tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46011538722645415182024-03-16T01:09:28.254+00:00North West CarpSubscribe to my Youtube for Carp Fishing TipsMark Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11059526000824883909noreply@blogger.comBlogger135123tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601153872264541518.post-7451647433829477892023-09-17T13:34:00.002+01:002023-09-17T13:34:17.978+01:00Carp Death Rig<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js"></script>
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At the outset of this article I'd just like to say please watch the video below that accompanies this piece, we should all try and avoid turning our carp rigs into death traps like the one below.<br>
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<center>Example of a carp death rig<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6syVg4yfFZw?si=7lORxcuCZwBVz6RK" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br>
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I was out carp fishing last week and I had a cracking day, I was on the fish and despite the high pressure conditions they were happy to feed. During the day I had a run and played a carp in to the net, I wasn't aware there was a problem until my lead and carp rig appeared with a ball of fishing line and the carp attached to another rig just a foot or two behind mine.<br>
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The carp was attached to a death rig, fortunately I was able to land the fish and free it from the potential death trap it was trailing.<br>
The carp rig in question was an inline lead setup, my favourite carp rig by a mile and one I've landed thousands of carp on. I was saddened to see the angler who'd tied the rig had pinched a lead shot behind the tubing to make sure it was down on the deck. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, an inline lead system requires there to be nothing above the tubing, it needs to be free so the line can pull through the tubing and the lead and rig tubing can be dumped. Clearly if you pinch a lead shot behind the rig tubing it's not going to drop the lead.<br>
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I couldn't believe an angler could be so stupid as to do this yet here it was in front of me. I was so unhappy looking at the way this carp rig had been set up I decided to film the video that's in this article and write a piece to say please don't put any kind of lead shot on your line above rig tubing. If you need to pin your line down there are several types of backlead available, standard <a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/460AMqw">Sliding Backleads</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3r5fjOD">Captive Back Leads</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3sJAB4B">Flying Backleads</a>. A flying backlead is the only type of lead that should be on your line above the rig, like the lead and rig tubing, a flying backlead will slide off your fishing line in the event of a break as will a sliding backlead.<br>
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<center>A shocking carp death rig<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIiORcGLP0V9OEsP5WluF-S4pkkZ0JrKfqYnlwH36SbqX5voXhXyeNy2yyJ2SxrenzAYenHvh-98ODq0B80TZWkCSck7qkO0-4tO_KHmHSFMLoQENn4dy58N0mbkeMs6J_qItBj08bsisWMouRaMDC7FUgBfUrKePkspmCOpWlCA4q-WJt7KJjkkiHdo/s1600/Carp%20Death%20Rig.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIiORcGLP0V9OEsP5WluF-S4pkkZ0JrKfqYnlwH36SbqX5voXhXyeNy2yyJ2SxrenzAYenHvh-98ODq0B80TZWkCSck7qkO0-4tO_KHmHSFMLoQENn4dy58N0mbkeMs6J_qItBj08bsisWMouRaMDC7FUgBfUrKePkspmCOpWlCA4q-WJt7KJjkkiHdo/s1600/Carp%20Death%20Rig.jpg"/></a></div></center>
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It's so easy to turn a safe carp rig into a death rig, just one lead shot pinched on the line is enough with an inline lead system and I hope I've drawn your attention to this issue and made you think about what happens to your carp rigs and the carp in the event of a line breakage?. You should ask yourself if the lead weight will drop so the carp isn't swimming round with it, test your rig to make sure it's safe and if you see anyone pinching lead shot above their rig tubing please have a word with them and point them in the right direction, it may just save a carp's life.<br>
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If you're interested in how a carp rig should be set up please check out the my video on <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/gjP_CnJ5ThA">setting up an inline lead for carp fishing</a>.<br>
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Tight Lines.<br>
<br>
Mark.<br>
<br>
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Spodding has become a common practice in carp fishing over the last 20 years, it's generally accepted that a braided main line is best for spodding because it's very thin and you can cast a long way with it but you need to use a heavier braided shock leader in order to take the weight of your spod or spomb on the cast.<br>
