Next Level Carp Fishing 2015

REVEALED:

Big Fish

FMargaee zine

OVER 50

NEW PRODUCTS INSIDE IAN RUSSELL • MAT WOODS • CHRIS LOWE • DAVE MAGALHAES • JASON UMNEY JAMIE SIMPSON • CHRISTIAN KESSLER • ALEX LISTER • STEVE HALL • RYAN NEED

AVID CARP NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING

CONTENTS//2015

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Don’t miss out te with p-to-da m keep u o fr t s the late rp a C id Av

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On the cover

74 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED When Alex Lister set himself the target of catching a 30lb-plus carp from Weston Park at the start of the year, nothing could have prepared him for the fish that came his way.

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Subscribe /AvidCarp Avid Carp Brand Manager Mat Woods Avid Carp Media Coordinator Jason Umney Designer Kathy-Ann Davies UK Address Avid Carp Unit 1, Highbridge Court, Stafford Park 1, Telford, Shropshire TF3 3BD Tel: 01952 290520 Fax: 01952 291974 info@avidcarp.co.uk European Distribution Centre Primo Distribution B.V., Kelvin Ring 27B-29, 2952 BG Alblasserdam, Netherlands Tel: 0031 78 6999593 Fax: 0031 78 6999594 All Avid Carp products are covered by intellectual property rights.

Specifications and prices are correct as of June 2015.

All specifications are approximate and may vary or be modified.

Registered in England and Wales.

No. 03318338 © 2015 Preston Innovations Limited

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12 FILLING IT IN

Here’s all the tackle you’ll need to fish effectively over large beds of bait.

14 DAY TICKET CARPING

06 THE SESSION OF A LIFETIME

Ian Russell reflects on one of his most memorable sessions of all time.

Chris Lowe recounts an amazing session where he managed to bag a string of Oxfordshire carp to 43lb.

18 FEATURE FINDING

Feature finding is an integral part of big fish angling. Here’s what you need.

25 KICK IT

Rig Kickers are brilliant for transforming your carp rigs.

26 OVERNIGHT FISHING Fishing through the night can be great, but you need the right gear.

28 LONG RANGE ESSENTIALS

If you want to fish at extreme range, you need the right gear for the job.

30 DAY TRIPPIN’

Steve Hall talks about a memorable day session that saw him bank one of the largest commons in Shropshire.

20 A SITCH IN TIME

Avid Carp media man Jason Umney looks back on birthday session that saw him catch some special carp during a trip on the Sitch in Shropshire.

CONTENTS // AVID CARP NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

66 STRIKING GOLD

64 ZIG ESSENTIALS

Want to Zig fish with the best of them? Check out our essentials page.

Darren Bailey reveals why he believes the Zig Rig is one of the best presentations for pressured Day-Ticket carp.

48 FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD After getting disillusioned by fishing on busy circuit waters, Dave Magalhaes decided to take a journey into the unknown…

34 FISH CARE

We’ve got a huge range of carp care products. Check them out here.

36 CONTINENTAL CARPING

Fishing on the Continent can be very demanding on your tackle.

Fear not, we’ve got it covered.

44 GERMAN RIG

Christian Kessler talks indepth about the German Rig and explains why it’s such a devastating presentation for large, pressured carp.

46 HQ BIVVY

The HQ Bivvy is one of the most feature-packed shelters on the market.

40 WANDERLUST

English angler Mat Woods visits Germany to fish a low-stock gravel pit and bags the fish of a lifetime whilst stalking at close quarters. Epic moments, read about them here…

56 THE MAGIC OF JUNE 16TH

The start of the river season is always a very special time for Avid Carper Jamie Simpson. Read on to find out about one of his most memorable river sessions ever.

60 QUICK HIT CARPING

Former UK Carp Cup winner Ryan Need looks back on a fantastic day he spent on a Midlands dayticket venue.

68 KEEP YOUR TACKLE TIDY

Carp fishing is unpredictable enough.

Time for your tackle and bait to find a new home.

70 THE METHOD

Do you want to catch more carp this season? Check out Nigel Williams’ favourite tactic…

80 PVA ESSENTIALS Everything you need to know about PVA.

82 CLOTHING

Check out our latest range of carpy apparel.

54 CHOD CLINIC We’ve got a full range of Chod-related products in our terminal range.

NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

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AVID CARP NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING

WELCOME//2015 A lot of people ask me what is ‘The Next Level’? How does it relate to my carp fishing? Well, for us, it’s all about arming you with a clear mind when you’re fishing, so you can be a better angler.

Using fishing tackle that you don’t need to worry about gives you more time to concentrate on finding, observing and catching carp. They’re the reasons you’ll catch more carp, especially when you get really good at them.

For us, it’s about giving you the components to tie a rig that you know is up to the job. It’s about giving you the hardware to last season after season and a house to

call home when you’re pitting your wits against wily old warriors out on the bank. Because carp fishing has no final level.

Every angler develops their skills over time and gets better at what they do. And the only way to continue taking your fishing forwards, the only way to stay two steps ahead, is to be able to rely on your gear –­ not worry about it – enabling you to fish at the best of your capabilities. Ultimately, you can concentrate on the things that really matter.

The Next Level also relates to innovation – to new products that help make your fishing easier, or

more enjoyable. Whether that’s a memory foam bed that’s more comfortable than your bed at home, or a Bucket Stand that allows you to bait up with minimal fuss – next generation products give us a real edge. That’s important to us here at Avid Carp.

Consider our consultancy team.

It’s made up of anglers who are constantly taking their fishing to The Next Level. They are consistently slipping the net under numbers of fish, usually big ones, and their input into Avid Carp tackle is clear for all to see. Next Level carp anglers have high standards. They demand reliability.

They expect innovation. It’s our

job to deliver, just as they believe it’s their job to deliver the goods out on the bank in the ongoing promotion of Avid Carp products.

In these pages you’ll see just some of the tips and tricks they use to such good effect, week-in, weekout. You’ll also see the gear they use every day – the gear they love and trust to catch them more carp.

So read on and enjoy. 2015 could be your year. The year your fishing goes to The Next Level.

See you on the bank some time.

Mat ds Woo

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WELCOME // AVID CARP NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

Jason Umney Hello and welcome to Next Level Carp Fishing. When we first sat down and started discussing this magazine, we knew from the off that we wanted to produce a collection of stories that detailed Team Avid’s most memorable captures from the last year.

Nowadays in an era dominated by social media websites and other online platforms, lots of captures are detailed online as short, snappy catch reports, rather than fullblown stories. These catch reports are great to read if you’re in a rush, but we all know carp anglers like to sit back, relax and take in a good story – so that’s what we’ve tried to create.

If you flick through the contents page of this magazine, the first thing you will notice is the wide selection of stories on offer. There’s not just big fish and exclusive syndicates, there are plenty of stories that you, the reader, can relate to, as well as venues and

fish that you can target. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a bit of underground big-fish stuff, because we know you like a bit of that too.

There are too many stories to list here and loads of great captures, but there are a couple that really stand out. The first has got to be Ian Russell’s magnificent session on Kingsmead One, which saw him bank 13 carp over 30lb, including the Scar Mirror at 47lb. Ian went against the grain totally and used a bait that’s often neglected, and boy did it work.

Then there’s the full story behind Mat Woods’ epic trip to a low-stock gravel pit in Germany. The fishing was tough but Mat persevered and ended up catching the carp of a lifetime whilst stalking at close quarters. The fish really is something else.

Avid Carper Chris Lowe appears in the magazine too, revealing how

he bagged two of St John’s finest carp in one session, and there’s also the full story behind Alex Lister’s campaign on RH Fisheries’ Weston Park, which culminated in him catching an enormous common.

Regardless of where you fish or the size of carp you are targeting, there’s bound to be stories that appeal to you. We’ve got big fish, hits of fish and even uncaught carp. There are day-ticket venues, syndicate lakes, rivers and even European lakes. We hope you enjoy it!

Jason Umney NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

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THE OF A It was October, conditions were spot on and I was just wrapping up a magazine article with Crafty Carper’s James Turner. I had a feeling in my gut. You know the one, the kind that lots of carp anglers get when they can just tell everything feels right. I had to go home that night but at first light the following morning I was sat on RK Leisure’s Kingsmead One, watching for signs of carp. I spent the majority of the morning rushing around the lake like a mad man, chasing odd sightings, but not really wanting to commit to a particular area of the lake. At around midday my friend Bob Coleman rang me to say he had just bagged a lovely 39lb mirror from a fairly popular swim known as Dog One. Although conditions looked prime and he’d caught, Bob had to leave that day and was slowly packing his gear away. I didn’t need any more persuasion and was soon running around to the swim with a fully laden barrow. It was a long walk to the peg, but I eventually got there and fell to the ground at Bob’s feet. I was sweating and absolutely exhausted.

A gentle breeze was blowing into the area and odd carp were showing all over the bay. I’d been catching consistently over the last few weeks using an all-out boilie approach, but I decided to be a little bit different on this trip.

Rather than messing around with boilies and other baits, I opted to just use sweetcorn. It’s bright, underused and carp absolutely love it. It had to work!

By early evening all three rods were positioned tight to a dense weed bed at 13 wraps. I spodded out six tins of Sonubaits F1 corn over each rod, then sat back having a social with my good friend George who was set up in a swim known as Dog Two. At 9.30am my alarm sounded and I was soon cradling a stunning 36lb mirror. After photographing the fish and returning it to the lake, I introduced a couple more tins of corn over the rod.

By midday day nothing more had happened, so I introduced a couple more tins over each spot and headed down to the chippy for a spot of lunch. I had a feeling that topping up the spot and taking the lines out of the water would increase the chance of the carp going into the sheltered bay and getting their heads down.

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Ian Russell reflects on one of his most memorable sessions of all time.

THE SESSION OF A LIFETIME // IAN RUSSELL

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IAN’S FAVOURITE SETUP ROD: AVID MSX 3.25LB REEL: 12000CC RIG: BLOW-BACK RIG INCORPORATING A SIZE 6 LSK HOOK, CAPTIVE COATED HOOKLINK AND A LINE ALIGNER KICKER

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THE SESSION OF A LIFETIME // IAN RUSSELL

Top to bottom; This lovely common weighed 38lb 8oz.

A balanced corn stack did the damage.

A buoyant Corn Stop created a balanced hookbait.

Ian spodded out Sonubaits F1 corn.

After sitting back and eating my chips in the glorious sunshine, I went about getting my rods back on the spots. While sinking the main line on my left-hand rod, just seconds after casting out, the tip doubled over, indicating that a fish was on the end. I couldn’t believe it. After a short but spirited fight, a double-figure mirror was soon sulking in the folds of the net.

Before I could even get the rod back on the spot, the other rod was away and I was soon staring at a magnificent 31lb 3oz mirror. It was happening!

After unhooking and safely returning both carp, I spodded a tin of corn of each rod and flicked both rigs back onto the spots. Over the next couple of hours I was rewarded with mirrors weighing 23lb, 29lb and 32lb 5oz, as well as a stunning 38lb 8oz common. I was absolutely blown away.

At 6pm that evening I received the take I had been waiting for.

The fight was long, dogged and I

knew within a couple of minutes that I was playing one of the lake’s A-Team. After a couple of last minute lunges under the rod tips, George did the honours and managed to slide the net under a fish known as the Scar Mirror at 47lb 2oz. At this point I felt like I was floating on air and just as luck would have it, my other half Debbie turned up for a social. It was at this point that I realised I had yet to change any of my rigs.

I religiously check my hook points and hadn’t felt the need to attach a fresh rig on either rod. It just proves how strong and sharp the Avid LSK hooks are!

The action continued and at 8.30pm I landed a beautiful 32lb 12oz mirror. The amount of big carp I had caught was astounding.

The lake is known to hold loads of large fish, but to land so many in one session was unbelievable.

When the rod rattled off at 11pm and I was rewarded with a 38lb mirror, I couldn’t stop laughing. I was loving every minute of it.

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Top to bottom; The smile says it all.

One of Kingsmead’s most sought-after residents, the Scar Mirror, at 47lb.

Both areas were topped up with a little more F1 Corn and I jumped into the sleeping bag for some much needed kip. My sleep was disturbed at 4am when I was awoken by the left-hand rod rattling off. This was the hardest fight of all and I genuinely believed I was bent into another one of the lake’s real whackers. That said, when a 33lb common popped up a few yards from the bank, I wasn’t too surprised. I don’t know what it is about commons, but they don’t half scrap!

With the fish safely returned, I popped the kettle on and reflected on the session so far. I had caught mirrors weighing 23lb, 29lb, 31lb 3oz, 32lb 5oz, 36lb 2oz, 38lb 1oz and 47lb 2oz, as well as commons of 15lb, 33lb and 38lb 8oz. This was a season’s worth of large

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carp in one trip. Although I was absolutely loving the session, it was time to go and take the van for its MOT. I actually banked mirrors weighing 38lb 7oz and 34lb 8oz while loading the van!

Unbelievable fishing!

During my 24-hour session I managed to banked 13 carp, including one double, 2 twenties, 9 thirties and a 47lb mirror. What a result!

I’d always known sweetcorn was effective, but nothing could have prepared me for this session.

Maybe the success came from being different or maybe it was a simple case of being in the right place at the right time. Either way, I loved every minute and doubt I will ever have another session like that. It really was next level!

Ian russell Age: 51 UK PB: 57lb 8oz Occupation: Full-time Angler

HOW TO TIE THE IAN’S FLICK RIG // SEQUENCE

HOW TO TIE IAN'S

Flick Rig

1

To tie the Flick Rig we suggest...

