Improve Your Coarse Fishing Issue 368 (PREVIEW)

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The baiting plan that really works Katie Crooks' foolproof feeding strategy that guarantees more bites

PLUS

Add a splash of colour to your Method feeder

PACKED WITH ADVICE FOR ALL SPECIES Big barbel

Why a handful of bait is all you need

River roach

Use pellets to pick out the better fish

Feeder bream

Sept 22 – Oct 20, 2020 £3.99

ISSUE 368

LEARN HOW TO TIE A CHUB WAGGLER RIG

Tactics for tackling large reservoirs

This month...

Issue 368 September 22 – October 20, 2020

Fishery Focus 8

Great Ouse

14

Staunton Harold Res’

Bedfordshire Derbyshire

Tactics 24

Bradley Gibbons

30

Alfie Naylor

34

39

Treasure islands

River roach on pellets

Katie Crooks

Revealed: The four cup feeding system

Harry Pardoe

Want to catch big barbel?

A handful is all it takes 44 48 50 54

Robbie Taylor

It’s time to get pasty!

Kayleigh Smith

Tips for deep canals

Russell Shipton

Add a splash of colour

Rig school

Chub waggler rig

14 56

62

John Hudson

Speed it up with hair-rigged worms

Fish Better with Des Shipp

Essential autumn bait advice

66

34 4 IYCF | Issue 368

Q&A

Your questions answered

66

74

Tackle 70

Live test

74

New gear

Middy 5G Pellet Waggler rod

The latest tackle releases

Carp tactics 90 94

96 98

James Furness

Sticking to the rules

Carp Q&A

Sticky’s experts solve your problems

Rig of the month

70

The multi rig

Weight matters

How heavy a lead should you use?

90

Your IYCF 76 80 82 88

IYCF chats to...

Dave Watson

Your letters Have your say

Daiwa Mission Your catch shots

Angling puzzle break

Win a Korum Lure Bag

76

39

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The new kid on the block Staunton Harold Reservoir

Adam Wakelin uncovers a red hot feeder fishing venue that has gone under the radar for years Words Tony Grigorjevs Photography Ryan Hayden

14 IYCF | Issue 368

T

HE popularity of feeder fishing on reservoirs has rocketed in recent years.

A combination of factors appears to have triggered the trend, with minimal preparation and rig simplicity just as important as the desire to try something different from the commercial carp scene.

Venues such as Doncaster’s Southfield Reservoir and Carr Mill Dam near St Helens kickstarted the revolution but now there is another water that is drawing some serious attention from feeder flingers.

Staunton Harold Reservoir occupies picturesque Derbyshire countryside located between Melbourne and Ticknall and the backdrop alone is enough of a reason to wet a line. Built in 1964, it covers a vast 210 acres and, although it has been a coarse fishery for a while, its true potential has only really come to light in recent months.

Bream to more than 7lb and quality roach are at the forefront of the action, with 70lb hauls of silvers achievable during pleasure sessions.

Daiwa’s Adam Wakelin is one of the many top-quality anglers that is fully aware of what is on offer.

“I love feeder fishing on big, open waters because every day is different,” he asserts.

“This is where I started fishing over two decades ago but I hadn’t paid it any attention until recently.

“When I first returned there weren’t many people fishing it, but it has become very popular of late. It’s not surprising really when you discover how many fish it holds. Admittedly, they are far from easy to catch but if you get your tactics right you will experience some of the best natural-water sport you can find anywhere in the land. And that’s no exaggeration.”

FISHERY FOCUS An in-depth guide to the best stillwaters, rivers, and canals that you can fish for the price of a day ticket

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 15

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"I've caught so many fish following the advice in IYCF"

QUOTE: 'JGAA' CLOSING DATE: OCTOBER 19, 2020

EX CL US IV E OF FE R VISIT: WWW.GREATMAGAZINES.CO.UK/IYCF or CALL: 01858 438 884

TACTICS: FLOAT SPECIES: CARP/F1s DIFFICULTY:

24 IYCF | Issue 368

TACTICS

Treasure islands

Island margins are great features and Dynamite Baits’ Bradley Gibbons has devised a simple way to get the most out of them Words Bradley Gibbons Photography Mark Parker

I

SLANDS are well documented as being great angling features, and in this feature I’m going to detail my approach which enables you to fish two lines in one.

Although I am fishing a ‘mud line’, because the island in front of me has a steep drop off, I have the best of both worlds on one line.

This makes it ideal for targeting both carp and F1s for the chance of a great mixed bag.

