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January 14 – February 11, 2020 £3.90
ISSUE 359
catch rate Easy edges to boost your use it Essential kit and how to in 2020 Tie more effective rigs
PLUS
BAIT EDGES
The maggot trick for bigger fish
FLAVOUR BOOST
Adam Rooney lifts the lid on his glugged PVA bags
TACKLE: KORUM'S BIGGEST EVER LUGGAGE RANGE LAUNCH
This month... Issue 359 January 14 – February 11, 2020
14
NEW SERIES!
Fishery Focus 8
Tactics
Trent & Mersey Canal
24
Darren Massey 14
Worsbrough Reservoir
30
Nick Speed
46
Pemb Wrighting Give your PVA bags a boost
Phil Taylor
50
Catch roach from rising rivers
34 Iain Swanson
52
Use stickymag for big fish
34 40 44
Zac Brown Tiny pellets for cagey F1s
Quick fix How to fish a deadbait
Andy May Why you can rely on maggots for freshly-stocked fish
Know your species Dace
Fish Better with Des Shipp Get more bites from silvers
56 60
Q&A Your questions answered
Rig school Carolina Rig
90 98
63 NOVICET... ER TO EXP
88
POLE
FISHING SPECIAL 1
ESSENTIAL TACKLE
2
ELASTICATE YOUR POLE POLE FLOAT CHOICE
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12
Carp tactics 98
TIE THE PERFECT RIG KEEP YOUR POLE SAFE
102 106
CONNECT YOUR RIGS PLUMB UP PROPERLY
Adam Penning Three steps to success
Rig of the month
Tackle 88
The German rig
Carp Q&A Sticky’s experts solve your carping problems
90 92
Object of desire Preston Innovations Inception 360 Seatbox
New gear The latest tackle releases
Korum Transition luggage range
Your IYCF
TACKLE YOUR SWIM HOW TO FEED A SWIM
20
HOW TO GET A BITE HOW TO PLAY A FISH CHART YOUR PROGRESS
94 96
Subscribe... Get a free Daiwa reel
Your letters Have your say
Daiwa Mission Your catch shots
Crossword
52
108 Win a Korum Lure Bag
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VISIT: www.greatmagazines.co.uk/IYCF CALL: 01858 438 884 QUOTE: ‘AGAA’ CLOSING DATE: Feb 10, 2020 www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 5
Trent & Mersey Canal
Not so quiet on the Trent & Mersey! Unlike most, Darren Massey awaits the arrival of winter with great enthusiasm so he can get busy bagging where the ďŹ sh are shoaled up Words Tony Grigorjevs Photography Lloyd Rogers
8 IYCF | Issue 359
FISHERY FOCUS An in-depth guide to the best stillwaters, rivers, and canals that you can fish for the price of a day ticket
E
XPECTATIONS take a dip in the minds of most anglers when winter casts its hoary spell. Having to scrape off a thick layer of stubborn ice from the car windscreen, adding countless layers of clothing and reaching for that extra-large flask are reminders of just how cold it suddenly is. Once the time of year comes when all these tasks are conducted before each session, it is only natural that most of us feel privileged just to avoid the dreaded blank. But perhaps we should all be a little more optimistic before we set foot on the bank? Darren Massey’s mentality is completely different to most of us. Rather than crossing fingers and toes in the hope it will lead to the float dipping occasionally, he has come to expect the best sport of the year right now on a prolific stretch of canal. The Cadence Superteam and Bait-Tech man is an absolute wizard on the canal circuit, having spent many
years mastering his trade. With boat traffic drastically reduced on many venues during the winter, the water goes gin-clear – and that is usually seen as a recipe for disaster. It certainly can be, but head to a spot where the fish have packed in and the best canal session of the year could be about to unfold. “Fish stocks feel more vulnerable to predation from cormorants and other animals at this time of year so they pack into areas where the wildlife doesn’t feel comfortable,” says Darren. “That is exactly what happens on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Hoo Mill, on the outskirts of Stafford. The fish congregate close to the boats and remain there throughout the cold season. And the best bit is that they are still more than willing to feed and catches can be pretty impressive, to say the least.”
