FIND OUT HOW TO: Fish like a champion
Tips, Tactics & Tackle
EDITION 2 advice from the pro's an essential read!
The new feeder method that is smashing catch records Find out which hooks and rigs work best and why
PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE Includes advice from top stars like Marc Rodger, Lee Thornton and Simon Skelton
Discover THE HOTTEST NEw TACKLE DEVELOPMENTS
Tips, Tactics and Tackle to up your success •
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Welcome to this guide
Increase your catch potential. Tactical knowledge, when coupled with the right tackle and baits and applied as a precise approach to fishing, will yield spectacular results. In this guide, top match stars give you their tactical and product advice and reveal their secrets to success.
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contents PAGE 3 Hooks... which to use and why.
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PAGES 4 - 5 Magic Feeder method… Skelton scores big time PAGES 6 - 7 Float fantastic… different types explained
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PAGES 8 - 9 Monster tactics with Lee ThorNton PAGE 10 Essential kit PAGE 11 Clever star system
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PAGES 12 - 13 Popping on top… how the waggler can still beat other methods PAGES 14 - 15 Fish like a champ… Marc Rodger shows why a balanced set-up is key
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PAGE 16 Tackle fest… hot new gear 16 Improve your knowledge and catch like catch a champion A your knowledge and likewww.middytackle.com a champion 2 •Improve
Look for this icon for additional tips and information throughout this guide.
HOOKS Let’s get to the point... Alec Roberts on SUPER STRONG EYED HOOKS If you are looking for an extremely strong eyed hook that can be used with a knotless knot and hair, it just has to be the KM2. This model also has an off-set eye which means the hair hangs better and more in-line. Use with a latex band and pellet.
Without a doubt the most important part of any successful set-up has to be the hook used. Hook patterns have evolved in recent years to be, in general, stronger and available in bigger sizes to accommodate for the ever increasing size of carp in commercial carp lakes. Some of the most successful anglers in the UK give you details of their favourite patterns and why they work so well for them.
Lee Thornton on HOOKS WITH MORE FINESSE The 63-13 hook from Middy is quite fine yet very strong. It is also Teflon impregnated which makes the point last longer and the hook non-reflective. I use it for silvers and F1's, but it will handle bonus fish when they come along.
Craig Butterfield on EYED CARP HOOKS My choice is the KM1. It is a medium gauge hook with a beaked point and it is this beaked point that I believe makes you lose fewer carp. It just penetrates and holds better. I use with a basic hair or looped hair.
Graham Dack on SPADE END HOOKS FOR COMMERCIALS The best all-round hook for commercials has to be the 93-13 pellet teflon model. It looks quite fine but it is deceptively strong. I use it for pellet, meat and corn presentations and in the right hands it will handle carp into double figures. The slightly inturned/beak point also allows me to hit more bites. Team up with Lo-Viz line for the perfect presentation.
Steve Gregory on SUPER STRONG SPADE MODELS The 83-13 hook is tremendously strong and ideal for all particle presentations. It has a round bend and almost straight point which I think works well on biglumps. I don't want to be worried about the hook straightening on commercials and the 83-13 gives me that security.
Many of the models on this page are also available ready tied with special hair rigs/attachments.
Tips, Tactics and Tackle to up your success • A Tips, Tactics and Tackle to up your success 3
SHORT SHOTGUN SUCCESS The feeder can be an incredibly effective method but it’s not all about casting to the horizon. Fining down your feeder tactics for short range fishing can often be much more rewarding than the waggler or even the pole. County Champion Simon Skelton explains more…
As I’m fishing a short hooklength that will put my bait right amongst my feed, I’ve chosen quite a strong line and hook. The shorter the hooklength, the less stretch it has, so I’ve stepped up my line diameter and chosen an elasticated feeder to prevent breakages.
Islands are always a great fish holding spot and the peg I’m on today has an island that’s easily reachable with a short cast. Because I’m not casting far and I want greater control when playing fish under the rod tip, I’ve chosen a really short 8ft feeder rod.
