Advanced carp fishing january 2017

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK AT ESP’S AWESOME LO PRO BROLLY

E S I M I MAX !

E M I T YOUR INUTE ON M Y R E V E F O ICE OST MAKE THEKMWITH DAVE LEVY’S ADV THE BAN

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LB MONSTER COMMON BANKED!

TWOYEAR YEAR CAMPAIGN CAMPA AIGN DELIV D DELIVERS‘THE ELIV IVERS‘THE VERS ‘THE BAC B BACKUP’ AC

TANGLE-FREE

FISHING

BIG-CARPMIND-SET LEA VALLEY GOLD FISHING AT RANGE GETYOUR HEAD INTHE GAME PART 2

SHORT SESSIONS, BIG RESULTS

HITTHE HORIZON FOR INCREASED SUCCESS

JON MCALLISTER

DAVE ROBINSON

SAM MEE

PRESENT YOUR RIG PERFECTLY EVERYTIME £4.50 JANUARY 2017

TIGER NUTS, THE TRUTH THE BAITTHAT COULD REVOLUTIONISEYOUR NEXT CAMPAIGN COVER 2- NEW COVERLINES.indd 1

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22/11/2016 15:05

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21/10/2016 11:32:45

PURE. NATURAL. ATTRACTION.

Don’t follow the mainstream... ...Use alternative hookbaits this winter Included in the range: Pineapple & N-Butyric | Plum & Caproic | White Spice | Pink Pepper | Wonderfruit & Cream Cajouser | Sea Monster

#NutritionalHeavyweight www.nutrabaits.net #TheMovement

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11/10/2016 11:45

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21/11/2016 14:48

THE SHOT

GOINGLONG ACCURACY

THEWATER

GETINTHERE

SURROUNDED

Lining up with a far-bank landmark, our angler (Ed Matthews) keeps his rod and arm straight through the cast to ensure his rig hits as accurately as possible.

The water Ed’s up to his groin in is the famous The Sitch fishery in Shropshire, run by RH Fisheries. The 26acre estate lake boasts fish to over 44lb.

The Sitch is a relatively shallow water, meaning Ed could get out in his waders, walking out to give himself some 20-odd yards extra on his cast.

The backdrop at the lake is a hugely impressive mass of tall, old trees, delivering a dark green and brown wall that encircles the water giving real atmosphere.

05

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22/11/2016 15:40

JANUARY 2017

“A FISH ROLLED EXACTLY WHERE I’D BAITED. I CAST, THE RIG DROPPED NICE AND QUIETLY AND THE ROD RIPPED OFF 10 MINUTES LATER.” Dave Levy Page 27

As we dot the i’s and cross the t’s, drawing this issue to a close, we bid a fond farewell to Max Hendry, our editor for almost two years.

With this I step into his shoes, a difficult task because mine are size 11 and his were only size nines. Nonetheless, I’m honoured to take on the role of editor of one of today’s top carp magazines.

For those of you that don’t already know me, my big-carp journey started on Kingsmead 1, where I caught my first thirty. However, as a youngster my time was restricted to when I could get out with my father or my friend Luke Vallory, who was just about considered a‘responsible adult’ according to CEMEX – a responsible adult who ran out of petrol on the M25…

Kingsmead was to become a syndicate the following year, meaning I could no longer afford a ticket. As such, I had to fish elsewhere and settled on a tiny Colne Valley club water – Tolpits. Here I could fish on my own and with this new-found freedom came more and more time on the bank. Tol was a very steep learning curve; it was widely regarded as an incredibly difficult lake but my efforts were duly rewarded, giving me a real taste of catching those special old carp.

The big-carp bug had well and truly grabbed me and its grasp has only got stronger as the years have gone by.

I hope that my love of carp fishing will be reflected in the magazine and that it will go from strength to strength under my leadership. Here’s to a bright future at ACF.

Matt Townend Editor

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24/11/2016 11:21

08 WHAT’S OCCURRING

40 BIGCARP MINDSET

82 GEAR GUIDE BAIT

The latest news and competitions from the social media side of carp fishing.

In this second instalment, Jon McAllister talks more about fishing for the country’s best.

If you want to try a new bait, then check these out.

12 TIE & TRY

47 HOLDING OUT FOR AWHACKER

The rig from across the pond that’s been waging war on UK carp.

Myles Gibson continues his campaign on Dinton, hoping for one last whacker before winter.

15 THE HUNGRY CARPER

55 WIN BERKLEY MAIN LINE

Because bank life doesn’t have to be just Pot Noodles and Mars Bars…

We have more than £500 worth of new Berkley Connect line up for grabs.

16 PUTTING IT ALL ONTHE LINE

56 THE SAILING LAKE

We take a first look at ESP’s brand-new brolly.

An unrelenting obsession for a big common puts Logan Easton’s personal life at risk!

Dave Robinson recounts his time fishing the Lea Valley sailing lake .

100 GOING THE DISTANCE

22 WHAT WOULD THE PROS DO?

61 JEWELS OF THE NORTH LAKE

Kev Hewitt talks through his maggot fishing mastery for cold-water carp.

Fishery owner Martin Gardener lands his two target commons from the historic Yateley pit.

27 MAXIMISE YOUR TIME

66 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

How Dave Levy found success on the busy Horton Church Lake, fishing just one night per week.

Edge fishing sees Hadley Ever catch an incredible trio of commons.

108 ADAM PENNING’S BIG CARP DIARY

32 TECH

74 THE ROAD TRIP

A change in tactics brings more success on Cleverley Mere.

Tangle avoidance – stop wasting time fishing with tangled rigs.

Ben Francis travels to the Continent for filming and fishing adventures.

114 ICONS

35 TIGER NUTS

78 GEAR GUIDE TACKLE

This time it’s Terry Hearn’s first book – a great piece of carping literature.

Elliott Gray gives his thoughts on fishing with the infamous bait.

The tackle that’s hit the shops this month is reviewed.

86 RUCKSACK 101 We highlight four rucksacks ideal for the mobile angler.

90/92/94 GEAR GUIDE SPECIAL Carp Spirit alarms, CC Moore boilie range and Wychwood clothing are reviewed.

98 ESP LO PRO BROLLY

Sam Mee spills the beans on his successful longrange tactics.

104 TACKLE AWARDS We look at the winners of the ACF tackle awards 2016.

COVER STORIE S

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LO OK AT ESP’S AWES

27

16 6

Get the most fr every minute om on the bank with Dave Le vy’ss advice.

Reliving the capture of a gia common wit nt h Logan Easto n.

BROLLY

A first look at the much awaited ESP brolly.

MAXIMISE M YOUR Y YO O TIME!

98

MAKE MAKETHE MOST OF EVERY MINUTE ON THE B BANK WITH DAVE LEVY’S ADVICE

46

LB

MONSTER COMMON BA TWOY NKED! O YEA EAR C CA AM MP PA AIIGN AIG GN N DE D LIV L IVEERS IV R ‘TH RS

TH HE BACKUP’ BIG-CARPMIND GET YOUR HEA -SET LEA VALLEY GOLD FISHING D INTHE SHORT SESS GAME PART 2 AT RANGE IONS, JON MCALLIST ER

BIG RESULTS

DAVE ROBINSON

TANGLE-FREEEE

FISHING PRESENT YOUR RIG PERFECTLY EVERY TIME

HITTHE HOR IZON INCREASED SUC FOR CESS SAM MEE

TIGER NUTS, TH E TRUTH

THE BAIT THA T COULD REV OLUTIONISEY OUR NEXT CAM PAIGN

p006-007_ACF_01_contents.indd 2

OME LO PRO

£4.50 JANU ARY 2017 017 0

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7 7 1 4 7 5

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Get your rig fish hing perfect ly every time.

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24/11/2016 11:22

Each month we take our favourite posts from the world of social media and beyond.

www.advancedcarpfishing.com

Carp Of The Month How about this for a special one – Small Tail at 38lb 10oz. Josh Mills had been targeting the historic Kent water for a while in a hope to meet this crusty old character. A well-deserved capture to top a fantastic year on the Hot Shrimp!

November Comp Winner Taska bedchair and brolly competition John Campbell, Lincoln

The Carp Cast A thought-provoking podcast presented by top anglers Jamie Clossick and Mark Watson. Alongside the general chitchat, the pair discuss a range of topics and typically feature a special guest in each episode. With new content released on roughly a weekly basis, it’s certainly worth having a listen. Ideal for in the car or during those long, dark, winter nights on the bank.

@advancedcarpmag

@advancedcarpmag

#advancedcarp

Advanced Carp Fishing Magazine (the official fan page)

08

p008-009_ACF_01_what's occuring.indd 1

24/11/2016 11:23

DAVIDHALLPUBLISHINGLTD

1 Whittle Close, Drayton Fields, Daventry, Northants NN11 8RQ t: 01327 311999 f: 01327 311190 EDITORIAL

Editor Matt Townend e: matt.townend@dhpub.co.uk Consultant Editor Steve Phillips e: steve.phillips@dhpub.co.uk t: 01327 315461 Chief Sub Editor David Haynes Sub Editor Lee Jones Creative Director Mark Grafton Designer Fiona Brett Advert Design Harvey Palmer, Steph Stevens Reprographics Derek Mooney ADVERTISEMENTSALES

Business Development Manager Karen Biggs e: karen@dhpub.co.uk t: 01327 315426 m: 07929 007852 PRODUCTION

Production Manager Paul Evans Production Supervisor/Controller Neil Brooks PUBLISHING

Managing Director Sean O’Driscoll e: sean@dhpub.co.uk Operations Director Roger Mortimer e: roger@dhpub.co.uk

Instagram Of the Month @tom.stokes.182 We can’t help but find ourselves liking every post made by the man. Some seriously tasty big-carp imagery! This old linear is something truly special, certainly one of the country’s best. If you haven’t already, give him a follow.

SUBSCRIPTION&BACKISSUE QUERIES&ORDERS

t: +44 0845 345 0253 e: subscriptions@dhpub.co.uk

Facebook Katch Bullet River Adventures Follow Katch Bullet on his adventures fishing the River Thames. Over the years he’s caught loads of cracking fish from the river, topped by an incredible 43lb linear – a Thames record! The page features loads of videos about his fishing on the river, including underwater and drone footage. It’s certainly worth a look.

Brentwood Carp Show Hosted on January 28th and 29th at the Brentwood Centre, The Carp Spectacular will be featuring a huge number of top brands and tackle shops, along with slide shows and talks from a number of big names, including Oz Holness, Mike Willmott and Gary Bayes.

You can even get a casting tuition at the Free Spirit casting range. A full list of exhibitors can be found at bigfishingshows.com and tickets can be bought online or on the door.

Subscriptions UK £50.40, Europe £55, Rest of World £65 Based on 12 issues and includes mailing Subscriptions Manager Louise Dalmedo e: louise.dalmedo@dhpub.co.uk Customer Service Manager Helen Bettles e: helen.bettles@dhpub.co.uk Correspondence to: 1 Whittle Close, Drayton Fields, Daventry, Northants NN11 8RQ Printed By: Southernprint (Web Offset) Ltd Distributors: Seymour Distribution Ltd Advertisements: The advertisements and editorial content carried in this magazine are the copyright of David Hall Publishing Ltd and may not be quoted, copied or reproduced without prior permission of the publisher.

ISSN 1475-6315

Get Involved

Youtube Urban Banx series

We are always interested in what you have to say, or show us for that matter, so don’t forget to tag us, message us, or alternatively you can e-mail the editor at matt.townend@dhpub.co.uk

Nash’s Alan Blair (right) continues his search for inner-city carp from around the UK. Episode 9 sees him join urban carping prodigy Alfie Russell in his East London territory, catching lovely fish from tidal rivers, canals and park lakes.

09

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24/11/2016 11:24

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21/11/2016 14:41

THE RIG TO TRY THIS MONTH Mat is a huge fan of the German rig and its hooking abilities.

THE GERMAN RIG Mat Woods sheds light on his favoured bottom-bait rig, stolen from across the pond.

I

first came across this rig when I was shown it by a good friend in Germany.

After he demonstrated how the hook would quickly drop into the prime position every time, I was keen to put one out. Lo and behold, I went on to bag a 48lb German mirror that hadn’t seen the bank for three years. From that point, the name ‘the German rig’was born. I was converted and knew it wouldn’t be long before it was invading the UK! While you can tie the rig with mono, I much prefer to use it with 25lb Captive coated braid, combined with a size 6 or 4

Avid CRV hook. Hook choice is arguably the most important part of this rig and the CRV pattern works perfectly; when combined with the stiff hook link it creates a really aggressive angle. On the hook I use a hook swivel running behind a bead. It’s important that this bead is placed level with the barb, rather than being right around the bend. If you pick up the hook bait and watch how the rig reacts, you’ll see why. With the bead in this position, the hook immediately hangs ready to grab the carp’s bottom lip. Although it’s not a pop-up rig I like to add an Avid Rig Drop around one inch behind the hook. I

find this also helps to pull the hook into this prone position.

I’ve found the rig works well with both bottom baits and wafters, and I find it effective in most angling situations. When fishing over spod mix, or tightly baited areas, I shorten it right down to as little as four inches. If using just boilies, or a bag flicked at a showing fish, I will lengthen the rig, but I rarely make it any longer than around eight inches.

I’ve found it far more effective fished short.

The rig’s effectiveness and versatility is why my rig board is always fully loaded with Germans!

01

Attach the rig to the swivel using your knot of choice. A large loop can be used to provide some additional movement in the rig

02

The rig can be tied with either a mono or coated braid hook link – stiffness is key here.

Rig length can be adjusted to suit the situation although Mat prefers a shorter hooklength.

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24/11/2016 11:26

“IT’S SO EFFECTIVE THAT MY RIG BOARD IS ALWAYS LOADED WITH GERMANS” Mat Woods

04

The German rig is perfect for balanced or bottom baits. The hook bait is mounted on a micro hook swivel allowing the hook to move independently of the bait.

LEWIS READ

03 The hook swivel is retained using a small bead. This is placed opposite the barb for optimal rig efficiency.

06 A curve-shanked hook is a 05 A large blob of putty can be

key feature. When tied to the stiff hook link using a knotless knot it creates an extremely aggressive angle.

placed about one inch below the hook to help hooking potential.

Creating a good rig is essentially a balancing act between bait presentation and rig mechanics.

Firstly, the rig must allow the hook bait to rest on the lake bed in a way that will trick a carp into taking the bait confidently, considering both the visibility of the terminal tackle and how the bait acts. Once the bait has been taken then it’s also critical that the rig is able to react instantaneously.This is where the German rig in combination with a balanced hook bait comes out a winner.

The aggressive angle created by using a mono hook link and a big Mugga-style hook means that the hook goes in the right way (bend first and point facing back towards the bottom lip) and quickly drops into the ideal position. I take this one step further with the MkII German rig.

Much like the Ronnie rig, this uses a Kwik Lok swivel to allow the hook to spin independently of the hook link.

However, in this rig it’s important to use a non-flexi version so that the hook, swivel and hook link are held in the correct orientation.

I’m not at all certain in the theory that super balanced hook baits fly in to a fish’s mouth. Instead, I believe the benefits are more simple, being consistency of presentation and the ability to reset.This is why I balance mine so the hook lies flat on the lake bed, concealed by the hook bait wafting gently on top.

13

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21/11/2016 14:47

the

All of the meat cooked is provided

by The Hungry Carper – find it at www. the-hungry-carper. myshopify.com

HUNGRY carper SPONSORED BY

COOKIT

THE ULTIMATE BURGER

CALORIFIC GOODNESS OUT ON THE BANK

T

hink out in the wild. Think pitting your wits against monsters in the water.

Think getting hungry. Think about the best piece of on-the-bank cooking you could possibly muster to satiate that growling stomach. Think the ultimate burger!

Like several layers of heaven winking

at you from between two halves of a bun, this piece of culinary art will fill you up and keep your motor running for the carping ahead. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to create. Are your taste buds going into meltdown yet? If they are, get cooking and tuck in.

This meal is designed to be cooked in a RidgeMonkey pan (www.ridgemonkey.co.uk)

01

Get your RidgeMonkey warmed up and then place your steak burger on to get cooking.

02

Give your burger around 10 minutes on the pan, turning it every two minutes or so.

03

Move your burger to the side of your pan (we’re using the XL pan) and add the bacon.

04

Before the bacon’s done, add your cheese to the top of your burger and close the lid to allow it to melt over the meat.

05 06

Add your onion slices to the pan and fry up.

07

Add the chutney over the cheese, then the spinach leaves and then the onion. If you go too‘stacked’you might need a skewer to hold the creation together. Now consume!

When the burger, bacon and onions are cooked to your liking, and with your bun cut, put the burger on the bottom slice followed by the bacon.

INGREDIENTS • The Hungry Carper steak burger • Two rashers of The Hungry Carper bacon • Half an onion, pre-sliced and stored in a sandwich bag • Pot of mango chutney • Three slices of processed cheese • Spinach leaves • Burger bun

15

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22/11/2016 15:43

LOGANEASTON Big-fish angler with an attention to detail and the staying power to catch the one he’s after.

Sponsor: Korda

16 05

p016-020_ACF_12_Logan.indd 1

24/11/2016 14:28

PUTTING IT ALL ON

THE LINE LOGAN EASTON recalls how his obsession with a certain big common put his personal life under pressure.

W

hen you’re as keen an angler as I am it’s hard for any nice fish to go unnoticed, and when they’re local to me, it’s even more unlikely.The Backup was one that I had seen many times over the years, and was renowned as being one of the best commons about – it’s also a proper big‘un.

I’d wanted to have a go for it for a long time and eventually joined the venue in September 2014. I fished right through the autumn and winter into spring, flitting about during winter but hitting it hard between September and December.

I was going for it to begin with but someone else caught the fish in late

autumn, which sort of put an end to my campaign. I did carry on for a bit but not with as much gusto.When it was caught again in January I decided to ease off until March.

The plan was to do the last couple of weeks because the lake closes on the 14th, but on my first session back it was caught again, and that was that. I don’t remember how many I caught during that first campaign but it was in the region of 15 to 20, the biggest being a brace of 28lb 14oz commons.

I didn’t fish the lake again until the autumn, once again starting in September, and on my first session back the big‘un was caught at 48lb 4oz. I did the photos for matey and I must admit that it truly blew me

The silt spot in the weed soon became a large gravel area.

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GIVE ’EM SOME BAIT

“THE CHANGE OF SWIM PAID OFF AND I MANAGED MY FIRST 30-POUNDER FROM THE LAKE.”