■■ ■■ ■■

Scissors Captive Stiff Rig Filament Barbed LSK - size 8

■■ ■■

Pindown Hooklink Sonubaits Code Red Mixed Colour Wafters

Snip off a length of Stiff Rig Filament.

2

Thread the Stiff Rig Filament through the LSK hook.

3

5

Slide a Hook Swivel onto the Stiff Rig Filament.

6

Whip the Stiff Rig Filament down the shank six times.

4

Fix the hook in place using a simple knotless knot.

7

To fix the Hook Swivel in place blob the Stiff Rig Filament with a lighter.

Pass the stiff Stiff Rig Filament back through the eye on the hook.

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Now tie a size 11 ring swivel to the end of the Stiff Rig Filament.

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10

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Push a baiting needle through a Code Red Wafter.

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13

Slide a Code Red Wafter onto the material using a baiting needle.

Now thread a length of Stiff Rig Filament through the Hook Swivel.

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Make sure the tag ends stick out of the wafter like this.

Tie the Pin Down hooklink to the Ring Swivel like this.

Snip a length of Pin Down Hooklink from the spool.

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The Flick Rig

Finally blob the tag ends to fix the wafter in place.

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NaEilW e Av a b l July 2015  DISTANCE SPOD ROD This top of the range out-and-out spod rod built on an incredibly powerful blank that’s designed for punching spods massive distances, yet has extremely fast tip recovery that dramatically increases accuracy.

Boasting K-Series rings that totally eliminate the chances of your braided main line frapping up on the cast, this is the ultimate rod for spodding.

 BUCKETS & STAND An innovative solution designed to speed up the baiting-up process.

Whether spodding, catapulting or using a throwing stick, the Stand puts the bucket right at waist height, making it easier than ever to bait-up. The Stand also features a dedicated foam rod rest, as many baiting tools require you to put your rod down whilst loading bait – yet another first for Avid Carp. Fits all sizes of Avid Carp Square Buckets and many other popular brands.

 AIR RANGE SPOD REEL A new generation of reel designed to provide anglers with the ultimate tool for spodding. This purpose-built spod reel has an increased gear ratio for quick retrieve and has no clutch/drag system, so there’s no chance the spool will ever slip when casting, making it the ultimate reel for anglers serious about spodding.

 YARD STICKS



Yard Sticks make fishing accurately easier than ever before. They are designed so you can mark-up your fishing rods and spod rod superaccurately after you’ve found an area with your marker rod.

Complete with 12ft cord for setting out accurately, there are colourcoded toggle stops that enable you to mark three different spots.

AIR RANGE SPODS Our unique means of attaching the spod to the main line means anglers can scoop up bait without the problems of mono tails getting stuck in your spod mix. The flexible arm also make retrieval of the spod more angler friendly, creating very little disturbance on the surface and a much easier line pick-up.

Anglers Favourite!

ggs Joe Blo this!! d men s recom 12ft (3.7m)

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 AIR CAGE SPOD The Air Cage spod has been designed with a revolutionary mesh body that dramatically improves water flow. As soon as the spod lands, water flushes through the body depositing the contents within seconds. Due to the cage construction, it retrieves effortlessly after every cast and causes minimal disturbance.

FILLING IT IN // PRODUCTS

Filling it in

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Catching

Oxford’s t s e fin

Chris Lowe recounts an amazing session where he managed to bag a string of Oxfordshire carp to over 43lb.

It was Monday morning when I pulled into the St John’s car park at Linear Fisheries. The sun was just starting to rise and there were a few anglers on the lake, obviously trying to make the most of the perfect fishing conditions. I headed straight for the large double swim on the road bank because it was a slightly deeper area of the lake and 014

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a place where the fish had been showing quite a lot recently.

the swim, I knew exactly where I needed to be fishing.

The weather was surprisingly mild so I flicked a couple of rigs out into the lake in a bid to nick a quick bite. I sat behind motionless alarms until midday, when I decided to introduce some bait. Due to a previous session in

The spot I targeted featured an extensive weed bed that, although starting to die down, seemed to hold plenty of natural food. I decided to place three rigs as close as I could to the weed bed on an area of low-lying blanket weed.

I then proceeded to spod out a good helping of bait. The idea was to give the fish enough grub to attract them to the area, and also hold them for a long period of time, so I introduced three kilos of spod mix onto an area the size of an brolly. The mix consisted of Sonubaits Hemp, F1 Corn, S-Pellet Feed and Code Red Boilies. The

CATCHING OXFORD’S FINEST // CHRIS LOWE

1. The Box Common at 39lb 4oz.

2 3

2. One of St John’s finest inching over the spreader block.

4

3. Reset rigs are Chris’s first choice on pressured venues.

4. A reliable spod setup.

5. The spod mix couldn’t have been simpler.

6. Chris favours a little and often baiting approach.

tied to a size 8 Avid CRV hook and I added a slither of shrink tubing to ensure the hook flipped quickly should a carp pick up my hookbait.

As the first evening drew in, I started spotting the odd fish show beyond my baited area, so I knew they weren’t too far away. That night I had seven takes in total, with a 31lb 12oz common being the best of a good bunch. As soon as daylight broke, the runs stopped and the activity died down.

By mid morning I decided to introduce a bit more bait to see if I could grab the carp’s attention and encourage them to get their heads down. That day passed without any action and it wasn’t until 8pm when my alarm sounded again.

This time the culprit was a chunky double-figure mirror. At 5am the following morning I received a steady take on the middle rod. The fish stayed deep and fought dogged throughout the whole fight but, after what seemed like an eternity, I slipped the net under the Small Plated at a mind-blowing 43lb 3oz.

1 rigs couldn’t have been simpler. I opted for my ever-faithful pop-up presentation with a Big Eye Hook Swivel sliding on the shank of the hook, to which I tied a washed-out Code Red Pop-Up. Knowing that I was fishing near weed, I selected a Captive Coated hooklink because it would sit well over the light weed on the bottom. The hooklink was

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CHRIS’S P FAVOURITE SE13TU FT

ROD: AVID DSK REEL: 12000CC USING A SIZE 6 CRV RIG RIG: RESET TIED ATED HOOKLINK CO HOOK, CAPTIVE HOOK WITH HOOK BEADS/ SWIVELS

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I rebaited and recast in the hope of catching another fish before the day broke, but I received no more action. I certainly wasn’t complaining! Like the previous day, there was no action through the daylight hours and it wasn’t until 4am the following morning when the second part of the special session came. This time I bagged the stunning Box Common at 39lb 4oz. I was absolutely elated with the result and couldn’t believe I’d bagged two of Linear’s most sought-after carp in one session.

NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

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Chris Lowe Age: 44 UK PB: 56lb Occupation: Angling Tutor

The Small Plated is undoubtedly on of the UK’s finest day-ticket carp.

Top Day Ticket Venues LINEAR FISHERIES OXFORDSHIRE THE MONUMENT CARP FISHERY SHROPSHIRE

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BADEN HALL FISHERY STAFFORDSHIRE FARLOWS LAKE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE BLUEBELL LAKES NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

R

g i R t e es

HOW TO TIE THE RESET RIG // SEQUENCE

HOW TO TIE THE

To tie the Reset Rig we suggest...

1

Hair Needle

2

Tie a size 8 CRV hook onto a length of Captive Braided Hooklink.

3

Slide a Hook Swivel over the shank of the hook like this.

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CRV hook

Thread a Hook Bead onto the shank of the hook.

Captive Braided Hooklink

5

Steam slither of shrink tube over the eye of the hook.

6

Hook Swivels Hook Beads Pass some bait floss through the middle of the Hook Swivel.

Extended Curve Kicker

7

Snip off a length of Stiff Rig Filament.

8

Sonubaits Code Red Pop-Up

Tie a bait stop in position using the floss as shown.

Finally add a split shot to the rig and it’s ready to go.

NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

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Feature

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FEATURE FINDING // PRODUCTS

 DISTANCE MARKER This purpose built feature finding rod is capable of chucking a marker float and heavy lead huge distances. Boasting a stiff yet sensitive tip, the rod will transmit loads of information straight back through the blank of the rod, allowing you to ‘feel’ every variation and feature on the lake bed. Like the Distance Spod, this beautifully built rod is super strong and boasts top-quality fixtures and fittings.

 MARKER FLOAT It’s durable and made from a super buoyant material so it will rise to the surface effortlessly. By separating the flights from the body and shaping it similar to a dart, this aerodynamic float will fly straight every time. It is finished in orange so it is visible at range.

 MARKER LEADS Boasting unique grooves, they transmit more information through the rod tip than a standard lead and gather debris from the bottom. They have a solid stem which gives a more accurate reading in weed. The swivel on the stem is positioned away from the lead so the float will always rise even if the lead is covered in debris.

 DEPTH GAUGE MARKER BRAID Designed specifically for feature finding, this unique yellow marker braid is marked with black lines exactly every foot (12in/30cm). As well as making plumbing the depth extremely easier when releasing line from your spool, the black lines on the Depth Gauge also allow you to mark and clip up your fishing rods extremely accurately using the Avid Yard Sticks and other distance sticks when you’ve found a feature using your marker rod.

 MARKER FLOAT KIT The Marker Float Kit contains everything you need to start feature finding. The products in the kit have been designed and developed to work together, and will allow you to find out exactly what the lake bed in front of you is like.

 12000CC REEL Designed to provide anglers with the perfect tool to cope with the rigours of modern carp fishing.

Boasting a revolutionary Custom-Control Drag, anglers can now adjust the sensitivity of the quick-drag system.

If you wish, you can set the drag so that it goes from free running to locked up in just a quarter of a turn. This puts you in complete control at all times.

NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

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Avid Carp media man Jason Umney reflects on a wonderful birthday session that saw him catch some special carp during a trip on the Sitch in Shropshire.

Birthdays always end up being an anticlimax. I’ve tried hitting the town, staying in with family and even going on holiday, but nothing comes close to waking up at the side of a lake, especially if you’ve got something special sulking in the retaining sling. If I look back on previous birthday sessions, I’ve always managed to winkle something special out on the big day.

When I checked my diary at the beginning of 2014 I was absolutely delighted to find out my birthday fell on a Sunday, because it meant I could get to the lake on the Friday after work and fish straight through till Sunday, giving me a great chance of catching a birthday whacker. As the big day fast approached, I knew exactly where I wanted to go fishing and was soon sorting my gear for a weekend trip to the Sitch in Shropshire.

The Sitch is one of those places that really gets under your skin.

From the moment you open the gate to the 25-acre lake, you feel like your entering another world, a different dimension. Imagine the most stunning lake you have ever seen and times it by one hundred, then you may have something close. It really is that special. The lake doesn’t just look the part, it also contains a mind-blowing stock

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of fast-growing carp that are really going to break some boundaries over the next couple of years. Ed Matthews, the fishery manager, has spent countless hours on the lake over the last few years and all his hard work is starting to pay off. I remember shooting a feature on the lake with Neil Smith a couple of years back, during my time as a journalist at Total Carp magazine.

The lake had just opened and Neil managed to bag a 20lb mirror live for the article, which went on to make it onto the cover of the magazine. There were only a couple of 20lb-plus carp in the lake five years ago, but there are now hundreds, as well as a healthy head of 30lb-plus fish. It really is a carp angler’s paradise.

When I arrived at the lake for my birthday session I was relieved to find there were a only handful of anglers on the lake. I had a quick chat with a few of the lads and they all said pretty much the same - the lake was fishing slow, with odd fish coming out here and there. It was warm and the air pressure was high, so it came as no surprise really. I wasn’t too concerned though because a new weather front was on its way and the weather was set to change dramatically at some point during the weekend. Perfect!

A SITCH IN TIME // JASON UMNEY

NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

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Jason Umney Age: 28 UK PB: 35lb Occupation: Avid Carp Media Coordinator

Night catch; This lovely double-figure mirror kicked off the session in style.

Above; What a lovely common!

Below left to right; LSK hooks are Jason’s favourite pattern.

Blow-back rigs were the downfall of all the carp.

Kettle on for a celebratory birthday brew.

Jason used small PVA bags of Sonubaits Hemp & Hali Crush.

Code Red Hookbaits did the business The smallest fish was certainly a character.

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There were no signs of carp anywhere, as I strolled around the lake taking in the early-evening sun. As a general rule of thumb, I would have set up in the swims that allowed me to fish open water because these are always a good option, regardless of the conditions. The anglers who were fishing open water weren’t exactly smashing it up, so I wasn’t convinced it was the best option, choosing to have a look at the shallower end of the lake, to a swim that would benefit from the predicted South Westerley.

The swim did look pretty lifeless, but I had a gut feeling it was the right thing to do. Sometimes these gut feelings work, other times they don’t. More often than not they don’t pay off, but I prayed I’d get a bit of birthday luck as I unloaded my van.

I generally like to fish over a large spread of boilies when I’m on the

Sitch and I wasn’t going to change my approach this session. After a little bit of a lead around, I found an area that was slightly deeper and flicked two Sonubaits Code Red hookbaits onto it, a couple of rod lengths apart. The spot wasn’t too far out at 60yds, so was the perfect range to introduce two kilos of 15mm Code Red Boilies with the throwing stick.

Now I’d like to say the session kicked off that night and I went on to bank a string of carp from the off, but it simply didn’t work out. I sat behind motionless alarms most of the first day, until the weather started to turn. As the wind picked up and the stormy weather picked up, I started spotting the odd sign of carp in the area and the bobbins twitched as fish bumped into my main line. They weren’t crashing or showing, but the odd plume of bubbles indicated carp were in front of me.