It can be a bit of a sit and wait tactic, but fortunately I don’t have to wait too long - just fifteen minutes after casting out, the tip flies round and I’m in to a better fish. I take my time and it’s soon under the rod tip. The short rod means the fish is nice and close when it first surfaces and with the aid of a strong landing net handle and a large mesh net I’m able to scoop the fish on the first attempt and a chunky 5lb common is safely landed.
There are a few snags around the island so I’ve clipped up around a metre short of it. I’ve also set up a small Shotgun feeder – their unique design puts bait right amongst your feed, which is brilliant for catching fish and they are also fantastic for snaggy swims, as your feeder and hooklength are so neat and compact. I’ve brought just a couple of pints of micro pellets that have been soaked for feed and then a range of larger pellets and corn for the hook.
4 • Improve your knowledge and catch like a champion
I have five quick casts to get a bit of bait into the swim, then sit and wait for my first bite. It isn’t long before a small carp takes a liking to my banded pellet. Two more follow in the next two casts before I get a run of small chub. The swim goes quiet and I’m hoping a few better fish have moved in. Five minutes later and a ferocious bite nearly takes my rod in! I carefully play the fish in and it turns out to be a bright orange koi carp! It seems there are a few better fish around now and, although I have to wait a little longer for bites, I’m rewarded with a couple of scale perfect commons of around 5lb, which are brilliant fun on my short rod. After a busy couple of hours I’m keen to look for a bigger fish and I think corn might do the trick. So I make a switch to a straight lead set-up with two pieces of corn hair rigged on a size 14 hair carp hook to nylon - these are the perfect length straight out the packet for fishing on a straight lead.
It’s been a really good day and the feeder has kept bites coming throughout. I’ve ended with around 40lb of small carp and chub and it just proves what a deadly tactic going short on the feeder can be.
Get a good set of tools for banding baits
The new ‘White Knuckle CX’ short feeder from Middy is super-slim yet incredibly strong.
a great day's fishing, thanks to the right kit! Specially made short hooklengths are available ready tied
0.22 line is a must when fishing the feeder
Proof that you do not have to fish the feeder at long distance
The Shotgun works incredibly well but do remember to vary your tactics if a swim becomes quite or you think a change could lead to bigger fish
Top-Notch rests have the perfect design to prevent your rod being pulled in with violent takes
The Middy Shotgun feeder is deadly and responsible for many lake records – available in elasticated and in-line models
Use a short strong handle like this Power handle with short rods
The Shotgun How it works:
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1. Load dampened pellets 2. Compress the pellets and push down, they easily stay in for the cast. I have left my hook bait out, but you can drop this inside the feeder if you wish.
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3. The pellets are magically gradually pushed out of the feeder under water. 4. It creates an irresistible offering with your hook bait right in the middle. Totally separate to your feeder.
Tips, Tactics and Tackle to up your success •
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FLOAT CHOICES With a massive array of floats to choose from, how do you know which are best for the job?
On these pages we give you advice on what to look for when fishing commercial carp venues and when to use them. Some patterns are, as always, down to a little bit of personal preference, but we guide you in what to look for and explain why it would be not very productive using a small waggler in deep swims.
FAT-BOY CRYSTAL WAGGLERS Waggler Style Floats… Match ace Craig Butterfield gives you an overview.
The ‘waggler’ is essentially a term used for floats that are attached at the bottom end only and they were, traditionally, long and waggled about on the line. During the 1960’s, pioneers in the float market like Ken Middleton of Middy Tackle were famous for designing them and making them available. More recently the waggler float has evolved to be used in a new way!
SPLASH ‘EM STYLE WAGGLERS
With the success of commercial carp venues floats have been made that actually feed the swim. The Shotgun is probably the best of such types, in fact the way the mechanism works it makes it unique.
BAGGIN’ MACHINE WAGGLERS
DEL 9-12
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These floats are quite short in length and take virtually no shot-weights down the line. You simply trap them with two #8 shots and away you go. They are designed for fishing up-in-the-water at a relatively close distance, allowing for a little finesse in the presentation. See a video of them in-use by going to YouTube simply search for “Baggin' Machine Waggler Floats”, or scan this QR code:
EL 5-8
With many carp ready to be caught in only two or three feet of water, there was a need for very short wagglers that could be used with a hook length of only 6” (15cm). Shorty wagglers are available in twelve models with varying weight capacities, so they can be used at long or short distances.