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 9
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Daiwa Sweepfire 2000 reel This handy reel will cover a range of tasks from light lure work to float fishing for species such as perch, chub, roach and bream. The stylish black and silver cosmetics are backed up with the features and quality performance which you'd expect from a Daiwa reel.
Key Features:
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WINTER CARP TRICKS
GIVE YOUR PVA BAGS A BOOST Adam Rooney continues his hunt for carp throughout winter by legering glugged PVA bags of goodies and bright hookbaits Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs
I
’VE been fortunate enough to work with some of the very best anglers and they have one thing in common – they keep things simple. There’s a misconception that the most successful anglers have a secret edge that they keep up their sleeve to give themselves an advantage over those around them. That couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s often nothing more than a few subtle yet devastatingly good tweaks that separates us mere mortals from the stars of our sport.
24 IYCF | Issue 359
Adam Rooney has a trick to score with big carp, and he’s confident it will catch some special fish in challenging conditions. While many look for alternative targets during winter, the Guru-backed star doesn’t shy away from chasing these hard-fighting fish and turns to glugged PVA bags to help him hit the jackpot. “It is all about finding those little edges that make a huge difference. In winter, adding a pungent flavour to your PVA bags when fishing the bomb is unbeatable,” says Adam.
TACTICS
TACTICS: LEGER SPECIES: CARP DIFFICULTY: www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 25
tactics: Feeder/ pole/ waggler species: mIxed difficulty: 34 IYCF | Issue 359
TACTICS
Q: How do you catch big fish with maggots?
A: Stickymag
Coating maggots in a bedtime drink powder enables you to fish them with none of the drawbacks, explains Iain Swanson Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs
T
HERE isn’t a coarse fish swimming that won’t take a fancy to maggots. Easy to eat, highly visible and a nutritious meal, they’ll be snapped up in an instant on lakes, rivers and canals. This desirability would indicate they should be
your first port of call pretty much every time you step on the bank. Unfortunately, for all their positives they do have a few drawbacks too. They aren’t very selective. Even the smallest of fish can eat them, including
tiddlers that are of very little interest to the majority of anglers. Feed them by hand or catapult and, as they trickle through the water column, these miniature silvers will take their fill, leaving the target fish on the bottom with little to feed on.
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 35
Fool cagey F1s with tiny pellets Hooking small expanders not much bigger than the micros you loosefeed will outfox winter’s willing but delicate feeders, demonstrates Zac Brown Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs
I
F YOUR hookbait stands out like a sore thumb then surely it will get you more bites from F1s? There’s not a chance, according to Zac Brown. It’s no secret that F1s are willing winter feeders but you’re kidding yourself if you think that equates to guaranteed action. They are arguably the cagiest of all species in commercials at this time of year, and if something looks amiss they’ll soon scarper. The Preston Innovations star goes against the grain when it comes to tempting those allimportant bites, doing his best to blend in his hookbait with the loosefeed. “F1s in your local commercial have been caught so many times before and have seen every trick in the book,” says Zac. “When they come across a stand-out hookbait they recognise the danger that comes with it. But use a hookbait that is identical to your freebies and it’s almost impossible for them to spot the hazard.”