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The fishing knot that the majority of carp anglers use for their spodding set up these days is the back to back grinner knot so if you've an interest in using a spod or spomb in your carp fishing then this is the spod leader knot you should use.<br>
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<center>Spod Leader Knot (click to watch)<br>
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The back to back grinner knot is ideal for joining two different breaking strain braids together, the shock leader should be roughly 3 rod lengths long and 50lb in breaking strain with 20lb braid for the main line.<br>
Take one end of the 50lb shock leader braid and form a loop holding the braid between your thumb and forefinger. Lay the 20lb braided main line over it too so you are holding both braids between thumb and forefinger and leave a decent sized tag on both sides for tying the two sides of the knot.<br>
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<center>Form a loop in the 50lb leader braid<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EAU5cNI9eG139LvjpPN2oEHOUwtTDHP4JGCSQzH4EXE0WUXSI2fQi7GRKo4w8Jd717n4pShLV3OecFBrSvk-S5SUA5Vj6EJv8wx9B2IN6cW9Ub9QPz-LIvUB5diH8mB0dlWmrxVHVi8hqkACq-b3Z9x6H82eXJhUvXhhSltnSEe5G05xMa7aCz3P/s1920/Spod%20Leader%20Knot.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EAU5cNI9eG139LvjpPN2oEHOUwtTDHP4JGCSQzH4EXE0WUXSI2fQi7GRKo4w8Jd717n4pShLV3OecFBrSvk-S5SUA5Vj6EJv8wx9B2IN6cW9Ub9QPz-LIvUB5diH8mB0dlWmrxVHVi8hqkACq-b3Z9x6H82eXJhUvXhhSltnSEe5G05xMa7aCz3P/s320/Spod%20Leader%20Knot.jpg"/></a></div></center>
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Wrap the 50lb braid around both lines as if you're doing an overhand knot, go through the loop 5 times and then tighten the knot down lightly.<br>
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<center>Wrap around the loop 5 times and tighten down<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbrj89U_bBocSt-V_zbY-2bQPD73i6xylhITMDkKHlng1KDoxOdap2GAo9cRgWIkTxAsBe7TBGECU8kQLMZvmjj4aPVMNDpjv1A5gxopX7FYkIudXJCmunZ-E70zWXODS-BNIdBiFSCTdmP1COcS76JrKMRvE3ogi-tNtTqc56v6a6PDgYKN64FzG/s1920/Back%20to%20back%20grinner%20knot.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbrj89U_bBocSt-V_zbY-2bQPD73i6xylhITMDkKHlng1KDoxOdap2GAo9cRgWIkTxAsBe7TBGECU8kQLMZvmjj4aPVMNDpjv1A5gxopX7FYkIudXJCmunZ-E70zWXODS-BNIdBiFSCTdmP1COcS76JrKMRvE3ogi-tNtTqc56v6a6PDgYKN64FzG/s320/Back%20to%20back%20grinner%20knot.jpg"/></a></div></center><br>
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Turn the two lines around and form a loop in the 20lb braid you're using for the main line and repeat, put the 20lb braid tag through the loop 5 times and tighten down lightly.<br>
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<center>Turn the line around and do the same with the 20lb braid<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj6ihcO_hxp-WNnTujcJ95GdWv5TlIxwXN5F_aLwoyXt4o7nG_Q8TGFGXPbtapQd-95uMZ3hOaYcYOgruf_-UWo1HkdD-HWK70Qk2E3utMaJU7hM_L2mmKy2XVRCWrAyCTZnL0njkkBQ-KPPoq_XkknRy97F9INkwyzokc406IGADKC1N5Gl-1CpR/s1920/How%20to%20tie%20a%20back%20to%20back%20grinner%20knot.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj6ihcO_hxp-WNnTujcJ95GdWv5TlIxwXN5F_aLwoyXt4o7nG_Q8TGFGXPbtapQd-95uMZ3hOaYcYOgruf_-UWo1HkdD-HWK70Qk2E3utMaJU7hM_L2mmKy2XVRCWrAyCTZnL0njkkBQ-KPPoq_XkknRy97F9INkwyzokc406IGADKC1N5Gl-1CpR/s320/How%20to%20tie%20a%20back%20to%20back%20grinner%20knot.jpg"/></a></div></center><br>
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At this point you should have two knots back to back and it's just a case of pulling both lines so the knots bed together 'back to back', this is the back to back grinner knot and it makes an excellent spod leader knot for your spodding setup. Tie your spod or spomb to the other end of your 3 rod length long 50lb braided shock leader and you're good to go.<br>
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<center>With both knots tightened down pull them together to form your back to back grinner knot<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiuFte32gMyUFfopvrNmbiBm3RC0fjgi2f1ghdTi-GaVGzoJhzw2f4kQSOd6p_Zu0VXnXobxB1zV6ElNYYpnZaNf4aDdci-PebYAfw1udv_8pypQxwjVOmla7Q4Nu1ef1o52wYC9UU5hpkb0dm0dpgUshna1ATOqyFM2RASUBrWiVSl1kOUONTeny/s1920/How%20to%20tie%20a%20spod%20leader%20knot.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiuFte32gMyUFfopvrNmbiBm3RC0fjgi2f1ghdTi-GaVGzoJhzw2f4kQSOd6p_Zu0VXnXobxB1zV6ElNYYpnZaNf4aDdci-PebYAfw1udv_8pypQxwjVOmla7Q4Nu1ef1o52wYC9UU5hpkb0dm0dpgUshna1ATOqyFM2RASUBrWiVSl1kOUONTeny/s320/How%20to%20tie%20a%20spod%20leader%20knot.jpg"/></a></div></center><br>
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If these instructions leave you in any doubt about how to tie this spod leader knot please check out the video above in this article, you can't beat actually seeing a fishing knot being tied.<br>
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Tight Lines.<br>
Mark.
