Improve Your Coarse Fishing Issue 364 (PREVIEW)

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June 2 – June 30, 2020 £3.99

Treat them to a worm kebab!

Issue 364

The top big-fish hunter serves up a wriggly dish irresistible to tincas

Groundbait colour choice

RIEs! NEW sE ... ts to

We reveal five essential options and when you should fish with them

ha I YC F C rp The Ca ' e i h p o S d ' ng Ki Catchi year-old e 8Meet th l media ia soc star

PLus Lee Kerry's bait edges Jamies Hughes' top 5 pole rigs Enjoy explosive bomb action Tie a float setup for rudd

This month...

Issue 364 June 2 – June 30, 2020

Fishery Focus 8

Grimsbury Res

14

Decoy Lakes

Banbury, Oxfordshire

NEW SERIES!

30

Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire

Tactics 24

Lee Kerry

30

Dai Gribble

34

Jamie Hughes

40

Mark Griffiths

44

Quick fix

46

50 52 56

Essential bait tips for summer

Serve up a worm kebab when you’re after tench

Top five summer pole rigs

Bag up on the bomb close in How much to feed

Iain Swanson

Worm and caster for mixed bag magic

Know your species

Carp

Graham West

10 tips for big canal fish

Five of the best...

Groundbait colours

58 61 64

Rig school

Rudd float rig

Andy Phelps

Old school feeders rule

Fish Better with Des Shipp

Skills for reservoir silvers

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Q&A

Your questions answered

Below the surface

Why do fish live in shoals?

24

8

Tackle 74 76 78

80

Object of desire

Korum X-Calibre rods

New gear

The latest tackle releases

The kit we use

A look at the gear IYCF uses on the bank 34

92

Your IYCF 20 80 84

Carp tactics

86

Mike Salisbury

90

92 96

98 100

Playing carp at the park

Subscribe...

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IYCF chats to...

Sophie the Carp Catching Kid

Your letters Have your say

Daiwa Mission Your catch shots

The big angling quiz

Win a Korum Lure Bag

Carp Q&A

80

Sticky’s experts solve your problems

Rig of the month Margin stalking rig

Oz Holness

Lakebed types: Silt

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Double up at Decoy Lakes Yew Lake

Shannon Swallow visits a commercial where fish of all species are growing at an impressive rate Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs

FISHERY FOCUS An in-depth guide to the best stillwaters, rivers, and canals that you can fish for the price of a day ticket3XX 14 IYCF | Issue

T

here are some venues where the fish seem to pack on the pounds at a spectacular rate.

Whenever the float shoots under you can feel pretty confident that several feet of elastic will stream out of the pole tip as a potential new personal best races off.

Many commercials have a single water that can produce such a thrill but there are a select few that can deliver the goods from almost every peg onsite.

Decoy Lakes, in Whittlesey just outside Peterborough, is one of the biggest fisheries in the Midlands with 270 pegs spread across 11 waters. And it’s fair to say the venue’s fish are growing at pace.

Big carp are stocked in abundance and double-figure fish are on the cards on all the waters. There’s even some real whackers of more than 20lb thrown into the equation on several of them.

But it’s not only carp that are thriving.

There’s also barbel to 9lb, bream and tench to 5lb, ide over 4lb and perch nudging 3lb beneath the waterline.

The lure of such big fish draws anglers of all abilities, with novices and experts alike clocking up the miles to get a slice of the action.

Shannon Swallow thinks nothing of making a three-hour round trip from her home in Suffolk, fully confident that the journey will be more than worthwhile.

“No matter where you decide to set out your stall, you are going to be in with a chance of catching some stunning fish,” assures Shannon.

“It’s gained a solid reputation with anglers all over the country and thats because of the quality and consistency of sport on offer.”

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 15

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lee Kerry’s...

EssEntial!

stillwater bait tips Boost your warm weather attack with these simple tricks guaranteed to maximise your catches

W

hen it comes to looking at the best all-rounder in the country, Lee Kerry is definitely among the front-runners.

Whether fishing rivers, canals or reservoirs, he has a trick or two up his sleeve to deliver the desired result.