Mini expanders
Pellets are Zac’s favourite winter bait for F1s. Most anglers that follow suit feed 2mm micros
and fish either a 4mm or 6mm expander on the hook. But our man reckons that even this tiny difference in size can reduce the number of bites you receive. “If you fill your hand with micros and place a 4mm expander on top you can spot it from a mile off, and that is exactly what happens underwater too,” says Zac. “The secret is to use a tiny 2mm expander that blends in. The fish start sucking up the bait and without even knowing it they take the hookbait.” His favourite type are Sonubaits Pro It’s so easy to miss the tiny hookbait – which is why it works so well
Expanders. They are the easiest on the market to prepare, with no pump needed to get them ready for the hook. When it comes to feeding, Zac tops up with small balls of dampened micros – and this has numerous benefits. “Even though it is winter, small silverfish are going to be sat off the deck and they’ll take a proportion of any loosefeed. “Second, loosely fed micros spread as they sink, covering an area that is perhaps the size of a postcard once on the deck. When fed in balls this creates a much tighter bed of bait, getting the fish to grub around exactly where you want them.”
Subtlety scores
It’s amazing how a fish can investigate your hookbait with minimal indications on your rig. If too much of your float bristle is on show, there is every chance an F1 could mouth the hookbait, feel the resistance and release it with you being none the wiser. “Dotting the float down so that only a pinprick of the bristle is showing definitely equates to you spotting more bites. “Failing to do this will make it impossible for to recognise the subtle movements that are your cue to strike,” adds Zac. Selecting a light and sensitive float aids this
TACTICS
ander A 2mm exp bait pellet hook le is impossib for F1s to from distinguish ed the loosefe
TACTICS: POLE SPECIES: F1s DIFFICULTY:
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 41
2 ELASTICATE YOUR P
STEP
GUIDE TO ELASTICS...
“Hollow elastics have become more popular because they stretch further and are more forgiving than solid”
Pole elastics are typically solid and hollow. Solid elastics have a little more power and were the first to hit the market. Hollow versions have become more popular in recent years because they stretch further and are more forgiving, leading to fewer lost fish. All major manufacturers have a range of elastics and the lower the rating on the package, the smaller the fish it is intended for.
HOW TO ELASTICATE A TOP KIT Your top kit should be in two pieces at the start of this process. If there are three pieces to your top kit, discard the very thin No1 as it is too thin to house most elastics correctly
1 Attach one end of the elastic to a diamond eye threader. To do this, place an inch of elastic into the gap and pull it through the compressed area of the threader to secure it
66 IYCF | Issue 359
2 Run the diamond eye threader through the side puller on your top kit (if it has one), and continue pushing it through until it appears out of the thin end of the section
3 Pull the diamond eye threader through the section, bringing the elastic with it. Repeat the process through the other section of the pole, pulling it out of the thin end where the bush is
POLE
❱❱
Pole elastic runs the full length of your top kit to cushion the runs of hooked fish. There are hundreds on the market, nearly all rated from size 1 (for tiddlers!) to about 20+ (for giants)
We’ve analysed Middy’s Reactacore hollow range to demonstrate which species each grade is suitable for.
Elastic strength rating ❱❱ 4-6 Roach, skimmers and small F1s in winter
❱❱ 8-12 F1s, big perch and carp up to 5lb in open water
❱❱ 14-18 Big carp in open water, chub on rivers
4 Tie on the connector at the thin end of the top kit – installation info on page 74. Pull the elastic out of your side puller until it is tight enough so that you can join the two top kit sections
❱❱ 20-24 Big carp down the margins or close to snags
5 With the connector in place, stretch the elastic out of the side puller until you have a little tension. Cut the elastic – don’t let go or it’ll ping back in the pole and you’ll have to start again!
6 Tie a double overhand knot, trim the loop and your top kit is ready to go. In a more advanced scenario you can have a bead below the knot to adjust tension.