With prebaiting banned, Logan decided to feed a lot of bait during his session. His plan was to have enough left in the area for his session the following day.

away. My timing was terrible, yet perfect. Every time I turned up to have a go it would get caught.

I carried on regardless and caught a couple from a swim up the top end of the lake, which is pretty much a rectangle ranging between 90 to 120 yards wide.The swim in question was up the snaggy, shallower end as opposed to the deeper and wider dam wall end.

I decided to start baiting the swim heavily and dropping into it to fish whenever it was available.There was a prebaiting rule so the plan was to fish over lots of bait so that it was doing a job for me while I was at the lake or at home. I had one spot that would do most of my bites and I’ve found this to be the case in all of the swims I fished.There are never two spots as productive as each other; one will always produce more bites.

Between September and November I managed to catch another 15 to 20 carp and, like the year before, I was doing a few evenings after work and the days at the weekend. However, this year I wasn’t so keen at weekends,

most anglers, but even if someone did drop in there it was a mission to get the rods out unless you had waders.

I started baiting heavily, nothing too mad, but I made sure they got enough to keep them occupied.

I was fishing three days a week, be that weekends or evenings after work.The change of swim paid off and I managed to catch

preferring the evenings rather than sitting around all day waiting for bite time.The biggest fish I caught that autumn were 28lb and 27lb, but both went on to do 30lb during winter.

I struggled throughout November and decided on a change of scenery.

I focused my efforts on the dam wall end.There was a very small and overgrown swim that I liked the look of. Not only would it be left alone by

During his hunt for the big fish, there were plenty of bonus captures.

around eight fish from it, including my first 30-pounder from the lake, The Long One at 32lb exactly. I was delighted and felt I totally deserved it. Unfortunately, on that same day someone caught the big‘un from just off the back of me at a staggering 50lb 3oz. Much to my dismay, it was passing my bait on the mat! I had been very close, but no cigar.

To make things worse, people started to poach my area from the dam wall bank and that knocked my enthusiasm even more. I did manage to catch one of the ones I really wanted, Little Lydens, which is a truly awesome carp and weighed 36lb something.

I went on to do a bit of perch fishing and planned to return for the last week of the season.True to form, the big ’un was caught a couple of days before the lake closed at 49lb 12oz.

The following season was my third and I planned to fish right from May until I caught it. I was getting a bit bored of the lake and I needed to get the job finished. I was going to need to change my tactics slightly, so

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I rolled bigger hook baits to combat the ravenous tench. I also planned to fish with larger quantities of bait, particularly once they had spawned. I knew by this point I’d be able to really give it to them!

I got down for the opening day and caught nothing, dropping into one of the very limited swims available. I did plan to do the next day too but I ended up having to work.

On my next session in the middle of May, a good friend, Gav, ended

STRINGERS A bunch of whole baits around the hook bait is ideal for big carp. Logan has caught plenty using the stringer in this manner.

was incredibly frustrating.

It was towards the end of June and the lake was quite quiet. I was about to start a new job as a ground worker but with time spare in between there was only one place I was going.

I started fishingThe Plateau swim and managed to catch a few during my time between jobs, with a real scaly one being the best of the bunch.The swim had good form for doing the big‘un, particularly in summer, and this was why I wanted to concentrate on it.There’s a very obvious feature, which every man and his dog fishes on. Although the fish had been caught there, I wanted to find and develop my own areas so that the chances of other people capitalising on my baiting up were much slimmer. Using a bare lead and my braided main line I managed to locate a couple of spots and I started really baiting heavily with 15mm and 20mm boilies; the tench were part of the reason I was using large quantities of bait.

I was doing three evenings during the week and fishing on the Saturday, while my missus was at work. I really

his quest for the fish from the swim opposite me at 48lb 4oz. I was delighted for him because he wanted it as much as I did and he had caught his fair share too.

The top end of the lake really started to grab my attention because 95 per cent of the bites were coming from there.There’s a lot more going on up there and at the start of the year it’s no surprise that they would favour that zone. Most of the big fish were getting caught up that end too and I was straight on it.

I started fishingTheWoods swim, which controlled the top end of the lake and a lot of the main snaggy areas. I caught from the off, bagging six quite quickly. I also caught Little Lyndons again.

A few days later the big‘un was out again, this time from the bottom end to an angler who had caught most of the big‘uns, so I wasn’t too upset but I did pull off for a bit.

When I decided to have another go it was caught again on my first session back. It was getting a bit ridiculous, it seemed to wait for me to turn back up and then get caught. It

Bigger hook baits were needed.

A big baiting campaign was key. didn’t want to fish the weekends because the tench were a nightmare during the days and it was so hot. So I told the missus that I wanted to fish four evenings in the week instead, no weekends. I was fine for the first few weeks and then she kicked off, big time. I didn’t go the fourth week, and then we temporarily broke up the week after, which I was genuinely gutted about – this fish was starting to control my life.

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Up until this point I had been doing really well by bouncing betweenThe Plateau and a swim up the shallow end. IfThe Plateau was taken then I’d head up to the other end.

It was during one of these sessions that I managed to catch the lake’s second biggest carp. I had the bite while I was baiting up, with the rod still on the floor!The fish is mega and one I really wanted to catch. At 38lb 6oz it was a chunk too.The fish were there, showing a lot, and with The Plateau being very popular at the time I ended up doing eight trips or so up the shallower end. I was catching and the little gravel spot I had found was constantly producing the goods. All good things come to an end and a short while later I decided to get back down intoThe Plateau.

One day I was up a tree and saw the big ’un; the first time I had seen it all year.

During the next few weeks I managed to catch around 30 fish fromThe Plateau and I was convinced that the big‘un was only the next bite away. It didn’t come, though, and I caught plenty of better fish, including four thirties to 36lb, but no big‘un.The majority of my bites were on the righthand rod, which started as a firm silt

The colours on the fish were incredible.

area among the weed but turned into a clean, hard gravel spot – it was this rod that I was expecting the big one to come from, should it ever turn up!

It was around the middle of August by this point and the missus and I broke up for good.We’d been together a long time and I was pretty upset.

Fishing wasn’t on my mind and for a couple of weeks I didn’t bother going.

I had left all of my bait in the car and when I did decide to get the rods out it was on the turn. I decided to just wash it with water and go fishing with them.

The first week back I think I caught four, including a very old thirty, all on the milky-toned baits. I had been

LARGELOOPS With time being of the essence, Logan likes to change rigs quickly. He uses a large loop so he can fit a hook bait and a PVA bag through it easily. This allows him to have rigs tied with a stringer attached all ready in his tackle box.

washing my baits out occasionally and it seemed really effective.

Two weeks later I decided I was going to fish every single day until I caught it; rain or shine, after work and at weekends until the job was done. I started baiting heavily again. During the evenings that week I caught the smallest carp ever at about 2lb, and 25lb and 24lb commons.

On the Saturday morning I turned up and within an hour the left-hand rod was away.The fish felt like it was weeded at first but after a while I knew it was moving too freely.Then it broke surface and I knew exactly what I was attached to. It didn’t do much, to my delight, and before long she was lying in the bottom of my net, at which point I completely broke down with emotion. I had been through so much, it was like nothing I’ve ever endured before and I’m delighted to say it’s over.

I rang a couple of pals and Elliott, Gav, Buttler, Sam and Lee Kemp all came down to help with the pics, so a big thanks to you boys! It weighed a whopping 46lb 12oz and was a new personal best.To be honest, I couldn’t care how big it was. As always, the fish was in great condition and looked spot-on; what more could I ask for? ACF

The prize, all 46lb 12oz of her!

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21/11/2016 14:46

KEVHEWITT Mr Meticulous, Kev’s a real thinking angler – with the results to show for it.

Sponsors: ESP, CC Moore andTrakker

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MAGGOT

FISHING KEV HEWITT shares a few thoughts on how he fishes with these most popular cold-water baits.

ACF: When do you tend to break out the maggots?

KH: As the water temperature begins to cool, usually around October, and they remain a part of my bait armoury into early spring.

As the water cools, the carp’s metabolism slows and they will prefer a meal that is as easily digestible as possible. Maggots are one such bait and the carp seemingly know this immediately.

ACF: Does their introduction prove successful? We’re guessing so, but is it the case in reality?

KH: Absolutely, yes. I have lost count of how many times using maggots has brought me a few bites when others on the lake are seemingly struggling.

They really can be the difference at this time of year. Take today, for example.

It’s a bitterly cold early November morning and, as far as I can tell, there have not been any carp out of this lake for some time.

Nevertheless, I have already had a bite. Unfortunately, I was unable to land it because it picked up a discarded line during the ensuing fight.

ACF: Has the recent trend towards maggots altered their effectiveness?

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heavily to start off with. I’ve found this the best way to get the carp interested.

I’ve worked out that a large Spomb holds around threequarters of a pint of maggots, so it’s easy for me to work out how much bait is going in.

I would probably get through about a gallon in a 24-hour session, which might sound a lot but it’s what I have found to be about right.

Working in a tackle shop I am able to access maggots easily and I don’t have to pay full price for them, which is a perk of working in such a role.

For the record, I always use mixed colours because I have found these to work best. I don’t see the point in putting all my eggs into one colour basket, so to speak.

Top up with a couple of pints after two bites from your baited area.

There’s no need to change rig components.

Pin the rig down; you don’t want it wafting too much.

KH: Without doubt maggots are not as effective as they were, say, 10 years ago and it’s largely down to their overuse.

I remember very often being the only angler on most venues who was using maggots and they were amazing, almost guaranteeing a bite if my watercraft was good.

These days, probably due to the glut of anglers using large quantities of them, especially in the big carp matches, I’d say their effectiveness has lessened somewhat.

The type of venue is crucial to their success as well. If you are lucky enough to visit a water where maggots are not widely used then get on them because they could result in some big captures on otherwise tough sessions.

However, places like here at Linear, which see lots of maggots, they are maybe not quite as effective. That’s not to say they do not work, but they may not be as prolific as in the past.

ACF: With this in mind, then, how do you overcome this situation? Can you do anything to make your maggots stand out from everybody else’s?

KH: That’s a good question and I’ll let you into a little secret. I’ve been using a brand-new liquid from CC Moore called Chorizo Extract

ACF: What sort of areas do you look to fish on, and are there any substrates that you would avoid when maggot fishing?

“USING MAGGOTS ON A WATER WHERE THEY’RE NOT WIDELY USED CAN RESULT IN BIG CAPTURES.” the Micromass or Chorizo Extract additions.

to add a new dimension. I don’t always do so, but I will add a small amount if it looks like I need to.

However, I nearly always add Krill Micromass to the maggots, which gives off a constant slick of attraction but offers minimal food content. This really can be a game changer.

During early autumn I occasionally add 10mm boilies to the maggots and will do so again come spring, but in the depths of winter it’s just the maggots with

ACF: How do you approach the baiting? Do you bait heavily at the beginning of a session or steadily over a period of time?

KH: I generally bait up straightaway and then top up with another three to four pints after every couple of bites. It’s all about gauging the situation on the day, but I certainly bait quite

KH: Similarly to at other times of year, I’m looking for a pretty firm drop on the lead, but I’m happy fishing sand or silt spots too. The only thing I wouldn’t do is fish maggots over weed. That’s not to say that they are not an option but the weed is invariably dying back at this time of year, so the carp don’t spend any real time in it, certainly not in a feeding sense, as they might in the warmer months.

I do not subscribe to the school of thought that says maggots crawl away or bury themselves into softer bottoms such as silt.

At the water temperatures we are talking about they become extremely torpid and aren’t anywhere near as active as they would be in a nice bait tub with other maggots insulating them.

Just to be sure, there are measures you can take here as well. I suffocate my maggots in a plastic bag, meaning they go into a state of suspended animation, almost. This makes sure that they stay put on the lake bed. (Kev demonstrates this by dropping some into the margin and showing me that they are still there some time later).

On the bank I try and keep them as dry as possible, adding a light coating of groundbait if needs be. The last thing you want is wet, sweaty maggots, which will not

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ACF: Finally, what about your presentation of the hook bait?

Is there a specific winter rig that you use?

KH: I don’t make any discernible changes to my rig that I use at other times of the year, namely the hinged stiff.

It’s constructed in the same way and from the same components.

The hook section is a ready-tied chod rig from ESP, which I have an immense amount of confidence in and which have never let me down.

They are extremely well tied and very consistent in length, certainly as good as , if not better than, those I tie myself, so I figure why waste my time and energy tying them!

The boom is tied from ESP’s Tungsten Loaded, which is a sinking, coated braid material that offers just the right combination of stiffness and weight. I use the semistiff version in 20lb and usually in the brown finish.

This rig has accounted for more carp than I care to remember and I am so confident in it that I rarely deviate from its use at all times of the year, including winter.

He’s not afraid to bait heavily at the start of a session. be in great condition and a lot of the time can also float. You should never leave maggots in a bait tub or bucket with the lid on and then neglected. This will seriously reduce the effectiveness of the baits.

ACF: What do you do if a lake is full of so-called ‘nuisance’ species, such as roach and bream? Would you still use maggots then?

you are fishing and how best to approach elements like nuisance fish.

Orchid Lake is a good example of this. For some reason the carp keep feeding through the winter on there, so you can continue to use boilies to

ACF: And how do you present your maggot hook bait effectively?

KH: I have to be honest and say that this has never really been a huge problem for me, so it’s not something I’ve had to often overcome. If it really is bad then there’s just one thing for it, and that’s to change tactics and ditch the maggots altogether. You need to be aware of the type of venue

KH: The hook bait is pretty simple but I am very precise in how it’s constructed. Basically, a small piece of red foam has a bunch of maggots

THE MAGGOT SPREAD

catch carp and deter the roach and bream.

1

Kev dropped a large handful of maggots into the edge…

2

… and an hour later plenty were still there. Imagine this with a gallon!

attached to it. I always use 10 real maggots and two imitation ones, along with the foam, and I stick to this rigidly.

The only change I will sometimes make is to have the hook section slightly longer or shorter to present the maggots effectively over firmer or softer lake beds.

I do have the rig so that it’s pretty well pinned down; not really critically balanced because I don’t want it wafting around all over the place when the carp disturb the area. I believe this is a really important point to finish with in terms of the rig.

ACF: That’s great, thanks for sharing so many of your tactics with us, which we’re sure the ACF readers will take great pleasure from reading about and then trying for themselves. ACF

An absolutely stunning winter mirror, a sucker for Kev’s maggot tactics.

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DAVELEVY Short-session specialist Dave knows how to get the best from a water in double-quick time.

Sponsors: RidgeMonkey,Trakker and Mainline

MAXIMISE YOUR TIME DAVE LEVY has competed against anglers on busy circuit waters on just one night a week. Here’s how he did it on the famous Horton Church Lake in 2016.

W

hen I join a lake I don’t look at the anglers fishing it, I just look at the stock. Say that there is a lake with 50 carp in it, at one point I am going to get a few opportunities.

We are well into autumn now and the middle areas on most lakes are

the most productive. A bed of bait on one of these open-water features is the most likely place to get bites. In spring, the middle areas are often the best spots to get bites until the water temperature starts to creep up.

Rewinding to spring, I got off to a good start. My main aim was to be observant and watch how the fish moved and interacted with the

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Using watercraft and thinking differently to the longer stay anglers means you can still catch the prize fish, even without putting a huge amount of hours in on the bank.

A clever approach to baiting areas is needed for short sessions.

angling pressure.There are a few full-time anglers on the lake and they would often stay put in known areas with the view of making the most of their chance when the fish turned up.

With one night a week you can’t have that attitude, so I was ready to create my own chances or move onto an opportunist sighting.

Unfortunately, I managed to hook and lose the biggest fish in the lake on my second session.

The following session soon arrived and I was raring to get even. An easterly wind had begun to blow. I was sat on the end of it with the rods out when I noticed a fish show 200 yards away. I knew I had to move. I made the effort and got into a swim called Springates and was met by the head of another 40lb fish moving some serious water as it jumped clear of the water. I catapulted a pouch of bait over where it showed, followed by a bright yellow hook bait.

I repeated the same thing with other rod, having them 10 yards apart.

Just 20 minutes later I landed a 20lb fully scaled. It was my first Horton carp and I was well chuffed.

Not long afterwards a 40lb 10oz mirror followed it. I couldn’t have had a better start. I was doing a 160-mile round trip to do a day session.

Half an hour later I landed a monstrous 44-pounder. It taught me

a lesson – the fish could be caught in a short space of time providing you were on them. It also showed me that I could fish around the anglers with more time because they tended to be more static. So this was how I intended to fish the lake – moving when I saw fish.

May 2016 was a lot colder than expected and I noticed that the fish reacted to it by moving out into the middle of the pond again.

underneath it and it was never fished. One night I waited until it was dark and used the noise of the planes overhead to mask the sound of my baiting. I put out 3kg into the area and left it a week.

On my return I stood at the lodge watching at first light. A fish rolled exactly where I had baited the week previous. I grabbed a rod with a chod rig on it and cast it past the fish and drew it back over the

“THE RIG DROPPED NICE AND QUIETLY AND THE ROD RIPPED OFF 10 MINUTES LATER.” You end up getting involved in the lottery of who is going to get a bite.

You are all applying bait, and with one night it’s hard to be that guy who gets the result. An angler with more time will be able to wait out the lean periods and make the most of the fishing when it’s going right. I realised that I needed to do something different.

The boat pontoon near the lodge is a huge piece of floating concrete.

I pictured the fish swimming

area.The rig dropped nice and quietly and the rod ripped off 10 minutes later.The fight was savage; it was clearly used to feeding without worry in this area.

After getting it in the net I peered down at a 46-pounder; a truly monstrous carp. I was at the lake 20 minutes

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TRAVELLIGHT Cutting his gear into two halves, rods, a tackle bag and some bait would be used during the day.

Dave would then grab his brolly from the car in the evening when he knew he would be fishing for the night. before I got a bite. I moved after a couple of hours because the fish had clearly moved off. Before I went to bed I made sure I reeled in late at night and made the trip to the pontoon to put more bait in. It was only a kilo but I wanted the fish to get used to eating bait there.

I returned a week later for my night at first light and just as the sun began to poke over the trees, a fish put its head out right over the bait on the pontoon. I got the same chod rig and hook bait out of the rod bag and repeated what I had done a week previous. I landed a 44lb mirror 20 minutes later. I was now up to four forties in five bites.

The stock in Horton is nothing short of astounding. All these bites were within an hour of getting into the swim.This levelled the playing field somewhat because although I only had one night, I was able to make the most it a lot better. I would move at a moments’notice, even

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after baiting up. All I would do was mark down the distance and keep the spot logged for the future. I would be mindful to keep an eye on it during my session to see if the fish would turn up on the bait. If I walked round I would drop 20 baits on several spots.