Because fishing upin-the-water is such a successful method, many other variations on almost the same theme are available in shops. These Parachute wagglers, for example, have been designed with brake wings on the stem. They have also been designed to actually need bigger shot weights than just #8, because some anglers now believe that feathering the bait onto the surface gets more bites. The theory is that on some over-fished venues the carp have gotten too used to hearing the splash sound and realise it could spell danger. Most anglers now agree that the quicker the float settles in the water (the shallower it dives before settling on top), the more bites you get/hit. This is where floats like the original Popper can succeed, see page 12.
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SHORT WAGGLERS
OTHERS
SPECIAL WAGGLERS
MODEL 1-4
Designed for fishing with a short line below the float, as little as 8” (20cm) using pellet baits. They make a splash when hitting the water and attract carp that are feeding in the upper layer of the water. The dome/mushroom top stops the float diving too deep on entry, acting like a brake. You simply trap the float with two #8 shot, and it needs no other loading to cock it fully.
Straight crystal wagglers like these were used predominantly on the rivers in the past for roach and bream, but they have evolved to be bigger in diameter and to incorporate loading weights. This makes them ideal for commercial lakes. They can be used for fishing at short depths like the Splash’Em style and if used in this way they give your set-up a little more finesse. The carp might be feeding slightly more timidly and these light unobtrusive floats with a small hook down to #18 will bring success. In the longer/bigger sizes they become very stable to use when carp are feeding at middle to just off bottom depths. The float is not affected by the wind because the longer length gives stability in the water. Available in straight and insert versions - the latter of which has a starlit facility. All have interchangeable screw weights.
Use a pellet float adaptor like these from Middy, they have a new lightweight fibre-stem construction which keeps the balance of your float perfect and allows you to use floats with no shot weights at all.
Pole Floats
Most anglers now fish a whip, margin pole or the long pole. It has become the norm, whereas at one time it was a method mainly used on the continent. So which float should you use and when? Top match stars and angling journalists give you their choices…
STYREX FOAM
MARGIN STRONG
Alec Roberts
Dave Woodmansey
I was involved in the development of these floats. The series 1 margin model is my favourite. It is perfect for tight in the margins and I believe the diamond shape body gives it additional stability and aids presentation. There is, however, a comprehensive range including a wire stem series 5 model that is ideal for winter presentations on small #20 63-13 hooks. All are made from hi-buoyancy foam and have steel core anti-snag side eyes.
CARPBUSTER SERIES 3
I use this float a lot in margin swims that are too deep for a dibber, but not quite deep enough for a 'proper' float. Thanks to a top design feature, they're good for margin swims up to 3ft 6in deep when big carp are likely to drag you into snags. The very strong carbon stem runs all the way through the float and the top of it is painted red. The side eye is made of virtually unbreakable nylon moulded in the form of a figure 8. I've never had one of these floats break on me. They're available in four sizes.
The series 3 and 4 are great all-rounders for depths from 4-6 feet, while the series 6 is shaped to give even more stability in windy conditions or deep swims.
MULTI OPTION PFSE MODELS
Steve Haywood Indestructible, that’s the best way to describe the PFSE range. Every element has been carefully designed to make it incredibly strong from the inline body to the unique line friendly polymer eye. The range features four body shapes that will cover all of your carp fishing needs from paste floats to slimmer models - perfect for maggot or pellet fishing.
Russ Evans 1. Get your float dotted low down to get those extra bites. 2. Lift and then lower the float a few inches without shipping-in to promote activity/bites.
CARP GREYS
Ashley Clements The Carp Grey series is possibly the most versatile range of floats ever made - this one range, which features two diameters of tip and both carbon and wire stems, covers 90% of my commercial fishing. The rugby ball shaped body is perfect for all baits and I simply use the thicker tips on bigger baits and the wire stem on days when conditions are less favourable and I need added stability.