Of course, not all islands are like this but, if you have a steep drop off, fishing in the manner I’m going to suggest can be incredibly effective.

When it’s warm, the fish will want to be in the shallowest water they can find. That is as close to the island as possible, where it is around 10in deep. However, if I were to target this spot for F1s with light rigs, the chances are that I will hook a carp and get smashed up.

To prevent this, I set up a separate rig to fish just off the island, where the water falls away to around 6ft. As the two lines are so close together, I can fish them very simply and effectively but, due to the difference in depths, they don’t affect each other.

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t Tiny po w fe Add a h this wit pellets ery start at the v

TACTICS: POLE SPECIES: CARP DIFFICULTY:

34 IYCF | Issue 368

m pot Mediu erfect p This is fish are he when t ding lots deman grub of

pot Small to your is on to Clip th f you need it ba t i top ki little more add a

TACTICS

REVEALED

The four cup feeding system Ever worry about whether you are cupping in the right amount of bait? Katie Crooks reveals her foolproof strategy for getting it right every time Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs

H

OW much bait to put in is a dilemma that every angler is faced with at the start of a session.

In winter the decision is easy as the fish are guaranteed to have a reduced appetite, but when it’s warm it’s a very different ball game.

Factors including the weather, the amount of pressure a venue has been under and where on the lake you are sat all play a crucial part in how much you should currently feed.

FishOMania NXTGEN competitor, Katie Crooks, reckons all the dithering at the start of a session can become a thing of the past if you follow the foolproof feeding routine she has adopted.

“Putting the wrong amount of bait in is going to lead to you getting fewer bites, but there is a simple way of making sure that you don’t ruin the whole day,” she assured us.

“I rely on four cups of different sizes and work through a system as to which to use.”

Lar Turn ge pot to thi s on days w h e n fish a re qui the ck hoove ring u ly every p morse l

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TACTICS: POLE SPECIES: CARP DIFFICULTY:

SLOPPY in Ideal ater w w shallo argins and m 3ft up to

44 IYCF | Issue 368

M MEDIU this to Switch eper in de h as suc swims water open

TACTICS

Don’t be hasty - it’s time to get pasty!

Don’t be too quick to dismiss paste. Follow Robbie Taylor’s beginners guide to this deadly hookbait Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs

A

HUGE proportion of anglers turn their backs on the idea of paste fishing.

It is often regarded as a complex approach, with bait preparation and rig dynamics just two of the elements that differ significantly from other styles of pole fishing.

But Robbie Taylor reckons you have nothing to be worried about and that using paste needn’t be as problematic as you may fear it to be.

The Guru and Mainline Match-backed star has

worked on a simplified way of working with the bait and says that following a few basic guidelines will help you use it with great success too.

“Paste has a reputation of being a really complex bait to use but that couldn’t be any further from the truth,” explains Robbie.

“Pay a little attention to how you make it and how you set up your rigs and you’ll soon be fooling some of the biggest carp in your favourite lake.”

S Use t TIFF i when ny pieces silver after bi g fish or F1 s

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G I R OL SC H

O

CHUB WAGGLER RIG The simple charm and versatility of a waggler float is one of the most pleasant ways of targeting this chunky species

O

NE of the nicest ways to catch chub is up in the water on the waggler. By feeding every few seconds with maggots or casters you can often encourage the fish to rise to within a few feet of the surface as they compete for food.

This is the ideal situation for picking them off on a bait slowly sinking through the water column as it is moves downstream on the current.

A short, loaded waggler is the best

float for this job. With maximum buoyancy for its short length, it makes minimum disturbance when entering the water and is stable in a crosswind.

There is no need for an insert tip as bites are normally very positive when chub grab the bait and chase after the next offering.

To ensure that the hookbait matches the sink rate of the free-offerings, it is important to add a few small shot down the line. The line actually causes quite a

lot of drag as it sinks – enough to slow the descent of the hookbait. Add a tiny No.10 shot close to the hook and then No.8 shot at about 45cm intervals between the hook and float.

Regular feeding is the key to putting together a big weight of chub on the waggler, making it a very busy way of fishing.

Expect to catch some nice dace and even roach up in the water on this rig too as the fish compete for your bait.