The lake is 14 acres and I would do four or five laps a day.The way I see it, there is a fish feeding somewhere and I wanted to find them. Everything a carp does is reflected on the surface, whether it be bubbling, jumping or small swirls. A keen-eyed individual will be able to build a picture of where they are feeding.

By feeding areas you acclimatise the fish to feeding in them, this

Many bites came within an hour of being in the swim.

is how spots are made. It’s classic conditioning.

One thing to be aware of is that anglers will jump in on your success, so it’s key to capitalise on your opportunities of catching off a primed area before another angler takes advantage of your hard work.

I have been fishing for years and know through experience to keep trying when things aren’t going my way. However, I can think of occasions when I let my lack of time get the better of me.

When I fished Conningbrook there were around 30 fish in the lake and I was still doing my one night.Two Tone was the then British record.

A brace of forties in quick succession taught Dave a valuable lesson.

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There were a lot of full-time anglers on there at the time and I let that get the better of me. I am angry that I let it happen because it was the only chance I ever got to fish for a 60lb carp. I let the anglers beat me, not the fish.

As you mature, you get tougher to things. I now realise that full-timers aren’t necessarily good anglers. I see one night a week as an advantage and it’s moulded me into the angler that I am. Even if I did two nights a week I would fish in the same way.

One thing you can do as a mobile angler is prime areas that are underfished. I pick a part of the lake that isn’t fished and get the marker

back in with another fish and began to feed. I watched it pick up my rig and sit there before blowing it out. I knew I had made a mistake putting the loose bait too close together. My mate was due, so I reeled in when the coast was clear.

I went to my van, got the barrow and returned. I set up an alarm so that I could sit further back and

rod out. Even in the most unused swim there will be a feature that is worth a bit of bait. I will then commit some bait to see what’s going on. If there is no feature then I will create a hub of interest through the baiting that I do.When the conditions are right I will pop in and drop a rig in place. If there has been bait there the fish will get on it.

“MINUTES LATER I GOT A SINGLE BLEEP AND RAN STRAIGHT TO THE ROD. ” A recent example of where opportunist fishing made the most of the situation would be my capture of The Woodcarving, a scale-perfect 50 years old linear mirror that was that I dearly wanted in my album. I’d admired that carp for years and now was my chance to meet it. Out of all the Horton carp The Woodcarving is the easiest to target because it likes the church bay. I saw it in there several times.

One particular day I saw a fish under the bush feeding, it was a big common. I kept looking to see what else I could find. My combats had a side pocket full of bait and I carried my rod bag and a small tackle bag on my shoulder. I had put 20 baits in there at first light and I went to see whether it had been disturbed.

The Woodcarving had cleared all the bait and was sat chewing just off the spot. I put it up there with the best carp in the country, a proper history fish. I waited for it to swim out and lowered a rig in, dropping five boilies in there with it. Straight away It came

dropped the rig back out there, this time spreading the baits out more so the fish had to move between them.

I had noticed The Woodcarving preferred to eat near a certain patch of stones, so I dropped the rig right next to it and slackened off. It returned as I was sinking the braid.

I set the alarm and sat well back so

that I could chat with my mate. A matter of minutes later I got a single bleep and ran straight to the rod shouting:“Woodcarving.” As I got to the rod it went into meltdown and on picking it up it was weeded solid.

I pulled it up and the fish rolled over and we bundled it in the net. At 37lb 8oz it was looking healthy.

I spent four hours walking the lake to find the fish. I was making opportunities for myself. I applied plenty of bait in small amounts around the lake and have managed 20 fish.

Martin Pick previously held the record on Horton with 20 fish in 68 nights. I did it in 26.

Make your lack of time an advantage by working hard when you do fish. Compared to a full-time angler I can be more mobile, more inclined to move, more active and, if needs be, stay awake for longer to get on the fish and make the most of the time. Be efficient and put loads of effort in and you will be rewarded. ACF

Dave smashed the previous Horton record of 20 fish in 68 nights - matching the catch figure in just 26 nights!

The Horton Woodcarving in all its glory.

PREPARATIONISKEY While walking round, Dave drops a bit of bait into a couple of areas to prime them before he fishes over them. It may only be a handful of chops but it would be enough to get the fish feeding. He stores his pre-made chops in the modular bucket from RidgeMonkey.

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TANGLE AVOIDANCE Follow these key tips and stop wasting hours fishing with tangled rigs.

S

harp hooks, quality bait, spot-on location: all are important factors to consider but they’re no good if your rig is sat in a tangled heap on the bottom. No selfrespecting carp is going to touch that gnarly mess with a barge pole, perhaps only that local mug who’s been pap’d more times than Kim K. It’s therefore with good reason that some of the most consistent big-fish anglers in the country are super critical, some even paranoid about their presentation. With this in mind, here are a few simple steps you can take to stay tangle free.

THE RIG Your choice in end tackle will have a huge influence on whether your rig will remain tangle free. A staple for most anglers is using a length of wider-diameter material above the lead, such as leadcore or sinking tubing, which both work wonders.

Rig-wise, stiffer materials tend to fare better, being far less prone to wrapping around themselves. Rigs like the hinged stiff or German rarely tangle, offering peace of mind that your rig is well presented. However, if a slightly softer link is required there are a few little tricks to

reduce the chance of winding in a tangled mess after hours of boshing, fizzing and heartstopping liners.

Keeping some distance between the bait and lead during the cast can be key to preventing tangles. An antitangle sleeve over the swivel can be used to kick the hook link away or, depending on hook-link material, a similar effect can also be achieved by simply using a large loop in the hook link and attaching it to the swivel in a loop-to-loop fashion. This creates a stiffer boom-like section where the material is doubled over.

Alternatively, using a PVA bag or even larger hook baits can help this separation by increasing the weight of the hook end. A stick or bag threaded onto the rig is ideal here because it also masks the hook, meaning there is less to catch hold on the cast.

THE CAST Another key factor to consider is the cast, more specifically the last few moments as the rig flies through the air and lands in the lake. Ensuring good separation at this point is crucial and can usually be achieved simply by stopping

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IF IN DOUBT, WHACK A CHOD OUT! For the ultimate in tanglefree rigs, it has to be the chod. Simply blast it out and be confident that you’re well presented – zero fuss.

the lead just before it enters the water. If it’s possible at the range you’re fishing, watching for two separate splashes will confirm the rig has not tangled on the cast. With this in mind, the benefits of clipping up are twofold, both aiding accuracy and avoiding tangles. However, clipping up is often impractical, such as when casting onto showing fish where you are uncertain of the distance and wish to minimise disturbance with only a single cast. In these circumstances, perfecting your skills at feathering the cast is critical.

THE EDGE TEST A great little trick is to swing your rig into the margin and take a little look to see how the finished product settles. Many rely on a nugget of dissolving foam to help separate the bait and lead during flight, but are surprised that their rig often ends up in a messy pile.

This is because the foam holds the rig directly above the lead and when it dissolves the rig simply collapses down on top of itself. Using a stiffer hook link and slow-sinking hook bait will allow the rig to lie out as it settles.

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24/11/2016 10:27

ELLIOTT GRAY ON

TIGER NUTS Up there among the best big-carp baits ever, ELLIOTT GRAY believes there’s more to fishing tiger nuts than meets the eye.

ELLIOTTGRAY A hugely talented angler who’s constantly evolving his approach to improve his catches.

Sponsors: Korda, Mainline, Daiwa, Trakker,Thinking Anglers and Delkim

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T

DELIVERY METHODS

iger nuts have been used in carp fishing for decades. They are a terrific bait, considered by many as the best there is. The crunch factor and the sweet taste make them irresistible.

However, there has been a lot of bad press about particles, especially tiger nuts, so they should be prepared properly.

Because of this, many people feel that it’s best to use them in small quantities. I will always remember an angler saying to me: “Tiger nuts are the best bait out there, but you should only use a handful in your mix.”

That got me thinking. What if I were to put out 5kg? I played around with using large quantities of nut baits when a lot of anglers were using boilies and it bought me extra bites when the going was tough. The fish love them like you wouldn’t believe and I have had a brilliant feeding reaction on them from some very tricky lakes. When the fish get on them I am sure the noise of the crunch gets more fish interested.

There aren’t many baits that do this like a tiger nut. I have never experienced bubbling on a baited area like I have with tigers either.

1

Elliott favours a long-hair blow-back-style rig for tigers on the hook.

“I’VE HAD BRILLIANT FEEDING REACTIONS TO TIGERS ON TRICKY LAKES.” which means they are one of the few baits that can be used all year round. Add to this the creamy liquid that is generated from the cooking process, which is highly soluble and attractive in even the coldest of conditions, and it’s a sure-fire winner if you are after something different from boilies.

As long as the baits are prepared correctly they pose no threat to the fish, in my opinion.

I don’t particularly do anything special to them. I soak them for

It’s as if the fish get so excited that they begin to flank on the lake bed. The result is streams of bubbles running in long lines along the surface.

Having fed plenty of tigers into the swim the fish will easily digest them. I have never seen them pass a whole tiger nut, as some anglers would have you believe.

I think that a lot of the bad press is exaggerated. All I ever see is a lot of crushed baits being passed by fish and in all weathers too,

2

The catapult gives a nice spread of baits, such as boilies. Elliott prefers to use this method to bait with tiger nuts. However, if he uses a mix of sizes a Spomb is essential for ensuring the bait reaches the spot.

24 hours and boil them for an hour, then soak them for a further 24 hours to ensure they are swollen. I have never had an issue doing this. The result is creamy tiger nuts with a thick sugary liquid oozing from them. I don’t add extra bits to them either, preferring them how they are on their own.

With particle baits being generally very small, you would always have to use the spod or Spomb. A brilliant advantage of

The proof of tigers is the fish in the net!

Carp will easily digest prepared tigers.

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tiger nuts is the fact that they can be catapulted a fair distance. Like boilies they can be catapulted out, which gives you a nice spread of baits. It’s also a lot quieter in terms of disturbance and allows you to get baits out right over the fishes’ heads with less noise. The larger tiger nuts will catapult up to 40 yards with a good wind. You can get different sizes of nuts from wholesalers, so in the interest of offering a diverse baited area, I will use small and large varieties. These can be bought in different sizes and mixed together. As a result, the spod ensures that they all reach the baited mark perfectly.

I have tried using different sizes in the catapult and as expected the baits went everywhere, which isn’t ideal when trying to prevent bait covering your lines.

Added to this, tigers seem to be left alone by birds and nuisance fish. A mixture of their resilience and possibly their taste seems to discourage the nuisance fish.

When fishing over tigers you can’t go far wrong matching tiger nut hook baits on the rig, especially when fishing over a handful of baits. I like to fish them on my standard long-hair blow-back-style rig with a sliver of cork in it to balance it. I have caught fish from Yateley Car Park Lake and a variety of venues on this rig and the hook-holds it generates are so reliable. The other rig I like to use is a low-lying pop-up coupled with a high-attract hook bait that I have made from my own little recipe. They are full of flavour and really stand out among a bed of

Prepared tigers ooze a sugary liquid that the fish love.

tiger nuts. I think a bite will be a lot quicker when fishing a pop-up among thousands of tigers, so it’s well worth experimenting with the bait that gives you the best results.

I have never really

Underused and much maligned, tigers will deliver results.

preferred a type of lake bed for fishing tigers either. Silt, gravel, it all works. As long as the spot is clean it will be perfect for a bed of bait and my rigs will present no problem. I use them as an alternative to boilies.

I have decided to do a month on Cleverley Mere in Essex. There are a few of the real old originals in there that I would love to catch. I will be using the tigers on there because they are sure to get a great feeding reaction. Add to this the fact that the boilies are the main bait used on the lake and the tigers are sure to provide the fish with something different. I am going to fish in this way for the next month and will catch up with you in the February issue to show you how I got on. ACF

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22/11/2016 16:51

JONMcALLISTER An angler who has been there and caught every carp in the country worth catching.

Sponsors: Wychwood and Proper Carp Baits

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BIG-CARP MIND-SET PART TWO In the concluding part of his series, JON MCALLISTER reflects on his most poignant campaigns and how he caught some of the finest carp in the country.

WHAT WAS IT THAT MADE YOU TARGET THOSE PARTICULAR FISH? Back then I had to prioritise which fish meant the most to me. I thought, which carp, if I could choose the ultimate one in the land, would I like to catch, and it was Mary.

That fish simply got me, it was the ultimate challenge – 120 acres, boat work, and 25 to 30 resident fish.

I was ill prepared when I started on November 1st; I was just so keen to get on there and fish. I’ve always loved my cold-water fishing and winter has never fazed me. I was quite prepared to just jump on in winter and crack on with no prior knowledge.

There were two very well prepared top anglers on Wraysbury and I knew I had to up my game, get a boat, life jacket, batteries and learn to load the boat quickly and safely. Plotting up and being mobile was key. I learnt a lot about the topography of the lake.

The first fish I saw on the bank was Mary. I saw a fish jump out from the Rocky Barge one afternoon just before dark and the wind was pushing in. In the distance the next morning I saw one wallop out; it was definitely Mary, the biggest thing you’ve ever seen. I had to go home that day but I told a guy and he went in there. I arrived again on the Monday; by Tuesday morning he had it.

I went round and it was obviously

My prayers had been answered…

Mallin’s was finally mine.

was driving to the motorway, late, and I thought:“I wonder if I can catch Mallin’s if I go to Wraysbury?”

I circled a roundabout above the motorway about six times – Sutton left, Wraysbury right. I wondered whether I had it in me and the next thing I knew I hit the right turn. Have I got it in me? I’m the one who rises to the challenge. If you put a gauntlet in front of me I’m picking it up.

Fortunately my boat was still there.

I phoned a mate after seeing his van and headed to Rocky Barge for a brew. Boating over where I knew there were fish two months ago, I felt they’d been there the entire time.

I think there was a natural spring in the water, a current, or a bit of

my dream fish in his arms. There was no feeling of envy, jealousy or bitterness whatsoever, simply pure admiration for the creature on the bank and I was delighted that I was there to see it. I eventually caught quite a few and the following year Mary passed away in August.

I’d caught all of the fish I wanted from Wraysbury – The Pug, Mary’s Mate, Cluster at a massive 48lb and it was just Mallin’s remaining – it was quite elusive. It hadn’t been out for 16 months and towards the end of the season I’d begun on Sutton.

This particular time I’d set my alarm to get to the Sutton draw at 3.50am, but for whatever reason I overslept. It was March 11th and I

warmth or something that held the fish. As I looked over there was a huge set of rings, much too big to be any of the birds. I stopped the boat and this brown carp stuck its head out in exactly the same spot. I knew the shape of that fish, the shape of its face, and I knew the colour. It was Mallin’s. I rang my mate and told him I wouldn’t be coming for a cup of tea.

I rigged up a rod, knew exactly where to lower the rig, threw in a handful of hemp and a few chopped baits and went back to land.

At 3.30pm I went out in the boat and saw a mirror that I didn’t think was Mallin’s, so I left it there and put my other two rods out well away from the area.

My friend, Ben, who got me into the mystery of big fish chasing, had passed away a couple of years prior. I used to say a prayer to him and ask him for a certain fish, and it happened. I asked him if I could catch Mary’s Mate next, it happened, the same for Cluster. So I did it again, looking up to the sky:“Ben, if you’re here, still, now, I won’t ever ask you again, but please, in the morning, let me catch Mallin’s.”

At 7.20am I had an absolute screamer, jumped in the boat, and following an epic battle netted the fish. Oh my god, it was Mallin’s.

I then had this realisation out in the lake that it was over. The spot that I landed that fish from was the exact same one that I ended up in after another epic battle with my first Wraysbury carp. It was a weird thing,

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that I had to go to The Mere now and go for The Black Mirror.

This was another challenge. You had to hide because you weren’t meant to be there and you had to move at night. Forget the modern stories of The Mere, before the fish passed away in recent years people were so brazen with their approach, there was no care for the way that it used to be done. When I fished The Mere it was still the golden era.

We would never dare set foot on that lake uninvited out of respect for those who were fishing there.

Outside my comfort zone, pushing the boundaries, fishing for targets isn’t just about big fish. I like the next step, pushing myself to different aspects of fishing different lakes.

My time on the busier waters such as the Essex Manor were different kinds of challenges. Not the challenge and difficulty of catching the fish, but learning how to fish a busy, pressured water. It was always about breaking my own boundaries.

I braced up The Annie at 59lb with

a magnificent end to my time on there, the whole full circle, and that was that. Mallin’s at 42lb 6oz ended my campaign on Wraysbury.

WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED THROUGH THE LONG CAMPAIGNS FOR TARGET FISH?

The biggest carp in Britain at the time. It was an obvious target for me.

The Manor brought a new challenge – dealing with the pressures of a busy circuit water.

There’s always something to keep you motivated. After Wraysbury, the next challenge was to catch the other leather, Heather, from the Car Park. I knew people who had caught the Railway Leather and tried to land Heather, and I knew people who had caught Heather and headed to The Railway for that leather, but nobody had done both. That is all the motivation I needed – the first person to catch what was believed to be the best two leathers in the country. The challenge has always been the reason I target big carp.

My friend who I met in the Perseverance who had caught The Black Mirror was fishing with me when I caught Heather and he said

the Northern at 47lb one morning, an incredible moment in my angling.

The Mother at Elstow Pit Two was all about fishing for a carp that I’d seen being held by Ed Betteridge, and I used to keep that picture and look at it all the time. That capture was always about the looks of the fish alone. I’d heard the stories of good friend Jamie Clossick fishing there and the gin-clear, deep water of the clay pit was something totally different. I knew how difficult that fish was to catch and looking back on my fishing, three years is a good gauge to catch a fish. I expected maybe four or five years to catch that fish but on my first session, after a number of days, I saw a fish show. I very nearly went home but chose to stay in case I learnt something and caught a 10lb common the next day, probably the one I saw jump.

I decided to fish the lake in a different way, baiting heavily before I left.

I did the first night after the break and caught

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Scaly at 40lb plus and was told that The Mother usually follows Scaly in the same session. The next day – bang – I caught The Mother.