<br>
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Tiger nuts are a great bait for carp fishing but how do you present them to the fish?, in this article we'll take a look at my favourite tiger nut carp rig.<br>
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<center>Tiger Nut Carp Rig<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PuPR1xw-fZo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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There are a few rigs you can use for tiger nuts but my favourite is the easy to tie carp rig which utilises a knotless knot, my tiger nut carp rig is just 8-10 inches of <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/lJ55ZA">ESP Sink Link Braid</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=99631703&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=ESPSinklink">, a Kamasan B175 Hook and a knotless knot. This is fished with a basic inline lead setup.<br>
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To present a tiger nut on this rig I use a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/Jq70fG">6mm ESP Nut Drill</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=56692772&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=ESPNutDrill"> and a 6mm cork stick that's cut to size. Simply take a decent sized tiger nut either from the tin you've bought or from the tiger nuts you've prepared yourself. The nut drill has a small notch sticking out and you should locate this notch against the middle of the tiger nut and push it into the nut.<br>
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<center>The nut drill has a notch to help drilling out the tiger nut<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oo9lv6V0WnM/YTQALLHH2WI/AAAAAAAAE_0/xrxIAD7pfHs4TsPEcStNMFnd7i048pqfACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Tiger%2Bnut%2Bcarp%2Brig.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oo9lv6V0WnM/YTQALLHH2WI/AAAAAAAAE_0/xrxIAD7pfHs4TsPEcStNMFnd7i048pqfACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Tiger%2Bnut%2Bcarp%2Brig.jpg"/></a></div></center><br>
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With the notch from the nut drill located, it will guide the drill as you apply pressure and begin to core out the tiger nut. By twisting the drill and applying gentle pressure whilst holding the nut still you can bore out the middle of the tiger nut, you should do this until the nut drill has gone right through the nut, carry on twisting the drill as you remove it from the tiger nut and you should be left with a nut that has a perfect 6mm hole right through it.<br>
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<center>Core out the middle of the tiger nut<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qt_QtDC844s/YTQB-shLXgI/AAAAAAAAFAM/d3NjsW5T4b0uMTVKT7GIM9GKouXymkQ5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Tiger%2Bnut%2Brig.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qt_QtDC844s/YTQB-shLXgI/AAAAAAAAFAM/d3NjsW5T4b0uMTVKT7GIM9GKouXymkQ5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Tiger%2Bnut%2Brig.jpg"/></a></div></center><br>
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With the hole drilled take a 50mm x 6mm cork stick and push the cork into the hole, it should fit snugly and if you find it difficult to push in, twist the cork stick as you push it into the tiger nut. Once flush with the other side of the tiger nut take a pair of braid scissors and cut the cork stick flush with the tiger nut on the other side as well.<br>
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<center>With the hole drilled insert a cork stick and trim flush with the tiger nut<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vg8iRUZvPuw/YTQA7ObafII/AAAAAAAAE_8/6Srd6fWctD4QeUxQpm-ofEtbAqtanQUUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Tiger%2Bnut%2Brig%2Bcarp.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vg8iRUZvPuw/YTQA7ObafII/AAAAAAAAE_8/6Srd6fWctD4QeUxQpm-ofEtbAqtanQUUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Tiger%2Bnut%2Brig%2Bcarp.jpg"/></a></div></center><br>
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The cork stick through the middle should turn the tiger nut hookbait into a wafter, use a hair needle to put the tiger nut onto the rig, you should go through the cork in the middle when you hair rig your tiger nut hookbait and it goes on the rig just like a boilie would.
That's my favourite tiger nut carp rig complete, just fish the tiger nut wafter style with a handful of free offerings around the rig and I promise it will be very very effective at catching carp.<br>
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<center>Perfect Tiger Nut Wafter Rig<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4EPxsGSJN8/YTQBuB1suSI/AAAAAAAAFAE/rieKOT4SxSQrWlhKKIr1hpPpr00m-xvoACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Tiger%2Bnut%2Brig%2Bfor%2Bcarp.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4EPxsGSJN8/YTQBuB1suSI/AAAAAAAAFAE/rieKOT4SxSQrWlhKKIr1hpPpr00m-xvoACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Tiger%2Bnut%2Brig%2Bfor%2Bcarp.jpg"/></a></div></center><br>
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Below is a video on how to tie my easy to tie carp rig to use with tiger nuts, also below is the inline lead setup I use with the rig and how to prepare tiger nuts for carp fishing if you ever want to do them yourself, it's certainly a lot cheaper than buying tins of tiger nuts from the tackle shop.<br>
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Tight Lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
<br>
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Spooling a carp reel isn’t a difficult thing to do but if you don’t get it right you can quite often end up with line twist, there is a way to get your mono onto the spool and avoid line twist so let’s take a look at how to spool a carp reel.<br>
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<center>How to spool a carp reel<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u7DneslgpYw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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If you have new carp reels that have never been spooled before then spooling your carp reel is quite straight forward, for this article let’s assume there is old line on the spool that has to be removed. I’ve seen some anglers use a drill to remove line from a spool but I’m not a fan and I prefer to do mine the old fashioned way. I simply prop my rod up against the wall, open the bail arm of the reel and just wind the line round my hand until it’s all off, it’s a little time consuming but once it’s done I tie the line off so it won’t spring into a big old mess and simply dispose of it in the bin.<br>