On the Saturday evening I reeled in, headed off to the local garage and bought myself a disposable BBQ and a load of meat. There was a huge storm brewing but the weather was dry, which was all that mattered. After gorging myself on copious amounts of meat, I flicked two rods back onto baited area then sat back and relaxed.

The bobbins twitched constantly, indicating that there were now on the bait. On dark, my left-hand alarm sounded and I lifted into the first fish of the session. Due to the shallow water, all of the carp put up a massive fight and this one was no different. Eventually, after nearly wiping my other rod out a couple of times, I bundled a pretty mirror into the waiting net. With the fish photographed and safely returned, I flicked the rod back onto the spot. Moments later, the other rod was away and I was bent into my second trip of the session. I think it was safe to say they’d found

A SITCH IN TIME // JASON UMNEY my baited area. The culprit this time was an angry little common.

a mirror that looked about 20lb.

With that fish sat in the net, the other rod was away and I quickly went on to land a common that Strangely enough, with both rods back on the spot, the action seemed was a few ounces short of 20lb.

Over the next couple of hours, to stop. When I woke up on the morning of my birthday, I couldn’t I could hardly keep a rod in the water and went on to land a further believe I’d had no more carp. seven fish all between the 15lb The weather had changed once and 20lb mark. Now they weren’t again and the lake was completely massive by today’s standards and I flat calm, with absolutely no signs was relatively unlucky not to bank of carp. one of the lakes chunks, but it was an epic way to spend my Birthday.

I popped the kettle on at about I was absolutely buzzing.

8am, lay on my bedchair and took it all in. Although I didn’t have a chunk waiting in the sling, I was so happy to be sat at the side of such a stunning lake. As I took my first sip of coffee, one of my rods instantly screamed into life and, after an epic battle, I landed

JASON’S FAVOURITE SETUP

RODS: MSX 2.75LB REEL: 12000CC RIG: BLOW-BACK RIG INCORPORATING A SIZE 6 LSK HOOK, PIN DOWN HOOKLINK AND A LINE ALIGNER KICKER

This deep-bodied mirror was a cracking birthday present.

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HOW TO TIE THE

Longshank Blow-Back Rig

To tie the Longshank BlowBack Rig we suggest...

LSK Hook

Line Aligner Kicker

Captive Coated Hooklink

Rig Ring

1

2

Strip some coating from a length of Captive Coated Hooklink then tie a small loop in the end.

3

Fix a Sonubaits Code Red Wafter in position using a bait stop.

4

Tie a small rig ring onto the hooklink like this.

5

Pass an LSK hook through the blow-back ring and fix it in place with a simple knotless knot.

6

Slide a Line Aligner Kicker down the hooklink and over the eye of the LSK hook.

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Here’s the finished rig. It’s a fantastic presentation for tricky large carp.

KICK IT // PRODUCTS

K

T I K IC

 RIG KICKERS Simply slide over the shank of your hook to encourage it to flip and turn quickly, so it takes hold in the carp’s bottom lip.

The Line Aligner version features a small hole in the tube so you can thread your hooklink through to create a super-aggressive angle, just like line aligner rigs were originally used many years ago.

The Extended Curve and Withy Pool Rig Kickers are extremely versatile and can be cut down to suit your presentation.

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OVERNIGHT CARPING

 ASCENT BROLLY SYSTEM

 MEGA-BITE BEDCHAIR The Avid Carp Mega-Bite offers a generously padded bedchair with a totally flat profile, perfect for the angler wanting a simple, comfortable bed.

NaEilW e Av a b l July 2015

The Mega-Bite is quick and easy to use, just unfold the bed and secure with the handwheel. Features a super-comfortable fleece mattress with plenty of padding and a hard-wearing canvas outer.

The three-leg design offers six points of support, giving you a great night’s sleep.

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A totally freestanding brolly system that boasts a whole host of great features. It benefits from increased headroom and is supplied with an inner skin that can be left in place all-year round. The system can be packed away with the built-in skin in place so there’s no need to ever take it out.

As well as reducing condensation, the skin also creates a layer of cool air inside the shelter, which makes the system comfortable to use during the warmer months. Made from the ultra-tough Dura-Stop material for maximum protection, the system can be used like a conventional stripped-out brolly, with or without a full mozzie mesh front, or you can make the most of the full zip-in front if you require more protection.

OVERNIGHT CARPING // PRODUCTS

 WASH BAG Ideal for keeping all your washing products together, this compact bag has internal pockets and a hook so you can hang it up.

It’s supplied with a small mirror that can be used freestanding or attached to the bag when it’s hung up.

 TRIFORM 12' & TRIFORM 13' This versatile rod holdall will hold three made up rods in the padded inner compartment and two rods on the quiver-style pockets on the outside of the bag. This allows anglers to store their spod and marker rod, with our without padded sleeves, on the outside of the bag. Anglers can convert the rod holdall from a feature packed rod bag that holds five rods for longer sessions to a compact system that accommodates three for shorter sessions.

 TRANSIT 2 The Transit 2 bag makes the most of the space on your barrow and in your bivvy, offering two flip-open style compartments that will house everything you need for your session.

 SUPER LOW CHAIR The ultimate guest chair for serious carp anglers. Designed to be as lightweight and compact as possible, to avoid taking up precious space on the barrow and out on the bank.

GLOW IN THE DARK

 OVERNIGHTER YARD STICKS A lightweight, compact version of our popular Yard Stick design, featuring glow-in-the-dark tops and a stealthy black finish. The sticks are supplied with a 12ft cord so you can set them up quickly and easily on the bank. The cord has three coloured toggle stops that give you the option to mark three different spots. The Yard Sticks have a unique curve at the top that ensures the line comes off in an easy controlled manner.

 TRANSIT X BARROW The Transit X Barrow is designed for transporting heavy loads over large distances. It boasts a unique handle system, which means you no longer have to bend your arms when pushing the barrow. This reduces the strain on your arms and back, making the barrow easier to push over uneven terrain. The Transit X boasts shorter legs to improve ground clearance and a chunky all-terrain tyre. It has a large central pocket that perfectly accommodates the Transit 2 bag, and two pockets either side of the wheel that allow you distribute the weight better across the front of the barrow.

 EXTREME DOWN SLEEPING BAG Based on sleeping bags used by mountaineers and trekkers, this will keep you protected regardless of the weather conditions. Filled with 90% white duck down, this bag is warm, comfortable and extremely compact.

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LONG RANGE

ESSENTIALS

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LONG RANGE ESSENTIALS // PRODUCTS

 12000CC REEL Designed to provide anglers with the perfect tool to cope with the rigours of modern carp fishing.

Boasting a revolutionary CustomControl Drag, anglers can now adjust the sensitivity of the quickdrag system. If you wish, you can set the drag so that it goes from free running to locked up in just a quarter of a turn. This puts you in complete control at all times.

 DSK 12' AND 13' The DSK is a true casting tool.

Featuring a unique blend of 46 ton and 30 ton carbon made with the finest Toray pre-preg materials.

The combination of materials gives the DSK our signature action.

 TRAP LINE Trap Line is a great all-round monofilament main line that has been designed with strength in mind. The Avid Carp team has developed a line that’s strong, reliable and has great knot strength.

Although it’s extremely tough and hard wearing, the line is still super soft and supple. Boasting low diameters even in the higher breaking strains, it casts well and is brilliant for fishing at range. As soon as the line is cast out, it sinks quickly and becomes virtually invisible.

Fuji K Series rod guides - with 50mm butt ring - are used to increase casting distances and reduce frap ups. The DSK comes with a BDPS Fuji reel seat - the first choice for many custom built rods.



The 1k weave carbon wrap gives the rod a look that matches its distinctive hand-built finish. The abbreviated Japanese shrink wrap handle saves weight and helps increase casting distances.

ANTI-TANGLE SLEEVES These super-stiff sleeves can be slid onto your hooklink to ensure that the rig is pushed away from the lead to eliminate tangles.

 QUICK CHANGE ANTI-TANGLE KIT



This handy anti-tangle kit boasts quick-change swivels so you can change your rig quickly and efficiently.

DS LEADS DS leads have a round profile that eliminates movement when the lead is in flight and small fins that ensure it flies straight and accurately every cast. To avoid tangles when fishing at range the swivel on the lead is covered by a silicone sleeve. If you’re looking for the ultimate range fishing lead, look no further.

 YARD STICKS Make fishing easier than ever before. They are designed so you can mark-up your fishing rods and spod rod super-accurately after you’ve found an area with your marker rod. Complete with 12ft cord for setting out, there are colour-coded toggle stops that enable you to mark three different spots.

 MSX 2.75LB The MSX is arguably the best looking carp rod on the market today. It oozes quality. Available in 2.75lb and 3.25lb, the MSX rods boast an amazing fish-playing action and the kind of fittings you would expect to find on a custom-built rod.

The MSX features a unique blend of 46 ton and 30 ton carbon made with the finest Toray pre-preg materials. The combination of materials gives the MSX our signature action.

 DISTANCE SWIVEL Designed to be cast longer distances.

XBT-LS rod guides - with 50mm butt ring - are used for optimum weight saving, with a BDPS Fuji reel seat - the first choice for many custom built rods. Both give the rod a true feeling of quality.

The 1k weave carbon wrap gives the rod a look that matches its distinctive hand-built finish. The slim full duplon handle completes this stunning rod perfectly.

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day

trippin’ Steve Hall reflects on a memorable day session that saw him bank one of the largest commons in the country.

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DAY TRIPPIN’ // STEVE HALL The Avenue in Shropshire is a beautifully manicured 10-acre lake that contains a mind-blowing stock of large, fast-growing carp. I’ve fished the venue for the last couple of years and have loved every minute of it. I generally don’t get much time every week to go fishing, maybe just an overnighter or a day session at the weekend, but this hasn’t stopped me bagging a few of the lake’s jewels. Earlier in 2014 I caught one of the lake’s big commons, Tarka, at 49lb 4oz, but Ellie was always the jewel in the crown as far as I’m concerned and a fish I really wanted to catch.

in the weather, I was soon trundling down the large, dirt track that leads towards the lake. I was so excited to out on the bank, even though the conditions were far from ideal.

On a lake with so many fish, it only takes one bite and you could be cradling the carp of a lifetime.

If you keep the disturbance to a minimum, there’s every chance of a quick bite.

There is a very distinctive bar that runs centrally along the middle of the lake, and this produces a lot of fish, particularly in the winter.

I cast my left-hand rod tight to the bar and baited accurately with around 15 10mm freebies, while the right-hand rod was fished towards a gap in the bar amongst another handful of freebies. I’m not a particularly riggy angler and opted for my simple knotless knot presentation incorporating a small size 10 CHD hook on a length of 12lb monofilament.

I’ve never been too fussed about weight, but it was an unbelievable At the beginning of January 2015 the weather feeling to see the After a relatively quiet looked perfect for a bite or two, so I booked a couple morning, I was having a needle settle chinwag of days off work to go fishing. with my old mate Dean I was absolutely buzzing and Fierro when the wind caused my on 52lb 4oz. brolly to blow over. While sorting remember sorting all my gear and tying a couple of rigs like an excited school child in anticipation for the first session of the year. I’d fished the lake a couple of times before Christmas and had managed to catch a couple of fish on a few short day sessions. I had an idea where the fish were and knew that the best chance of a bite was going to be during the daylight hours.

Unfortunately, one of the lads from work had to go into hospital, so I had to cancel my time off and go fishing on the Friday instead, when the conditions weren’t so favourable, but as it happens, that was to be a blessing. After I’d got over the fact that I’d missed a fantastic window

When I got to the lake I was relieved to see that it was relatively quiet. After a quick lap, I dropped into a swim that would allow me to target the central area of the lake, a place I knew the carp like to hold up when the weather is cold.

When I’m fishing on the Avenue I like to keep the disturbance to a minimum, so the marker and spod rod were left in the car for the duration of the trip. The plan was to get a couple of rigs in the lake with minimum fuss. On some lakes it really doesn’t matter how much noise you make, but on the Avenue you have to be as quiet as possible.

out the mess, I had a couple of beeps on the left-hand rod and watched the bobbin hit the blank and line began pulling from the reel. Within moments of picking up the rod, I was convinced I was playing a good fish. It’s slow and methodical movements screamed big fish. A few minutes after the initial run, the fish came to the surface and I could see it was a huge common, clearly one of the two big commons in the lake. My suspicion was that it was Ellie, and my legs were like jelly as I frantically tried to slip the net under it, finally doing so at the second time of asking.

STEVE’S FAVOURITE SETUP RODS: MSX 3.25LB` REEL: 12000CC RIG: MONOFILAMENT RIG TIED USING 12LB ZIG LINE AND A SIZE 8 CHD HOOK

Top to Bottom; Steve is a huge fan of 10mm hookbaits.

Small leads allowed him to cast out with minimal disturbance.

The rig couldn’t have been simpler.

One bite tactics are ideal on day-only sessions.

Left; This clean mirror weighed 29lb.

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Examining the fish’s tail, there was no mistaking it was Ellie. What a fantastic feeling it was to have her in my net.

I’ve never been too fussed about weight, but it was an unbelievable feeling to see the needle settle on 52lb 4oz. After that, Dean helped me get a couple of really nice pictures before we got her back into the water with minimum fuss.

To my surprise, the other rod rattled off a few hours later and I was rewarded with large, clean mirror that was a couple of ounces below the 30lb mark. I couldn’t believe my luck and the best part about it was that I was home in time for dinner with the family.

