a range of feeder rods so outstanding that its name has become a byword for assured quality, outstanding performance, cutting edge builds, designs and faultless furnishings. These are the rods top anglers aspire to, and I have yet to meet an international match angler who has handled one and not wanted it!
www.greatmagazines.co.uk IYCF• 83 83 IYCF February 16 – March 15,|2016
T KI SE AR CO
. .. R O F IT K L IA T N E S S E
PERCH at will help th r ea g c ifi ec sp es ci pe S e bank you put more fish on th
ut perch is that NE of the great things abo . They can be found one big anyone can catch a commercial carp in all types of venues from ity canals. And er-c to inn waters, rivers, stillwaters rigs and baits to d ate plic com of you don’t need loads s. cie ory spe tempt this popular predat
O
simple low-resistance A large, juicy lobworm on a to fool pretty much any running rig will be enough perch that swims. of our essential items of This month, we pick some a 2lb-plus stripey in the tackle that will help you put keepnet...
ER CLASSIC PERCH BOBB RRP: From £15
ts such as When fishing with large bai need to use you its dba dea or s lobworms, prawn hookbait. the t por a really buoyant float to sup isfying sat ibly red inc ing And there is someth ade float. d-m han a on ch per a ng chi about cat www.fishingoxford.co.uk
DAIWA GS LTD 3000 0 £110 RRP: £11
l capable of holding A compact reel which is stil ked with quality a decent amount of line. Pac wa and has a Dai from features you’d expect wooden handle. and ol spo d gol the h classic look wit k o.u s.c ort asp www.daiw
S GURU SQUARE LEAD RRP: From £1.50
leads The anti-roll shape of these close rigs r you n itio pos means you can ich wh ds, to marginal cover and ree your t tha ng rryi wo t perch love, withou shelf. al rgin ma the n dow roll l rig wil www.tackleguru.com
KORUM ALLROUNDER 1.25lb ROD RRP: £49.99
As the name suggests, this 11ft rod is suitable for a whole host of angling scenarios. This lighter test curve model is perfect for legering with bite alarms for big perch. www.korum.co.uk
Issue 90 90 •IYCF IYCF |Issue 308357
KAMASAN BLACK CAP FEEDERS RRP: £1.99
great when fished These maggot feeders are rm hookbait. The wo lob in conjunction with a but also draw in ch per t rac att y onl maggots not will follow. ch per small prey fish which the
KORUM SPECI SQUARE NET RRP: From £16.99
ed These nets have been design m the g kin ma with added depth ion ent ret m ter rt sho ideal for out of fish while you’re sorting kit. era cam and ng your weighi www.korum.co.uk
GARDNER HYDROFLO RRP: £6.99
This super tough mono sinks quickly and it’s low visability colour is hard for fish to detect. For larger perch or snaggy swims go en with the 6lb version, 4lb wh . targeting smaller fish www.gardnertackle.co.uk
DRENNAN SPECIALIST COMPACT UNHOOKING MAT RRP: £19.95
d roll-up A compact and well-padde clipped be can t tha t ma ing unhook sport. tran of e eas to your rucksack for www.drennantackle.com
KORUM PE SU RSTEEL ALLROUNDER HOOKS RRP: £1.99
um These new hooks from Kor look set to become a perch both fishing classic. Suitable for . We ctly dire g tyin and ng ggi r-ri hai for ks hoo 6 size recommend the s. rm wo lob as h suc ts bai e larg k o.u m.c oru www.k
KODEX KARPMATE OVER-BED CHAIR RRP: £64.99
Although primarily designed to rest over the top of a t bedchair, this lightweight sea is perfect for short sessions r or roving along rivers. The rea legs can be fixed at various angles to cope with sloping banks. www.kodextackle.com
www.greatmagazines.co.uk IYCF• 91 IYCF February 16 – March 15,| 2016
tips, tactics & Rigs to catch moRe
96 iYcF | issue 357
CARP
CARPING N A
TIME LIMIT Is it possible to catch decent carp on short sessions? Expert tactician and England manager Rob Hughes shows how to be successful when the clock is ticking Words Rob Hughes Photography Lloyd Rogers
R
IGHT then.. I’ve got four hours to try and catch a carp or two. Not a long time, the equivalent of an afternoon or an evening session, but very often that’s all the time I have. Venue choice is so important when you’re on a tight timetable. Ideally you need to have somewhere close to home. It doesn’t necessarily have to be loaded with carp, but if it’s close enough you can get down for a walk as often as possible and find out it’s moods.
There’s some amazing waters on our doorsteps that we ignore for much of the time. The park lake, the match venue, the little club lake. They probably hold a few carp and for short sessions they’re brilliant. I’m really lucky with my local venue, Shearwater in Wiltshire. It’s only 15 minutes from my house and it offers some brilliant fishing. Nestled in a forest on the Longleat Estate, it’s quite a big lake that is stunning at all times of year and it’s a pleasure
to visit. To get my fishing fix I usually grab an hour or two in the evening stalking with small PVA sticks or some floaters. I arrive just after 1pm and I’ve got to be away by 5pm so my approach is going to be different. I’ve pitched up not far off the middle of the lake so I can see what’s going on. I’m travelling light so I can move. Two rods, spod bucket on sticks, spod rod, rucksack and a mat. No chair, brolly or bivvy. This is hit ‘n’ run carping.
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 97
SUBSCRIBE To the UK's number one fishing monthly magazine! PRINT / DIGITAL / ONLINE VISIT: WWW.GREATMAGAZINES.CO.UK/IYCF