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 67
4 TIE THE PERFECT R STEP
HOW TO TIE THE PERFECT POLE RIG
1 Thread three pieces of pole float silicone rubber, each of them around a centimetre long, on to the mainline
4 Hold the spool in one hand and grab the loop with the other, stretching it all the way across your body to peel off around 7ft-8ft of line. If the waters you fish are deeper, peel off more line. Next, cut the line so that it detaches from the spool
2 Run the mainline through the float’s eye and coax the silicone rubbers over the stem. Ensure they are evenly spread and snug so that the float only moves when adjusted
5 At the other end of the rig tie a much smaller two-turn overhand knot that is a centimetre long. If you are struggling, use a Preston Innovations loop tyer. Shot can now be added and a hooklength can be attached via a loop-toloop knot
3 Tie a two-turn overhand knot that is around an inch long. This will attach the rig to your connector
6 Attach the small loop to the pole winder and wind the rig on. Once you come to the end of the rig, attach a pole float winder anchor to the large loop and stretch it until you can secure it at the other end of the winder. The rig can now be stored, ready to be unwound and used
RIG ESSENTIALS...
Rig anchors are extremely cheap and they help you pin your rig to the winder to prevent tangles during storage
70 IYCF | Issue 359
Float silicone comes in several sizes. Choose one that fits the pole stem. It should be snug but loose enough to move when coaxed
Pack out the rig storage compartment in your box with winders of the same size. This will prevent them from moving during transit
rig
Well-made pole rigs are essential for success. Here’s how to avoid badly-tied knots and other flaws that could easily lead to lost fish and smashed tackle.
Strung out
Bulk
Bulk DropperS
top three shotting patterns... ❱❱ Bulk A bulk makes sure the hookbait gets to the bottom in no time at all, giving small fish up in the water little chance to intercept it. This pattern also works a treat down the margins when you want to anchor your rig to the deck, reducing the chance of line bites that can be confused for genuine
❱❱ Bulk and droppers The bulk is set slightly higher up the rig – often 18in to 2ft from the hook – with two smaller shot spread evenly between it and the hooklength knot. It gets the hookbait past the top layers quickly, but slows to a more natural pace as it comes close to the bottom where the fish are waiting.
❱❱ Strung out This pattern is perfect if quality fish are sat at all depths. It makes sure the hookbait falls at a slow pace, enabling fish to intercept it regardless of where they are in the water column.
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 71
9 HOW TO: FEED A S STEP
HOW TO ATTACH A SMALL POLE POT SMALL POT 1 A Guru pole pot will have two sizes of hole towards the bottom – the bigger holes are likely to be most suitable for your top kits
2 Firmly squeeze the middle of the pot with it upside down to open up the slots in the middle
3 Place the slot with the largest holes over your top kit around 3-4in from the end of it
4 Slide the pot down the top kit until it is 1-2in from the end of it. This is in the ideal place to tip any loosefeed directly over the top of your float without there being any risk of the rig line getting tangled around the cup
80 IYCF | Issue 359
BIG POT This type of pot is attached to a kit specifically made for feeding and never used for the fishing itself. This type of pot is ideal for feeding bigger quantities of bait in to areas of the peg that are devoid of life. The aim is to give the fish a reason to visit – that reason being a large meal! It can also be used to feed big balls of groundbait accurately
A small pot can be attached to the end of your top kit and this is arguably the most popular way of feeding. Fill it with your chosen bait at the start and drop it over your rig. Don’t be tempted to add more – after all, if fish are already present, you don’t want to overfeed them. Half fill it after every fish to keep the swim topped up. These pots come in a variety of sizes and as a rule of thumb, the colder it is, the smaller your pot should be
SWIM
Baiting up is one of the first things you’ll do at the start of the session, but how much you put in to your peg and the tactic you use to introduce it is important. Here’s what to consider
BY HAND If you are fishing within throwing range and regular top ups are required, it is best to feed by hand. This is a deadly style when trickling in maggots or casters when silverfish are the target on the short pole. It is also a great way to top up your short pole line with bait when fishing elsewhere in your peg