The next challenge was the then record, Two Tone from Conningbrook, the biggest fish in the country. Mary was taken away from me and just two months into starting at Conningbrook Two Tone was banked. I felt I should fish elsewhere and starting a new water for a week I wondered what the hell I was doing and returned to Conningbrook straightaway. Three or four sessions in and I caught

Two Tone at 64lb 5oz and I had this feeling that I was going back to my homeland, back to Kent, my manor. I had my name on that fish.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHT PROCESSES WHEN BUILDING UP A PICTURE OF A TARGET FISH’S BEHAVIOUR? All the big fish that I’ve ever targeted I have asked previous captors about moon phases, whether it’s a boilie fish, whether it eats nuts, does it get caught in deep water or a certain depth, the list goes on. Somebody told me Two Tone likes gravel at nine feet, which sounds bizarre, but I found a spot I’d never seen anyone fish that was nine feet and gravelly.

The exact spot I caught it from. I was also told it likes a new moon, and in the tackle shop two weeks before the capture someone told me I’d have Two Tone that evening on the full moon. I said:“No, it’ll be two weeks on the new moon,” the exact day I went on to catch it.

Having banked Scaley, it was only a matter of time before The Mother would make an appearance.

“WHEN I FISHED THE MERE IT WAS STILL THE GOLDEN ERA. WE WOULD NEVER DARE SET FOOT ON THAT LAKE UNINVITED OUT OF RESPECT FOR THOSE WHO WERE FISHING THERE .” .

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Vinnetrow’s big common at 42lb 12oz.

Learning what habits fish have definitely helps you catch your targets quicker because you can narrow the variables down. The Black Mirror liked a new moon and a southeasterly and was often caught in September. I caught it from the swim I knew I would catch it from,

on the new moon, but in August – I took a liberty and caught it early.

One particular fish that springs to mind is the Half Lin from Vinnetrow.

That fish liked a full moon. I enjoyed fishing the lake and made a lot of friends in the area, and I knew Owen Pugh who was the guy that everyone looked up to down there, a bailiff and well-known angler over the years. I had it in mind to catch The Half Lin and wasn’t too hurried about it because there were some stunning forties in there too. I’d walk around the lake having not caught the night before and you’d see a milky cloud where they stirred the bottom up.

I did a couple of nights, caught a fish and didn’t go back for a month or two. Went back, caught a couple more, went off again, came back a few weeks later.

In July I planned to be down there for the full moon. I had six or seven bites in this session and I could clearly see them lumping out and which fish they were. Scaly and The Half Lin would always swim round

together, rarely leaving each other’s side. I’d caught Scaly previously and knew I was probably close then, but The Half Lin will often twig it and not hang around.

I was feeding constantly; 10 baits every hour to avoid the seagulls.

Three days later I’d caught plenty of fish, including Scaly again, but that bite eventually came.

The fight was in full swing and I knew which fish it was. It came all the way in through the weed into the margins and as it disappeared off to the right I tried to mind the other lines – the fish ditched the hook. I was worrying about stuff that hadn’t yet happened and lost the fish.

I returned on the August full moon and caught the big original common at 42lb 12oz. No sooner had I photographed it than I was racing round to the opposite bank where a fish showed, much to everyone’s amazement because I’d just caught. I knew which fish it was but played it down.

The next day, over 1kg of boilies

and under the full moon, I had it; a month after what I’m sure was me losing it. They definitely have habits and it often revolves around bait, topography and weather or moon phases. I’ve witnessed it time and time again.

HAVE YOU GOT ANY FUTURE AIMS OR TARGETS IN YOUR ANGLING? There are fish that I’d like to catch but I can’t get on the waters. I know the British record has just been beaten by a 70-pounder.Whether it will take the record I don’t know, but I don’t want to talk about it. I’d like to go for The Parrot atWasing but the waiting list is huge.

I’m currently fishing a no-publicity water with some really nice carp in it. It’s another challenge, all longrange fishing, something completely different to what I’ve ever done before.This sounds mad but I’ve never had to do this type of fishing at my maximum range of 140 yards and I am keen to add this skill to my armoury. ACF

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HOLDING OUT FOR A

WHACKER! With the autumn harvest been and gone, MYLES GIBSON gives it maximum effort in the hope that he will be rewarded by one of the Dinton Pastures jewels.

O

n my last session I was lucky enough to catch an incredible 40-pounder, and amazingly it had evaded capture for 11 years.That’s quite a feat on somewhere as pressured as Dinton.The catching of this fish signalled a change in the weather; fish were slowing down and I had to make plans for the trying to catch a late-autumn whacker.

MYLESGIBSON The man’s on fire and keeps on catching for the Advanced Carp Fishing cameras. Check out his exploits every month.

Sponsors: Korda, Phatfish clothing, Aqua products, Sticky Baits

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I left after that session, went to work and spent time with the missus before I was back in the van on the way down to Black Swan.This session I was met with completely different weather conditions that were perfect for an area I had been watching and trickling a bit of bait into, as warm southeasterlies heralded 28ºC temperatures. On my arrival I went round to the area I had earmarked and watched for an hour. It was clear there was some fizzing in one of the bays.

I plotted up there, but was conscious that the fish could do the off out of the bay if the disturbance was too high. I decided that I would put a couple of rods down there, but fish it from a swim that also allowed me to see out in the lake, so that I could see or hear any movement in the main body.This proved to be a great idea as after a fishless night, my vantage point gave me perfect visuals

Autumn sees carp take on their best-looking colours of the year.

hope that I could pinpoint another group of carp. By mid-morning the fizzing had stopped and I noticed fish movement to the left of the swim I’d just vacated.With that I got the gear loaded again and shot back round to the area I had just moved from.

of the fish putting a morning display on the far bank.

With that I got the barrow loaded and flew round there to get on the fish. I arrived in the swim and started setting up.With rods in position I continued to watch the area in the

I got into the swim just to the left of the one I had done the night in and rigged up the rods. I had fished the swim a bit before and had found three good spots that were cleaner than the surrounding area, so after consulting my logbook, I soon had

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normal.With the rigs set perfectly and baited I was confident that the fish would return. My assumption was confirmed when I was awoken at 5am to a bite.The tip wrapped round viciously as I got to the rod,

had subsided, so I decided to get the boat and make sure the spots were perfect for the next night. After a little lead about I had the rigs on the perfect spots, so I jumped into the boat and spread a kilo and a half

COLDWATERBAIT With the water cooling down, Myles will be adopting the Manilla boilie and sweetcorn for the majority of his fishing.

The digestibility, coupled with soluble attractors, make it an awesome cold-water bait. three rods fishing in the area, with decent drops on the leads. By this point I had had next to no sleep so I decided to have a power nap to recharge the batteries.

By the time I woke up the fizzing

A stunning, low-light autumn scene.

“THE TIP WRAPPED ROUND VICIOUSLY AS THE FISH FOUGHT BACK HARD.” Myles in action . of Krill boilies over the three rods.

By now I was using a solely boilie approach and 12 and 16mm Krill boilies, some whole and some chops, were spread over the spot.

I had been using the Krill clusters all summer and really rate them, so I decided to put them in the mix, albeit in much smaller quantities than

and after a spirited fight I landed a 25lb common. I secured him in the retainer while I got the rods rewrapped and cast back out in the hope I could make it two bites.

DanWildbore from Sticky

A change of baiting tactics and good water knowledge really can pay off.

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MAPPINGITOUT As the temperatures drop, Myles looks for deeper areas of water to fish on the lake. He has spent hours casting the marker round to map the depths all over the lake. This gives him plenty of areas to fish, depending on the conditions. He can then get rods fishing among showing fish as quickly and quietly as possible. was due down so I waited for him to photograph it before slipping it back.

We enjoyed a morning cuppa before the recast rod ripped off again. It felt like a really good fish, kiting and ploughing around for ages. After a good few minutes’battling I spied the rig tubing breaking the surface, but as the fish got within a rod length from the bank the hook pulled. I never got to see the fish but the fight told me that it was a good ’un.

The rest of the day was uneventful

Those bobbins smashed into the blank on some of the bites. just six hours’sleep since my arrival for that session, so I think the combination of all this had left me feeling terrible. After a nap, my mate Dave came down that evening and we had a big Chinese meal and stayed up late, listening to fish show right in the area. I felt much better after that and woke up to the phone alarm, so popped the kettle on and got sorted for the day ahead.

One of the rods had yielded a bream in the night. I had recast

on the fishing side, but somehow I had managed to catch a rather terrible sickness bug. I think it was something to do with either food poisoning, or the fact that I had been splashed with a mouthful of algae when returning the 25lb common that morning. Either way, it wrote off that day and I literally had to sit on my bedchair and ride out the storm.The rods were left out and by the evening I was feeling better.

I had also managed

it that night but it took four or five attempts to get the drop on the lead I was after. I walked over to the rod in the morning and slackened off some more as the line had tightened up.

No sooner had I slackened off than the bobbin cracked to the top and I saw a big patch of bubbles erupt on the surface. I picked up the rod and the fish ripped my arm off from the start. I was worried after the last fish loss, but my fears were unfounded when I saw the perfect hook-hold. A 33lb bullhead common was my prize and I was buzzing to get another bite on what was becoming a challenging time of year on Dinton.

I missed a week after that common.We are into October now (at the time of writing) and it’s scratching time.There are only a handful of bites left to be had and only a few of the remaining big fish to be caught. In the last 12 nights I have caught a common of 5lb and one of the stock mirrors of 14lb.The last six fish I have caught have been under 20lb but I am still getting it right as we get into the colder months.

The big autumn harvest has come and gone but I am holding out for that last-gasp whacker. ACF

A stunning 33lb common plucked from a cooling water.

0055 50

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24/11/2016 11:35

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10/10/2016 12:59

Berkley Advertorial

LINE CHOICE Line selection can be a very personal choice and the type of line used can dier from situation to situation.

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24/11/2016 11:37

C

ertain anglers like to use the same line in every circumstance, such as a trusted 15lb monofilament. A mono like Berkley Connect CM90 will tick a lot of boxes in this instance; it’s tough, abrasion resistant, sinks yet is soft enough to cast a long way.

Only in extremes, such as very heavy weed or supreme long range, will some anglers veer away from there go-to choice. This is mainly because they like the feel of the same setup, so they know how the rod, reel and line will act in any given situation, allow pinpoint accuracy on every cast and full control while playing a fish. Whereas other anglers will swap and change their line choice on a regular basis to get the best out of each swim they fish.

As mentioned, for most anglers a 12lb or 15lb mono is the go-to choice, with a diameter between 0.33mm and 0.40mm. However, other specialist lines are taking a bigger market share as technology moves on. When fluorocarbon first hit the carp market a number of years ago it was very wiry and brittle with poor abrasion resistance. But now things have moved on, more and more anglers are starting to use fluorocarbon, and the guys at Berkley believe they have created the best yet with the CF600. This line is manageable, very abrasion resistant and can withstand the forces of a powerful cast. Couple that to the fact that it sinks like a brick and has very similar light

The result of careful line choice.

Admittedly, technology is moving forward and modern monos like CM90 are designed to sink and have reduced stretch like fluorocarbon, but the main differences remain that fluorocarbon will always be heavier than mono, and mono will always be softer than fluorocarbon.

The other line that is used by the modern carp angler is braid. There are a few on the market that are designed to do different jobs, but the main one is extreme distance casting. Connect CB2000 is designed to do just that; it has a very fine diameter-to-strength ratio, yet is very soft and supple, so it flies off the spool with very little resistance and enables extreme ranges to be hit.

The other advantages of braid are that it can slice through weed with its fine profile and is less likely to be

refraction to water, to make it nigh on invisible to the fish, and you can see why it is becoming very popular.

The stretch on fluorocarbon is also less than mono and this increases bite indication, as well as making the higher breaking strains (CF600 goes up to 20lb, 0.45mm) ideal for snag fishing. It is also possible to get well over 100 yards with the 15lb fluorocarbon with the correct setup and technique. A large big-pit reel, with a bucket spool along with a rod with a 50mm butt ring will help reduce friction and increase distance. A good monofilament will always outcast a fluorocarbon due to its softer nature, but if getting the line to hug the deck and blend in with the surroundings is important, then fluorocarbon could be the way forward.

damaged by doing so. The limited stretch of braid allows complete control over a hooked fish, as well as pinpoint casting accuracy. The lack of stretch will allow anglers to hit small spots at long range time and time again without overshooting the spot, and the feel of the lead hitting the bottom is transmitted back to the rod tip to indicate the structure of the bottom better than any other type of line. The casting ability and lack of stretch make it the go-to choice for most on the spod and marker setups, as well as a distance fishing line.

When looking at monofilaments, the colour can be very important and anglers tend to prefer one of two main colours. Weedy green is very good at blending where there are high amounts of weed around, which is most gravel pits in the warmer months.

The CM90 mono is designed to be the least visible in this environment and blends in nicely with the varying greens around it. However, not all waters are the same and sometimes a dark brown mono will be less visible. Berkley has catered for this with CM70, a dark brown costeffective mono that won’t hurt the pocket of those anglers who like to respool on a regular basis. This colour mono is especially effect in the colder months as most of the plant life dies and the general colour of the vegetation turns from green to a dull brown.

All in all, Berkley has all the boxes ticked in the new Connect range when it comes to quality lines. ACF

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p052-053_ACF_01_advertorial.indd 2

24/11/2016 11:37

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onnecting us to our quarry, when you have a fish of a lifetime on the end, our main line becomes one of the most important aspects of your carping kit. It’s the central spine of all our angling efforts and something that should never be overlooked in terms of quality or condition.

When it comes to quality, the new range of Connect lines from Berkley, specifically designed for carp fishing, are right up there – and we have three sets of four different lines to give away right here, right now.

CONNECTCF600FLUOROCARBON A superb main line based on its limpness and lack of memory of the spool to aid casting, it also delivers great sinking properties, so sits tight to the bottom. With the lo-viz nature of fluoro it also appears almost invisible in water.

CONNECTCM70MONOFILAMENT A high-performance copolymer, the CM70 is a rugged mono that is designed to take large shocks, such as casting heavy leads. With a slick finish it casts very well and offers good strength for its breaking strains.

CONNECTCM90MONOFILAMENT Holding the title of a Pro Grade mono, the CM90 is denser line with an increased sink rate, which also delivers superb abrasion resistance, casting properties and manageability for its diameters. It’s also very low stretch, making for more sensitive bite registration.

THEPRIZE Three winners will each receive: A spool of Connect CF600 Fluorocarbon worth £49.99 A spool of Connect CM70 Monofilament worth £12.99 A spool of Connect CM90 Monofilament worth £19.99 A spool of Connect CB2000 Braid worth £89.99 Total amount per winner: £172.96

HOW TO ENTER To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following multiple-choice question correctly and call:

09012 932 301 QUESTION: What property does the CM90 mono offer?

A: Stretchy B: Multi-coloured C: Abrasion resistant The competition closes at 11am on January 6th. The winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received within this time.

Calls cost £1 plus your phone company’s access charge. Please obtain permission from whoever pays your phone bill. You can also enter by post by sending your entry to ACF, DHP Ltd, 1 Whittle Close, Drayton Fields, Daventry, Northants NN11 8RQ.

CONNECTCB2000BRAID Boasting a super-thin diameter, the CB2000 is designed for long-range casting, either as a main line or for spodding/marker work. The non-stretch properties of its PE Dyneema fibres also make it good for tight snag work.

CLOSING DATE

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JANUARY 6TH, 2017

55

p055_ACF_11_pure Comp.indd 1

24/11/2016 14:29

“JUNE 2015 AND THE WAIT WAS FINALLY OVER. AFTER ALL THESE YEARS I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO GET MY CHANCE AT THE SAILING LAKE.” DAVE ROBINSON recalls how his short-session approach heralded steady catch rates on his tricky Lea Valley sailing club lake.

I

remember seeing old stills of my dad in the 1980s with fish like Maylin’s and other prehistoric mirrors. It was always a case of when, not if, I got a ticket.

I’d had mates fishing on there for as long as I could remember. After photographingThe River Fish the buzz was real. Unfortunately it passed during my time on the waiting list but the stock was incredible nevertheless.

My first summer turned out to be a little busier then expected. Due to all the pressure the fish seem to spend 20 hours of the day out of reach or in the out of bounds. It seemed I either had to follow the crowds and fish 40 wraps or get something going at night when they slipped off the shallows and into the deeps.

I managed to catch three of the

big mirrors after a lot of ducking and diving that summer. I got to know the place, the anglers and a few of the fish well. I ended the year on a dozen fish, no commons, but had learnt a lot. I was happy considering the time I had actually spent there. I took away enough to come back armed and ready and knew where to find them and when. It was great because they spent the days and nights in completely different areas of the lake.

It made hard work of keeping up with them but also meant that work nights were ideal.

The next year I started early, while it was still quiet. I had racked up my fair share of overnighters in March for two bites. It was hard going but I wanted to be there when they started moving.

Swim after swim, wind after wind, I couldn’t find them anywhere. I even began to fish tight lines in the hope of a liner or something to go on.

The reason I got my ticket wasn’t just because of my dad and these mirrors. It was because of a fish called The Chub. At the time it had to be one of, if not, the biggest commons in the entire valley.This long, grey beast wasn’t only massive but a realistic target. I had decided that year I would fish when I felt she was due and leave when she was caught. I was there for one carp; everything else was a bonus.

I pulled off for the summer because of the sheer mass of anglers flocking onto a new wind or even a bit of sun. It felt like the anglers would only fish the summer, with plenty taking holiday time and fishing weeklong sessions.The amount of bait being applied was incredible. Buckets and buckets were being carted to swims ready for the reconstruction of‘bait mountain’.

Everyone was feeding the carp rather than catching them.

After catching two of the four carp I had left in a local estate lake, I returned on the last day of September for a social. After driving round theValley photographing some mad creature for Ben Connolly, we finally got our rods out two hours into dark. Sat round the moonlit

The Sandy Fully – arguably the rarest fish in the lake.

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24/11/2016 11:36

DAVEROBINSON Dave quietly goes about his business catching some cracking carp from his Cambridge lakes, but the LeaValley was calling.

Sponsor: Korda

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24/11/2016 11:36

millpond it felt good to be back.

I was woken by multiple shows short. Fishing a silt gulley between the bank and island with over 100 baits, I was sure that I was going to get a bite and both rods went before I had to get up for work.While playing the fish I could hear as, one after another, carp crashed out down to my left. I was truly amazed by the amount of activity in front of me. I left for work soaked after just a few snaps.

It was pretty clear I was coming back.

I was back that night straight from work and got my rods out just before dark. I had seen nothing during my first couple of hours into dark but I knew I was early and I should just get my head down.That night I caught Ben’s for the second time, one of the old, grey, leathery originals.

I woke that morning knowing I had to return as much as possible that week because it wouldn’t last forever.

I had five bites in three nights and heard 20-plus shows in front of me each night. On the fourth night there was nothing.