At this time of year stillwater are his main focus and the bait choices he makes put him in pole position to keep fish coming to the net.

24 IYCF | Issue 364

“Bait choice is so important on commercials and if you make the wrong decision, it will definitely set you back,” cautions Lee. “More often that not, it is about using the baits you have always relied on but giving them a little boost to make them even more appealing.”

This month Lee exclusively reveals his top 10 commercial bait tips to get your post-lockdown sessions off to a flyer.

tactics

corn and pEllEt ratio “hard pellets always play a big part in my attack on commercials, but they can be even more effective when combined with other baits.

Corn is a fantastic partner for them and there is a simple trick that I have found that makes it even more deadly.

I use 90 per cent pellet loosefeed and the rest is made up of corn. I then use corn on the hook. Because there is such a small amount of corn on the deck, the hookbait stands out more and the fish take it quickly.

This is a particularly effective way of fishing for bream and skimmers.”

liquid EnhancEmEnt “My rules for bait-boosting liquids are straightforward and have served me well in recent years...

Most big waters that attract specimen carp anglers are regularly fed with all sorts of wonderful concoctions. This means the fish are tuned into stronger flavours and therefore prefer baits which have an additional scent.

Sonubaits Banoffee Bait Booster is a favourite of mine and when poured on to pellets it can score well. It is important to try and understand what the locals use though. If you can replicate the flavours the fish are used to, they’re more likely to respond to your approach.”

bandEd baits “Many anglers band their pellets but there are lots of other baits that can be presented in this way too.

Dead maggots and casters are particularly well suited to being banded and I’ve caught stacks of big silverfish such as ide and chub in this manner when fishing shallow.

Banding ensures that the entire hook is exposed, and while this may sound like a negative, it is actually a positive. Fish that are feeding shallow don’t take time to investigate the bait like they might on the deck, rather they grab at it quickly.

With that in mind, it pays to have the whole hookpoint on show, maximising your chances of it burying firmly in the lip.”

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tactics: feeder species: tench difficulty:

30 IYcf | Issue 364

tactics

Dai ’s ke ba bs Turn to a takeaway for big tench Dai Gribble serves up a wriggly dish irresistible to big tench

OPE N: brE akfast – luN ch – diN NEr Words Tony Grigorjevs Photography Lloyd Rogers

T

he British public love a takeaway.

Whether it’s a chippy, Chinese or Indian, we crave the taste sensation that is experienced once we tuck in.

Dai Gribble is no different to the rest of us and he’s even come up with a way to give the fish their own version of gorgeous grub!

Tench are usually at the forefront of the Sonubaits-backed angler’s mind at this time of year and he puts a lot of his success down to his unusual choice of hookbait.

“I’m a big believer in giving the fish something different to trick them into feeding and my worm kebab hookbait is designed to do exactly that,” stated Dai. “Not only does it stands out like a sore thumb, it oozes flavour too. There’s no way any tench in your peg will be able to resist such a snack.”

Irresistible offering

The worm kebab gets its name from the way the bait is presented on a hair-rig. The bend of the hook and the stop at the bottom of the hair act as the ‘pitta’, with the worms the irresistible filling sandwiched firmly in the middle.

“I use a baiting needle to impale three or four pieces of worm through the middle and, once they are all threaded on the hair, they produce a great deal of movement,” said Dai. “If the tench are grazing on the bottom, it is impossible for them to miss it. That is why it’s so effective.”

It’s usually fished in conjunction with a simple helicopter-style feeder set-up. What goes inside the feeder and how it is loaded plays a big part in creating maximum levels of attraction.

“I use a blockend feeder and add chopped worms, a few maggots and then pack in plenty of Natural Worm Attract.

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYcf 31

Short range bombing mission Mark Griffiths proves that bomb tactics can outfish the pole for close in bagging action Words & Photography Tony Grigorjevs

T

he pole is widely regarded as the number one tactic when bagging carp at short range is on the cards.

When targeting a line at 15m or less, reaching for the top kits seems like the sensible thing to do. After all, the pinpoint accuracy it provides is surely the guaranteed route to success.