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<center>Removing old fishing line from a reel<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNgZIm4Ejog/YSJmTYs5D7I/AAAAAAAAE-s/MLR-a5UvIrg2qqS4CCMfLGPxkxsY_UsqACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Removing%2Bold%2Bfishing%2Bline%2Bfrom%2Ba%2Breel.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNgZIm4Ejog/YSJmTYs5D7I/AAAAAAAAE-s/MLR-a5UvIrg2qqS4CCMfLGPxkxsY_UsqACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Removing%2Bold%2Bfishing%2Bline%2Bfrom%2Ba%2Breel.jpg"/></a></div></center>
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With the old line removed my backing line is exposed, I have enough backing line on my spools so that I only need 200 yards of mono to fill my spool to the lip. If you have new reels I’d highly recommend putting backing line on them or use spool/line reducers if you have them. It saves a lot of waste and with 200 yards of mono on each carp reel I can spool 2 or 3 carp reels more than once from the same 1000 yard spool of mono.<br>
<br>
<center>Spool the reel with backing line first<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW8j1Of2iZo/YSJm6j3VB9I/AAAAAAAAE-0/o23Ofgc9N7wUfcPHSjUBe97BW31_V1GZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/spooling%2Ba%2Breel%2Bwith%2Bbacking%2Bline.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW8j1Of2iZo/YSJm6j3VB9I/AAAAAAAAE-0/o23Ofgc9N7wUfcPHSjUBe97BW31_V1GZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/spooling%2Ba%2Breel%2Bwith%2Bbacking%2Bline.jpg"/></a></div></center>
<br>
To spool your carp reel with mono, use the butt section of your rod, I thread my <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/SOtywu">Line</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=89952512&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=prolightblend"> through the butt eye, open the bail arm on the reel and tie the mono to the reel making sure that the knot is at the back of the spool. You can use any knot you want for this and I usually use a couple of plain granny knots. You should never lose all your mono off the spool so technically as long as it’s tied on you should have no problem whatever knot you use, hence why I stick to a plain granny knot.<br>
<br>
<center><a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/SOtywu">Gardner Pro Light Blend</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=89952512&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=prolightblend"> fishing line<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rV4y4XmzwLE/YSJnt-3N7AI/AAAAAAAAE-8/JzORWlT2MfcMRG5nJCIC1Ms66HPseIpKACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Gardner%2Bpro%2Blight%2Bblend%2Bfishing%2Bline.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rV4y4XmzwLE/YSJnt-3N7AI/AAAAAAAAE-8/JzORWlT2MfcMRG5nJCIC1Ms66HPseIpKACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Gardner%2Bpro%2Blight%2Bblend%2Bfishing%2Bline.jpg"/></a></div></center>
<br>
With the line tied to the spool, close the bail arm and put a few turns onto the reel. Before you start winding your line onto the spool make sure your spool of mono is on the floor with the label facing upwards, the mono should come off the spool in an anti-clockwise direction, this is really important, if the line comes off the spool in a clockwise direction you’ll get a lot of line twist so always have the label facing upwards and the line leaving your spool of mono anti-clockwise. Once I’ve made a start I like to use a towel or tea towel, I wind the mono through the towel and onto the spool, this does two things, it makes sure the mono is clean as it goes onto the spool and it stops you getting friction burns, if you wind mono onto a reel under tension and you do it quickly you’ll burn your fingers without the towel so it’s better to use one than not.<br>
<br>
Once you’re set up just keep the butt eye of the rod above the spool of line so as it coils off anti-clockwise it rises vertically to the butt eye then down onto your reel spool, fill the reel spool right to the lip if you’re using <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/SOtywu">Mono</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=89952512&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=prolightblend"> and just under the lip if you’re using braid.
Once you’ve filled your reel to the lip you’re done, just cut the mono and you can either finish tackling up your rod or you can clip the mono into the line clip on the spool of the reel until such time as you need it.<br>
<br>
<center>Spool a carp reel right to the lip of the spool<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VA6gMMtfpXk/YSJoSNyQsPI/AAAAAAAAE_I/W9FMP3Vqb9gkE-vBLb2m2aArLzdnyWPFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Spool%2Ba%2Bcarp%2Breel%2Bright%2Bto%2Bthe%2Blip%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bspool.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VA6gMMtfpXk/YSJoSNyQsPI/AAAAAAAAE_I/W9FMP3Vqb9gkE-vBLb2m2aArLzdnyWPFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Spool%2Ba%2Bcarp%2Breel%2Bright%2Bto%2Bthe%2Blip%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bspool.jpg"/></a></div></center>
<br>
And that’s how to spool a carp reel, if you struggle to follow this article please check out the video above, sometimes watching it done is easier than written instructions and the 5 minute video is easy to follow. You should consider subscribing to my youtube channel too, like this blog, it’s full of carp fishing tips to help you put more fish on the bank and it's all free, I'll never charge for my content.<br>
<br>
Tight Lines.<br>
<br>
Mark.<br>
<br>
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I like margin fishing for carp and line concealment is really important, I use a combination of slack lines and a lead free leader to make sure there are no lines running through my swim especially at the business end of my carp rig.<br>
<br>
<center>How to Splice a Lead Free Leader for Carp Fishing (click below to watch)<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N_ZWBxwM7C8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<br>