The lake’s two big mirrors, Sweet Cheeks and Captain Scarlett, have so far evaded me and there are quite a few smaller yet really pretty scaly fish I haven’t had, but hopefully they’ll come my way over the next year. In truth, though, there’s no rush because I just love my fishing and I’ll be happy with whatever turns up.

One of the finest commons in the country - Ellie at 52lb 4oz.

steve hall Age: 39 UK PB: 54lb Occupation: Plastic Engineer

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Steve favours semi-slack lines when targeting large, pressured carp.

g i R o n o M

HOW TO TIE THE MONO RIG // SEQUENCE

HOW TO TIE THE

Tungsten Rig Drops

To tie the Mono Rig we suggest...

12lb Trap Line or 12lb Zig Line

1

CHD Hook

Code Red Wafters

2

Start by tying a small loop in a length of monofilament.

3

Fix a hookbait in place using a boilie stop.

4

Attach a CHD hook using a simple knotless knot.

5

Add a small Tungsten Rig Dropper to the rig.

6

Tie a small loop in the end of the monofilament.

That’s it! Monofilament rigs are really simple.

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FISHCARE

Available in two sizes, these cradles feature high-sided walls with a rubberised internal finish and excellent padding throughout. The cradles fold down quickly and come supplied in a compact carry bag.

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SAFEGUARD 18CM

STANDARD 79CM

51CM

We’ve produced two collapsible-framed unhooking mats that can be erected in seconds.

They are strong, extremely padded and keep fish away from the ground at all times.

SAFEGUARD 90CM

70CM



CARP CRADLE

50CM



SAFEGUARD XL

120CM

FISH CARE // PRODUCTS

 RETAINING SLINGS

40CM

70CM

The ultimate short term fish retention slings.

Designed to be ultra-safe for carp, boasting our unique Magnet Technology. The magnetic clips ensure that the sling is a lot neater when weighing fish, therefore giving more accurate readings. The sling is constructed using soft mesh which promotes water flow and increases fish safety.

RETAINING SLING

RETAINING SLING SAFEGUARD 97CM

130CM

 SAFEGUARD ANY LEVEL

SAFEGUARD ANY LEVEL 90CM

70CM

50CM

After the popularity of the original Safeguard unhooking mats, we have designed the brandnew Any Level versions. They boast all the great features of the original model, but also have adjustable legs that make them easier to use on uneven terrain.

SAFEGUARD ANY LEVEL XL 120CM

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CONTINENTAL CARPING

 DOCUMENT WALLET This Document Wallet is perfect for storing your rod licenses and fishing tickets, as well as keeping your passport, money and other personal items safe when travelling abroad.

 TRANSIT LITE CARRYALL





HQ EURO BIVVY

EURO CARP CRADLE

The biggest, best and most feature packed bivvy. With three front doors, three skins, rod retention bars and looks to kill, it leaves other bivvies in the shade. For the long stay European angler or the holiday angler, the HQ Euro Bivvy will be the first choice long stay bivvy for many years to come.

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Available in two sizes, these cradles feature high-sided walls with a rubberised internal finish and excellent padding throughout, The cradles fold down quickly and comes supplied in a compact carry bag.

This large carryall features a large internal space and five outer pockets.

 25CM

EURO 107CM

60CM

ILLUMINATED POLE MARKER The Illuminated Pole Marker enables you to temporarily mark the area you’re fishing so that you can introduce bait and drop rigs with pin-point accuracy. The Marker is supplied with an illuminated head that automatically lights up when darkness falls.

CONTINENTAL CARPING // PRODUCTS

 HQ TWO MAN HIGH TOP The HQ Two Man High Top has been designed to cater for anglers that are looking for a shelter with plenty of headroom.

Due to a unique raised front section, the High Top has enough space to allow most anglers to stand up inside. This means you can walk in, walk out and stand up watching the water without having to crouch. It’s supplied with a clip-in inner, as well as an over wrap, creating a triple-skin construction that will offer unrivalled protection all-year round.

 SCREEN HOUSE The Screen House is easy to erect, boasts a full mozzie mesh and has full-length zips on all four sides. It’s ideal for anglers that fish on the Continent, or carp anglers in the UK that want a hub to cook and socialise with friends on longer sessions.



 BOAT LEADS These unique leads are designed for extreme boat work. Available in 8oz and 10oz.

 TRANSIT 3+ ROD HOLDALL Three made-up rods can be stored inside the rod holdall and two can be stored on the outside of the bag in the quiver-style pockets. This allows anglers to store their spod and marker rod, with or without padded sleeves, on the outside of the bag so they can access them quickly at the start of their session. Three rods without reels attached can also be stored in the holdall.



 TRANSIT RC CHAIR Designed with comfort in mind, it boasts a fully adjustable back that can be reclined and independently adjustable legs with mud feet and armrests. There’s also a comfortable padded seat, as well as a boosted pillow area.

65LB PIN DOWN UNLEADED LEADER This fast sinking, supersupple leader material follows every contour of the lake bed. It’s strong, has great abrasion resistance and you can even tie knots in it.

 BOTTLE MARKERS Designed specifically for boat work, these Bottle Markers allow anglers to keep their main line off the lake bottom between their rod tip and lead, ensuring that it sits above any snags or obstructions on the lake bed.

BENCHMARK BEDS The Benchmark beds set a new standard in comfort. They feature our new Lumbar Region Support system, underneath a one-piece memory foam mattress that is over 5cm thick! The Benchmark beds feature two reinforced steel Throw-Hinges that allow you to pack your sleeping bag away inside the bed.

This helps offer a totally flat surface, which offers maximum comfort. A strong Security Strap is used to secure the bed in transit and four legs offer eight supporting positions, giving you even weight distribution and a great night’s sleep.

NaEilW e Av a b l June 2015

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ENGLISH ANGLER MAT WOODS VISITS GERMANY TO FISH A LOW-STOCK GRAVEL PIT AND BAGS THE FISH OF A LIFETIME WHILST STALKING AT CLOSE QUARTERS. EPIC MOMENTS, READ ABOUT THEM HERE… Carp fishing history in the UK is so well documented. It means that special waters and fish have a credibility - one that spans the width of Europe.

Today, so many anglers want the short cut to bigger fish. That usually means a trip to France, or one of the specially created UK waters where the carp have been stocked at artificially high weights.

It’s even the same in Europe, it seems. The allure of big French carp - often on unfished waters and rivers, not just pay lakes - is just too big for people to ignore.

Don’t get me wrong, France itself has historic venues that have been attracting anglers for decades.

Cassien, Lac Du Der and to some extent, Rainbow, are all venues that see thousands of anglers every year. For me, though, visiting other countries to fish is about joining in.

Fishing the hard, historic venues alongside the other carp anglers.

Whilst catching lots of fish on a holiday venue is loads of fun and a great way to enjoy your carp fishing - for me I want something that feels more intense.

Something deeper.

It’s for this reason I arranged to visit my good friend, German carp angler Christian Kessler.

With a few days at my disposal and a target fish back home having already graced the banks, I figured it was the perfect time to jump on a plane with a case full of fishing tackle and see if I could snare a German monster!

The lake Christian has lined up was the venue he’s fished a fair bit over the last couple of years. He’s had the biggest fish in the lake and a few other impressive 20kg fish in recent times, putting in a lot of prebaiting effort to get amongst the better carp.

There are around 50-60 carp in 8-acres and with depths of up to 7m in places, it was going to be a real challenge. As normal, Christian had been preparing some spots and managed a 15kg fish 038

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the night before my arrival. “Just checking the spots,” he told me – good skills!

The lake is just an hour or so from Hanover airport and reminded me of the venues in the Nene Valley, along the East Midlands side of the UK. Tall reeded margins, clear water, sand, a little gravel and plenty of weed.

one – it was true ‘German style’ fishing for one bite at a time. Given the weather conditions I thought a bigger hit of bait would have been right, but I was willing to bow to Christian’s superior knowledge of the lake and its inhabitants. He told me about fish like the Black Common, The Detail, and many other truly remarkable creatures.

How was I supposed to sleep?

We set our rods up as quietly as possible in a small bay. Two casts, a handful of bait around each

That first night I didn’t. Every now and again you would hear a massive carp leap from the water in

the black of the night, waking you as it did. My heart was beating fast as I lay in my sleeping bag under one of Christian’s old brollies.

It was no surprise that I was up early and I was rewarded for that with a nice display from a decent mirror carp, that leapt completely clear of the water right in the middle of the bay. It broke the silence like a crashing drum and the birds woke up accordingly.

Christian had told me bite time

WANDERLUST // MAT WOODS

The second night came and after a day in the shade we discussed our options. Christian assured me the margin spots would produce we just needed to remain stealthily hidden away and wait for our chance. I trusted his idea, but suggested we go for another walk the following day as conditions would be cooler with a little breeze.

spot than the fish stopped visiting the spot altogether! Given the area was down a 15ft steep bank that involved a little rockclimbing to get to, it was understandable to think we’d caused some disturbance. We decided to put some more PVA bags of pellets down there along with five or six boilies, leaving the spot to seek another opportunity.

Morning arrived and I must admit, I stayed in bed much longer than planned. I literally couldn’t keep my eyes open and every time I ‘rested’ them, I was snoring my head off! I hadn’t heard any fish through the night and only a line bite around 5am had me a little excited. I was starting to think we’d be spending the last couple of nights somewhere easier! Christian has suggested this as he didn’t want me to go home empty-handed.

I was soon back at the spot. No sooner had I left, the fish came in and started to have the odd feed.

I’d been photographing some nice fish around the corner at the time when Christian came running back and said ‘bring the rod!’

Following more of Dominic’s great coffee, a cheese Danish pastry and some German biscuits, we set off to explore the sandy lake once more. As we walked along the high bank behind some snags, we caught a glimpse of some carp on the surface. The more we looked, the more we saw! Christian had insisted only the smaller fish hung around this area, but the first carp I saw in the dense overhanging trees was the biggest carp in the lake, a 24kg beast called The Long One. in the bay was between 11pm and 5am, but all the way till 7am I watched like a hawk expecting a rod to rip off from one of the margin spots, that were now clean as a whistle from Christian’s baiting. It wasn’t to be.

That first day was so warm! 26 degrees with no wind you knew it wasn’t going to happen. We had a little walk around but saw nothing, it was so strange. In the UK you’d have been seeing fish all over the surface and in the edges, but here? Nothing!

That day I met some great German people. Dominic, an ex-army soldier who fishes for trout, tench, orfe and whatever else comes along was a true gentleman.

He brought us filter coffee every morning and couldn’t do enough to make me feel welcome. A good man and a friend for life. I also met Christian’s friend Ooven, who has fished the lake for over six years.

He knew the fish so well, it was great listening to his stories.

We walked those banks, studying the fish and decided we needed to go grab a rod and a few baits to try and stalk one. It would be extremely difficult, given the extreme nature of the snags, but we both felt that a couple of areas lent themselves to this approach and it wouldn’t be too difficult to extract a fish with a little cunning and some strong tackle!

The first spot was where we’d seen most of the carp, but no sooner had I carefully placed a solitary PVA bag and hookbait onto the

Once again, the fish treated the area with suspicion. This time I was freelining, wondering if the ‘thump’ of the lead on the hard sand was what was putting them off. The spot was so clear, that I actually think they could probably just see something new on it that they didn’t recognize. If you came home from work and there was a length of rope on the floor of your kitchen you’d probably not go anywhere near it!

Up the bank again and off to another clear spot, one that would’ve been much easier to land a fish from. It took some teamwork to get the rod into place, but soon I was underneath a canopy of trees watching dark shapes move over the sand near the bait.

As I sat waiting, a really small carp around 2kg came past and I did my utmost to scare him off, as he was going straight for the hookbait.

It worked! Other fish cruised by, it was looking good.

Then I heard a voice. Christian whispered down to me that all the bait from the first spot had gone.

As I wound in I spooked a 15kg fish from right over the rig - d’oh! I thought my chance was totally gone.

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As I returned to the first spot, Matthias Ploger turned up with some lunch for us. I smiled as I climbed back down the bank into the snags and said “Third time lucky?” it’s a phrase we use a lot in England.

This time I didn’t take anything else down into the swim with me.

Just the rod and a small PVA bag of crushed boilies. I quickly got the rod out whilst there were no fish around, this time allowing the rig to swing back a little, underneath the snag. It meant I couldn’t see my bait this time and also meant the line was coming straight upwards to the rod tip. I gently placed the rod on some branches to rest and I stood, ants in my hair, a tree up my backside, trying not to move.

I haven’t had chance to do much of this close quarter fishing for some time - in the UK they just remove snags like this! The carp have nowhere to hide, only weed beds. It was such a thrill to be hiding away in a jungle of trees, just me and the carp. My heart was beating so fast, every time a carp glided by, I thought I was going to have a heart attack! I can just imagine the news story - “Man found dead at carp lake, he got so excited about catching a German monster his heart exploded!”

As Matthias and Christian sat chatting quietly at the top of the bank, unable to see what I could see through my polaroids, a fish came in slowly from the left hand side. He was alone. Instantly, he was feeding and took the only boilie left in the swim from the initial baiting. His mouth didn’t leave the lakebed, I thought he must be going for my bait, then he turned to leave the spot.