I knew they wanted the bait; I just needed to be on the fish.

A new wind had come on over the weekend and I was pretty sure I knew where I needed to be heading.

As I arrived, I looked across to find someone spodding right on that warm wind. I watched him put out 60-plus spombs and drive out of the gate. As much as I wanted to be in the teeth of that wind, there was no way I was fishing over that. After a bit of moaning I decided on the complete

“WHILE PLAYING THE FISH I COULD HEAR AS, ONE AFTER ANOTHER, CARP CRASHED OUT DOWN TO MY LEFT.”

Dave put his faith in sharpened size 4 Wide Gapes, ensuring he landed all 37 bites during his time on the sailing lake. opposite end, off the back of the wind. At least I knew if they were there I would hear them.

That night I whacked out two singles and got in the bag. It was local to work so not so much of a problem, although I felt as if I was camping.

In the early hours both rods ended up going into meltdown as I was packing away and I saw two fish in the swim next door. One of them was really big. I’ve always been one for fishing where I see the fish rather than waiting where they sometimes feed. I knew that was where I had to be.

After two more nights of multiple shows and no bites I was beginning to wonder what was going on.

I took the following Friday off; it was the first time I had been looking forward to sitting around a busy lake for years. I knew that if I could get in that swim they wouldn’t be far away at night.

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24/11/2016 11:36

The Chub – quite possibly the biggest common in the valley.

The common was unknown and immaculate in every way.

That afternoon a light northerly breeze started blowing into my swim and the fish began showing 50 yards in front of me. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. After repositioning both rigs in the deep water and slacking off I sat back praying I hadn’t pushed them back out.

An hour later my right-hand rod was away and I caught a lovely little scaly mirror.That afternoon I had four bites while the swims were filling up.

It was a real red-letter day, well worth the day off work.

As it got dark my mate Rob and I sat back and enjoyed an obligatory pizza.We both agreed that when we had pizza there were big carp involved. He had proved that a couple of weeks before at the estate lake, catching a mid-forty mirror.

Midnight came and the same rod was away again.This time things felt a little different as the dead weight slowly got closer. At first I thought it might be a stockie with its head in the weed. Everything happened so fast and before I knew it I had something that looked like a small manatee in the bottom of my net. I didn’t know what to do with myself, pacing up and down in my swim. It wasThe Chub at 47lb 8oz, possibly the biggest common in the valley at the time.

It’s hard to put into words what it felt like; the sense of achievement was

of water was good enough for me. I had no choice but to fish opposite, over to where my bites were coming from.The two swims were 300 yards apart, so to say I felt miles away is an understatement. My swim was occupied for five nights but during that time I had managed five bites to 34lb 8oz.

The following weekend I couldn’t get down until the Saturday evening but by that time the two blokes had gone home.That night everything just went perfectly. At 1am on the Sunday the carp were alive, 30 or 40 shows in no time at all. It was like they knew nobody was watching. Huge white rings breaking the surface film ensured I got a sleepless night. I would love to know what they were up to out there. Some of the carp I’ve caught have had lice on them, so it’s possible they were cleaning themselves. Either that or they are going potty on the naturals and my rigs were going right among them.

Hours of listening to carp all over me made me worry a little. All sorts were going through my head. As the huge moon sank behind the tree line the rod was away again. I knew it was a good fish from the off as I

immense. I had‘ended it’on a Friday night sat around a banged-out lake.

It always seemed like one of those things that would never happen to me.Watching the place slowly empty as news spread was a lovely feeling.

Timing was always going to play a massive part in the capture of this carp. Like lots of big carp she has her patterns, months and areas but it always felt as if I was fishing against the anglers not the carp.

After a couple of late nights that weekend it was clear the carp were spending all their time in the deeper areas. Some say that’s typical autumn behaviour but due to the intense angling pressure and the big chuckers they never seemed to stay long. For some reason this time was different.

On the Monday morning before work I caught a brace of fullies that completely blew my mind. A once-a-year fish and probably the most sought-after carp in the lake, The Pukka Fully, and the immaculate Sandy Fully, a fish that everyone has seen but nobody has caught.Two of the rarest carp in the lake at the same time.What a way to end such an incredible weekend and one I will never forget.

I returned in the week without a care in the world. I had caught the one I was after and I felt great.There were only two blokes on and they were in the swim and the one next door. It wasn’t a case of having to get back on that particular spot, just in that main body

towed it back to the bank shaking its head from side to side. Nervously pulling it across the surface, I frantically scooped out in front of me at the ripples. I pulled the net back to find another massive common. I couldn’t believe it. One night back in the zone and I’d got another big ’un; 38lb 8oz of unidentified common carp. I’m going to name itThe Box. October was becoming my month and I was loving every minute of it.

This carp was immaculate in every way. I’ve never caught one of that size before and not known which one it is. It was a strange feeling to say the least. As I sat charged waiting for the most qualified man in the game, local legend and my best pal Elliott Gray, I couldn’t help but wonder what I had actually caught.

October 2016 has been the most rewarding month for me. It really is true, effort does equal rewards. Not only have a caught two PB commons this autumn but I’ve caught 20 others, seven of them being thirties, five over 34lb, and some other incredibly scaly mirrors. I love that lake and I have made a friend for life.

Good things come to those who wait. ACF

A supple hook link and a bottom bait made the ideal trap in the silt gulleys of the sailing club lake.

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24/11/2016 11:37

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23/11/2016 11:32

MARTIN GARDENER Alongside being an excellent angler, Martin is the owner ofYateley West Fishery, which includes the North, Car Park, Split and Pads lakes.

Sponsor: Sticky

JEWELS OF THE NORTH LAKE MARTIN GARDENER recalls his last season, which saw him land two target commons.

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22/11/2016 15:58

“MURRAY IS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF THE BURGHFIELD COMMON, BEING ONLY ONE INCH SHORTER...”

T

he North Lake at Yateley isn’t short of history. The famous Bazil was once the king of the lake.

Since then it has seen a huge overhaul by the team at Yateley West Fisheries and the fish and I are now thriving in this awesome environment. I have fished the lake for the last two seasons with the aim of catching the three 40lb commons that reside in it. They are highly sought-after fish among the syndicate members and for good reason; they are really good looking fish.

Snub Nose and The Black Common are around the low to mid-forty bracket while Murray has reached highs of 49lb in recent times. I’m told that Murray

is only one inch shorter than The Burghfield Common, which suggests it could be really big in the future.

I started early in March 2016, with the view to seeing how the fish behave in the early spring and format plans for when the fish woke up. It was a good way to see areas where the fish were frequenting, but also to find spots and start applying bait on them.

Having fished the season before, I had notes from then.

There was an area that I had caught fish from at around 86 yards. It seemed to be a great area for an early spring bite. As soon as the weed began to grow up it would make this spot very hard to fish

and therefore I wanted to make the most of the situation.

I started by baiting it with six medium Spombs of boilies every 24 hours. This would provide enough bait to get a bite. I have never been a heavy bait angler; I have had more success fishing over just enough to get a bite.

The most bait that I fish over is 1.5kg, but if I look at most of my captures, 30 baits will have caught me more fish.

This was the case here and I managed Snub Nose at 43lb 6oz. It was a new personal best and one of my main targets. She looked terrific because she had maintained her winter colours into early spring.

I caught steadily through the summer, with a variety of mirrors

The lucky hat had done its job – Snub Nose.

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Braid on both the marker and fishing rods aids accuracy.

A simple rig with a nice long hair is all that is needed.

and commons. The fishing is so diverse, with open-water areas to bait, to small snaggy corners.

It makes for interesting fishing, making the angler adapt to different situations depending on the fishes’ whereabouts.

In my time fishing on the North Lake I have found that the harder areas have been the most productive. Although the natural food is in the silt, I feel that the rig presentation is much more effective over harder gravel.

The braided main line helps this hugely because I am able to feel the subtle differences across the spot when I cast my rig out.

I find the spot with a standard stiff spod rod and a bare lead; this is the most sensitive setup. I like to use a softer 3lb-test-curve

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MARTIN GARDENER’S 1% EDGES...

1

Martin uses the spod rod for leading about. Despite fishing braid on the fishing rods he prefers the stiffness of the spod rod for finding subtle hard spots within an area. By taking the time with this rod it ensures Martin is maximising his time on the best areas.

2

Wafter hook baits are Martin’s choice when fishing over boilies. He favours match-thehatch-style hook baits for the wary carp of the North Lake.

rod with the braid because it reduces the chance of lost fish. The braided main line on the rods comes in handy, in that you can fish as accurately as the marker rod, allowing you to feel those important hard spots that give you more bites.

In complete contrast, my capture of Murray was more akin to the fishing that Yateley is known for. I had to wait until autumn for my encounter in one of the small bays. It is a favourite area of mine because I really like the intimate style of fishing that it offers. It is quite snaggy so you have to be on the rod in a flash.

I cast out the rigs on the spot before baiting lightly. I hadn’t seen fish in this area when I initially set up but I knew it would be a good bet based on previous sessions here. The water was still plenty warm enough for the fish to creep into the bay.

That session I received a savage take on the snag rod.

Fishing with braid and a soft rod, I was in full contact with every

The lucky hat strikes again!

lunge of an angry carp as I played the fish at full test curve.

I noticed as I was playing it that the line had become caught in the near margin trees and the braid sat hooked on a branch.

As the fish kited out of the bay I prayed that the line would break free of the tree. My prayers were answered and I was again in full contact with an angry carp.

A large tail broke the surface as the fish made another attempt to escape and I noticed telltale white tips on the end of the tail. I knew

from then on that I was attached to a new personal best. I must admit that I did get the shakes as I played it for a further minute or so before my prize, Murray, the biggest common in the lake, was mine. I was ecstatic.

With these two fish caught I have The Black Common to target.

I will be moving on to Split Lake next year to give that a go. I will continue on the North Lake for the rest of this season in the hope of catching my one remaining target. ACF

Her white tipped tail was a real giveaway – it was Murray, the biggest of the North Lake commons.

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#TriedTestedTrusted

KRY0008_4 TOS A4 AD.indd 2

Maxence. Caught using Magma Armour coated braid Gravel Brown 45lb and Heavy Metal Super Brown.

#TheMovement

10/10/2016 09:38

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS HADLEY EVER recounts an incredible session on his southern syndicate water, which saw him catch three incredible carp from under the rod tip, after close observation and tactical baiting.

HADLEYEVER Hadley’s been super consistent on his southern syndicate.

He also works at South Custom Reels where he gives your reels a great new look.

Sponsor: CC Moore

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Final checks before the rig is lowered onto the margin spot.

ADVANCED ANGLE

I

grabbed the sunglasses, a bucket of bait and set off around the lake in search of carp. It is roughly eight acres and more or less a square with four main fishing banks. Surrounded by trees, there is a host of awesome sanctuaries for the fish to spend time, sheltered from the regular angling pressure out in the pond.With it being very clear with trees to climb, it doesn’t usually take long to find fish.

I had a walk round to the shaded snaggy area. In a few spots the marginal shelf has been carved out to reveal light patches of clay and gravel, which seemed to be devoid of fish – typical. I knew there had to be a few milling about close in somewhere, with the morning sun penetrating and warming the marginal water.

So I carried on, checking every conceivable spot.

It wasn’t until I left the sheltering snags that I managed to find a few carp, patrolling a few feet below the surface in a warm sheltered area.

I stood posed like a heron and completely still for longer than I can remember, watching these fish circling the area like a group of sharks. I was beginning to pick a few of them out by their recognisable characteristics; some better than I first thought. After noting their patrol route in and out of the swim, I simply

1

Liquid attractors are super-effective at getting fish interested when they are being lethargic.This is packed with bloodworm and, thanks to its natural ingredients, is ideal for use in all water temperatures.

2

couldn’t wait. I grabbed my trusty 9ft rod, the net and bait from the car and went back to the swim hoping they were still there.

It was evident they were still there in numbers, clouding the lake bed in places and flanking in the morning sun. I watched a group exit the swim one by one, at which point I knew it would be ideal to get a few handfuls of bait into position before their return. I was halfway through

tying a rig for the rod when out of the corner of my eye I clocked the resident swan. I have a love-hate relationship with it but at the times you don’t want to see it, there it is. I quickly finished tying the rig before making my way to the water’s edge to persuade it to leave. Defiant, it started feeding right where I had introduced the bait. I quickly glanced up and down to see if any carp where present but luckily there were none to be seen.

Eventually, I managed to spook Mr Swan from the swim. I took the opportunity to throw another handful of chopped baits on the spot, thinking the disturbance could draw the fish back in.

When fishing chops and small baits, Hadley uses these wafter hook baits to mimic the loose-fed baits and ensure that the hook bait isn’t viewed with caution by the wary water park carp.

I finished mounting a wafter hook bait onto the rig and placed it straightaway. I knew the carp would be back and this would be the only chance I had of getting it sorted.The rig went down with a lovely drop, so I was more than happy to sit back and chill.

An hour must have passed with no sign of activity. By now I knew I should have had some sort of response but much to my dismay I clocked the swan. Instead of making unnecessary disturbance I stayed in position, hoping the swan would somehow miss the baited area.That didn’t happen and I knew it could potentially ruin the chances of a bite. I stood up and heard the small stone

A monumental common snatched from beneath a swan.

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that was placed on the spool drop off. I thought the line must have wrapped around the swan’s legs, so I lifted the rod and started moving it in all directions to try and free the line.

Then the rod hooped round in my hand and started peeling line from the clutch. Somehow I managed to hold on to the rod as it bent double ferociously.The swan

battle enjoyable. A few moments later the fish was safely gliding over the net. I glanced down and I knew it was a good fish, one of those big dark shapes that had been hanging around the spot throughout the morning. I made a quick phone call to my friend on the other side of the lake, who quickly reeled in and popped round to help with some photographs. It went over 40lb,

“I RECOGNISED A BIG PALELOOKING COMMON WITH ITS HEAD DOWN FEEDING ON THE CHOPPED BAITS.” was completely stationary on the spot, while I was trying to hold on to whatever was attached on the other end. At that point I knew the line definitely wasn’t wrapped around the swan. I was attached to an angry carp. It had clearly been feeding right under the swan, completely out of my view, which is an occurrence I’ve never had before.

A lengthy battle ensued and the small rod certainly made the tense

a huge common known asThe Football. I was beginning to think the swan was my new best friend!

After everything had died down, the swim had settled and the cloudy, disturbed water began to settle, I introduced a few more handfuls of crumbledTuna. I decided to set up camp in the swim next door, which allowed me to check back on the spot because it looked prime for another bite.

Before I knew it, most of the morning had drifted away and I had completely forgotten about the spot. I grabbed the glasses and popped round to see what was occurring

next door. Slowly creeping to the water’s edge, I could see a faint outline of a fish on the spot. I slowly walked closer, my heart starting to speed up as it became obvious what was there. I recognised the fish straightaway, a big pale-looking common with its head down feeding on the chopped baits. Now I was in a dilemma – did I wait for the fish to stop eating and move off, or did I scare it off with bait and get my rig in place as soon as possible? I scared it off – literally!

I waited for about an hour but

the big common didn’t return.

Suddenly, the rod laid on the deck went spinning out of control. I jumped up startled, having thought there were no fish present. I was praying it was that better fish I had seen feeding over the spot. My arm was still aching after the terrific fight of the first fish but I knew this had to be a good one by the way it was tearing me up.

Before long it was safely in the net and it was the common. How’s your luck? Matey over the other side came round again and we weighed

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The pale common at over 39lb, the second of the trio of big commons.

GETCOVERED Fish are at their most wary when in the margins so be sure to keep well hidden. Use the bankside foliage to break up your outline and prevent yourself being spotted by feeding fish.

her at just under 40lb. I couldn’t believe it! I don’t think he could either! Surely my luck would run out soon.

Time was ticking and it was nearly evening, so with another few handfuls of bait introduced to the spot, I nipped back to the main swim to get the rods sorted for the night ahead. I introduced a good few handfuls ofTuna baits over the spot in the edge, hoping that they would return in the night for a feed, ready for a quick go in the morning before I had to leave. If conditions were set to be the same, I knew they would end up visiting the warm area of water and hopefully have a feed while they did.

I got the rods out for the evening and enjoyed some peace and quiet over the park. Still fairly warm, I sat

up enjoying tea and watching the now flat-calm water for signs of fish.

In my head, I knew I would have to get up early for another go on the spot, imagining another dark shadow drifting over the baited spot.

I was awoken at first light by my bite alarm screeching. It turned out to be a lovely upper-twenty mirror and after some photos I wasted no time winding in and grabbing the stalking rod.

I strolled round to the spot brimming with anticipation.

Conditions were absolutely ideal. I

walked down to the water’s edge, peering into the shallow water, which already seemed to have a slight tint of cloudiness. I knew there had been fish in the area, so I slowly lowered a rig into place, followed by a handful of broken boilies.

I wanted to see if fish were coming in and out of the spot.Ten minutes must have passed and I saw a common slowly move into the swim. Straightaway I recognised it asThe Patch Common, one I would love to catch. Seconds later I saw it homing in straight towards my hook bait, its mouth extended

fully right on top of the bait.Then there was a huge eruption of water and I was in. It had taken my bait first and I was in to another park common. After a bit of a tense battle,The Patch Common was resting in the folds of the net and I was one happy angler.The scales revealed another 30lb-plus common, my third of the session from right below my feet.

It was certainly a session to remember and I went to work feeling excited and grateful, having caught a trio of lovely commons in 24 hours. ACF

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CROSS POD AND CASE Fully adjustable NGT ‘Cross Pod’ with deluxe case. Although adjustable, this is designed as a ‘low pod.’ It can hold up to three rods and comes complete with deluxe case. Features include; aluminium profiled tubes, stable main body, front and rear adjustable three-rod buzz bars, easy to fold, complete with carry case.

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CARP BIVVY TABLE SYSTEM E EM II A complete carp angler’s “hold all” solution. o olution.

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XPR INSULATED COOLER BAG The XP XPR cooler bag is a stylish insulated bag that is des designed for carrying food. It incorporates four level tthermal technology to maintain temperature making it ideal for drinks, sandwiches etc… It also has an additional front storage compartment and two side mesh compartments. Features also include twin zips, webbing on the top and a detachable carry strap.

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DELUXE BOX CASE SYSTEM PLUS New and exclusive to NGT, this double decker box case system has a built-in bivvy table which can be removed and used on its own. Inside the case you get a high-quality system tackle box, and in the top, a storage area with a lead case and dividers. There’s also a well padded shoulder strap, high-quality zips and a mesh front panel.