There are a few companies who sell lead free leaders, fox seem to be the most popular with their <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/8ubh8B">Camo Submerge Leader</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=FoxSubmerge">. I had a lot of difficulty getting hold of the submerge leader, it was always sold out so I ended up buying the PB Products <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/LPygoH">Silk Ray</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=FoxSubmerge"> which is just a different companies lead free leader and to be honest, one lead free leader is pretty much the same as another.<br>
<br>
When it comes to splicing a lead free leader I like the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/wEqqu5">ESP Splicing Needles</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=FoxSubmerge">, they are quite thin and delicate for a splicing needle but they do the job really well and you do get 3 in a packet, which is useful if you happen to bend or break one.<br>
<br>
To splice a lead free leader I go into the leader about 6 inches from the end, once you’re in turn the splicing needle round 180 degrees and push the splicing needle up through the centre of the lead free leader, you should be heading towards the end of the leader, the 180 rotation is because of the hook on the splicing needle. If you accidently come out of the wall of the lead free leader too early, just close the gate on the splicing needle, pull it out of the leader and start again, it takes a bit of practice to get it right. Continue pushing the splicing needle up through the centre of the lead free leader making sure to cover the whole of the splicing needle, the splice you make should be a nice long one so it won’t come undone.<br>
<br>
<center>Use the whole length of the splicing needle for a long and strong splice<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1P4eCAaq5I/YEQB5v8woSI/AAAAAAAAE3w/eU_toVvKCgcjKQhb8vZmj4ccdb76sk6awCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/How%2Bto%2BSplice%2Ba%2BLead%2BFree%2BLeader%2Bfor%2BCarp%2BFishing.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1P4eCAaq5I/YEQB5v8woSI/AAAAAAAAE3w/eU_toVvKCgcjKQhb8vZmj4ccdb76sk6awCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/How%2Bto%2BSplice%2Ba%2BLead%2BFree%2BLeader%2Bfor%2BCarp%2BFishing.jpg"/></a></div></center>
<br>
Once you’ve gone the whole length of the splicing needle, push the needle out through the wall of the lead free leader, hook the very end of the leader, close the gate on the splicing needle and carefully draw it back through the centre of the lead free leader. Because you started 6 inches from the end you should have plenty of leader to be able to adjust the size of the loop you’ve just spliced. Draw the loop down and trim the excess with a pair of Braid Scissors, at this point your splice is complete.<br>
<br>
<center>Splice both ends to create a looped lead free leader<br>
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<br>
You can make a looped lead free leader any length you want, all you have to do is splice both ends of the leader. I find these lead free leaders quite useful for pinning my line down when margin fishing for carp and for pva bag fishing, you can make up your pva bags in advance and simply loop them onto your main line which is a great time saver when you’re on the bank fishing.<br>
Tight Lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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Inline leads are great for carp rigs, they are my favourite type of carp lead and they lend themselves very well to my simple carp rig, a carp rig that’s caught me stacks of carp over the years so let’s take a look at how to set up an inline lead for carp fishing.<br>
<br>
<center>How to Set Up an Inline Lead for Carp Fishing, click below to watch<br>
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<br>
Setting up an inline lead starts with <a target="_blank" href="http://ebay.us/CscXaI">Rig Tubing</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2060353.m570.l1311%26_nkw%3Dkorda%2Bdark%2Bmatter%2Brig%2Btubing%26_sacat%3D0&campid=5337564527&toolid=20012&customid=InlineLeadRT&mpt=63899434"> and there are a couple of considerations, the rig tubing should be longer that the hook length and it should be dry. Rig tubing longer than the hook length prevents tangles and dry rig tubing is so much easier to thread. If you’re on a session and changing a rig you should never try and thread the same piece of rig tubing you've been using, use a new and dry piece and you’ll find it will thread much easier than your current wet piece.<br>
<br>
Another trick for making rig tubing easier to thread is to snip your line at 45 degrees and thread it with the rig tubing hanging down so gravity assists. If you snip your line, thread downwards and have dry rig tubing you will never have any trouble threading a piece of rig tubing onto your line.<br>
<br>
Once you’ve threaded your rig tubing you should add a <a target="_blank" href="http://ebay.us/Gt8KJi">Tail Rubber</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2FKorda-Safezone-Tail-Rubber%2F192164850750%3Fepid%3D1405662805%26hash%3Ditem2cbdeaec3e%3Ag%3AIM0AAOSwEzxYcMCC&campid=5337564527&toolid=20012&customid=InlineLeadTR&mpt=95376767">, thread the tail rubber onto your main line thin end first then gently push the tail rubber onto the tubing, I find twisting the tail rubber one way and the rig tubing the other helps at this point and you should be able to get them both together easily.<br>
<br>
Next you thread on your <a target="_blank" href="http://ebay.us/ntBgSl">Inline Lead</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2047675.m570.l2632%26_nkw%3Dinline%2Bcarp%2Bleads%26_sacat%3D1492&campid=5337564527&toolid=20012&customid=InlineLead&mpt=14584637">, thread your line through from the back of the lead so the lead insert sits against the thick end of the tail rubber. Again you can twist the tail rubber as you push it onto the insert. You should push the tail rubber all the way on so it sits against the back of your inline lead.<br>
<br>
<center>Inline lead, tail rubber and tubing all set up<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBkagrehWEU/YAM4SH5SIxI/AAAAAAAAE1g/CcwPlrFv-cQjRzNgKV04i9vJd8bdm1iRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/How%2Bto%2BSet%2BUp%2Ban%2BInline%2BLead.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBkagrehWEU/YAM4SH5SIxI/AAAAAAAAE1g/CcwPlrFv-cQjRzNgKV04i9vJd8bdm1iRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/How%2Bto%2BSet%2BUp%2Ban%2BInline%2BLead.jpg"/></a></div></center>
<br>