Suddenly, two carp came charging in from the right hand side, under a raft of snags. They were aiming straight for my bait the only bait in the swim now and I lifted my hand, hovering it over the rod. I heard mutters behind me; the guys had obviously spotted my movement.

the first fish was stood rigid, his fins stuck out in a panic. Before I could register, the fish was violently The first fish, the biggest of the shaking his head and turning to three, turned back towards my exit the swim faster than the speed hookbait and seemed to push the of light! other two carp out of the way.

At one point, all three fish were I immediately ran into the lake, wrestling to get to the bait. My hand hurdling the snags as I lifted the began to shake, I daren’t breathe. rod to ensure it was clear of the branches. The rod arched over Just as I was starting to think about and I shouted “I’m in, I’m in, I’m what to do next, the two fish from in!” to the guys behind. I must the right bolted out of the swim at admit, I actually thought the carp a million miles an hour. My line was around 25lb (English weight) didn’t even move! I looked and so figured after an initial run I thought my chance had gone it could really put the pressure on took a moment to figure out what and have it clear of the snags and was happening - but then I spotted, in the net quite quickly. Just like

stalking at home!

“How big?”asked Christian. “A small one, mate” I told him.

I was totally wrong. I had the Avid MSX rod as low as I could get it, half of it under the water, as I stood up to my waist puffing and panting, my heart racing as the fish continued to keep taking line.

I daren’t tighten the clutch any more than I already had, but still it took line!

I could now feel grating, the worst-case scenario had happened.

The fish had gone right towards the worst of the snags and I was

MAT’S FAVOURITE SETUP

RODS: 12FT DSK REEL: 12000CC RIG: GERMAN RIG TIED WITH 25LB CAPTIVE COATED HOOKLINK AND SIZE 4 CRV HOOK

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WANDERLUST // MAT WOODS

pulling it back through it all, the line and rod juddering as it came back towards me. At least it was moving, I thought!

Just as I thought I was going to bring the carp free of the trees, most of which were hanging over 30m over the lake, it came to a standstill. It felt like I was just attached to a branch now.

I continued to pull, changing the line angle and moving the rod around as I could feel the odd kick of its tail. Eventually, I had to concede, the fish was totally stuck.

Christian insisted I open the bail arm and let the fish run a little, to see if it would head out into the main lake. He was now stood on the largest of the trees, the only one above the water, tight-rope walking as far out as he dared to try and scare the fish from the snags with the net pole.

Sure enough, the line started to peel away and then quite quickly.

“Now, now” I was instructed, so I hooped the rod over again but could only gain line back to the same point. Christian couldn’t see the fish but could see the worst of the snags that it was under. “It’s so snaggy mate, try to get above the fish.”

This wasn’t really possible without a floatation device - which I did not have - so I decided instead to try and walk along one of the trees under the water. On top of the tree I would have at least up to my chest above the water, but either side of it was around 4m deep. All was going well but then I lost balance and disappeared below the water.

How I did not have a panic attack I do not know, I think the adrenalin rush was massive. I needed Christian to use the net pole to pull

me back up to shallower water, I was pretty shaken up but just did not want to lose my first ever German carp, not from such a special lake where 5-6 fish a year is a good year!

With the balancing act failing I said I was going back to where I was stood when the fish first ran into the snags. If he went in that way, he could only come out that way, surely?

I let the fish run again and once more, could only pull him back to the same spot. At this point I opened the bail arm again and watched as a really big fish, easily 20kg, swam past me and to my left.

I wondered if maybe it was my fish, and it had gone around a branch?

I piled on the pressure but this fish kept swimming - he obviously just wanted to see what the English idiot was doing splashing around in his house!

fish was gone. Suddenly, the rod was almost pulled from my hands and I had to walk into the lake to stop the rod disappearing from my grasp! What power!

I loosened the clutch and as it fizzed, the line started moving through the water to the left. The fish was free! “We are now playing a real carp!” I shouted, as Christian and Matthias both laughed with a huge sigh of relief.

Christian, at this point, had been doing his utmost not to get wet. But then the carp hit the surface like a plate. All three of us simultaneously lost the power of

speech, we were gobsmacked, this was no small one!

“Holy Sh*t” shouted Matthias, still clicking away with the camera.

Christian shouted something equally obscene and had gone from just chilling on the branches to being in the lake up to his neck, arms stretched out with the net as far as he could.

I gave no mercy to the fish and weaved him into the net. When he was inside and definitely mine, I roared like a lion. “Yesssssss, yess, woooooo!”

I had now got to the stage where I figured the tackle was going to give way before the fish did. A horrible feeling. My heart was sinking as fast as I was on the softer sand!

Given that every time I left the line slack the fish was still attached, I figured he must have been nailed. I was using an Avid Carp size 6 CRV with 25lb Coated Braid, super tough tackle, so figured I would just give it one last big heave.

I bent the rod to the left again and pulled as hard as I could. I felt some grating as the fish moved a little, but then it went solid again.

I decided to try an old trick we use in the UK to get fish out of heavy lily pads, and that was to put the butt above my head and the tip in the lakebed, pulling the rod upside down. I felt a big pull and everything gave way - it felt like the NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

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“It’s a 20kg fish mate,” Christian said to me. My eyes popped out of my head, my smile wrapped around the moment like rings around Saturn. The relief was tangible. Matthias just kept making strange noises with joy and excitement. I punched the air then shook hands vigorously with Christian, “Thank you mate, oh my God, thank you” I said.

What we hadn’t figured out was how we were going to get the fish from where we were down the bank to somewhere we could weigh and photograph it. I can’t even remember what we did, but it involved Matthias pulling us up with the landing net pole and the fish laying across our backs as the other pushed. Fun moments with great friends - just what carp fishing is all about.

We rested the fish in the water in the next swim along where the banks were more level, and I stood

looking at the fish in total disbelief.

Christian ran to get the weighing equipment and his camera.

Matthias couldn’t figure out which fish it was, but insisted it was 20kg or more. I’d actually photographed a 20kg fish in the UK the week earlier, and it looked much bigger than that. I just kept blowing air out of my cheeks, what a lucky man!

no idea what that was in English pounds. I couldn’t wrap my head around what had happened. 48lb 5oz in UK weight was bigger than anything I’d caught before.

Revealing the fish for the cameras, both of the guys kept saying “brute” or just “Wow”. Matthias laughed and giggled like a child.

I was just breathing hard as I picked her up, what an amazing, amazing creature.

As Christian arrived back, grinning, he said “Don’t worry, it’s only a small one” pointing out my earlier incorrect estimation! A trick of the light? Looking down at it in the water, I could not figure out how I thought it was half as big. I didn’t really care! I was soaked to the skin and my clothes were really heavy with water.

“German Warhammer” said Christian. Warhammer is a word I started using in the UK to describe those really big, really special carp, so for Christian to say that meant a lot. It certainly was, too. Never in my wildest dreams did I think my first German carp would be so special.

We hoisted the carp to the unhooking mat and using the net pole, popped her on the scales. It read 22kg exactly. At the time I had

We took some return photos in the water and they looked incredible on the camera. Christian filmed it as Matthias took photographs what

a way to document the moment, and immortalize it in pixels.

As the fish swam away, the emotions hit me like a rollercoaster.

What a rush! What a ride!

It turned out that the fish hasn’t been caught for over three years and is currently the second biggest ever from the lake. It’s known as The Twin due to its resemblance to the Long Fish I mentioned earlier.

Dominic and Ooven soon arrived to share the moment. Hugs, handshakes, high-fives, pats on the back. It was truly brilliant.

Great gentleman I cannot wait to see again. What a great group of people. Friends forever.

As I got changed in my brolly, still soaked to the skin, I sent a message back to the UK with the news of my result. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since, because for an English guy to visit Germany and catch such a momentous fish is so rare. Not an easy lake full of fish, but a proper German lake with proper German fish and proper German anglers. Just the way it should be, wherever you may roam.

So until the next time this wanderlust takes me back to foreign lands, I shall live happy with the memories. My carp fishing history has just had a new chapter, one that has the UK scene buzzing because they know I’ve fished a natural venue with old German carp.

Man, what a feeling. I hope it never goes away.

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WANDERLUST // MAT WOODS

Mat woods Age: 31 UK PB: 42lb 1oz Occupation: Korum / Avid Brand Manager

The scales settled on 48lb 5oz. A proper German Warhammer!

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THE GERMAN RIG // CHRISTIAN KESSLER

CHRISTIAN KESSLER Age: 27 PB: 48lb Occupation: Film Student

German

The

Rig

Christian Kessler talks in-depth about the German Rig and explains why it’s such a devastating presentation for large, pressured carp.

I first started using this incredibly effective presentation a couple of years ago, while targeting a crystal-clear gravel pit in Germany. The huge, dark carp that resided in the lake spent most of their time in the margins, giving me ample opportunity to try and stalk them at close quarters - just the way I like!

As soon as the season started I found myself wandering around the lake most days in search of carp. I found them most times I visited the lake and as expected, they were always extremely close to the bank. I was using a simple knotless knot presentation at the time, which featured a relatively short hair that was fixed tight to the shank using a small piece of silicone tubing. This was my favourite rig. It was the one I would pick if I had to catch a carp to save my life. I had so much confidence in it and had convinced myself carp found it impossible to deal with. I was very, very wrong!

After watching several large carp pick up my ‘wonder’ rig and spit

it out effortlessly during my first few trips on the lake, I knew I had to tweak my rig. The carp weren’t picking up the rig and knowingly ejecting it, it just wasn’t taking hold in their mouth. I was convinced the small piece of silicone fixing the hair to the shank of the hook was hindering the flexibility of the rig, so I started playing around with presentations that offered more movement.

Removing the silicone from the shank of the hook and lengthening the hair did convert more pick ups into runs but the fish were still getting away with it sporadically.

I’d used hook swivels and beads in the past to create flexi rigs, but had never watched fish pick them up in the margins. The day I tried using them on the crystal-clear lake my whole perception of rigs changed completely. Every single fish that picked up the rig was hooked.

Not only were they hooked but they were absolutely nailed in the bottom lip. They just couldn’t deal with it!

I couldn’t believe how much

difference such a small tweak made. The improved flexibility allowed the hookbait to spin in the carp’s mouth when it picked it up.

It therefore didn’t matter how the carp picked up the bait because the rotation of the hook would prevent the hook point from turning in at the wrong angle and increase the chance of it taking hold. As well as this, the small swivel created a brilliant anti-eject presentation and ensured the hookbait never impeded the hook point.

I now use this presentation for 90% of my fishing. It is an extremely versatile rig that’s perfect for wafters and bottom baits. It’s worth mentioning that I always tie the rig using Captive Coated Hooklink and I never strip back any coating because I believe the extra rigidity prevents the carp from ejecting the hookbait.

If you’re looking to try a new rig or you think the fish are getting away with it like they were on the lake I was fishing, give it a try.

I’m certain you will convert more pickups into takes.

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We truly believe the HQ bivvy is the most feature-packed shelter on the market today. Its permanent twin-skin technology make it a unique and innovative product, that’s quickly become one of the most desirable items on the market. It’s next level bivvy design.

The HQ bivvy has been designed around the anglers needs. Built from the highest grade materials this concept utilises extra space with its separated frame system which provides a more stable bivvy along with a greater floor space providing room for the biggest of bedchairs such as the Benchmark X.

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The HQ comes with a clip-in inner wrap. This inner is fully breathable and removable eliminating all condensation.

The inner wrap is not attached to the groundsheet so it can be left in place when packed away so to not increase the bag size and mess caused by sewn-in groundsheets.

Indeed, the HQ packs down reasonably small for a bivvy with such a healthy footprint.

In short, it’s the bivvy that all other bivvies are now compared to.

Check out all of those features and make up your own mind. We know you’ll see the light.

HQ BIVVY // PRODUCTS

HQ BIVVY 1 MAN »»Inner wrap »»Separated pole layout »»New pegging loops »»Pole tension straps »»Inside controllable rear vent »»Zip-off front panel »»Colour coded straps »»Colour coded ground sheet »»3 x tension bars »»2 x rod retention bars The HQ Bivvy has been designed around the anglers needs. Built from the highest grade materials this new concept utilizes extra space with its separated frame system which provides a more stable bivvy along with a greater floor space providing room for the biggest of bedchairs.

The HQ comes with a clip-in inner wrap. This inner is fully breathable and removable eliminating all condensation. The inner wrap is not attached to the groundsheet so it can be left in place when packed away.

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HQ BIVVY 2 MAN »»Inner wrap »»Separated pole layout »»New pegging loops »»Pole tension straps »»Inside controllable rear vent »»Zip-off front panel »»Colour coded straps »»Colour coded ground sheet »»3x tension bars »»2x rod retention bars The 2 man features an extra set of ribs across the front to increase the capacity of the design. It’s wider to fit two bedchairs inside and has all the hallmark HQ features.

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FAR FROM THE

MADDING CROWD After getting disillusioned by fishing on busy circuit waters, Dave Magalhaes decided to take a journey into the unknown‌

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FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD // DAVE MAGALHAES

Top to bottom; What a carp!

First light was always a special time on the secret lake.

DAVE’S FAVOURITE SETUP ROD: MSX 3.25LB REEL: 12,000CC RIG: CHOD RIG TIED USING CAPTIVE STIFF RIG, A SIZE 6 CHD HOOK AND A SIZE 8 RING SWIVEL

Last year, fishing wise, was something completely different to what I’d normally do. For many years now, the vast majority of my fishing time has been spent pitting my wits against some very pressured fish, on many of the busier, circuit type waters. As much as I relish the challenge of trying to catch carp out of these venues on my limited time, that see relentless pressure from some very good anglers with much more time than me, my angling became very stale and if the truth be known, I got bored of it all. I fancied a change, away from all the crowds, where it was just me against the fish.