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DYNAMIC TRAVEL EL - 9FT FT, 4PC CARBON ALL ROUND TR TRAVEL ROD This one has to be seen to be believed. ieved. A stunning 9ft, e-packed carbon travel rod! four-section, all-round, feature-packed

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DYNAMIC MARGIN STALKER - 9FT, 2PC, 2.5LB TC HIGH CARBON ROD DYNAMIC AMIC TRAVEL CARP - 11FT, 4PC, 2.75 75LB CARBON N ROD

A two-piece 9ft carbon stalking / margin or spinning rod with a 2.5lb test curve. Supplied in a cloth bag.

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ROD NAME: PIECES: LENGTH FT /M: CLOSED LENGTH: TEST CURVE: MATERIAL: COLOUR COLOUR: CASIN CASING:

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Dynamic ® Travel Carp Four (Fo (Four sections) 11ft / 3.3m 8 88cm closed 2.75lb Carbon Grey carbon Cloth bag CODE: FR-C-DYN-TRAVEL-CARP

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24/11/2016 09:47

This beanie mat is perfect for the mobile angler.

Very lightweight but still offering plenty of protection for your quarry.

GREEN LARGE CARRYALL

FEATURES INCLUDE: • Vibrating receiver • Variable volume • Batteries (not included).

A large olive green all-round angler’s carryall, with a large main compartment and three generous zipped and mesh external pockets. Padded handles and padded adjustable shoulder strap are included as standard, and it’s made from waterproofed ter with PVC backing.

600D polyester

£31.90 CODE: FBA-W/LESS-2PC-VS

MEGA CARP CARE COMBO This is one the best value for money cradle and retainer deals out there and will give your catch the ultimate in on the bank fish care. You get a cradle that’s massive measuring 115cm x 70cm x 35cm and more than big enough for any carp in the land. Features include four fully adjustable large mudfeet, knee pad / cradle cover and is constructed from a strong but lightweight aluminium frame.

DIMENSIONS: 110cm x 70cm

£16.99 CODE: FU-MAT-BEANIE-555

PVA BAGS Fast-dissolving, non-residue PVA bags in three sizes (20pc)

£16.95

£2.89

CODE: FLA-CARRYALL-093 ARRYALL-093 933

SIZE: 100mm x 130mm CODE: FPVA-BAG-100X130-20PC 70mm x 100mm CODE: FPVA-BAG-70X100-20PC 70mm x 200mm CODE: FPVA-BAG-70X200-20PC

The Captur Weighsling / Retainer is an absolute peach of a product. Featuring eight independent net floats ensuring the system never sinks, double zip and locking clip making sure your prize catch doesn’t escape, 2m rope and peg to secure the sling to the bank, six carry handles and a free carry case.

GREEN INSULATED CARRYALL An olive green carryall with spacious insulated main compartment, three generous zipped external pockets to store multiple items and now with an additional mesh front pocket. Padded handles and padded adjustable shoulder strap are included as standard, and it’s made from waterproofed 600D polyester with 210D lining.

SIZE: 2cm 52cm x 36cm x 42cm

£14.95

All this for only £95

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3PC + RECEIVER WIRELESS ALARM SET

PVA NARROW TUBE - 7M X 25MM

FEATURES INCLUDE: • Red, green and blue LED lights • Batteries not included • Three short and three long snag ears • Vibrating receiver • Wireless range up to 200 meters • Rolling code system (prevents interference).

7m of 25mm ‘NARROW’ PVA mesh on a tube. Now also with FREE PLUNGER and funnelled top tube!

5mm x 7m DIAMETER: 25mm E: General purpose USAGE: use

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CAPTUR FLOATING SLING AND HOLDING SYSTEM After more than a year in development we would like to introduce our Captur ® sling and holding system.

FEATURES INCLUDE: • Eight independent net floats to ensure the system always floats on the water even in severe conditions • A double zip and locking clip so that there is no chance for the fish to escape • A 2m rope and peg to secure the system to the bank • Six carry handles - to cover all contingencies • Large size - ideal for specimen fish • A free carry case SIZE: 120cm x 26xm x 50cm WEIGHT: Approx. 1.35 kg

NGT CLASSIC RECLINING BEDCHAIR The NGT Classic bedchair is comfort personified… and now as a recliner! This bedchair features micro fleece fabric, added adjustable webbing on the back of the mattress for additional body support, six fully adjustable mudfeet and built-in pillow.

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p070-071_ACF_01_NGT Tacklehound 1_Carp.indd 2

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Wireless 200m receiver comes complete with two short and two long snag ears.

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2PC + RECEIVER ALARM SET (VS)

24/11/2016 09:47

DYNAMIC JUMBO BIVVY / BAIT TABLE WITH ADJUSTABLE LEGS A black jumbo aluminium bivvy / bait table with adjustable folding legs with mudfeet. Handy compartments for holding tackle. Folds flat for easy storage.

3 + 3 ROD HOLDALL This his is the new signature 3+3 rod holdal holdall. Designed to hold three rods made up and three unmade. It has two additional pockets on the front, both with zips. p It’s well padded and has an adjustable strap. (Made from 600D polyester with PVC backing.)

SIZE: 196cm x 28cm x 60cm

£17.95 CODE: FLA-RODHOLDALL-618 XPR M MULTI-POCKET T CARRYALL The new XPR carryall features five external pockets and main compartment. Padded handles and padded adjustable shoulder strap are aas standard. Made from waterproofed 600D polyester with PVC backing.

SIZE: 35.5cm x 60cm x 24-32cm

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SIZE: 61cm x 29cm x 31cm

NGT DYNAMIC BARROW

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Dynamic Carp Fishing Double Wheel Barrow Trolley with Barrow Bag one or two wheels. A sturdy, well constructed carp barrow featuring: • Extendable and height adjustable front bar

• Option to fit one or two wheels (short and long bar included)

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FOUR-SEASON SLEEPING BAG

This sleeping bag is water repellent and features a twin layer insulated micro fleece lining.

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SIZES: CLOSED LENGTH: 95cm, EXTENDED LENGTH: 115cm, WIDTH: 71cm WEIGHT: 14kg SIZE: 82cm wide x 206cm long x 38cm high

SINGLE ROD SLEEVE A single rod sleeve capable of holding made-up carp rods with clips to attach to luggage. Features include fully lined material with PVC inner, a clip allowing you to attach to another ‘master’ holdall and a deluxe handle. (Made from 600D polyester with PVC backing.)

1.1- LITRE ‘FAST BOIL’ KETTLE A durable, lightweight 1.1-litre fast boil kettle with folding handle, constructed from anodised aluminium. Incorporating a heat stem that makes it up to trap system 30% more efficient her than other outdoorr kettles.

DELUXE ANGLER’S BOX CASE SYSTEM A box case system which is ideal for the angler ‘on the go’. Complete with a built-in bivvy table which has one-touch adjustable legs, and can be removed from the case and used on its own. The box case system also comes with a high-quality system tackle box which fits inside the case. The tackle box has adjustable compartments to store your terminal items. Padded shoulder strap, padded handle, high-quality zips and mesh front panel for additional storage.

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24/11/2016 09:38

A deluxe cutlery set ideal for the slightly longer session. Items include; Two stainless steel sugar containers Two stainless steel mugs Two x knives, two x forks Two x teaspoons, two x plates A face towel, a material case to house the set with mesh pocket

CODE: FU-CRADLE-305

DAY CUTLERY PLUS SET Ideal for a shorter session on the bank featuring; two knives, two forks, two teaspoons, two plates Elastic holder for lighter A multi tool which includes a bottle opener / blade A material case to house the set which zips all the way round Mesh pocket on the front of the case

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42IN GREEN SPECIMEN NET AND ONE-PIECE 6FT CARBON HANDLE AND CASE

NGT MULTI-SECTION FRYING PAN The perfect way to cook up a full English next to the water, this multi-section frying pan has three non-stick compartments to cook your ingredients separately: A frying area for bacon and sausage, a bean section and a mini egg-frying compartment. Easy to clean with removable handle for easy transportation.

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NGT DELUXE PROFILER PLUS CHAIR The NGT ‘Profiler’ is a large sized chair, ideal for the angler fishing longer sessions. It features four fullyy adjustable legs t, with large mudfeet, recliner system, well padded, has armrests and is lightweight! This is the rs.

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ONE-ROD CARP STARTER SET

TWO-ROD CARP SETUP

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24/11/2016 09:39

THE

ROAD TRIP BEN FRANCIS divulges what went into the production of the Taska carp DVD and how exploring the Continent may lead to exciting adventures.

H

igh-quality film productions have become a staple of the carp angler’s needs in recent years and now, more so than ever, video is one of our favoured sources of entertainment and knowledge.

number of outstanding productions that inspire our audience to get out there and go fishing, with hopefully a few tips and tactics up their sleeve to implement using some of the products in our portfolio.

I joined the company earlier this year, after spending several years working at another established brand.What I learnt in my previous

Every year, each company seems to compete to produce bigger and better productions than the year before and it’s a rat race to see who can create the most exciting film that inspires anglers across the world.We love making film productions for our customers and it’s quite a significant part of our working year to create a

role has allowed me to bring a different perspective toTaska’s brand team and this year we’ve set out to implement a number of exciting media projects.These have been created to provide our audience with more interesting content that will hopefully inspire and educate our customers to get on the bank and thrive in the culture of carp fishing.

That’s what it is now, a culture. It’s

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become far more than just another hobby.

One of the exciting projects that we embarked on throughout this summer was the filming of our feature-length DVD that will be released in April 2017, Carpspiration Volume 2. It’s our second big production and it’s set to be an absolute banger!The venues we went to and the fish that were caught were simply mind-blowing from start to finish and after all the hard work organising the logistics and planning behind it, I’m so happy to have finally completed the filming of this production with my trusty sidekick and camera supremo, Harry Law, who, I must say, absolutely smashed it on the filming side of things!

Most of you reading this more than likely don’t work within the fishing industry and you only ever get to see the finished projects. Rarely do you get an insight into what goes on behind the scenes to make these films become a final production.

The first thing I’ll say is that to all it must seem like we have an easy

Tucked away far from the madding crowd, just us and the carp.

sense of adventure, we didn’t want to take our team to the usual pay lakes that everyone has filmed on time and time again, we wanted to show a different style of angling that can be explored by everyone and we wanted to take carp fishing to the extreme.Taking this angle meant that the filming and logistics side of the shoots would be difficult because we would need to go out on filming missions and be on the

life, travelling all over the Continent, catching big fish and having a whale of a time. It’s a fun gig, but believe me, fishing the remote locations that we did this year made the whole process far more demanding than what meets the eye and this year’s filming mission really was the most technically difficult project we’ve ever put together.

When we set out to film this production we wanted to provide a

bank for at the very least one week at a time to allow for the unpredictable nature of natural fishing to take shape and give us a fighting chance of catching some truly special carp for the cameras. On top of the time away, there’s usually a lengthy drive involved, as well as sleeping on the bank in remote areas where you can’t simply call the local takeaway to drop you down a nice ruby and there’s not often somewhere close by where you can pop and have a shower on demand. Bathing in natural lakes was something that we embraced in France this year, but we were pretty shocked at the water temperature once we took the plunge! It was rather fresh, let’s put it that way.

Brrrrrr, I can still feel the shivers.

We filmed in five locations for CarpspirationVolume 2 in four separate countries and have met some incredible people along the way.What really inspired me this year was just how many good people there are in this carp angling community that are willing to help fellow anglers. In the making of this

BENFRANCIS The man behindTaska’s CarpspirationVolume 2.

We’re certainly looking forward to its release.

Sponsors: Taska, Kryston, Nutrabaits

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An insane-looking forty.

Black as your hat. Literally.

These public-lake fish were incredible and all for the price of a local fishing licence.

“THE RIGHT ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE, YOU’VE JUST GOT TO GO AND FIND IT.” film I called on a number of contacts on a whim, more than anything hoping they’d help out on certain logistical aspects and there were many that had no affiliation to our company at all.They had no duty to help us but everyone I called on helped us out purely because they wanted to.Whether it be to borrow a boat or other specialist equipment to save us driving it across Europe, or helping us locate nearby supermarkets and providing us with useful information and more local contacts. It was just really nice to see that so many people went out of their way to help us make this project a reality and purely because they wanted to help. So thank you to those who helped us this year in some way, shape or form, you all made such a

huge impact on what was achievable for us.

Since we’ve come back from our road trips I’ve been inundated with questions from people far and wide who have seen snippets of our travels on our social media pages, and there seems to be an overwhelming response of excitement about fishing natural waters across Europe.

The best bit about this entire project is that we went to waters that are accessible to everyone and each water we filmed on was not a pay lake. All that was required to fish these venues

was a local fishing licence that cost around £40 per person, per country – for an entire year’s fishing I must add! It’s actually far cheaper to fish wild waters than pay lakes and there are so many natural lakes, rivers and canals across Europe that hold some truly special carp.

Why pay over the odds for average fishing on the Continent when there’s so much potential in the natural waters that cost next to nothing to fish?

I think many

people don’t know how or where to start on planning such an adventure, but neither did we until this year if I’m totally honest. All we did was speak to as many anglers as possible to find out information on the venues, and we spent a decent amount of time researching on the internet. It was actually pretty easy to find out what venues were out there and what you need to fish on them.The right adventure is out there for everyone, you’ve just got to go and find it.

In April 2017 CarpspirationVolume 2 is going to be revealed to all and will be something that you won’t want to miss.You’ll see our team take on an epic road trip to Denmark in search of monsters from a lake that has been around since the dinosaurs roamed the earth, as well as our French team taking on a mighty public water of over 600 hectares.The whole thing is finalised in Belgium, where our guys caught some monumental carp from a relatively difficult and unknown public lake. ACF

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22/11/2016 16:00

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The latest and greatest tackle to add more firepower to your carp fishing arsenal.

AQUA COMPACT WEIGH SLING

PRICE:

£34.99

An extremely compact and lightweight folding weigh sling, measuring 550 millimetres in length when packed and weighing only 670g. It is produced from high-quality Aquatexx material, which is strong, fish friendly and extremely fast drying.The sling also features a mesh bottom to allow rapid drainage, helping you accurately weigh your catch. Despite its small pack size the compact weigh sling is easily capable of dealing with some of the largest UK carp.

Web: aquaproducts.co.uk

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CARP SPIRIT RAZOR POINT HOOKS

PRICE:

£4.99

Strong, sharp hooks are a huge edge in big-carp fishing, helping you hook and land more fish, and the Razor Point hooks certainly fit that description. They are manufactured from the highest-grade Japanese carbon steel, giving extreme strength, and Dura-Point technology makes the extra-long points super-sharp and durable. The hooks are finished off in a slick, non-reflective PTFE coating and are available in a wide range of patterns to suit any rig or fishing situation.

Web: carpspirit.fr

PROLOGIC DOWNFORCE ANTI-TANGLE RIG SLEEVES

PRICE:

£34.99

Anti-tangle rig sleeves can work wonders for reducing tangles during flight and to kick the hook bait away from the lead as it settles.These from Prologic quickly taper to a discreet narrow profile and are finished in an unobtrusive dark green. Being made with tungsten, these also provide a further benefit of pinning your hook link to the bottom, away from wary carp.

Web: prologicfishing.com

PRICE:

£6.99

RIDGEMONKEY ADVANCED BOILIE CRUSHER When you need to make large amounts of chops on the bank, this is the real deal! Simply wind the removable handle and watch as it chomps its way through the boilies at an unbelievable rate. A non-identical blade design ensures a wide variety of chop sizes are produced to keep the carp guessing.The crusher is designed to fit on the 17-litre Modular Bucket System and a clear safety lid keeps any fingers clear of the blades and ensures all the bait remains in the bucket.

Web: ridgemonkey.co.uk

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WYCHWOOD SLING MAT

PRICE:

£54.99 A premium zip-up sling mat that is ideal for mobile anglers who still require the highest protection for large carp. The deep 50mm padding features a firm bottom layer to protect against stones and other hard objects underneath. The mat folds flat to fit on a barrow but is also perfect for carrying a range of tackle items when roving. It is finished off with a fold-out kneeling mat and a carrying strap that attaches to pegging points found on each corner. The mat complements the System Select luggage range and shares the high quality, further emphasised by a lifetime warranty.

PRICE:

£15.95

Web: wychwoodcarp.co.uk

ESP LEADCORE A huge number of big-fish anglers put their faith in ESP leadcore and with good reason – it’s super-reliable and sinks like a brick. The original, which has a subtle flecked brown coloration, has been around for donkey’s years and has developed an almost cult following. To complement this, ESP has released the Choddy Silt and Weed Green variants, meaning all bases are covered. Ideal when you’re fishing for those ultra-wary carp!

Web: esp-carpgear.com

NGT XL EURO CRADLE

PRICE:

£69.95

A very large and well-padded cradle unhooking mat; the ultimate choice for carp safety and suitable for the largest carp at home or on the Continent.

Four extendable legs allow the cradle to be levelled on uneven ground and aVelcro cover helps to retain the carp safely on the mat. It is produced from a soft, fish-friendly waterproof fabric allowing water to collect in the centre for keeping the fish wet.The cradle folds neatly in half for transportation.

Web: tacklehound.com

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Shure Care

Be Safe. Be Shure.

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The boilies, particles, liquids and other baits to get your spots fizzing.

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CC MOORE MILKIMIN PELLETS

MAINLINE HIGH IMPACT GROUNDBAIT

STICKY MANILLA BAIT SPRAY

NUTRABAITS ALTERNATIVE HOOKBAIT POP-UPS

These creamy-smelling pellets are certainly different from most on the carp fishing market.

Produced from top-quality milk proteins, they are highly digestible even in the coldest water. On top of that, their white coloration provides additional visual attraction to help stimulate lethargic winter carp to feed.

These pellets also have variable buoyancy, providing attraction throughout the water column to help draw carp down from the upper layers.

A highly attractive mix packed full of quality food ingredients, including crushed particles, nuts and protein powders, alongside active enhancers and stimulants. Simply add water for an instant groundbait, or mix with PVA-friendly liquids to produce an effective stick mix.

The groundbait is available in a range of flavours, with specific mixes to complement the best-selling Cell, Essential Cell and Hybrid boilie ranges.

Boosting your hook baits is a great way of increasing their attraction so that carp choose your hook bait over the free offerings. The Bait Spray complements the Manilla range perfectly, with a few additional attractors to help your hook bait stand out.

The spray is ideal for popups because its lighter, finer consistency means your pop-ups retain their buoyancy.

Simply spray a couple of times into a pot of pop-ups and they will soak up the liquid.