XK55 SERIES 3/PASTE
Steve Gregory I was asked to design the best paste float on the market. Being the paste head that I am I knew exactly what it needed to be like. Paste fishing is very demanding on your tackle so strength and durability is a key factor. When I’m bagging on my Miracle Baits paste I want a float that I know will last and the XK55 is the strongest paste float I’ve ever used. The longer bristle is perfect for reading bites and spotting when your paste has come off and the slim profile of the body results in minimal resistance for the fish. Tips, Tactics and Tackle to up your success •
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Seeking Margin Monsters! Having a swim full of fish means nothing unless your tackle is strong enough to land them. This is never truer than when targeting big fish in the margins. Former England Youth International and Fish’O’Mania finalist Lee Thornton knows a thing or two about putting together big weights of margin monsters. The great thing about margin fishing is how easy it is to catch the fish close. Today I’m fishing just 6m to my left hand margin, about 1m from the bank where I have about 2 half feet of water. As the fish here run to double figures I have got strong 18-20 Hi-Viz elastic through the top 2 which should cope with anything I’m likely to hook. My rig consists of an incredibly strong 4x12 Hi-Viz carp paste float which is perfect for any big baits such as corn, meat, paste or large pellets. My mainline is 0.20 Middy LoViz and due to the large diameter of the line the rig is shotted with four number 8 zincs, as they can be applied to large diameter lines without the fear of them pinging off after every fish. I’ve tied a loop at the end of the rig which will allow me to switch
between various hook lengths depending on which bait I’m using. I know some people like to fish straight through to the hook when targeting bigger fish but I think having the versatility that hooklengths offer really helps to catch more fish. I’ve carefully plumbed the depth and found a flat spot on the bottom, on which I’m going to present my bait. Fishing on uneven bottom or on a slope can be a recipe for missed bites and foul hooked fish. It’s also important to position your keepnet away from your fishing area to prevent spooking the fish that patrol the margins - using a bright coloured keepnet is a huge no-no.
These Hi-Viz floats from Middy are incredibly strong
switch to meat in the hope of finding a few better fish. I’ve mounted a 6mm cube of meat on a meat carp hook which features a unique spring that you can twist into soft baits, leaving your entire hook showing - perfect for hitting more bites. The meat works perfectly and I’m instantly in to a run of bigger fish up to 5lb. As is often the case it’s these small changes that can make a huge difference to your catch rate. In just a couple of hours I’ve had a lovely net of fish, no monsters this time but it’s a perfect excuse to come back for another go tomorrow!
I’ve kicked things off feeding a small amount of corn and pellets via a pole-mounted slide cupp. I prefer the little-and-often approach when building up a margin swim and will only use the big pot if a huge weight is on the cards. I’ve started with a size 12 hook with a lasso which will enable me to present a big 8mm pellet in the margins - I often find that fishing a different bait to what you are feeding gives the carp something to target amongst all the bait on the bottom. As with most margin swims it takes a while for the fish to settle but half an hour into the session I’m into my first fish, a small mirror of about 3lb. A few more small fish follow but they are of a similar stamp, so I decide to
You do not need expensive kit. I am using a super strong White Knuckle CX whip that costs under fifty quid. If you want to go longer use the ‘Thriller’ 8m version in the same family
I use the Big-Gob net when margin fishing, the camo effect is perfect for preventing spooking the fish
Hi-Viz elastic is incredibly strong
Ready rigs like this are ideal for monster sessions
8 • Improve your knowledge and catch like a champion
You can buy pole float ready meat rigs
Zincs elongated weights are wide cut to protect up to 0.30 lines
Catching these, but want bigger? Change tactics.
Use a mini slide cupp from Middy, they are ideal for this approach
Result on the day
Meat rigs made the difference this time.
Tips, Tactics and Tackle to up your success •
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… T IS L K C E CH d l nee Kit you wil ercials for comm
The gear you need for commercial carp lake fishing need not cost a fortune, but don't be tempted to go for really cheap kit, it will tend to break too easily, or not be fit for purpose. As we have already shown on other pages in this guide there is some great tackle available for a relatively low outlay. The White Knuckle CX range of whips, poles and rods is an ideal choice if you want decent kit but at a reasonable price. So what other gear do you need to be ready to fish commercials?
Here is a quick check list.