CATAPULT A catapult allows you top up an area of your peg within a split-second of thinking about it without having to ship in. If little and often top ups are required, this is the way forward. It is ideal when you are fishing shallow as the constant noise of bait breaking the surface attracts fish in to the peg. It will spread the bait a little more than a pot would, but if you are trying to encourage fish to grub around to keep them in your peg for longer this can be a good thing
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 81
TACKLE NEW GEAR REVEALED, ON THE BANK TESTS & EXPERT ADVICE
OBJECT OF DESIRE
PRESTON INNOVATIONS ON 360 SEATBOX EATBOX EA TBOX INCEPTION RRP: £399.99
www.prestoninnovations.com The increased popularity of feeder fishing has presented an opportunity for a seatbox with a built-in chair-style seat that enables you to sit back while waiting for a bite. Which is why Preston Innovations has unveiled its Inception 360 seatbox, whose chair can swivel through – you’ve guessed it – 360 degrees. The idea of this is to make playing fish, positioning your rod, and getting up from the box a whole lot easier, while the back support will clearly appeal to those who suffer from backache. Based on Preston Innovations’ best-selling SL30 box, rig and tackle storage is via a Mag-Lok deep drawer side unit, and there is a 100mm base unit which is ideal for storing feeder and hooklength boxes. Rock-solid sturdiness is provided by six 30mm rounded telescopic legs, while a strong, free-sliding and height-adjustable footplate has twin position settings that are locked firmly into place by two springloaded plungers. All in all, the box offers total comfort and security, especially from swims actually in the water.
The deep drawer side unit can house a host of accessory items
The centrally rearfitted spirit level makes it easy to ensure the box is set level
EXPERT OPINION: LEADING THE WAY IN TACKLE TESTS & REVIEWS
MARK SAWYER Tackle Editor
88 IYCF | Issue 359
JAMES FURNESS IYCF Editor
TONY GRIGORJEVS Features Editor
Package includes: 360 seat unit Deep side drawer unit 100mm base Cassette bar and footplate Deluxe padded shoulder strap
A simple hinge system enables the back of the seat to be folded at in transit
2 x 50cm standard legs 4 x 45cm telescopic legs
Telescopic legs on the front of the footplate enable the box to be set up on the steepest of banks or in the water
Swivelling mudfeet provide stability on any type of bank
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 89
Korum makes the Transition Iconic brand launches its best-ever range of luggage WE GOT our first look at Korum’s new Transition luggage range at the International Trade Show last October. And when the company’s brand manager, Mat Woods, proudly informed us that it was the best range they’ve ever produced, it was hard to disagree. The extensive collection, which comprises everything from rod holdalls to
unhooking mats, is now available in the shops. Every single item has obviously been carefully thought about with the addition of a host of innovative features. Combining a mix of highspec materials, each item has the perfect fabric in the right place. For example, you’ll find heavyduty stormproof materials on the lids and bases,
lightweight jacquard Ripstop fabrics for outer pockets and surfaces and super strong 600D fabric for added strength where it matters. One of the key features is the unique Transition Holster which enables the unhooking mats to be quickly and easily clipped to the bag for ease of transport.
Elasticated Tip & Butt Protectors
Tackle & Bait Stack
£12.99
£44.99
The tip and butt protectors are connected via an elasticated strap which makes it easier to keep together in transit.
Designed to cover all your food, bait and tackle needs. The top cool pouch area is separate from the main cooler bag, meaning you can keep your bait away from your other gear. It also features a gas canister holder which attaches via the unique Transition clip.
Session Carryall
Bait & Bits Bag £24.99
£49.99
Ideal for opportunist sessions when you want all your bait and tackle in one bag. The main compartment can accomodate larger items and the front pocket is handy for storing other accessories.
Daypack £39.99
A compact rucksack offering around 30 litres capacity – perfect for short sessions or travelling light. It has a cool pouch section on the top, plus two Velcro loops to secure items such as banksticks or folding landing net heads.
3XX 92 IYCF | Issue 359
The spacious main compartment is large enough to store all the gear for a longer session, but the bag isn’t so large that you’ll struggle to carry it. Features include three external pockets, wipe-clean lid and base and a padded shoulder strap.