These highly attractive, hi-viz pop-ups are perfect for fishing as either single hook baits or as an alternative hook bait over beds of bait. They are incredibly resilient, having a tough consistency that actually becomes slightly firmer as they are immersed in water. They also remain super-buoyant for extended periods, making them ideal for many pop-up presentations, including hinged stiff rigs and chods.

They come in a range of colours, each in a classic well-proven flavour such as Pineapple and N-Butyric Acid.

Web: mainline-baits.com

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DYNAMITE MEATY PELLETS A premium-grade, high-protein pellet in the classic Meaty Marine flavour. Produced from a mixture of meat and fishmeal, they are rich in omega-3 fish oil and amino acids, which are both extremely attractive to carp.

The pellets feature high leakage rates but a slow breakdown means they will remain intact, providing food items to keep the carp interested for longer.

Web: dynamitebaits.com

PRICE:

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6

CRAFTY CATCHER BIG HIT BOILIES

The Big Hit boilie range was designed to offer excellentquality baits at affordable prices.

Produced on a nutritious and highly digestible base, these baits rapidly release attractors into the water to quickly draw carp to your spot, while their high food content keeps them coming back for more.

The Raspberry & Black Pepper boilies have made a massive impact on the Continent, where some very big fish have featured in a number of ‘big hit’ sessions.

They are also available in Spicy Krill & Garlic and Coconut & Maple Cream.

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RUCKSACK

We take a look at some of the best options for the heart of your fishing gear – the rucksack.

I

magine your carp fishing without bespoke angling luggage. Wouldn’t it be really hard work?

When you think about it, good quality luggage with all the pockets, pouches and specific fishing design touches is the

backbone of our kit. At the centre of that for many of us is a rucksack. An invaluable piece of kit that houses and transports all our essentials – the piece of the kit we’d be lost without.

There are loads of rucksacks on the market designed

RUCKSACK ACCESSORIES

specifically for carp fishing.

Some are incredible, some others not so much. We’ve picked four of the best to take a closer look at in terms of functionality and – what’s often the most vital piece of the equation when you start using these bags – comfort.

TEST BED

POUCHES

STRAP IT UP

CARABINAS

For a fully functioning storage and transportation system that will see you being able to find your baiting needle one instance and your spare socks the next, a decent inner modulated approach is a must. For this your pouches come into play. Buy ’em, fill ’em, get ’em in the main compartment and everything else should be a doddle…

Not so much an accessory but a basic piece of kit that you see on many rucksacks but not everyone uses. The sternum strap (the strap across your chest) is designed to stop the main straps from moving apart and keeps the weight of the pack on your shoulders, where it needs to be. If you use it, your strap should ideally be in line with your armpits.

A couple of these quick-clip carabinas on the outside of your rucksack can add another handy carrying option to your luggage.

Boots, a mug, another pouchful of hook baits or whatever; clip them on quickly and easily to make life getting to and from your swim that little bit easier.

Although storage and capacity are huge things when it comes to the right rucksack, for most of us in a live fishing situation, it’s the comfort factor of a bag that really makes a difference. A 20kg load can feel twice that when your rucksack’s slopping all over your back and your spine feels like a herd of buffalo are playing a game of bulldogs on it.

A good rucksack makes lugging loads on your back and shoulders as easy as possible and that’s what we’re looking for in the ones we’re getting to grips with.

THE CONSISTENCIES To be fair, there are no specific, calculable measurements of comfort that you can record, so this bit is less scientific than usual. The test was to load each of the four rucksacks with 20kg of weight, strap them on and walk for half a mile – a bit more than many anglers would travel by foot to a swim, but we’re all about putting the leg work in here at ACF. The comfort ratings we gave the bags are then based on how we felt after the walk.

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JRC

SONIK

CONTACT

SKS FOLDOUT

JRC is producing some great pieces of kit these days, and after spending some time with the Contact we’ve come to see it as one of them.

Looking at it loaded up, the sack doesn’t look all that‘standout’from the crowd, but start to have a look around and it has some good, solid touches.

To start with it feels very robust. Good stitching, 500D polyester fabric construction and a waterproof bottom covering tick a lot of boxes when you’re dealing with the rigours of life out on the bank.

Then there’s the storage. The central compartment offers 40 litres of space, along with six external pockets.

One of the best touches is the access to the main compartment. The overhead flap zips into place either side of the opening so that all your bits and bobs will stay in place. However, the front of the flap doesn’t zip up, it just fastens via two clipped straps that run top to bottom. If you don’t bother with the straps you can still get your hand in for quick-access stuff without unzipping everything, with your gear still safe from spilling out – it makes things very quick and easy Comfort-wise, the padding on the back of the sack and on the main straps is immense. With the straps adjusted and tightened properly it felt very good in all the right places and the waist strap helps to distribute the weight a bit better too. The inclusion of two bars down the back of the bag in line with the main straps – like a proper hiking rucksack – mean that the whole thing also keeps its shape well. We really like this rucksack.

This is a clever piece of luggage. At a glance it looks like a fairly standard rucksack. Take a closer look, though, and you’ll find a design that sees the whole back open out flat, offering four different storage compartments.

Essentially, it works by having a main section separated into two areas. At the top and bottom edges of the bag there are then two more compartments that hinge, closing over the main compartment and attaching to each other when folded up via two clip straps. What this means is that you have a rucksack you can carry on your back as normal to your swim, and when you get there you unclip the secondary compartments and it all opens up into a holdall-style arrangement.

The other clever bit we like is that when it’s all opened up, the tops of each of the four compartments are clear plastic so you can see exactly what you’re looking for straightaway. Not only that, but to save you getting your bag dirty when you lay it down it comes with a free groundsheet (stored in a side pocket), sized perfectly to the bag.

It’s all put together very well. Solid seams, heavy-duty canvas, quality fittings in terms of the clips and zips – it should last a fair number of seasons and plenty of abuse by all accounts.

On the comfort front, the padding on the back of the bag is more than ample, although the main straps could do with being a bit wider to spread the load on your shoulders. All in all a clever bag with lots of practical use out on the bank.

PROS Robust and simple, this is an old-school angler’s bag with loads of comfort.

PRICE: £49.99

PROS Clever and functional with a free groundsheet and tackle box.

CONS Not sure how long the padding on the back will take to compress.

TEST RESULT Loaded with weight the bag sat well on the back and over the walk felt well positioned and very comfortable.

THE NUMBERS Capacity: 40 litres Dimensions: 53 x 30 x 30cm

PRICE: £69.99

CONS Pricey, but it is a very good bag.

TEST RESULT On the walk the rucksack was comfy dues to the masses of padding, but the straps could do with more width to spread the load where it’s heaviest on the shoulders.

THE NUMBERS Capacity: Around 30 litres Dimensions: 57 x 44 x 21cm (113 centimetres long when laid out opened up)

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ESP

WYCHWOOD

RUCKSACK

SYSTEM SELECT ROVER

This is old-school luggage at its basic best. No bells, no whistles, none of that namby-pamby padding, just a massive main storage compartment to hold all your gear and a couple of other pockets.

The ESP bag is a focused bit of luggage. But it’s tough as well.

Created from 900D nylon material, backed on the inside of the bag with PVC to make it relatively waterproof, at the heart of the rucksack is a large central compartment that will swallow pretty much everything your need it to. If it doesn’t, there’s also a generous rear pocket, plus two more either side.

The bottom of the back is covered in a reinforced, waterproof ‘foot’, so when you put it down the nylon material doesn’t suck up the moisture. Elsewhere there are also two straps across the rear pocket that clip up and are adjustable to carry an unhooking mat or suchlike.

Rugged and simple, focused and more than up to the task of lugging kit where you need it to be, the ESP rucksack is really a thing of simplistic beauty. But… then you have to carry it.

The back of the bag has a very small amount of padding in it, and the same goes for the main straps – although they are nice and wide to spread the pressure. The inclusion of a sternum strap helps keep things tight and in place, but you do have to watch what you pack at the back of the bag or get niggles with knobbly items digging in when you’re on the move.

Part of its new System Select range, the Rover from Wychwood is a great looking bag from the off. Designed specifically for the mobile angler, it has four easily accessible pockets at the top, the back and either side of the main compartment for you to position the gear you need to get quick and easy access to when you’re hopping through multiple swims.

The main compartment offers enough space for the basic kit the roving carper’s going to need, with the access hole positioned over two planes of the bag’s construction, giving you a much bigger aperture to get your hands in and on to the kit you’re looking for.

As with the other rucksacks here, the Rover is well made – solid canvas, bulky zips, quality stitching on the seams and so on. Plus, you’re looking at a piece of luggage that should last several seasons if you look after it – a point emphasised by Wychwood’s lifetime warranty on the product.

There are some nice little touches as well, such as the separate mesh section in the top compartment, the two space dividers and another mesh section in the rear pocket, and especially the pull-out rain cover that sits in a zip pocket under the bag itself – very handy to keep your bag dry.

This is also a comfy bag on the move. The rear section where your back makes contact has plenty of padding, but what makes the difference is the addition of a stiff board that fits into a zipped section in the rear wall. This stiffens the shape of the bag, stopping things moving around, protecting your back from lumps and bumps in the main compartment.

As rucksacks go, this one is well thought out and well delivered.

PROS Good, honest, solid bag that will hold loads at a very good price.

PRICE: £29.99

PROS Some very nice touches and highquality finish.

PRICE: £54.99

CONS Not the comfiest when on the move.

TEST RESULT As we’d loaded the bag up with disc weights they didn’t feel too good through the back of the bag, but the actual weight distribution on the shoulders was very good.

CONS With a lifetime warranty, we can’t think of any.

TEST RESULT The back board combined with the rear padding made all the difference to the comfort here, and the sternum strap also helped to create a nice, snug fit when walking.

THE NUMBERS Capacity: 40 litres Dimensions: 46 x 42 x 24cm

THE NUMBERS Capacity: Around 30 litres Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 28cm

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“VOLUME, TONE AND SENSITIVITY CONTROLS, ALONG WITH A PARTICULARLY COOL MULTICOLOUR LED OPTION.” CARP SPIRIT HD5 BITE ALARMS AND HDR5 RECEIVER A full three-rod bite alarm and receiver kit featuring a bunch of useful features, all at an affordable price.

C

arp Spirit has announced its arrival with a few impressive products.

Having seen them at the recent Tackle & Guns Trade Show, we were impressed with a few in particular.

The Razor Point hook range looked impressive but we thought we could explore some

of the larger items. The HD5 alarms feature the normal staples.

There are volume, tone and sensitivity controls, along with a particularly cool multi-colour LED option that allows you to change to the colour of your choice. Soft non-slip rubber inserts give the rod added stability in the alarm, which can be useful when fishing

tight clutches.

The HDR5 receiver is also an impressive piece of kit. With on/ off and a vibration setting along with volume, tone and LED colour control, you can alter the receiver to your preferences with ease. The three alarm and receiver package is supplied in its own presentation case for easy transport.

The Verdict A great package with some interesting features.

The Numbers £249.99

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“THESE BAITS HAVE ALREADY CAUGHT A RAKE OF BIG FISH.”

CC MOORE LIVE SYSTEM THE NUMBERS

A high-end bait range that will work to help you put more fish on the bank – welcome to the LIVE SYSTEM.

W

ith a catch repertoire that spans thousands of fish and some of the biggest carp in the country, Live System is packed with a blend of nutritional milk proteins, bird food and active ingredients like yeast. High-leakage soluble cream attractors help to improve

attraction around the spot.

As you would expect from a low-oil base mix, the digestibility of Live System is impressive, even in the coldest of conditions. There are shelf-life and freezer baits available in the range, with bait sizes from 10mm to 24mm.

The boilies themselves are backed up by a huge range of complementary products. From pop-ups and wafters to dips and even stick mixes, there is a full roster of great additives to change your baiting approach yet still keep a main theme with flavourings.

Boilies from £9.99

THE VERDICT A full bait range with a phenomenal track record.

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22/11/2016 16:07

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21/11/2016 14:43

GG SPECIAL WYCHWOOD PARKA AND BIB & BRACE THE NUMBERS

We take a look at WYCHWOOD’s offering in the winter carp clothing market, with durable materials and great design.

Parka £149.99 Salopettes £119.99

W

Quality winter warmers well worth the investment to keep you fishing through the colder months.

ith high-quality waterproof materials throughout, warmth and, most importantly, dryness are the main motivations for the creation of this new salopette and coat combo from Wychwood. The Parka, as it’s known, is based on the design of the original parka coat, which provides maximum coverage to your body. The outer waterproof material keeps out the wet, while the superb inner fabric

provides loads of insulation. Added to this, the zip baffles prevent the wind getting in and the adjustable hood further improves protection.

The salopettes are made from the same materials and designed to keep you dry and warm, and coupled with the zips (complete with a storm flap) they provide a comfortable combination when fishing long sessions in winter.

THE VERDICT

94

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ESP LO PRO BROLLY ACF gets a first look at this revolution in lightweight shelter design.

For years the oval brolly has been the go-to for many carp anglers, be it for their ease of use, super-light weight or simply because they are so damn carpy!

So it’s no surprise that any revolutionary change in design is going to get the carp world talking, and ESP certainly doesn’t disappoint with its brand-new Lo Pro.

and bulk to an otherwise streamlined package, and meant one more thing to deal with when getting pitched up in the pouring rain.

ESP has addressed this issue, producing a truly freestanding brolly. This is achieved by developing extending side ribs, so that six of the eight ribs now touch the ground.

The last major change to the good old ‘oval’ was the creation of the space-saving frame, which meant anglers no longer needed to contort their bodies to fit under the tangle of spokes, saving a lot of bumped heads. However, one niggling weakness ovals still had was the need to prop them up using storm poles. This only added weight

In doing so, the Lo Pro has dispensed with the need for any storm poles and actually remains standing prior to being pegged out.

The extending mechanism is similar to that on a tent pole, being quick and easy to use, and the small retaining clip is a handy little feature that just makes it that bit easier to pack away.

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It features a space-saver spoke mechanism and the 8mm fibreglass ribs provide a rigid lightweight frame.

The main fabric is 210D PU-backed nylon, which is strong, waterproof and again incredibly light. Producing a super-light shelter was clearly a priority in its design; the brolly itself weighs a mere 3.3kg! At 52 inches it’s also

When all packed down it measures six feet and is nice and slim, fitting into most quivers. A nice feature here is that the webbing buckle that holds the brolly together when packed down is stitched on so won’t get lost.

Alongside the main brolly you will also receive a lightweight sleeve and eight pegs with a useful tie-up peg bag.

relatively compact but it will still house most bedchairs and the front panels afford ample protection from the elements.

Furthermore, the new rib system allows the height and width to be easily adjusted to suit conditions – pulling the ribs out wider, you can get the brolly really low for when the rain is driving hard into your face.

THE NUMBERS PRICE: £149 www.esp-carpgear.com THE VERDICT A great innovation in brolly design. It’s ideal for the mobile or simply hard-core carp anglers looking for a minimalist, super-light brolly.

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SAMMEE Sam’s long-range tactics have kept him catching on this huge southern lake, despite limited weekend fishing.

Sponsor: CC Moore

SAM MEE reveals to ALEX GRICE his secrets to successful long-range fishing, catching an incredible brace in the process.

GOING THE DISTANCE 100 05

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Bringing the big girl ashore. spend much of their time out at range and with the lake being relatively shallow, I was curious as to what type of spots he placed his confidence in.

“Fishing effectively at long range is difficult by any stretch of the imagination, largely due to the fact that big casts (over 160 yards) are hugely affected by factors such as wind speed and direction, which are completely out of our control. At these ranges, the smallest amount of wind can have a massive effect on accuracy and distance achieved.

“A bigger bow in the line also makes feeling for a drop much harder, which is certainly not helped by the shallow depths.

I usually target the backs of weed beds; the fish feed confidently close to the weed and it also allows me to determine whether I am presented on the firmer bottom more easily.

If I fall short into the weed I will

LOADING SAM’S DISTANCE SPOMB

W

ith an enviable list of big carp falling to Sam’s long-range tactics, I decided to head south to get the lowdown from the man himself but little did I know what was in store. Knowing that I had stayed the night in a nearby B&B for the feature, Sam had excitedly called to inform me of the events that had just unfolded and what was waiting patiently for me.

I wasted no time at all, shovelled down my cornflakes and headed to the lake.

Upon arrival, Sam showed me to his swim where two retainer slings were nestled in the margin. One by one they were hoisted ashore to have their pictures taken. Both fish looked absolutely immaculate and at a combined weight of over 82lb they made a pretty impressive brace. A good morning’s angling in anyone’s books!

After all the commotion had died down we sat back to enjoy a good cup of tea. I was eager to find out a little more about the venue, beyond the huge sheet of water that lay in front.

“It’s certainly a big expanse of water, but it’s quite misleading. The lake itself is typically very shallow, with depths of around five to six feet throughout. I feel this is one of the main reasons the fish tend to spend a lot of time out at range, along with the huge amount of angling pressure. Over the years anglers have pushed distance fishing to the limits and as a result the carp have been pushed further into the central zone. They’ve certainly become cute to lines and there seems to be a boundary behind which the carp feed confidently. When fishing at these great distances, accurate rig and bait placement is difficult but crucial. If the rigs are a rod length short of the bait you simply won’t get a bite. They have no reason to feed beyond the baited boundary.”

It was interesting to hear Sam’s views on why the fish

1

Add a handful of damp stick mix. A combination of the Pacific Tuna bag mix and chilli hemp oil is perfect!

2

Pull the mix down to the head of the Spomb and compact it to make a dense, weighted lip at the front.

3

Follow this up with a mixture of your chosen baits. Sam’s preferred choice is Pacific Tuna.

get a much softer drop or none at all, so a firm drop means I can be confident that I’m on the spot.

Beyond that, it’s extremely difficult to differentiate between types of bottom at long range, even with braid, so ensuring a reasonably firm drop is key to being presented.

I will always make the effort to

The bigger half of the brace. We were both blown away by her sheer size and immaculate condition.

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a Sam finds a short drop helps achieve e. rang at racy accu g asin incre , cast crisper

A fingerstall is an absolute must when fishing at range, especially when using braid.

get that drop, even if it’s landed in the right area – I want 100 per cent peace of mind.”

I was also keen to know how Sam went about baiting accurately at these crazy distances.

“I use a Spomb for all of my baiting over here and, having fished here for a while, I have picked up a few tricks from other anglers who have come and gone.

“Interestingly, one of the biggest elements of long-range baiting is actually timing. To ensure ultimate accuracy, conditions need to be calm

“A few technical changes and tweaks to your tackle will certainly help gain those crucial extra yards.”

and this often only occurs in the evening, as the light begins to fade.