For the early part of the spring, I was a little lost. The thought of these unknown, untouched venues with carp that see very little pressure, are what many a carp angler dreams of stumbling across. The reality, though, is a little different and finding such a place was proving difficult. Thankfully, young James Kelly who works with me in the shop, was also keen to find some new venues and, after arriving at dead end after dead end, James stumbled across a little hidden gem. When you picture these tucked away little secrets, it’s only natural to imagine the likes of ‘Narnia’. Pushing your way through an entangled mass of branches and undergrowth, you continually wipe the cobwebs that seem to connect to every passing branch from your face. Eventually, a glisten catches your eye. It’s water. You carry on, until you find yourself at a clearing by the waters edge. Suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, you spot a carp. As it comes closer, you can’t help but notice how dark it is. So

dark is it, in fact, that you can’t even be sure if it’s a mirror or a common. Then, it turns and you get a clear view of its width. It’s so wide across the back, that you could put a saddle across it and ride it.

Undoubtedly, such places do exist, but the reality is more often than not, a little different. Our little gem happened to be on a very exclusive golf course in the South. James had gone over on one of the hottest days of the spring so far and was greeted by surface cruising carp within seconds. Thinking quickly, he hooked on a piece of bread flake and under armed it towards the cruising carp. The first fish took it without hesitation and it turned out to be a corking, perfect zip linear.

We didn’t know much about the place, other than it was rumoured to have carp in excess of 30lb in the past, as well as a few 20lb fish.

Being unpressured carp, we thought that the bread attack was probably the way forward, or at least a good starting point. On the next hot and sunny day, the two of us headed over, eager and excited to see what else the lake might hold. We walked up, along the canal towpath in the Surrey countryside, before cutting through some woods, then carefully across an old, rickety bridge, before finally arriving at our destination.

Just like James had said, we were instantly greeted by the surface cruisers. I let James go first and watched him go about trying to catch one. Surprisingly, they were proving to be a little trickier than expected, so I left him to it and carried on round the main body of the lake, down into a little bay. At the mouth of this bay was a very big, overhanging tree. As I watched, what looked like a good fish, came

waddling out of this bush. It hugged the near side margin, stopping briefly to root around on the bottom in a couple of different places. I flicked a few loose bits of bread into its path and sure enough, it came up and took the three offerings.

As quickly and quietly as possible, I underarmed my freelined piece of bread onto the surface. I could just make out the same shape in the murky water, circling below my hook bait, before a huge cavernous mouth came out and engulfed my hook bait. The fight was a quite incredible battle, with the fish

determined to not give up and as luck would have it, it turned out to be (which we later found out) the lake’s biggest resident.

We plugged away for a few more weeks, until we started getting repeat captures and with repetitive sightings of the same fish, decided to call it a day. A few miles away, is a park of utter beauty, that’s closed off from the outside world. The deer roam freely and there is an abundance of wild fowl.

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When you picture these tucked away little secrets, it’s only natural to imagine the likes of ‘Narnia’. Pushing your way through an entangled mass of branches and undergrowth, you continually wipe the cobwebs that seem to connect to every passing branch from your face. Eventually, a glisten catches your eye.

It’s water.

Who could get bored waking up to this.

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Within these walls, is a lake that has a strict no fishing rule enforced.

Having heard that the lake itself contained some large carp, I went over for a stroll and had a look myself one day. True to what I’d heard, the lake did indeed contain carp, with one in particular looking like it would top the 40lb mark. Over the next few weeks, if I wasn’t working or otherwise occupied, then I was walking, looking and baiting this new lake.

Oh, when I said that there was strictly no fishing, I really meant it. There was a warden that would patrol day and night, in search of fisherman. To get around this, I stuck to a very strict routine of fishing between 2.30am and 5am.

Admittedly, it didn’t give me much fishing time, but, the beauty of these unpressed lakes is that they’re never going to be too difficult, so long as you give them a bait they like and on a spot they’re happy to feed on. It took me a little while to work out where the bigger fish were hanging around, but once I had that sussed, they got completely hooked on the bait. However, for the first few trips, all I could catch were the smaller double figured and low twenty pound commons.

As daft as it sounds, I decided to cut all pellets and smaller feed items, and just feed with the 18mm Code Red Boilies to see if it made a difference. Almost instantly, I started catching the bigger fish. On countless of occasions, I had the big mirror feeding close in during my baiting up trips, sometimes even taking the boilies on the drop.

Every time, I left excited, certain of catching him on my return… but I never did. I caught all the other big fish to over 35lb, many twice over, but that big old mirror remained elusive.

On my way home in the mornings, after leaving the other lake at 5am, I’d drive past one of my old park lake haunts. Most days I’d have work, so I’d carry on home, but on my days off, I’d quite often swing in to this park for a look. One of the lakes in particular is very neglected and it’s not uncommon for weeks to go by without an angler casting a line into it. At maybe an acre or so in size, it’s only small, but it is renowned for being notoriously tricky. Crystal clear and shallow, with the fish themselves incredibly cagey. Although there has always been rumours of the lake containing something to warrant a campaign, nobody has ever caught anything of note out of there. In fact, the average size of carp in this lake is probably less than 10lb.

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD // DAVE MAGALHAES

Clockwise, top left; The carp were all in mint condition.

A surface-caught thirty from a lake that most had forgotten about.

Dave caught some absolutely stunning carp throughout the season.

An old, wily carp sulking in the net at first light.

Slipping an ancientlooking mirror back to its watery home.

Sunset down the park. It felt electric.

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Although not a monster by today’s standards, this 31lb 12oz mirror marked the end of an amazing campaign.

However, don’t be fooled. Any carp out of here is hard earned and carries a fair amount of merit in comparison to the other lakes in the parks with much, much bigger fish.

I won’t go into the political side of it, but last season, a fish was moved from the lake next door. Now, the lakes are all linked through the park, acting like one big filtration system almost, and every lake shares the same water, so there was never the risk of disease transfer etc. Anyway, this particular fish has enjoyed its new home and had been out at almost 34lb!

Unsurprisingly, when I went for a walk round, it didn’t take long to

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FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD // DAVE MAGALHAES

Dave Magalhaes Age: 32 UK PB: 49lb 10oz Occupation: Tackle Shop Assistant

find him. To cut a long story short, I watched him clear me out on two separate occasions and I suddenly found myself thinking about ways of outsmarting him. On my third visit, I found him straight away, sat out in the middle of the lake.

Although I’d been told that the fish didn’t respond to floaters, I soon had four fish greedily racing to grab every Oily Floater I put out. Rushing back to my van, I grabbed a rod and some relevant bits and knocked up a surface set-up. Casting my hookbait past the mirror, I drew it back until it was right in its path. He swam straight up and took it... and I struck into thin air! I repeated the process once more and again

struck into thin air. Luckily, at the third time of asking, I finally set the hook. The fish moved slowly and I was able to bring him back to my margin without too much fuss. Once in the margin though, he livened up and on a couple of occasions, pulling line from a tight clutch. It was on one of these runs that he swam into a weedbed.

With his head covered in weed, he didn’t once fight again and I led him back, like a dog on a lead, into my waiting net. At 31lb 12oz, it certainly wasn’t a monster, nor is it the prettiest of fish, but it certainly had me grinning from ear to ear that afternoon!

mornings on the lake next door and, luckily, was able to catch a few up to around 25lb. The fish used to love venturing into the margins, but unfortunately, they wouldn’t tolerate any noise or too much disturbance, so it wasn’t uncommon to go creeping up on a group of feeding fish, only for them break away in a mad dash. It was all incredibly enjoyable though, but as the summer turned into autumn, and autumn into winter, these short trips to venues that still retained their element of the unknown came to an end.

I also spent a few short early

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CHOD CLINIC 



CAPTIVE STIFF RIG FILAMENT

CHOD BEADS They are safe, easy to use and very inconspicuous on the lakebed.

To help thread them on they come supplied on wires. The beads are now the right way around to be threaded straight onto your main line. They will grip even low diameter lines due to the unique rubber material we’ve used.

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 CHD Due to the popularity of the Chod rig and hinged-stiff rig, we knew it was important to develop a pattern to suit. The CHD boasts an aggressive out-turned eye that, unlike some other hooks, ensures your hookbait sits at a more aggressive/ prone angle.

Stiff Rig Filament is easy to shape and requires no steaming. It’s brilliant for chod rigs, stiff rigs and hinge stiff rigs.

CHOD CLINIC // PRODUCTS

 CHOD BEAD KITS These kits contain everything you need to construct super-safe leader arrangements for Chod rig fishing or when using any helicopter setup direct onto your main line or leadcore.

Each kit contains 16 Grip Stops, 9 Beads, 9 Chod Buffers and 9 size 11 Ring Swivels.

 STOPPER BEADS Stopper Beads are ideal for Helicopter rigs, running rigs and shocker rigs. The tiny bore through the centre means they grip heavy line and leadcore brilliantly, but the soft material means they are still extremely safe.

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DOUBLE CHOD BEADS

WEIGHTED FLYING CHOD BEADS

These super-safe Double Chod Beads allow anglers to use chod and helicopter presentations on leadcore or directly on their main line. The beads are safe, easy to use and very inconspicuous on the lakebed. To help thread them onto your line/leader they come supplied on wires.

These Weighted Flying Chod Beads are an excellent way to setup the popular Chod rig or when using any helicopter setup direct onto leadcore or main line.

Bait Screws have been designed to make changing your hookbaits fast, simple and effective. Unlike other Bait Screws on the market, they feature a new quick-change design that means you can attach them to rig rings, loops and readytied Chod rigs.

 CHOD BUFFERS Perfect for covering the lead on your helicopter and Chod rigs. They are also useful as a buffer bead for a highly effective running rig. Can also be used for marker float setups.

 RIG LOOPS

PINDOWN UNLEADED LEADER

Allow you to create large, perfectly formed loops that will stay the same size and shape.

Unlike monofilament loops, they will not loose their shape and fold after repeated casting. Once attached to your rigs they improve movement and flexibility.

This fast sinking, super-supple leader material follows every contour of the lake bed.

It’s strong, has great abrasion resistance and you can even tie knots in it.



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THE MAGIC OF JUNE 16TH // JAMIE SIMPSON

16th The start of the river season is always a very special time for Avid Carper Jamie Simpson.

Read on to find out about one of his most memorable river sessions ever.

June 16th fell on a Monday last year so I booked the big day off work, planning to get to the river around 9.30pm on Sunday, ready for midnight to chime. Like most years, I found myself getting itchy feet and was wandering the river banks at 8.30pm like an excited child at Christmas. I knew exactly where I needed to be fishing from

previous sessions and was relieved to find there was nobody in the swim.

To be fair, I knew there wouldn’t be, because most anglers aren’t mad enough to arrive so early in the evening. Before getting any of my fishing tackle, I grabbed a huge bucket of particles from the van and spooned out approximately five kilos of Sonubaits Hemp ‘N’ Corn,

S-Pellet Feed and Code Red Boilies.

With the bait working its magic in the flow, I promptly unloaded the van and began sorting my gear for the night ahead. It was actually quite funny really, because ten minutes later I was sat bored, twiddling my thumbs, willing time to pass a little bit quicker.

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JAMIE’S FAVOURITE SETUP ROD: 2.75LB MSX REEL: 12000CC RIG: BLOWBACK PRESENTATION TIED WITH 20LB PIN DOWN AND SIZE 6 CRV

Jamie Simpson Age: 41 UK PB: 34lb 8oz Occupation: Production Engineer

Above; A lovely June 16th mirror.

Below; Fishing tight to the bridge wall produced a couple of bites.

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My first rod was going to be positioned tight to a bridge pillar on the far bank. There was a small bed of lilies tight to the bridge that had produced frequent bites in years gone by. My second rod was going to be flicked three quarters of the way across the river on a prominent bar in around 9ft of water. Although the spot doesn’t produce as frequently during the day as the rod fished tight to the bridge, it tended to throw up the odd bigger fish. After a quick lead around, both areas were nice and clear, so I was relatively confident of forthcoming action. Both rods were clipped up, marked with Marker Elastic and rigs were tied in anticipation for midnight.

There was plenty of time to relax so I sat back, popped the kettle on and watched the water as day slowly faded into night. A few barges headed up the river and the occasional passing train disturbed my peace but all in all, it was absolute paradise. As darkness fell, my eyes strained as I gazed intently at the moving water. Every so often I’d see a fish hit the surface. I was convinced they were carp and were feeding on my bait.

When midnight finally arrived, I was shaking with anticipation. I remember staring at my watch, waiting for the hand to hit twelve.

At 12 o’clock on the dot, I flicked a 14mm pineapple pop-up with

a PVA bag attached across to the lilies and felt the lead down as it thudded on the river bed. Next up. a 14mm bottom bait was flicked towards the bar, also with a small PVA bag attached to protect the hookbait. It was time to sit back and take it all in.

Twenty minutes later I received my first bite, but unfortunately it was a bream about the 5lb mark. Over the space of a couple of hours, I seemed to catch bream after bream and at 3am I was awoken by a couple of young lads riding past my brolly on mountain bikes. They were obviously just going home, but it certainly had me alert at 3am in the morning.