BOX CLEVER You need to have a large choice of baits available, but you don’t need a big quantity of each type, so make sure you have plenty of small bait boxes. The range of Eazy-Seal boxes from Middy is ideal and in the bigger sizes they have optional dividers, so you can store two different baits in the same box.
Nets Many commercials provide their own nets or do not allow keepnets, but where this is not the case you will definitely need a couple of keepnets and some decent strong landing nets. The F1-50 landing nets are Craig's preferred choice.
STRONG HANDLE OPTION
FIRE POWER You can now get multi-length and multi-strength option handles. The White Knuckle and Fusion models are great examples of what you should look for.
You can never have too many caty's in your box. The 321 caty is probably the most reliable pellet caty on the market and used by many top-name anglers.
CLEVER TOOLS
FEEDERS There are some great gadgets available that make carp fishing easy. Tools to configure your rig and mount baits correctly are essential.
TRANSPORTATION
You will not need loads of luggage. On most carp commercials you can almost park your car behind the swim. A decent holdall, carryall and net bag will be ample. Check out the Team 3G range, it is excellent value.
10 • Improve your knowledge and catch like a champion
DON’T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!
Carry a large choice of feeders to cover all conditions and venues. Small bomb-style feeders can be deadly when the water is a little colder and bites are timid. Square bombs that hold the shelf are also essential bits of kit.
Fishing on commer cia is great fun wheth ls er you are a serious m at angler or out for a ch day with friends… Fo llow the advice in this broc hure, see your catch rate im prove and enjoy a great sport.
Get organised
Being organised will speed up your catch rates - something that is vital when match fishing. It also will increase your comfort levels and stop you losing fish, even if you are more of a laid-back pleasure angler.
Without doubt, you fish better when everything is within easy reach and you are sitting comfortably. Check out the StarGrip 360 system. It allows you to set-up seatboxes and chairs to your exact preference. The StarGrip 360 system really has got all angles covered. Whatever your needs, this will sort it, by allowing the rotation of accessories by 360 degrees in two directions. The possible configurations are endless.
The fundamental of the StarGrip system is this pack. Once you have the pack, you then add the various accessories that are available.
KEEPNET
Rotates through 360° in Two directions CHAIR RESTS
SIDE RESTS
UMBRELLA
There are also compatible bait trays, feeder arms, pole socks, rollers and Top Notch rests available to buy separately. Additional accessories slot or screw onto the system. There is even an adaptor to fit an alarm to the system. The Top Notch rests also have a host of features once fitted, including push-button angle adjustment and non-slip centres on many of the models.
New for 2013
Fixer Platform keepnets work with the StarGrip 360 as well as other thread systems on the market.
The StarGrip Fixer Platform keepnets have been specifically designed to work with the StarGrip 360 system. They have a unique fixed angle lock, which is set at a special five degree angle to make the keepnets automatically become level for easier transference of fish. The keepnets are available in Silverfish and Carp versions and the unique design also keeps your nets spaced further apart for ease of fishing.
ANGLED
5˚
Tips, Tactics and Tackle to up your success •
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Give ‘em some muscle on the top The waggler is somewhat of an emerging force on commercial fisheries and in the right circumstances it’s a method that outscores all others.
Craig Butterfield knows why…
A superb bag of carp caught using pellet popper waggler tactics.