To finish your inline lead set up you should tie your carp rig to your main line and your carp rig should be made with a standard <a target="_blank" href="http://ebay.us/NQz1gi">Size 8 Swivel</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2060353.m570.l1311%26_nkw%3Dkorda%2Bsize%2B8%2Bswivels%26_sacat%3D0&campid=5337564527&toolid=20012&customid=InlineLeadSW&mpt=70469635"> which should then fit neatly in the housing of your inline lead. At this point I like to take a pair of pliers and slightly crush the back of the size 8 swivel so it’s slightly oval shaped rather than round. Modifying the swivel in this way makes the rig safer.<br>
<br>
<center>Inline lead mould bar is sized for a standard size 8 swivel<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnWBGpHUxdU/YAM1m5PGxUI/AAAAAAAAE1U/N_fb1oyOwTUTa4WnMW4JfVIGXVAFSMCBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Inline%2BLead%2BMould%2Bfor%2BCarp%2BFishing.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnWBGpHUxdU/YAM1m5PGxUI/AAAAAAAAE1U/N_fb1oyOwTUTa4WnMW4JfVIGXVAFSMCBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Inline%2BLead%2BMould%2Bfor%2BCarp%2BFishing.jpg"/></a></div></center></a></div>
<br>
To test your inline lead set up you should hold up the rig, if the set up is safe then the lead will fall away from the swivel under it’s own weight. At the most it shouldn’t take more than one shake to release the lead from the swivel. Once you’ve achieved this the rig is complete and ready to go.<br>
<br>
<center>Gently squeeze the back of the swivel to make a safe carp rig<br>
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<br>
Check out the video above to see how to set up an inline lead for carp fishing and if you’re interested in the carp rig itself then check out this great video below called easy to tie carp rigs for beginners, it covers making the rig, adjusting the rig to get the best hook holds and how to keep the rig from tangling, below that is a video on how to tie the grinner knot which is also used to tie the main line to your size 8 swivel, all the videos are well worth watching.<br>
Tight Lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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Dropping the lead in carp fishing is a controversial subject, should you drop the lead and if so, when?. <br>
<br>
Recently there has been some terrible advice from tackle companies advising carp anglers to drop the lead all the time. Whilst dropping the lead can be helpful in some circumstances most of the time it’s just not necessary. I view this tackle company advice as a cynical attempt to sell more leads and inline safety rig kits. The inline safety rig kits are £4.99 at the time of writing and the ‘special lead weights’ are starting at around £1.50 each. You can clearly see why it’s beneficial to a tackle company to have you dropping leads, it’s the perfect way to transfer your cash into their pockets!.<br>
<br>
<center>Dropping the lead in carp fishing (click to watch)<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QHShEdPXUm4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<br>
Unless you’re fishing a very weedy or very snaggy water and losing a lot of fish you don’t need to drop the lead at all, dropping the lead is a tactic for weed and snags. When you drop the lead you get rid of downward pressure on the carp during the fight and they come to the surface quickly with no lead in the setup trying to sink. It’s getting the carp to the surface and away from snags and weed that allows you to land them and not lose them, it’s a really good tactic but only in those circumstances.
Regarding leads, they are expensive but you can get them cheaper. If you go onto a reputable fishing group on facebook like the North West & Cheshire Angling group and ask where anglers are getting their carp leads from you’ll get a whole host of answers giving you the names of local lead makers who charge 50p-60p each for a lead, that’s just one third of the cost of a tackle company and I’d advise my fellow carp anglers to make use of your local lead maker. You will have to buy in bulk though, at least 10-15 leads at a time. You can also make your own carp leads, <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/Xh78Sx">Lead Moulds</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Dumpydicemould"> start at under £20 these days and making them yourself is something that’s easy to get started with, it’s a bit of a dirty job though and not for everyone.<br>
<br>
<center>How to drop the lead in carp fishing, tie your line to the same side of the swivel<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Uia_drDKjE/X4yCixHDbpI/AAAAAAAAEzM/Pk0IG-DYVxMlLq0A5w9LBByTGcIERVBMACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/How%2Bto%2Bdrop%2Bthe%2Blead%2Bin%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Uia_drDKjE/X4yCixHDbpI/AAAAAAAAEzM/Pk0IG-DYVxMlLq0A5w9LBByTGcIERVBMACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/How%2Bto%2Bdrop%2Bthe%2Blead%2Bin%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg"/></a></div></center>
<br>
All you need to drop the lead in carp fishing is an inline lead, no inline safety rig kit is necessary and dropping the lead is simply a case of sliding the tail rubber back onto your rig tubing or leadcore leader, snipping the main line at the swivel and then tying it to the same side of the swivel your hooklink is on. Doing this prepares the inline lead for drop off style fishing. Push the end of the swivel into the lead housing and then push the tail rubber onto the end of the lead and tighten it all down nicely. This should leave you with the lead in place but the rig tubing / leadcore and line will be running around the outside of the lead and not through the middle. Under pressure the tail rubber pops off and the lead will separate from the swivel and drop to the lake bed leaving you attached to the carp. It’s a simple system that really doesn’t require the ‘tackle company’ approach that’s far more costly for you. Check out the video above to see how it’s done.<br>
<br>
<center>Inline safety carp rig set up for dropping the lead<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDs05QaKvkk/X4yBtad551I/AAAAAAAAEzE/mmLHFJFMflIaRWPSY9lbhXJrDcQ_Mvk9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Dropping%2Bthe%2Blead%2Bin%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDs05QaKvkk/X4yBtad551I/AAAAAAAAEzE/mmLHFJFMflIaRWPSY9lbhXJrDcQ_Mvk9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Dropping%2Bthe%2Blead%2Bin%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg"/></a></div></center><br>