Next thing I knew it was 5am and I was sat watching the mist roll off the river with a cup of coffee in my hand. I was surprised I hadn’t caught a carp during the night but with the best time of the day

THE MAGIC OF JUNE 16TH // JAMIE SIMPSON

top rivers for Carp RIVER NENE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE RIVER THAMES SURREY RIVER COLNE MIDDLESEX RIVER WEAVER CHESHIRE RIVER TRENT NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

approaching, I was still relatively confident. At just after 6am the bobbin on my right-hand rod smashed off the blank and line began tearing from the reel, as an angry carp headed down the river, using the flow to its advantage.

It didn’t take me long to get the fish under control and there was soon a plump mirror sulking in the folds of my net. After quickly photographing the fish, I slipped it back and got the rod back on the spot. It was looking good for another bite.

Around 8am my left hand rod finally roared into life and I was into a carp that unfortunately fell off mid river, just as I was starting to get it under control. Swearing under my breath as I retrieved my hooklink and bait, minus the lead, I quickly flicked out a fresh bait to the spot. I barely got the rod back on the rest before it was off again and this time I was not going to be beaten as I coaxed the fish over my net cord. Another mirror a few pounds bigger than the last one made the disappointment of the lost fish a distant memory.

Above; There were no other anglers in sight.

Right; Although not the intended quarry, Jamie had to have a photo with this lovely barbel.

Half way through a packet of chocolate Hob Nobs, my left hand rod was away again, just as a barge was heading up towards the marina entrance. I quickly clambered down to the rivers edge and plunged my rod tip deep below the surface to get my line down away from its rotor, which would have certainly cut me off. Once that hurdle had been safely cleared the fish then decided to head across my other rod and into the snaggy left hand margin, I certainly wasn’t going to be beaten, so swiftly passed my rod around and got the fish back under control. It was at this point I remembered my landing net was actually about 6ft above me and behind my umbrella

from the previous fish. Clambering back up the bank I managed to keep in contact with what was now a tiring fish, I retrieved the net and finally had my latest prize, A nice common carp just under 20lb. A short while later I managed a barbel of just under 9lb before Packing away around lunch time to catch up on some sleep.

Before departing I piled in the rest of my bait ready for the next planned trip, an evening session a couple of days later. For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than this style of angling. Quiet banks, wild carp and often fish that have never seen a hook before. It’s just how it should be.

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NEED FOR SPEED // RYAN NEED

When Avid’s media man, Jason Umney, contacted me last minute and asked me if I’d be up for doing a live magazine article for Crafty Carper, I was a little bit apprehensive. I’d fancy my chances on most venues when conditions were right, but the weather was far from ideal.

It was January, most lakes up and down the country were frozen and catching a carp live for the cameras was going to be a tall order.

Need for

After a couple of phone calls and a bit of digging, I settled on the Riddings Fishery in Tamworth. There are a couple of pools on the complex, but it was the specimen lake that really took my fancy. It contains a good head of fish and although the conditions were tough, there was the chance of a 20lb-plus carp, which would be a fantastic result on a live feature.

SPEED

Former UK Carp Cup winner Ryan Need looks back on a fantastic day he spent on a Midlands day-ticket venue.

When I arrived at the fishery the car park was busy, even though the temperature gauge in the van read below zero. Fortunately, after a quick chat with some of the anglers, it became clear that there was a competition on one of the match pools and it looked like I’d be the only angler on the specimen pool. What a relief.

Surprisingly, as the sun crept above the distant tree line, it looked like it was going to be quite a nice day. I spent a good hour walking around the lake looking for signs of fish but I didn’t see anything that indicated carp. The lake is split up into two sections, so I decided to head to the larger bowl, which looked slightly deeper and like it may hold a few carp.

Most anglers would have probably fished with single hookbaits or small PVA bags in the conditions I was faced with, but I opted to do something completely different. I fish a lot during the colder months and have found Zig rigs to be the best tactic for target cold-water carp, especially on cold, bright days.

My plan was to fish Zigs on two rods and basically flick them around throughout the day, changing the length and hookbait until I found a combination that worked. Zig fishing can be absolutely devastating at times, as long as you’ve located the depth where the fish are holding.

Sometimes you can get lucky from the off but it often takes a little bit of perseverance to get everything bang on.

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Ryan need Age: 33 UK PB: 53lb 2oz Occupation: Self employed

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NEED FOR SPEED // RYAN NEED

As the day progressed and the sun obviously started to heat the upper layers, I started getting the odd liner on my rods fished in open water. By this point I was fishing a 4ft Zig with an orange Zig Lite attached on one rod and a 2ft Zig with a black Zig Lite on the other.

At around midday I saw a small plume of bubbles appear about 20 yards away from my right-hand rod, so I quickly reeled in my orange Zig and flicked it straight onto the fizzing. By the time I’d sunk the line and set the bobbin, the rod was away and I was into my first carp of the day. After a short but spirited fight, a small double-figure common was sulking in the folds of the net. It looked liked I’d got my tactics spot on, it was now just a case of trying to catch another one.

Right; Ryan proved you don’t need to spend days on the bank to catch large carp. What a fish!

Left; This cracking mirror tipped the scales to 22lb.

RYAN’S FAVOURITE SETUP ROD: 13FT DSK REEL:12000CC RIG: ZIG RIG TIED USING 10LB TWO TONE ZIG LINE AND A SIZE 6 CHD HOOK

I flicked the Zig back out onto the area and went about changing the Zig on my other rod so that it was exactly the same as the one that did the business. The fish were obviously held up in the open water in front of me, so it made sense to put the second Zig onto them too. I flicked the second rod about ten yards away from the first, sunk the line and popped the kettle on for a celebratory brew.

As I took the first sip from my tea, the bobbin on the left-hand rod dropped towards the floor, indicating a fish had picked up my orange Zig Lite. I knew I was into a better fish instantly because it stayed deep and plodded around slowly in open water. I carefully pumped the fish towards the bank and soon caught sight of a plump mirror charging around in the lake’s crystal-clear margins. After a couple of last-minute lunges under the rod tips, I bundled a plump 22lb mirror into the net. That was job done as far as I was concerned.

I carefully unhooked the fish before holding it aloft for the camera.

Jason rattled off a couple of pictures, before I carefully slipped it back to its watery home. As the carp powered back to the depths, the alarm on my right-hand rod let out a flurry of beeps. I thought it was the carp swimming into my line at first, but when line started pulling from the reel I knew I was into another fish. The carp ploughed straight towards the island and actually managed to swim around the side of it. I applied some steady side strain and frantically pumped the fish towards me, hoping to pull into the safety of open water. After a tense couple of seconds, the carp was ploughing around frantically in open water.

The fish stayed deep throughout the fight and it didn’t matter how much pressure I applied, it just wasn’t playing ball. Eventually, I got a glimpse of a large common in the crystal-clear water and I knew what I was playing. It was the venue’s largest common that usually tips the scales to between 25lb and 28lb. With Jason firing away action shots. I carefully played the fish, desperately hoping it didn’t fall off. After Jason told me he’d got plenty of shots, I applied a little more pressure and soon bundled the fish into the waiting night. I was absolutely buzzing. Not only had I caught the lake’s largest common, but I’d also bagged it live for a feature. I couldn’t believe it.

The fish tipped the scales to 26lb and marked the end of a fantastic day. I sat it out for a few more hours but no more action was forthcoming. I packed away a very, very happy angler. Sometimes, with a little bit of luck and lots of perseverance, everything just falls into place.

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They’re waking up.

It’s time you did too.

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ZIG ESSENTIALS // PRODUCTS

ZIG ESSENTIALS





ZIG LITES

READY TIED ZIG RIGS

Made from an ultra buoyant material and a highly visual colour compound they are the perfect product for a multitude of fishing setups. Available in barrel shapes and round two-tone varieties, you’ve got all the best options for fishing up in the water.

Each pack contains a perfectly tied zig rig, a Zig Clip and a tail rubber These zig rigs are tied using 11lb monofilament which has an incredibly low diameter of 0.26mm, yet is still strong enough to perform well under pressure. They are tied using a size 10 WDG hook which has a Zig Grub slide onto the eye to improve hooking potential and add visual attraction. Knowing that yellow and black are two of the most popular colours for fishing in the upper layers, there’s a black/ yellow Zig Lite already attached to the rig.

 ZIG CLIPS







TWO TONE ZIG-LINE

ZIG BOX

ZIG GRUBS

Designed to break up the outline of your Zig Rig to make it harder for the carp to detect. Boasts incredible knot and linear strength, perfect for the rigours of modern day carp fishing.

The ultimate zig rig storage solution. This compact i-design box is supplied with eight zig spools that will each hold at least two made up zig rigs.

The spools boast specifically designed sliders that allow you to conveniently store zigs of all lengths.

Designed to be used in conjunction with zig rigs, these Grubs boast a pre-drilled hole so you can thread them up your hooklink and over the eye of most hooks. As well as adding visual attraction, they also improve the hooking potential of the rig.

• Features two-tone technology • Super smooth hooklength material • Powerful knot strength • Kink resistant • 100 metres

A unique plastic tag system on the barrel means you can whip PVA tape around the clip and merely pinch it under the tag to secure it. This means you can use the clip without a Tail Rubber when required, perfect for zig fishing or fishing in heavy weed.

 WDG Boasting a slightly in-turned eye, short shank and a beaked point, this hook is sure to find favour with lots of carp anglers. Due to the nature of the hook, it’s absolutely perfect for solid bag fishing, Zig rigs and surface fishing.

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STRIKING

gold

Darren Bailey Age: 39 UK PB: 47lb 7oz Occupation: Bodyshop Owner

Darren Bailey reveals how he used a Zig rig to catch one of the largest day-ticket carp in the country.

I first started using Zig rigs about five years ago and I can honestly say I haven’t looked back since.

I use them more than any other presentation and they have been the downfall of most of the large carp I have caught.

If you’re considering using Zigs, it’s important that you put some serious thought into your setup if you want to maximise your chances. It’s not simply a case of attaching a bit of foam to a long monofilament hooklink and slinging it into the pond. I’ve messed around with a whole host of different end tackle components over the years and have finally settled on a presentation that’s strong enough to land huge carp, yet is still subtle enough to fool fish in tough conditions.

I’ve tried pretty much every hooklink material going and have come to the conclusion that the

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lighter you go, the more bites you get. I’ve recently started playing around with the new Avid Zig Line and I must say that I’m very impressed. I fish a lot of weedy gravel pits where there’s a chance a fish may weed you up, so I can’t afford to be taking any chances by using a super-light hooklink. Due to it’s two-tone nature, the outline of the line breaks up underwater, meaning you can get away with using higher breaking strains, safe in the knowledge that carp will struggle to see it even on the brightest of days. This is a massive edge in my book.

When it comes to hooks, you may be a little bit surprised at what I use. I generally go for a size 8 curved or wide gape style hook, but I insist on using barbless because I believe they are a lot sharper than barbed hooks. Next up, never use a leader and always opt for a lead clip arrangement with a 3oz lead. The

Avid Zig Clips are fantastic because you can use the lead clip without a tail rubber, ensuring that the lead drops on the take every time.

There are a whole host of different hookbait options on the market, but you can’t go wrong with a simple bit of foam. Amongst others, I’ve been using Zig Lites for a couple of years now because they are the perfect shape for zigging and come in a variety of vibrant carp-catching colours.

I often hear anglers refer to zigs as a small-fish tactic and have been told numerous times that they never produce big fish. Well, as far as I’m concerned, this is absolute rubbish. I’ve caught numerous twenties and thirties on tiny bits of foam, and recently I managed to bag one of the largest day-ticket commons in the land by targeting the upper layers.

STRIKING GOLD // DARREN BAILEY

I turned up at Baden Hall in Staffordshire at 9am on a Saturday morning for a 24-hour social on Quarry Pool with a couple of my good friends. Some of the guys were already on the lake and had managed to get themselves in a couple of swims that had been throwing up a couple of fish.

Most of the carp had been getting caught from open water in front of pegs 12, 13, 14 and 15, so my intention was to get as close as I could to this area and chuck little bits of foam out there.

It didn’t take me long to blast a couple of Zigs into open water and, before I knew it, I was sitting back having a catch up with some good friends. The day produced no bites, but at 11pm I had a screaming take which resulted in a lovely 22 ¾lb common. I was absolutely buzzing to get off the mark and quietly confident of forthcoming action.

I whacked the rod back into the area I’d had the bite at 120 yards, set the bobbins and jumped straight back into bed. The next

thing I knew, I was bent into another fish just as the sun was starting to rise over the distant treeline. Playing the fish on a tiny hook and long rig was quite nerveracking, but I eventually managed to bundle a 33lb 10oz mirror into the landing net. I was absolutely buzzing because the lake was fishing relatively slowly, so bagging two carp was testament to the

effectiveness of fishing the upper layers.

At 9.30am, I remember telling my mate that I was going to reel one of the Zigs in because I wasn’t happy with where it had landed; it had reached the required distance, but hadn’t quite landed exactly where I’d wanted. I reeled it in, rechecked it and recast, and 60 minutes later I

had a savage drop-back which saw the bobbin hit the floor. I struck and instantly thought I was playing one of the lake’s smaller carp. I pumped the carp towards the bank and eventually caught a glimpse of an enormous common about two rod lengths from the bank. I knew instantly which fish it was and my heart was in my mouth throughout the final few minutes. Eventually, I got the fish within netting distance, lifted the rod in the air and walked backwards, so my mate could slip the fish into the net. She weighed 47lb 7oz and was just 1oz under the Staffordshire record. I was absolutely blown away and over the moon that so many of my friends were with me to capture the moment. It’s a fish I have wanted to catch for a very long time and one that I have spent a lot of hours chasing over the last few years.