HOW TO TIE A LOADED WAGGLER FLOAT RIG

ad a f loat stop on to a f loat adaptor to the mainline at tach the f loat 1Thre 2 Use

on the hook using a knot 5 Tiewhipping

54 IYCF | Issue 368

the f loat in place knot in using a second f loat stop 3 Stop of the main line 4 Tietheaendfigure-of-eight

a No.10 shot or Stotz hooklink and mainline t wo No.8 shot at equal 15cm above the hook 7 Use with a loop-to-loop knot below the float 6 Join 8 Fixdistances

YOU WILL NEED ✔ 2BB-4BB clear waggler ✔ Float adaptor ✔ 0.11mm hooklength ✔ 0.14mm mainline ✔ Size 18 Guru MWG hook ✔ Float stops ✔ Micro shot

FLOAT

A short, loaded waggler creates very little disturbance when entering the water making it less likely to spook feeding fish

FLOAT STOPS

Loaded floats don’t require a bulk of shot to cock them. Instead, trap the float inbetween a couple of rubber float stops

SHOTTING

Pinch one No.10 shot on the hooklength and two No.8 shot on the line below the float to ensure that the hookbait falls at the same speed as the free offerings

HOOKBAIT

Use a single or double maggot hookbait and keep catapulting in loosefeed every few seconds

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 55

Fish better with...

DES SHIPP

Brush up on key angling skills with England International Des, to put more fish on the bank

THIS MONTH: ESSENTIAL AUTUMN BAIT ADVICE

Y

OU may have chosen a species or two to target and several baits for the session, but exactly how you use them is vitally important.

How you present loosefeed and hookbaits and how you tweak them for added attraction will play a big part in whether or not the float keeps going under, especially now that summer has largely passed.

CHANGE THE DELIVERY

5 TIPS

TO BOOST YOUR BAITS

62 IYCF | Issue 368

You may have a favourite style of feeder, but changing to a different one can make the world of difference to how your loosefeed is presented. For example, pellets will crumble off a Method feeder to make a pile, but you can make it even tighter by using a pellet feeder that empties only from one end.

1

2

3

GROUNDBAIT CONSISTENCY Work out how you want your groundbait to behave. If you want it to create a cloud, then squeeze it into a loose ball.

If you want it to get to the deck fully intact, then squeeze it firmly to prevent it from breaking apart.

VARY YOUR CUPPING Tapping in a few morsels of bait after every fish is a great way to trigger a reaction, but how you use the cup can affect the catch rate. Start by filling a small cup with bait and introducing it all at once. If bites fade, however, use a sprinkle cap that enables you to tap in a few morsels before doing the same a short while later without shipping in.

4

5 CHOOSE BIG HOOKBAITS

METHOD FLAVOUR

The appetite of fish will reduce slightly in the coming weeks so it is important that your hookbait is the first thing they want to eat.

When fishing the bomb or feeder, use a large, standout hookbait such as a bright 8mm wafter or boilie that fish will find impossible to miss.

Moulded pellets or groundbait around a Method feeder will attract fish, but adding flavour will make it an even more appealing. It’s a case of trial and error, but brightly coloured and pungent varieties usually fair best.

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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY EXPERTS...

I want to catch one of the big barbel or chub that live in my local river but all I can catch is bream. How can I avoid their attentions?

ASK US A QUESTION...

Email: IYCF@bauermedia.co.uk Write to: IYCF Magazine, Bauer Media, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA www.facebook.com/iycfmag @iycfmagazine

LIAM MACKEN, EMAIL

A

Bream travel around in large shoals and are notorious for not being remotely fussy when it comes to what they eat. The key to giving the other species a chance is using a large hookbait that the slabs will struggle to swallow. Doing so may result in very few bites but, when the alarm does scream into life, you can be sure that something substantial is attached to the other end.

HOOKBAIT

Use a snowman-style hookbait made up of an 18mm boilie with a slightly smaller popup on top

LEAD

Use a 3oz lead so that the rig holds bottom in any current

LEAD SET-UP

A lead clip system makes the rig fish safe should you suffer a breakage

66 IYCF | Issue 368

HOOKLINK

A braided hooklength is vital to stop fish sensing the rig is in place

Q

I fish a lake that is home to a mix of bream, tench and crucians. What should I feed to get bites from all of these species?

MATT BARLOW, EMAIL

A

The appetite of most fish will start to reduce slightly at this time of year so it is best to feed something with maximum attraction and minimal substance.

Use a variety of blended baits that have different qualities to help increase your chances of getting plenty of bites.

HOW TO MAKE A MIX FOR ALL FISH

Chuck a handful of worms into a hand blender

Q

I know that groundbait works well down the margins for carp, but is it ever worth feeding it on open water pole lines?

COLIN MURPHY, EMAIL

A Open a tin of sweetcorn and add it to the mix

Yes definitely! The chocolatey colour of many commercials is slowly going to disappear in the coming weeks as

the fish begin to feed with less intensity.