To sum up, only drop the lead in carp fishing if you’re losing a number of carp to snags or weed, if you don’t need to drop the lead then don’t do it. Make your own carp leads or buy them cheap from a local lead maker and drop the lead the old school way so you don’t incur any extra costs for rig bits you don’t need.<br>
Tight Lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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</script></div>Mark Carphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11059526000824883909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601153872264541518.post-68017088726949476192020-05-03T13:06:00.008+01:002023-10-18T11:09:32.054+01:00Carp Fishing Tips - Carp Season Analysis<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js"></script>
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In 1991 I got made redundant, at the time my payout was quite good, I had enough to upgrade my sun lounger to a fox super deluxe bedchair and I bought a fox supa bivvy, that left me with enough money to tax and insure my car for a fair few years and some backup cash to see me through. I also bought a season ticket for burton mere which was my local carp water. That makes 1992 a perfect year to analyse because I just fished all of it!.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips - Carp Season Analysis (click below to watch)<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/80LE0jIMM40" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<br>
January<br>
I only caught 1 carp caught in January, a 9lb 6oz mirror, winter is a hard and my first carp fishing tip is not to start on a new water in January, it’s a tough time of year and the chances are you’ll struggle. I certainly did and I had a few blanks throughout the month. Every year I see people joining one of the clubs I’m in, prince albert angling society, they’re so excited it’s like getting a golden ticket but the carp fishing is tough and many end up disappointed with the club, believe me the carp fishing is best left until late march when the clocks change.<br>
<br>
<center>9lb 6oz Carp Fishing Tips for Winter, don't start a winter campaign in January!<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPFJSUA2W68/XpMKj2q_c8I/AAAAAAAAEs4/1NKRp0VBQKAE6jExbY7T7MG4KarBAITxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bjanuary.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPFJSUA2W68/XpMKj2q_c8I/AAAAAAAAEs4/1NKRp0VBQKAE6jExbY7T7MG4KarBAITxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bjanuary.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="309" /></a></center>
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February<br>
3 carp caught in February, funnily enough they all came from the same spot at the same time of day. My carp fishing bible is the book <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/mSyoMy">Carp Fever</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Carpfever"> by Kevin Maddocks. The location section of this book is superb and every carp angler should read it. In it Kevin spoke of carp turning up in a certain place at a certain time of day like clockwork and if you found one of these spots you could move in there an hour or so before, set your trap, get a quick result then move on quickly with your bonus fish. I’d found one of these spots and all 3 fish came from a reedbed at 13.05pm. We had some fun with this, on the third fish I stopped my mate mid-sentence, tapped my watch and said excuse me Phil, my left hand rod is going to go in the next 30 seconds and I started walking over to the rods, no sooner had I got there when the left hand rod pulled up. The look on Phil’s face was a picture and he just didn’t get it, once I’d explained the carp turning up at exactly the same time he got it. The next weekend I turned up to find Phil sitting in my swim tapping his watch which brings me to another important carp tip, keep your detailed info to yourself!. It’s ok sharing captures from waters but the inner workings of how your captures come about and the secrets you uncover you should definitely keep to yourself, if anyone asks just put it down to good luck!. Phil played the same trick on another angler, he stopped him mid-sentence and right on cue his rod went off, we told the guy all good carp anglers know how to use ‘the force’….lol. Seriously though, understanding carp movements around the lake has been a cornerstone of my carp fishing since I started, KM was absolutely right and as a hunter, knowing where your prey is going to be at a specific time is golden information and it makes ambushing them really easy.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, bite time really matters!<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vN2oN9cBRBw/XpMKohj7BUI/AAAAAAAAEs8/wZKsMhAew9kc28wR8BJNpLR58YJuKDkwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bfebruary.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vN2oN9cBRBw/XpMKohj7BUI/AAAAAAAAEs8/wZKsMhAew9kc28wR8BJNpLR58YJuKDkwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bfebruary.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
March<br>
I caught 6 fish in March, double the February total. March is a great month, the temps are creeping into low double figures and the amount of daylight we get is increasing and I think that’s what gets the carp moving out of their winter holding areas, once the clocks change it’s definitely carp fishing time.<br>
<br>
<center> Carp Fishing Tips, wait until the clocks change!<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFeidIxtMXg/XpMMMKPt4GI/AAAAAAAAEtM/FOBdGkO9REYImjU60LL6bntaDLO9j0jvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bmarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFeidIxtMXg/XpMMMKPt4GI/AAAAAAAAEtM/FOBdGkO9REYImjU60LL6bntaDLO9j0jvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bmarch.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
April<br>