But that’s not always the case, according to Mark Griffiths. The Guru and Mainline Matchbacked angler regularly puts his faith in rod and line tactics in this scenario. And the bomb is the most effective of the lot.

“Bomb fishing is often only used when casting a reasonable distance is required. Many anglers don’t realise it is actually capable of outscoring the pole when fish want to feed close in,” said Mark.

“I’d even go as far as saying you could double your catch rate if you used the bomb over a pole in the right scenario.”

Finicky feeders

There are some situations where no matter what you try when using the pole, the fish just won’t settle. Feeding and rig adjustments do little to alleviate the problems and although the fish appear to be in the area, you are often plagued with line bites.

It is when this occurs that the bomb comes to the fore. Mark believes you will get an indication from the off as to which approach you should choose.

“The type of venue you are fishing and the conditions play a big part in deciding whether to reach for the bomb or pole.

“If the area that is usually my pole line is really shallow then the fish are likely to spook because they can detect the pole waving over their heads. Go to the bomb!

“This also the case when you have bright and clear skies, even in slightly deeper water.

tactics

tactics: bomb species: Carp difficulty:

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 41

RHIG OOL sc

RUDD fLOat RIG

Bold, brassy and with crimson fins, rudd punch above their weight. Try this simple the up-in-the-water rig to catch them

M

any species can be caught well off bottom during the summer months as the fish will often rise up in the water column to intercept baits as they sink.

This competitive feeding can be seen in carp, roach and, most predictably, in rudd, a species that

is adapted to feed up in the water on aquatic insects.

Rudd will often feed within inches of the surface, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Catch rudd and other species up in the water requires a slow-sinking bait fished on a simple float rig. By adjusting

the position of the float and any weight used down the line it is easy to fish at different depths and vary the rate at which the bait falls.

On a warm summer afternoon this is a brilliant tactic that will work just as well on commercial fisheries as it does on natural lakes and gravel pits.

HOW tO tIE a RUDD fLOat RIG

Attach a float adaptor to the Trap the float in place on the line If any further shot are required bottom of a 4AAA straight with four No.4 shot, t wo each to set the float correctly, place 1 2 3 loaded waggler to aid quick changes side of the float with a 5mm gap these around the base

Tie a 12in, 2lb hooklength to Tie on an eyed, mediumthe end of the mainline using a 5 strength hook using a 4 double four-turn grinner knot tucked blood knot

58 IYCF | Issue 364

So that the hookbait sinks at the same rate as the freebies, 6 fix a No.6 shot 6in above the hook

YOU WILL NEED

✔ 2AAA-6AAA loaded straight wagglers ✔ Split shot ✔ 3lb Maxima mainline ✔ 2lb Drennan hooklength line ✔ Size 12-16 hooks

fLOat

The size of the waggler will largely depend on the distance you need to cast to reach the fish

HOOk

Use a size 16 hook for maggots. For larger baits, such as sweetcorn, use a size 12

aDaptOR

The float adaptor enables you to change the float size instantly should the conditions change

kNOt

A double four-turn grinner is smaller than using a loopto-loop and helps the hookbait sink more naturally

www.greatmagazines.co.uk | IYCF 59

Sophie regularly catches stunning carp like this common

C h at s t o . . .

‘Sophie The Carp Catching Kid’

L

AST year we received a cracking picture of a young Sophie Williams with a barbel from the River Lea for our Daiwa Mission competition. We loved the image and she was one of the winners.

When we contacted her to let her know, she asked us to take a look at her Facebook page – Sophie The Carp Catching Kid. She’s since launched an Instagram account and has built an impressive social media following. We’ve really enjoyed following her adventures online and seeing the amazing fish she catches from a variety of venues.

We recently caught up with her to find out more about her angling…

Q

Q

A I was four years old when dad took me on my first fishing adventure.

A My favourite fish I’ve ever caught would have to be a redtail catfish which I caught in Thailand at Gillhams Fishing Resort after winning Angling Direct’s Princess of the Catch competition. It was a fight I will never forget! My dad recorded me playing the fish and the video on my Facebook page has had 9.5 million views!

How old were you when you first went fishing?

Q

What made you want to go fishing for the first time?