“Another real eye-opener is loading the Spomb correctly. Making the nose as heavy as possible allows it to remain more stable in flight. I use a dry bag mix, such as the Pacific Tuna, and add chilli hemp oil to bind the mix. I compress a handful of mix into the front of the Spomb, which increases the nose weight and leaves room for loading boilies behind it. I typically bait a short line across three rods, all fished at the same range.”

Despite having been out with many anglers, that’s one tip I had never seen with a Spomb and certainly something I will be using in my fishing.

After watching Sam put a couple of Spombs out to his clipped mark, it became apparent that he used no ordinary casting style.

“Like most successful distance techniques, my casting style relies on weight transfer and rod

LEADCHOICE Sam’s go-to choice for range work are 4½oz distance leads.

Their aerodynamic, noseheavy shape cuts through the air without much wobble, which aids distance and accuracy.

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One last look at the 39-pounder before she goes home.

The second half of the brace.

What a stunning fish!

compression. With the rig behind me I take a few steps forward before transferring my full weight into the cast. I find this‘run up’provides momentum that I can carry through the cast more easily. I then keep the rod tip high and straight to avoid unnecessary friction on the line.

“I also find that a shorter drop helps me to compress the rod easier, leading to a crisper cast. When using a run up, it’s important to finish the cast at the same point to maintain accuracy when hitting the clip on my fishing rods and Spomb rod. Finding a casting style that suits you is important and this technique allows me to accurately deliver my rigs and bait at range.”

Having watched the last of the Spombs fly out, we decided to look at Sam’s long-distance-rig setup.

While I had hoped to see one of the rigs he was using at the time, this simply wasn’t an option. With the wind beginning to pick up, getting it back into the area would have been extremely difficult. However, Sam quickly tied a rig up to show me what he had been having his success on.

“It might look simple but each aspect has been finely tuned to remain effective even when punched out to my desired mark.

“Presentation is always a concern when fishing far out, so this rig’s anti-tangle properties were a huge draw for me. You may also notice that I am using a boilie hook bait to match those I’ve introduced with the Spomb, but I top this with a piece of yellow plastic corn to provide a visual stimulant. I also like to harden my hook baits, creating an extremely

resilient bait that can withstand the pressure of the cast. This is crucial if it takes a few attempts to hit the mark because the last thing you want is your bait splitting and coming off the hair on the perfect cast!

“As you can see, I use a very short hair because this seems to be less prone to tangling in flight.

I use a semi-stiff coated hook link material in conjunction with an anti-tangle sleeve and a small piece of tungsten putty on the link. This all helps the rig separate from the leadcore leader when the lead has touched down. I then couple this with a lead clip and big 4½oz distance lead. I always place greater emphasis getting the rig positioned over the baited area than I do on a complicated rig.”

After witnessing the simple, no-nonsense rig that Sam uses, we take a look at the

tackle he puts under enormous amounts of pressure on every trip and how he goes about setting the rods up for the best possible bite indication.

“I have been using the 13ft Fox Horizon rods because, despite being a fairly short guy, I find I can still compress them easily, aiding my casting ability twofold! Braid is another important part of the armoury. Being exceptionally thin and supple, braid simply flies off the spool. The lack of stretch also aids bite indication, which is even more important at these ranges.

“For this reason, it’s also

necessary to fish the main line ping tight. I also like to set the clutches fairly tight, so when a fish does take, the strain of the braid guarantees good hook-holds. The takes are often screamers!”

On many waters, such as the southern syndicate that Sam has been targeting, being able to fish at extreme range can be a real edge. In many cases this can be the difference between success and failure. A few technical changes and tweaks to your tackle will certainly help gain those crucial extra yards.

By fine-tuning his approach, Sam has had a fantastic year, catching a host of mirrors and commons over the magical 40lb mark. ACF

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TACKLE AWARDS

2016

T

he votes are in and counted, the results compiled and ready to be announced. By far the most important thing, though, is that you, the Advanced Carp Fishing readership, got

involved and had your say, providing the information and opinion we needed to deliver the definitive results for this year’s ACF Tackle Awards.

As usual, there are some big names involved, from Korda and Fox to Free

Spirit and Sticky, but every winner is a deserving one. A big congratulations to all who won and framed across the various categories and an even bigger thanks to everyone who got involved in the voting process. Here are the results.

Best Rod Under £150 Winner – Free Spirit CTX Highly commended – Shimano Tribal Velocity Highly commended – Nash Dwarf

Best Prepared Particles Winner – CC Moore HC – Dynamite Hemp N Snails HC – Nashbait Spicy Slicker Hemp

Best Rod over £150 Winner – Free Spirit Hi-S HC – Nash Scope HC – Daiwa Longbow DF

Best Bivvy Winner – Trakker Tempest v2 Bivvy System HC – Nash Titan HC – Aqua M3 Compact

Best Big Pit Reel Winner – Shimano Ultegra 14000 XTD HC – Daiwa Tournament S Black HC – Fox Fx 11

Best Brolly Winner – Fox Supa Brolly HC – Trakker Tempest Brolly HC – Nash Groundhog FS

Best Compact Reel Winner – Shimano Ultegra Ci4 5500 XTB HC – Daiwa Cast’izm QDA HC – Fox FX9

Best Barrow Winner – Carp Porter MK2 Fatboy HC – Fox Explorer HC – Carp Porter All Terrain

Best Boilie Range Winner – Mainline Cell HC – Sticky Baits Krill HC – Sticky Baits Manilla

Best Bait Boat Winner – Angling Technics Microcat HC – Viper Mk3 HC – Waverunner Mk4

Best Pellets Winner – Sticky Krill Pellets HC – Mainline Response Pellets HC – CC Moore Pacific Tuna

Best Luggage Winner – Nash HC – Trakker NXG Luggage Range HC – Aqua Black Series Luggage 104

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25/11/2016 15:16

Best Bedchair Winner – Nash Indulgence Sleep System Wide Boy HC – Fox Flatliter Mk2 HC – Trakker Levelite Bed

Best Terminal Tackle Range Winner – Korda HC – Fox Edges HC – Nash TT

Best Clothing Winner – Fox Chunk HC – Trakker HC – Nash ZT

Best Session Accessory Winner – Ridgemonkey Sandwich Toaster HC – Ridgemonkey Bivvy Light Dus IR HC – Hobo Glow

Best Footwear Winner – Skee-Tex Field Boots HC – Korda All Weather Trainers HC – Skee-Tex Original Boot

Best Fishing Tech Winner – Ridgemonkey Vault Powerpack HC – Deeper HC – Fishspy Underwater Camera

Best Bite Indicator Range Winner – Fox Black Label HC – Delkim SlimLite HC – Korda Mk2 Stow Bobbin

Best Mail-Order Shop/ Website Winner – Erics Angling HC – Total Fishing Tackle HC – Angling Direct

Best Rod Support/Bankware Winner – Fox Black Label HC – Cygnet 20/20 HC – JAG 316

Best Mail-Order After Sales Service Winner – Erics Angling HC – Total Fishing Tackle HC – Angling Direct

Best Sunglasses Winner – Fox Chunk Avius HC – Fortis Aviators HC – Fortis Switch Wraps

Tackle Company of the Year Winner – Korda HC – Fox HC – Nash

Best Bite Alarm Winner – Delkim TX-I Plus HC – Fox Micron NTXR HC – Nash Siren R3

Best Facebook Page Winner – Fox International HC – The official Nash Tackle Page HC – Korda Developments

Best PVA Winner – Korda HC – ESP PVA Mesh & PVA bags HC – Fox

Best website Winner – www.korda.co.uk HC – www.nashtackle.co.uk HC – www.foxint.com

Best Mono Line Joint Winner – Fox Exocet & Korda Touchdown HC – Gardner GT-HD HC – ESP Syncro XT Loaded Best Braid Line

Best Instagram Account Winner – Fox HC – Nash HC – Korda

Winner – Berkley Whiplash HC – Fox Submerge HC – Korda Sub Braid

Favourite Carp Angler Winner – Terry Hearn

TERRY HEARN

Best Fluorocarbon Line Winner – Fox Trans Khaki Illusion HC – Korda Kontour HC – X-Line 105

p104-105_ACF_01_tackle awards.indd 2

25/11/2016 15:17

BEATTHE WINTERBLUES KEEP ON CATCHING THROUGH THE COLD THIS WINTER

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ADAM PENNING’S BIG-CARP DIARY

ONE STEP AHEAD PART SIX

With the Cleverley carp quickly wising up, ADAM PENNING tweaks his tactics to stay ahead of the game.

S

ummer was quickly disappearing; I’d got until the end of August, exactly three months from when I started, until other things would be taking precedence and my mini campaign at Cleverley Mere would grind to a halt.

If you follow my diary then you will know that the preceding weeks had been very kind to me and I loved my time at this fabulous venue. In the back of my mind I wanted to achieve a target of 30 fish before the end of the month and with the amazing haul of fish off the top that I detailed

last issue, I was the proud (and slightly surprised) captor of 21 thus far and was sure that if I just kept on doing what I was doing then the results would continue to come my way.

That last part is important – sometimes it can be tempting to make changes when you go through a dry patch, or if the target fish still hasn’t come your way. Generally, the best decision is to simply keep on doing what you are doing.

However, at Cleverley I needed to make a couple of small adjustments to stay ahead of the game.

Firstly, one of my spots near the island was drying up in

terms of bites. I’d taken eight fish from this one small spot but lately they were visiting it less and when they did finally come in, they were very cautious indeed. I have never found that there is one spot where you can catch them all from on tricky waters. Sooner or later they realise that the ‘game is afoot’ and bites become much harder to get. Coupled with this, I was attracting hordes of rudd into the zone, which were an ever-present swarm over the spot. Even 20mm baits were eventually whittled down and a couple managed to impale themselves on my super-sharp hooks.

Due to this, I started priming other zones but I did wonder if a change of line angle would help. One night I had the fish over the spot but no bites had come my way. This wasn’t the first time it had happened and I resolved to do another night on the spot but with a completely different line lay.

The result was astonishing, with another couple of fish coming quite quickly. This really got me thinking about lines and the awareness of these incredibly pressured fish to them.

So far I’d been fishing super-tight lines, with the tip down low and a big lead.

This had been working very

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ADAMPENNING The ever-consistent Mr Penning catches carp to order from all over the UK. He also runs a thriving tuition business.

Sponsors: Sticky and Prologic

4 1 2

1. A chunky little character with tiny fins.

2. Melted fin rays on a mid-twenty Cleverley common – wonderful!

3. Another lovely creature from my session fishing to the bubblers.

4. The fish were becoming wary of the tight lines – a change was in order.

5. Oiled-up Krill – deadly in the height of summer!

3

5

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well but now I was starting to worry a bit more about the lines, particularly given that there was an algae bloom and they were getting quickly coated, making keeping a discreet profile very difficult.

Additionally, the weed was growing quickly, rising up through the water column and affecting my line lay; this needed to be taken into account.

These issues combined to make me reconsider my approach slightly and although I normally avoid them like the plague, it seemed that a very slack, low-lying fluorocarbon might give me more benefits.

I don’t like fishing like this because it is so ‘fashionable’ and I like to be a little different, but there was no way I was going to slavishly stick to my tight lines if circumstances were changing to make them less viable.

The following session I arrived to find an area known as Point 2 free. So far in my campaign it had been of little interest; it is by far the most pressured swim on the lake and I like to avoid these areas where possible. If this swim is ever empty then anglers tend to drive straight up to it and automatically go in there without a second thought or even a glance around, something that I find quite incredible.

Having said that, it does of course dproduce fish but I wasn’t intending to fish it anytime soon. This all changed when, looking across, I saw a swathe of fizzing fish in the open water in front of the point.

The water was very coloured and there was no doubt about it, I needed to be in there!

I baited with the usual 20mm Krill, which I had soaked quite heavily in Cap-Oil. This is a very spicy fish oil that I always use in the height of summer, and not just because the carp love it. I use it for another key reason; I always know when the fish

are feeding on the bait and this knowledge can be quite potent. When you introduce the bait you always get a slick, but after the bait has settled this dissipates and after an hour there is usually very little to see.

When the fish arrive and start chewing on the boilies it is a very different story as the newly released oils make their way to the surface, creating a fresh and sometimes very impressive slick.

Over the next couple of mornings I was fortunate enough to bank several fish, all of them lovely looking

following week and shortly after arriving I found a small group of fish milling around one of my spots in the swim called Gav’s. There were three, all commons, and one was very big indeed, certainly upper thirty. He was very distinguishable due to the break in his dorsal and a long scratch down his left-hand flank. I thought it might be The Marlin, one of the most desirable in the lake and uncaught for almost six months.

The water around the spot was coloured and carefully,

THE FISH THRASHED ABOUT, SEEMINGLY IN DANGER OF BEACHING ITSELF... commons. It was a very enjoyable session and I spent the downtime doing a bit of stalking and doing lap after lap of the lake, looking hard for opportunities.

As usual, I was very busy with tutorials and one or two nights a week for myself was the most I could manage. As we came into a period of very hot weather, I had a succession of clients at The Quarry and, although it was hard work in the heat, they all caught well, with some of them being absolute stunners (the fish, not the clients!). I caught a few along the way too, putting rods out late in the evening if everything was sorted out – never before!

Although relatively small, my favourite fish was a long, thin mirror that was dark blue across the back, had a lovely underslung mouth and was equipped with huge, whitetipped fins. He really was a pearler.

I was back at Cleverley the

when the fish went off on a little circuit up to the left, I introduced broken boilies followed by a rig. I nailed the line down to the bottom and carefully threaded the rod back and onto a bite alarm.

There was a tree nearby that was almost impossible to get up but from this I could watch what was going on – always the most exciting form of fishing!

The fish came back along the margin a few minutes later and all three immediately dropped into the cloud and disappeared from view. I watched from the spindly branches above, straining my eyes in an effort to see what was going on.

I was sure I was going to get a bite I just hoped that the usual thing wouldn’t happen where the smallest one is the one to make the mistake. Mind you, the two smaller ones were both upper twenties, more than big enough for me!

The fish couldn’t have been on the spot for more than 90 seconds when the alarm below me absolutely ripped off! I was more than a little shocked to have got a bite so quickly and half fell from the tree before grabbing the rod. The fish tore along the margin to my left, doing its best to snarl me up on some overhangs. Luckily, the dry summer meant that anything that could have done me harm was barely touching the water and my line stretched out underneath the trailing tips as the fish continued to rip line from the reel.

Eventually it slowed and by applying a little more side strain, I was able to turn it into open water. It then kited all the way back past me before heading into the margin again, up to my right. It really was becoming a strange fight. As the fish thrashed about, seemingly in danger of beaching itself, I grabbed the net and jumped into the water after it, managing to scoop it up seconds later!

Looking into the net, I could see it was indeed The Marlin and, silently thanking the carp gods, I carefully made my way back to the shore where I secured it while I got everything sorted out. My good mate Dan Wildbore was angling just down the road at The Quarry, and with it being such a lovely looking fish I gave him a call to see if he was free.

Being the top man that he his, Dan arrived a short while later, which made things a lot easier because the fish was very lively and would have been a bit of an armful while trying to conduct my usual self-takes.

The wondrous creature weighed exactly 37lb and he bristled with anger at the indignity of being tricked from his watery kingdom. Naturally I was so excited that I could have combusted!

The following morning another couple of fish came my way. The slack line approach

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6. How could I resist a water returner!

7. My little corker – I loved him!

8. Dave with a stunning personal best Quarry mirror.

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was working well and I felt it was offering more than it was taking away on this occasion. When I fish a truly slack line I like to get my tips up fairly high. This allows me to continue paying out line until the fast-sinking Spectrum fluorocarbon is lying very low against the weed. Basically, you can impart more slack into a line with the tip up than you can with it down and you can clearly see just how slack it is.

After casting, this process takes several minutes per rod and I do it in such a way that the line is sunk from the rig back to the tip, not the other way round. When the job is done the line should hang straight down from the rod tip.

It might look a little ineffective as a means of indicating a bite but it is actually surprisingly sensitive if you do it with fluoro.

The density and lack of stretch seems to transmit things quickly to the rod end and, because I was never casting more than about 50 yards, it was perfect. I always fish my clutches tight and use a good gripping back rest. Once the fish has hit the rod, the whole thing compresses over as the reel very slowly yields line. This is also great visually, because when you get a bite, the high tip bends over as if it were a bite from an angry river barbel!

The trip ended in fine style when Wayne Clarke, who was fishing round the other side (in Point 2 in fact), came to get me as he breathlessly exclaimed that he’d bagged Chester! This fish is the biggest in the lake and hadn’t been out all year. It was indeed a momentous capture and I was delighted to be able to share the occasion with him. It was a great payback for Wayne who doesn’t get much fishing time and spends a lot of evenings cutting the grass and doing other things around the lake.

Karma indeed – well done sir!

Catch up with me next month as my time at Cleverley comes to an end in style! ACF

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9. How your line should hang when fishing a properly slack line.

10. Sinks like a brick – ideal!

11. Wayne Clarke with the highly desirable Chester at over 40lb.

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* * * * * * Also Available in full cork

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21/11/2016 16:15

IN PURSUIT OF THE LARGEST There can’t be many carp anglers who haven’t heard of Terry Hearn, and his first book, In Pursuit Of The Largest, is one of the most popular pieces of contemporary carp fishing literature.

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tarting around 1992, the book follows a youngerTel as he cuts his teeth on the famousYateley complex. However, it doesn’t take long for him to work his way to the top and we follow his success in his quest to catch the biggest and best carp from across the country.Throughout the book we seeTerry fish waters such as Yateley’s Car Park Lake,Wraysbury One, Conningbrook andThe Mere, catching some of the most iconic fish the country has ever produced, including Mary at a British record weight and the elusive Black Mirror.

Alongside the key storyline,Terry includes a rake of fantastic guest writers.

These continue along the same theme of inspirational big-carp stories, adding context regarding the carp fishing community at

the time.The book also features the chapter RigTalk, whereTerry talks through his thought process regarding the rigs he used to catch these great carp, including an early form of the now famous hinged stiff rig. It’s incredible to see just how far carp tackle has come on since, yet his theories are still just as relevant in today’s angling.

While the long list of epic carp alone would justify reading the book, it’s Tel’s storytelling ability, taking you back to the very moment, that has made it one of the best carp books ever produced. His love of fishing is clear and his enthusiasm infectious; you will no doubt want to get out angling yourself after having a read. If you’re lacking motivation and need something to get your carping kick-started again, get reading! ACF

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