DARRENS’S FAVOURITE SETUP ROD: 13FT DSK REEL: 12000CC RIG: ZIG RIG TIED WITH TWO TONE ZIG LINE AND SIZE 10 WGP HOOK

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KEEP YOUR TACKLE TIDY

Carp fishing is unpredictable enough.

Time for your tackle and bait to find a new home.

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KEEP YOUR TACKLE TIDY // PRODUCTS

ďƒ• BAIT AND BITS TUBS Available in four different sizes, these tubs are brilliant for storing bait, items of tackle and tea or coffee. The large and XL tubs come with a removable inner tray.

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The

METHOD Nigel Willams has had a fantastic season using method feeders on well-stocked venues.. . Here’s what he’s been doing. . .

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THE METHOD // NIGEL WILLIAMS

H O W T O P RE PA RE

stiki pellets 1

Sprinkle one kilo of Sonubaits 2mm S-Pellets into a bucket or tub.

2

The next step is to add ten spoonfuls of water to the pellets.

3

Until recently, if I had to pick one presentation to use on well-stocked venues, I’d have certainly opted for solid PVA bags. I’ve used them lots over the last couple of years and have found them absolutely devastating when the water temperature warms, especially on pressured day-ticket venues where the carp can be a little cagey.

A soon as the Avid Method Feeders were released a few years back, I knew that they would become a massive part of my carp fishing armoury during the carp fishing calendar. I’ve used solid bags with great success over the last few seasons and although they’ve served me very well, I genuinely believe Method feeders are equally as effective for catching large carp.

Solid bags are great, but they are quite time consuming to tie - not ideal if you’re fishing a short session. Even if you tie half a dozen or so bags at home, it doesn’t take long to get through them, especially if you cast on a regular basis. The great thing about the Method feeders is that you can construct a presentation exactly the same as a solid PVA bag in a matter of seconds. This is brilliant for me because I like to travel light, move regularly and keep casting until I find the fish. Carp can be

very active during the warmer months, so it pays to be one step ahead of the game. If you can locate the fish you can dramatically increase your chances of catching and there’s no reason why you will not receive action every time you visit the lake.

When I’m fishing with the feeders, because I’m using small parcels of grub, I like to ensure my bait is rammed with attraction. Method feeders are great because you can use a whole host of baits with them, including those that aren’t PVA friendly. Personally though, although they may seem a little boring and bland, I simply love using pellets. Lots of carp are reared on them, they are full of attraction and carp simply love them. Some of you may be wondering how I use pellets with my feeders but it’s really simple. I either use Sonubaits Stiki Pellets, which is a special binder, or I scald them to soften them up with boiling water. The great thing about the Stiki Pellet powder is that you can customise your mix so that it suits the venue you are targeting. By altering the amount of powder you add to the pellets, you can pre determine how quickly they are going to break down on the deck. So, if you’re fishing a mega deep water, you can

Dry the spoon and add one capful of Stiki Pellet powder.

4

NIGEL’S FAVOURITE SETUP ROD:12FT DSK REEL: 12000C RIG: WITHY POOL RIG TIED USING A WGP HOOK, 20LB PIN DOWN HOOK LINK AND A WITHY POOL KICKER

It’s important to mix the pellets thoroughly and evenly like so.

5 make the mix super firm or, alternatively, on shallow venues, you can make the mix softer.

I think it’s essential that you select the correct hookbait whenever you’re fishing and I’m certain colour and flavour can massively affect our results. As a general rule of thumb, when using feeders, I tend to use high-viz pop-ups or wafters. I generally fish a different coloured hookbait on each rod and if one seems to be producing more than the others, I’ll quickly swap the other rods to suit using the Super Hair Stops.

Now simply leave the mix to stand for about twenty minutes.

6

The pellets will turn ‘sticky’ to bind around the feeder perfectly.

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The biggest tip I can give any angler when using feeders is to ensure they bury the hookbait in the feeder before they cast. As well as making the presentation more streamlined for fishing at range, I genuinely believe the rig is much more effective when buried inside the freebies. When fishing a short, supple hooklink, that’s coiled up in 072

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the mix, the increased movement will ensure the hookbait shoots into the carp’s mouth.

The great thing about feeders is the fact that you can get away with using super-simple rigs. Regardless of where I’m fishing and the size of carp I’m targeting, I will generally just use a conventional knotless

knot tied using an Avid CRV hook.

Rather than worrying about the rig, I put much more emphasis on the hooklink material and the buoyancy of the hookbait. I always use super-supple hooklinks so I can coil them up inside the feeder and, as far as I’m concerned, you simply can’t compete with the Pin Down Hooklink.

The key to success during this time of the year is certainly finding the fish. I generally travel extremely light, move frequently and cast regularly. Although it can be hard locating the fish at times, it’s certainly not impossible and bubbles, fizzing and showing carp are all good signs. If I can’t find the fish, I will settle in an area that looks

THE METHOD // NIGEL WILLIAMS

HOW TO USE A

method mould 1

Sprinkle some prepared pellets into the Method Mould.

2

Nigel Williams Age: 39 UK PB: 41lb 10oz Occupation: Self-employed

Place your hookbait inside the mould like this.

3

You can now add another handful of pellets to the Mould.

4

Push and compress the feeder into the mould.

5

Push the spring-loaded button on the back.

the most promising.

I will fish the swim for an hour or so and, if I don’t see signs of carp in the swim, I will up sticks and move to another swim.

I will do this on a regular basis until I catch a fish, or spot positive signs of them in another area of

the lake. Due to the nature of the feeders and the fact that you can knock one up in a matter of seconds, I’ve found the results can be extremely quick if you’re on fish, especially if you’ve boosted your pellets or groundbait with oilbased liquids.

6

The perfectly loaded feeder is now ready to cast.

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MISSION

ACCOMPLISHED When Alex Lister set himself the target of catching a 30lb-plus carp from Weston Park at the start of the year, nothing could have prepared him for the fish that came his way.

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MISSION ACCOMPLISHED // ALEX LISTER At the end of 2014 I decided I was going to target the wonderful RH Fisheries Weston Park. I’d fished the venue on and off for at least four years but had never truly got to grips with the place. I’d caught plenty of fish during my time on the lake but the short sessions I fished meant I never bagged any of the venue’s numerous 30lb-plus carp. It’s not all about size for me, but after banking over 80 fish from the lake, I couldn’t help but think I was due a lump, especially when one of the members had bagged 30 carp in total consisting of eight carp over 30lb.

I actually started my campaign at the end of December 2014. It was hardly the best time to start targeting the venue seriously

but it was a month where work and family commitments were a little less hectic, so I had to make the most of it. The winter was extremely frustrating at times because I just couldn’t seem to find the carp and I always felt like I was a million miles away from catching.

Throughout January and February I persevered on the lake and started to pick off odd fish using solid PVA bags filled with groundbait.

I was soon averaging a bite per overnight session, which was promising considering the weather was absolutely freezing. All of the action was taking place during the hours of darkness, which made all the cold winter overnighters much more bearable.

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I fished the venue on and off through March and felt like I was getting to grips with the place. I was catching fish, finding them and knew I was due on the lake’s lump soon. Unfortunately, at the end of March I had other commitments and had to take a few weeks away from the lake. I was absolutely gutted because I really felt like I was getting somewhere.

The next time I was going to fish Weston Park was with Avid Carp Brand Manager Mat Woods, while filming for the next Avid DVD. I was actually a little bit nervous because I’d fallen out of tune with the place, so I started prebaiting a couple of areas. One afternoon while barking some of the swims with Rob Hales, we noticed that there were dozens of carp swimming around on the

ALEX’S FAVOURITE SETUP ROD:12FT DSK REEL: 12000CC RIG: SUPPLE RIG TIED USING WITH CAPTIVE BRAID AND A WDG HOOK

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meadow side of the lake. With the filming session fast approaching I started prebaiting this area on a weekly basis.

After spending a couple of evenings after work walking around the lake, I noticed there was huge clear spot about 70yds from the bank tight to the rhodies. Knowing that the lake was full of weed and debris, I couldn’t ignore this and started adding a mixture of Sonubaits Hemp, F1 Corn and Code Red Boilies. With the filming due a week later, I was confident of action. The fish had to be visiting the spots.

By the time the filming session came round, the clear area had received a fair bit of bait. Mat and I walked around the meadow side of the lake and could see the odd signs of carp, but it was clear they

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED // ALEX LISTER

weren’t there in the same numbers as they’d been in previous weeks.

I started the session fishing single hookbaits on my baited area but soon changed my approach after a couple of hours without any action. The weather was due to change and I was certain the bright weather would push the carp down this area of the lake, so I decided to introduce some hemp, corn and Code Red Boilies. After putting out 2 kilos of bait, I redid my rods and sat back excitedly anticipating the weather change.

During the early afternoon, I sat down with the camera crew and was talking about the presentation I was using and how effective it was. Suddenly, out of the blue, one of my rods rattled off, indicating the baited area had worked. The first few seconds were a bit of a nightmare because I actually got my microphone tangled up in my chair, but I eventually lifted into what felt like a very good fish. The fish stayed deep and fought dogged throughout the fight, kicking up huge vortexes and plumes of silt as it tried to shed the hook. At one point during the fight, the carp ploughed down the margins towards a large snag, forcing me to apply some side strain in a bid to get it away from danger. The whole fight was caught and filmed, which made the whole situation a little more nerve racking. I knew it was a good fish and desperately wanted to get it into the landing net. Eventually, the carp gave in, allowing me to slide it over the spreader block. I was expecting the carp to be one of the venues numerous twenties and couldn’t believe my eyes when I peered into the net. It was a common and it was absolutely enormous.

With the help of Mat, I unhooked the fish, weighed it and held it up to the cameras. It tipped the scales to 41lb 10oz and was the venue’s largest carp. I ended up with five fish throughout the rest of the session, including mirrors of 28lb, 23lb, 19lb and 17lb. After all the cold winter nights and struggling, I’d finally gone and bagged one of the lakes chunks. I set myself a target of catching a thirty and ended up bagging a forty. It doesn’t get any better than that!

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Alex Lister Age: 32 UK PB: 55lb 8oz Occupation: Fishery Manager

Alex ended his campaign with the largest carp in the lake - this awesome 41lb10oz common.

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g a B d i l o S

HOW TO TIE A SOLID BAG // SEQUENCE

HOW TO TIE A

To tie a solid bag we suggest...

Bag Loader

Bag Stems

Size 10 WDG Hook

1

Captive Braided Hooklink

2

The Avid Bag Stems play a huge part in the presentation.

4

3

Remove the insert from inside an In-Line Safety Lead.

5

Attach the rig of your choice to the Ring Swivel using a loop-to-loop knot.

7

6

8

10

Slide a Transfer PVA bag over an Avid Bag Loader.

9

Place your hookbait and lead arrangement inside the bag.

11

Compact the bag by carefully twisting the top of it.

Slide a Bag Stem through the centre of the lead.

Two grains of buoyant corn make the ultimate hookbait.

Add a sprinkling of pellets to the bottom of the bag.

Size 5 Transfer PVA Bag

Three quarters fill the PVA bag with pellets like this.

12

Tie some Transfer PVA tape around the bag to secure it.

Once you’ve made the bag aerodynamic by sticking the corners, it should look like this.

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PVA ESSENTIALS

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ZIG ESSENTIALS // PRODUCTS

 PVA REFILLS These refills are on handy button spools that fit inside your tackle box. The antiladder micromesh PVA melts quickly all-year round and allows you to use small baits like maggots, pellets and groundbait.

 PVA LINKS Simply attach the PVA Link to your lead, slide on a PVA bag and hook in your rig.

Tangles are feared by every carp angler, so we’ve designed a product for mesh PVA bag fishing that avoids this problem.

 TRANSFER BAG LOADING KIT It has all you need to make the very best of PVA solid bags: an Avid Bag Loader, 20 Transfer PVA bags and 10 metres of Transfer PVA Tape.

 TRANSFER SOLID PVA BAGS Made from the very best PVA film to withstand the strongest of casts.

 TRANSFER PVA TAPE Made from the same high quality PVA as the Transfer PVA bags, the tape has been designed to dissolve at the same rate, leaving no residue so as not to spook any wary fish, and helps the angler produce the perfect bait presentation.

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WIDE LOAD SYSTEM

POCKET STICK SYSTEM

BAG STEMS

The Avid Wide Load System contains everything you need to construct PVA bags and sticks. The bait tube has a built-in scoop that makes loading bait easier than ever before. The anti-ladder micromesh PVA melts quickly all-year round and allows you to use small baits like maggots, pellets and groundbait.

The Avid Pocket Stick System contains everything you need to construct PVA bags and sticks. The bait tube has a built-in scoop and an ergonomic finger grip similar to a syringe. The anti-ladder micromesh PVA melts quickly all-year round and allows you to use small baits like maggots, pellets and groundbait.

They make using solid PVA bags easier than ever before. Tie them before your session and attach them to your main line quickly and efficiently.

NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

081

AVAILABLE

AUGUST

2015

ZIP-UP HOODIE 082

AVIDCARP.COM

CAMOU TEE

GREY HOODIE

BLACK/CAMOU TEE

CAMOU SWEATER

CLOTHING // PRODUCTS

L E R A P P A D I AV

CLOTHING RANGE

BLACK SNAP BACK

BLACK/ CAMOU SNAP BACK

GREEN/CAMOU CAP

AC BLACK CAP NEXT LEVEL CARP FISHING 2015

083

Comfort has a new benchmark |

Available now: Benchmark Benchmark X