A My dad has always been a fisherman. His grandad used to take him fishing for all different types of species, so he wanted to do the same with me.

Q

Where did you go for your first trip and what did you catch?

A My first fishing trip was to a local estate lake called Warren’s in Hertfordshire and the very first fish I caught was a little carp which weighed around 3lb.

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What’s your favourite fish you’ve ever caught?

Q

Under normal circumstances when there is no lockdown, how often do you go fishing?

A Not enough! My dad and I go every Sunday and it’s very unusual that we miss a weekend. We fish all year round for different species and we also go night fishing regularly.

Sophie This redtail loves to fish catfish a variety is Sophie’s of different favouritevenues catch

This redtail catfish is Sophie’s favourite catch

Fishing with friends is lots of fun

Q

What is it you find fun about fishing and why should kids who’ve never done it before give it a try?

A The thing I like most about fishing is when your bobbin goes flying up when you least expect it and not knowing what’s on the end. I also love it when I’m barbel fishing and the rod bends round all of a sudden. Kids that haven’t tried fishing before should really give it a go because it’s such good fun and it gets you outside where you can learn lots about nature.

Q

Do many of your friends from school go fishing?

A None of my friends from school have ever been fishing, but my dad and I have taken a few of my friends from outside of school and they all really enjoyed it.

Q

If you could be fishing anywhere right now, where would it be, who would you be with and what would you be fishing for?

A I would be fishing on the River Lea, for barbel with my dad.

“My favourite fish would have to be a redtail catfish which I caught in Thailand at Gillhams”

Sophie and her dad, Dave, on a barbel session

caRp Q&a

in association with sticky

ask us a how do you think the question... behaviour of carp, so pressured over time, will change now that lakes have opened after their long rest during lockdown?

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

Tom Maker I think for the first few weeks they will be in a slight state of shock and be a little tricky to catch due to such a lengthy quiet spell. Most venues are usually packed to the rafters during peak season, but considering how long they’ve been left alone, they’ll no doubt feel very strange at the moment. Once the initial flood of anglers quietens down, I’m sure they’ll go back to what they consider normal – and get caught.

That feeling of slipping one back will be immense!

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youR caRp Questions answeRed by sticky’s expeRt angleRs Even if the venues are busy at first, always keep your eyes on the water as an opportunity won’t be far away

Ben Wales It’ll probably depend on the venue. Well-stocked fisheries that have been fed and managed will be just like normal. Well-stocked lakes that have been neglected are likely to see fish taking a battering because they will be desperate for food. More natural low-stocked venues might see the fish back off if there’s a sudden influx of angling pressure. But whatever happens, it’ll very quickly equalise and return to normal. Remember, carp are relatively simple creatures that need to feed.

I’ll be back on my favourite Lincolnshire pit, targeting the other big common!

I cannot wait to get back chasing some more incredible carp!

Jim Wilson In short, I don’t think it will be the clubbing season like everyone’s expecting. There will be fish caught I’m sure, but I think the initial bombardment they’ll experience will put them right on edge. For younger fish that have never experienced a rest like this, it’ll be interesting to see how they react.

Adam Penning I think the fish will generally be very flighty and twitchy. I am sure there will be a few rapid captures but they will very quickly realise the game is afoot and put down the shutters. I will be using a subtle approach, baiting lightly and avoiding using tackle items such as Spombs and marker floats.

I’ll try to keep as quiet as possible so they don’t suspect any change.

Scott Lloyd I think they’ll be more than up for it, and many carp will let their guard down in the first few weeks after angling being allowed (conditions dependant). They will be getting ready to spawn any time soon so they will need a good source of energy to be ready. I know I’ll be ripping open a bag of Krill Active very soon! There will be no special formula for me this year, I’ll be putting my faith in the Active bait and letting the Krill do what it does best. Even though some venues will be very busy after the initial opening, they’ll soon plateau on the numbers and I’ll be able to keep on the move and, hopefully, one step ahead of the carp. If you’re looking for an edge over others this year, I’d keep your eyes peeled for Krill Active when it hits the shelves.

Stay safe and be lucky!

Due to work, I’m in no mad rush to get out, but that first session back is going to be good

This could give you an edge this summer!