This means the bottom doesn’t get churned up as much and there won’t be as much sediment lingering in the water.

Fish act in a cagier manner in clear water because they can sense what is going on above the surface, so adding a tinge of colour can give them more confidence.

Pick a dark groundbait and feed softlysqueezed balls that include a sprinkling of pellets. They will start to disintegrate as they sink, leaving a cloud in the water and deliver food that will soon draw interest.

Q

I have read that pellets and casters are the best baits for shallow fishing on the pole, but when should I use each one?

WAYNE KELLY, EMAIL

Finish off the concoction with half a pint of casters

Blend it all to create a sloppy mixture that can be cupped in

A

Both of these baits are effective when fishing shallow on commercials because of the distinctive noise they make when they hit the surface.

The fish are attracted to this sound and charge into the swim to feed.

Pellets are best when you are trying to exclusively pick out F1s and carp and avoid the attentions of any silverfish.

Casters work well when the fish are sitting really shallow because they sink a fraction slower than pellets. This gives the fish a little longer to eat them without having to chase them down through the water column.

They are also a great option for mixed bags because quality ide, roach and skimmers eat them just as much as carp and F1s.

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TACKLE NEW GEAR REVEALED, ON THE BANK TESTS & EXPERT ADVICE

70 IYCF | Issue 368

TACKLE LIVE TEST

“This beauty ticks all the boxes” IYCF’s Tony Grigorjevs gets to grips with the new Middy 5g Pellet Waggler rod and falls in love with what it has to offer MIDDY 5G 11FT PELLET WAGGLER RRP: £99.99

A

QUALITY waggler rod isn’t an easy item of tackle to create.

It needs to combine so many factors effectively to be a winner, with the best on offer providing a clever blend of strength, power and finesse.

A waggler rod that isn’t up to the job will

soon get found out. In fact, the first cast will often provide a huge indicator as to whether you’ve spent wisely or not.

Middy’s latest launch is the 11ft 5G Pellet Waggler and, as you’d expect, the manufacturer has ramped this up to be something special.

But I’ve heard plenty of marketing hype in the past. Sometimes the product. lives up to the superlatives. Sometimes it falls flat on its face.

There was only one way to find out which way it would go and that was to get it on the bank.

I tapped the postcode for Worcestershire’s Manor Farm Leisure into the satnav.

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C H AT S T O . . .

Dave Watson

I

N MANY ways Dave Watson is similar to a lot of anglers – he’s mid-thirties, married with children and enjoys pole and feeder fishing on commercial carp lakes in the Midlands. But there are few anglers as inspirational as Dave.

While serving with the British Army he lost both legs and an arm after stepping on a hidden IED (improvised explosive device) after turning back to help a friend who had slipped over while crossing a stream in Helmand Province during a tour of Afghanistan in 2010.

Remarkably, his incredible drive and determination saw him learning to walk again on prosthetic legs within weeks of sustaining his injuries. He was also able to get back out on the bank again and is now a successful match angler sponsored by Maver. But perhaps most impressive of all are the numerous medals he has won for Team GB at the Invictus Games in Canada and Australia.

Dave’s advice is simple - just get out there and do it!

ATE TO DON VISIT: pfor www.hel k or rg.u heroes.o a.org sm www.ble

Q

Could you tell us more about what happened in 2010?

A So, back in 2010 I was over in Afghanistan and on May 27 I stepped on an IED and lost both of my legs and my right arm. At that point I thought my life was over.

I died twice at 32,000 feet while being taken to hospital in an aeroplane but all the staff saved me.

I was in hospital for three weeks then went to Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre where I had to learn to walk again on prosthetics.

It took me four years to realise my life was just getting started. I went through a lot in those four years but I bounced back when I met my wife and stepson Josh, then having our two daughters Erin and Paige.

76 IYCF | Issue 368

Dave has won a total of six medals at the Invictus Games for Team GB

Dave in medalwinning form at the Invictus Games

Q

Such life-changing circumstances could see many people give up.

What drives you and what sort of mindset do you have to adopt to go on to achieve all the things you have?

A The thing that drives me to become the man I am today is my wife and kids.

They are my driving force. Everything I’m doing, I’m doing for them. I want them to look at me and think that if I can do it, they can do it too and there is no giving up.

A saying I always use is: ‘Never let anyone tell you, you can’t do something.’ Nothing is impossible.

Everything is possible, you just have to put your mind to it.

Q

You won gold and bronze medals for Team GB at the Invictus Games in 2017, followed by golds and two silver medals in 2018. How did you get involved with the event and what did it feel like to achieve such great success?