Cool Pouch £19.99
This handy case fits easily inside all of the Transition bags but can easily be attached to the outside of the rucksacks and carryalls via the Transition clip feature.
Roll-A-Mat & Roll-A-Mat XL
3-Rod Folding Holdall
£16.99 & £19.99
TACKLE
Made from a heavy duty material this rollup mat provides a fantastic compact fishcare solution for smaller species such as perch, tench, bream and chub.
Fold-A-Mat £34.99
Rucksack
This bag consists of two shallow compartments which provide easy access to all your gear. Once opened, the low profile means that the bag can be stored under a bedchair and won’t topple over on sloping banks.
Boasting loads of storage, the shape of this rucksack has been designed to offer maximum comfort on longer walks. You can attach loads of accessories via the Transition clip, velcro loops and D loops.
£54.99
£59.99
A unique folding design offers a compact area for rods, reels and shelters which keeps them protected during transit. Outer pockets can be used to store nets, net handles and banksticks.
3-Rod Folding Quiver
A folding cradle style mat that’s compact to transport but still provides loads of protection thanks to the padded base and side. It can be clicked to any of the Transition bags via the Transition clip but also features D loops if you prefer carabiner attachments.
Fold-A-Sack
£59.99
£44.99
A new concept in rod quivers featuring a rod compartment which hinges away from the rear shelter compartment. This provides the benefits of a quiver but with added rod protection.
12ft 2 & 3 Rod Sling
3 Rod+ Quiver
£34.99 & £39.99
£34.99
These rod slings will comfortably house two or three madeup 12ft rods. The outer quiver area for extra rods or landing net handles.
Featuring room for three rods plus a landing net handle, the rear compartment is large enough to fit all Korum shelters and brollies inside. The outer pockets can be used for bankware and chair accessories.
Ruckbag
Compact Ruckbag
Korum’s iconic bag has undergone the Transition treatment. It still features the unique chair carrying straps but now has the addition of Velcro straps on the top, D loops and the Transition clip.
A slightly smaller version of the popular Ruckbag which is ideal for shorter sessions. Chair straps enable you to carry a chair hands free and it has three external pockets for various accessories.
£64.99
£54.99
www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 93
3 STEPS
TO (ALMOST) CERTAIN SUCCESS Not even Adam Penning can guarantee catching on every session but there are simple steps that dramatically increase the chance of a lump or two each time you set up
98 IYCF | Issue 359
CARP
1 LOCATION...
LET’S start right at the top with the single most important factor determining the success or failure of a carp session. Put simply, you wouldn't fish a lake with no carp in it so why would you set up in a swim equally devoid of fish? It appears that many people think that the stock of carp is somehow evenly spread throughout the lake. In reality, this is rarely, if ever, the case. Some parts of the lake will have very few visits from carp, while others could go months without any traffic at all. If you choose a swim solely based on its proximity to the car park, the fact that it has a nice looking set of lily pads or perhaps a willow on the end of an island, then you could be on the fast track to failure. The only reason to ever fish any swim is because you have seen something that tells you carp are present. While that could be a carp showing itself, it could be more subtle. Maybe there is one corner of the lake where the water is a totally different colour to the rest? Perhaps, if the wind is absent, you can spy some clusters of
Observation is key. Adam won’t set up until he knows he is on the fish
bubbles? Whatever the clue is, once you have seen it, you need to stand still and look for more indications because, more often than not, they will be forthcoming if you are prepared to invest a little time and patience. So next time, instead of being in a blind rush to get into a swim that did two fish on Facebook last month, take some time to actually look for the fish. Personally, I will not even contemplate setting up until I have some degree of certainty that I’m in the same place as the fish – life is too short and time far too precious!
Shows can often be more subtle than a carp crashing out
“Whatever the clue is, once you have seen it, you need to stand still and look for more indications” www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 99