'4G rods are award winning and have fantastic power' 12 • Improve your knowledge and catch like a champion
Fishing down the edge for lumps, or maybe a method feeder tight to an island, are very popular methods and both account for huge numbers of fish. But what if you don't have an island in front of you? What if you can't catch in the margins? Maybe you've been fishing the pole in open water but the fish back off beyond the range of your pole? You can fish a feeder of course but in warm weather when fish are feeding confidently, a specialist pellet waggler float is the method to use. The advantage of the waggler in these conditions is that it's possible (and often more productive) to catch carp up-inthe-water, where it's easier to get them competing for food. Carp are inquisitive and I believe that the sound of the waggler hitting the water attracts them. They also use sight to find food and if you can get them competing for loose offerings they will attack any bait as soon as they see it… even the bait on your hook. Quite often you will see the float shoot under and before you've got time to pick the rod up you'll notice your reel line snaking across the surface as a carp charges off with your bait. It's exciting fishing. Waggler fishing on commercials has really come to the fore over recent years and now there's a new breed of short-length waggler rods designed for the job. They are made specifically for frequently casting short distances and can be easily be packed away at the end of the session without having to break the rig down. I'm using the X-Flex 4G Micro Muscle waggler rod today, which has a powerpacked through action that's perfect for playing hard-fighting carp and for casting the float accurately. In fact, when you use this rod, you’ll find it hard to believe
that such a slim blank can produce such incredible fish playing power – it can comfortably handle reel lines up to 12lb! The powerful action will easily subdue double figure fish but it's still forgiving enough not to lip-pull the hook out. I believe it's the splash of the float that attracts the fish and you need to set-up with a short depth. Anywhere from two feet down to as little as eight inches is the catching zone, as that's where the carp will head for once they hear the splash. I like to carry several float types with me but my favourites are the Pellet Popper models they have a special disc at the base that makes the perfect ‘splash/pop’ sound on hitting the water. Six or eight mm hard pellets are best. Regular feeding with a catapult is also important so you'll need a robust design, as the only time you won't be catapulting pellets in is when you're playing a fish!
If your budget doesn’t stretch to a 4G rod, the White Knuckle CX waggler is a really good cheaper option.
The idea is to keep feeding and making a splash with your float and pellets. The carp come to the splash/pop sound and instantly grab the pellets as they hit the water. If you don't get a bite straight away, feed more pellets (four to six pellets at a time is enough) and turn the reel handle a couple of times so your hookbait rises and then falls through the water again. The best hookbait is also a hard pellet and I prefer to use one that's the next size up from those I'm feeding. There are several ways you can hair rig hard pellets but the best way I've found is to use the Las-soo rigs. These lasso the pellets onto the hair and once they're on they stay on. Or you can try Band’Em style ready rigs with latex bands affixed to the hair. Go and try this popular method, you will be amazed at the results.
Your float will need to be in-range of how far you can catapult your loosefeed.
The Middy X-Flex Caty is perfect for grouping pellets.
These Las-soo hair rigs are perfect for hard pellets.
Pellet popper floats have a special disc that makes that ‘dinner-bell’ sound.
Band’Em ready rigs are another choice of hair rig style that works well for up-in-the-water fishing .
Tips, Tactics and Tackle to up your success •
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Winning at the very top can be a balancing act. For UK Champion Marc Rodger, winning the biggest competitions is all down to balanced tackle and he gives us an insight into his simple approach… It may be surprising but to compete at the top you have to keep things simple. As soon as your fishing becomes too complicated then things can easily go wrong, and at the very top there is little margin for error. I like to keep my rigs light, but with quality tackle that I know won’t let me down. There isn’t any sense in fishing light lines and small hooks with big heavy elastic as you’ll either snap off or pull out of every fish.
the advantage of an elastic that is really forgiving on the strike, which prevents me bumping fish, but has enough power to enable me to control the fish when I have it close to me in what I call the ‘danger area’… here you have the legs of the fishing platform, bankside vegetation and even your keepnets can become a snag for hard fighting fish. My rig today is made up on 0.14 main line to a 0.12 hook length. This may seem light but I feel the lower diameter line gives my bait a very natural fall that helps to catch more fish. To keep things balanced I’m using a size 16 63-13 hook – this is a relatively fine hook with a massive amount of strength for landing match size carp. Continued below…
Hollow elastics such as the Middy Shockcore range are incredibly forgiving and will allow you a greater margin for error when it comes to getting the balance of your tackle right. I also like to use doubled up elastics and, by doubling up original solid Hi-Viz 4-6 or 6-8, I have
Balance brings bonuses Continued... I’ve plumbed up and found a nice depth of two feet over by the far bank at 14.5m. This is a natural fish holding spot. I’m going to introduce a few pellets and a bit of corn through a pole mounted pot and I’m hoping for a few carp today.
I’m amazed that after just 5 minutes I’m into my first fish of the day, it’s a nice common about 1lb and I’m hoping it’s a sign of things to come. I’ve started on pellet but I’m hoping the corn will bring in the better fish late.