A Yes, in 2017 I won a gold and bronze medal in Toronto. Then in 2018 in Sydney I won two golds in the discus and shot putt events and two silver medals in rowing events. It was amazing to compete in the Invictus Games. I got involved by putting my name forward and going to the trials.

I never really thought I would get

Dave is the very embodiment of triumph over adversity

“Never let anyone tell you, you can’t do something. Nothing is impossible. Everything is possible” www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 77

CARP Q&A

IN ASSOCIATION WITH STICKY

IS THERE A WAY OF FIXING POP-UPS OTHER THAN FLOSS?

Q

Is there an easier way to attach pop-ups to rig rings than using bait floss? I find it really fiddly and my hookbaits keep slipping out!

ASK US A QUESTION...

Email: IYCF@bauermedia.co.uk Write to: IYCF Magazine, Bauer Media, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA www.facebook.com/iycfmag @iycfmagazine

Nick Kennedy, email TOM GIBSON: There certainly is!

Attaching pop-ups with a ring is actually quite an old method. It does have its benefits Micro swivels by ensuring the bait is super-tight when casting are perfect longer distances but, unless you’re really giving it on stiff D-rig some hammer, you’re unlikely to strip the rig of presentations the hookbait in normal circumstances.

So, in terms of other methods, micro ring swivels are Micr my favoured choice. And not just for ease of use, but also for the extra movement they create on the rig.

These o swivels tin All you have to do is pass your length of floss through give h y devices the smaller hole and thread a hookbait on to the floss. ookba You can then either use a bait stop and blob, or for its m u c h shorter casts you’ll get away with just blobbing the floss more movem with a lighter and flattening the floss against the top of ent the hookbait with your finger.

The finished rig and set up

The C-clip (covered by tubing) allows the lead to pull free

Q

Is there a way to drop the lead when fishing with helicopter rigs?

Paul Croft, email GAZ FAREHAM: Yes, there is. All you need is some

of C-clips from Thinking Anglers. These come in 3lb and 6lb strengths and, only if the take is aggressive when snag fishing, for example, or it gets lodged in the weed, will it dislodge the lead to aid the fight. It is a simple product that enables you to fish helicopter rigs in total safety.

94 IYCF | Issue 368

YOUR CARP QUESTIONS ANSWERED

BY STICKY’S EXPERT ANGLERS

Q

A real snaggy pit highlight using fluoro leaders

How can I improve my line lay when there’s weed in between the bank and the spot I’m fishing?

George Pierce, email SCOTT LLOYD: The best way to improve your

line lay is by ensuring the final 6ft is pinned right down. If leaders are banned, I like to use the new XL Tungsten Droppers from Thinking Anglers which will be hitting the shelves soon.

These pin your line right down to the deck, and although sometimes the scenario can’t be helped if there’s weed between you and the spot, this is the best you’ll be able to do. It’s all about that last 6ft! These aren’t just for putting on your line though, they can be used on rigs instead of putty. Edge!

If you want to see the importance of pinning down your end tackle, make sure you watch Underwater Revelations on the Sticky Baits TV YouTube channel.

Q

Is it best to use tubing, leadcore or a leadfree leader? Or is it largely down to personal preference?

Ross Butler, email MYLES GIBSON: I’d

The new XL Tungsten Droppers will help you pin down that final 6ft of line hard to the deck

Q

It’s said that carp will follow a warm wind. If the wind is blowing in the same direction for several days, though, will they stay on the end of it or start to drift off to different areas again?

Karen Gilding, email

certainly say personal preference, and also venue-dependent because different lakes will have different rules. If I had to choose between the three you’ve mentioned, I’d pick leadcore. It pins your end tackle right

JIM WILSON: Every lake is different, and the only way you’ll figure what the patterns are is by logging the info every time you’re there. On some lakes they’ll follow a warm wind, then on others they’ll sit on the back of it. If you’re targeting a new lake and you have no signs to go on such as shows, fizzing, bubblers etc, then it may be worth the punt. But let your eyes make the decision for you, not the weather.

down to the lakebed, whereas I’ve seen leadless leaders that don’t lay anywhere near as well without the weight inside.

However, fluorocarbon leaders are also a possibility, and at the moment this is what I use.

They are super-strong, virtually invisible underwater and sink like a brick. So, if I did have the choice, it’d be none of the orginal choices!

I’d go with a braid mainline and a fluorocarbon leader. This gives you the strength in the braid, yet a slight cushion thanks to the stretch in the fluoro. It makes the fights that little bit better and not as savage.

Carp won’t always be where you expect them to be

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