The last thing you want when you’re in the middle of catching a match-winning weight of fish is for your float to let you down, so I’m using a 4x12 Middy XK55 series 2 pencil float. XK55 floats are strong, made from AA grade balsa body and have an ultra-strong steel core side eye. This is shotted with a simple strung bulk of Zincs weights 10 inches from the hook.
The first hour goes like a dream and I have a steady run of fish to 2lb. I’ve switched my hook to a size 16 KM2 as I’m going to hair rig a grain of corn and hopefully this will help me connect to a few better fish.
Three of the biggest elements of success are: Knowledge - try to find out about the venue and the peg… Presentation - light weight dotted down to be as natural as possible with a regular feeding pattern… Timing - getting into a smooth rhythm and not striking too hard.
14 • Improve your knowledge and catch like a champion
The hair rigged bait works like a dream and hooking the bait with the aid of a hair rigs results in far fewer missed bites which can be a problem when fishing corn. The stamp of fish has also improved and I have a nice run of fish to 4lb which, with the aid of my hollow elastic and puller bung, I can easily land. I’ve had a great session and even managed a few fish in the margins towards the end. I’ve really enjoyed today and it just goes to show that you don’t have to fish heavy to catch a cracking net of carp.
Slide Cupps enable you to accurately feed around your float
Middy Pull-it bungs help you to land fish of all sizes
Use new Zincs weights - they have a wide slot that makes them stay on when bagging
Light balanced tackle for a heavy-weight catch.
Balanced tackle that’s lighter than what you might expect is what wins matches
Get yourself a decent long pole. You will have to pay out quite a bit but not necessarily a fortune. I’m using a mid-range pole today but it is perfectly stiff enough for fishing to far bank features. You can even get lower-priced models in the Shock Core Fusion range like the XM10. This allows you to use the lower cost pole for margin work knowing that all sections and top kits are compatible with your long pole.
XK55 floats have finesse while being tough
Solid, solid-doubled-up and hollow elastics all have their place in Marc’s top kits Tips, Tactics and Tackle to up your success •
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TACKLE TART? By Dale Calvert
I was asked to look at star-studded gear that if you have the dosh, is worth splashing out on. As we have seen throughout this brochure you do not have to spend a fortune to catch loads of fish. Nevertheless I do believe that certain top-end gear can make the difference at top match fishing level. Here are my recommendations...
POLE POSITION Shock Core Fusion XZ65 Pole This pole is a dream to handle. It is so well balanced yet strong enough to handle a 16 elastic. The carbon used is a special MTDI wrap that makes it super stiff, incorporating CS3 and VC-X technology. It is the new flagship of the Shock Core Fusion range. Fusion means that every section and top-kit is compatible across the range of poles starting at the XM10 model. If you take fishing as seriously as I do, you must pick one of these up to appreciate the difference it can make. It responds so quickly that I am sure I will miss fewer bites and win more money.
The comprehensive Shock Core Fusion range now also includes the XS5 - an 8m silver/carp tool.
QUICK RESPONSE XK55 Rods These brilliant new rods set a new level for build quality, action and strength.
I have been using rods in the excellent X-Flex 4G range - these are brilliant rods and have won awards. There are six models in the range and I really did not think they could be surpassed. Middy have, however, just launched two new XK55 rods. They have used the same technology as found in their top-end poles and I have never felt rods that are so light and responsive. It is the response time that will make the difference. They cost quite a bit more than the 4G models, but I will be investing in a pair of these. I say a pair because at present they are only available in two models - a waggler and feeder version. Both have been built for commercial carp venues. The waggler is an 11’ (3.3m) two piece with a casting weight recommendation up to 25g. The feeder is again 11’ and two piece with three quivers. It has a hook length guide of up to 10lb (4.5kg) and will handle up to 80g casting weights.
CAN YOU HANDLE IT? World Pro-Plus XZ Handle I never thought I would recommend spending £100 on a handle, but this 4m beauty is well worth every penny. It has two thread options and can be used at five lengths and two strength options. It is as light (just 350g at the full 4m length) as an expensive pole and I just know I will land carp and silvers faster and safer.
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Items shown and used in this brochure can be found in leading tack shops throughle o ut the UK