April is a great month for carp fishing, one of the best of the year in fact. The carp are moving round again after winter and looking for food. I caught 16 carp in April, a very good total, in fact I was catching so many fish people were starting to talk and I found I could never get back in a swim I’d caught well from, all eyes were on me and my bait!. I was rolling my own boilies at the time, a 50/50 mix of Haiths red factor bird food and semolina, to 6 eggs I was adding 30ml of olive oil for fat content, 2ml of intense sweetener for taste and 3ml of strawberry flavour. Another one of my carp tips is your flavours. It’s not so much the flavour you use but the solvent on which it’s based. I’d been using a Richworth’s strawberry flavour which was based on propylene glycol or PG as it’s known. The lake owner was selling Richworth readymades so it was logical that PG was the flavour the carp were used too. Whilst using the PG flavour I was introducing another strawberry flavour, strawberry Nutrafruit from Nutrabaits which was a flavour based on glycerol, two strawberry flavours but completely different. I let anglers break up my bait and smell them, Richworth strawberry I always answered and off they’d go to the hut. Because it had been in use for years the PG wasn’t that good and Nutrabaits hadn’t been going long so the lake hadn’t seen any glycerol flavours yet. I’ d been baiting up with the new strawberry bait whilst fishing with the old one, that was until April when I switched. All hell broke loose when I did, my bobbins were just flying and I’d never experienced anything like it. I’d been reading Geoff Kemp and his comments on flavour bases and my own results confirmed he was right on the money about the base solvent of a flavour. Pick yours well, there aren’t that many of them and what’s been used before on a lake really matters!.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, the flavour of your bait matters!<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-kQ4CCRDCE/XpMNuOcL0NI/AAAAAAAAEtc/4rd7y62WVi03OxzgJncWgtwwFJSHkI3YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bapril.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0-kQ4CCRDCE/XpMNuOcL0NI/AAAAAAAAEtc/4rd7y62WVi03OxzgJncWgtwwFJSHkI3YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bapril.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
May<br>
I rate may as the best month of the year and another 17 carp fell during this month, the fishing was frantic to say the least, it was run after run after run. The carp are well active during this month and it’s the month you’ll see the most captures as the fish feed up ahead of spawning, it’s also the month the carp are at their heaviest weights before they spawn. This leads me to another one of my carp fishing tips, May is the best month to hit a day ticket water. I’m always looking at getting value for money from my fishing, let’s face it, day ticket carp prices are a bit of a rip off and I want to tip the odds of a result in my favour if I’m going to have to pay a premium day ticket rate for my fishing. Many years ago I decided to sack day tickets off and these days I do one trip a year to a premier day ticket carp water and it’s always in May because it’s the month you’ll catch the most fish.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, May is the best month of the year for carp fishing<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qg7eNnRYwk/XpMOsVQ4JLI/AAAAAAAAEto/0tMIU2I2rHUtW0MHB1NWOPxzefUYrgK_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bmay.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qg7eNnRYwk/XpMOsVQ4JLI/AAAAAAAAEto/0tMIU2I2rHUtW0MHB1NWOPxzefUYrgK_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bmay.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
June<br>
June was an incredible month with 27 carp landed. There is an old saying about lies, damn lies and statistics. Whilst June was the best month of the year it was greatly exaggerated by one particular session when I caught 16 fish in a day off the top. Without that result I would have only landed 11 carp. That one result brings me to the next of my carp fishing tips, floater fishing. The 16 carp all fell to the beach caster rig. At the time the beach caster rig wasn’t popular and was still very much limited to those in the know. I was first to use the rig on burton mere and the results I had with it were incredible. The carp just didn’t know what hit them. The beach caster still isn’t that popular today and some waters have even banned it because it can kill the floater fishing on a water. If you can use it, it can be a deadly method on the day. This brings me to another of my carp fishing tips, know what’s been used in the past so you can decide the best tactics and baits to use in the future. It pays to do your research, if you’re the first angler to use a new of forgotten bait or method the fish aren’t used too then you’ll catch an awful lot of carp. This is why this blog and youtube channel is focused more on being different and not following what I call the Ronnie rig crowd.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, new methods the carp haven't seen can be devastating<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zk-8CpESpis/XpMQx5kW1tI/AAAAAAAAEt0/F63VqXj1s5YBCWu7uMIs2FHnDNiLg1aEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bjune.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zk-8CpESpis/XpMQx5kW1tI/AAAAAAAAEt0/F63VqXj1s5YBCWu7uMIs2FHnDNiLg1aEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bjune.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
July<br>
I caught 15 carp in July. July is another good month, the days are long and the temperatures are high, a great time to be on the bank comfort wise. The floater fishing is often good and a few of my fish came off the top in this month. The carp are still not at their top weights though, they spawn usually in late May, sometimes early June, then they can take a good few months to come back into decent condition. They are hungry at this time of year but the fishing often isn’t easy. July coincides with our highest water temperatures of the year and an abundance of natural food so the carp will often switch off boilies and onto naturals. Another one of my carp tips, if you can use them, particles are brilliant at this time of year. Particles were banned on burton mere so I just kept those glycerol based strawberry boilies going in, if the carp find your bait often you’ll keep catching so keep your bait going in.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, never underestimate floater fishing for carp<br>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AnqsaarjbeQ/XpMUdSjPyKI/AAAAAAAAEuA/kiTHuooYChkOeFtkaacDb52Vg1kxRN6DQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bjuly.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AnqsaarjbeQ/XpMUdSjPyKI/AAAAAAAAEuA/kiTHuooYChkOeFtkaacDb52Vg1kxRN6DQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bjuly.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
August<br>
I only caught 8 carp in August. Again it’s those statistics, I was offered the chance to fish the syndicate lake in August, it didn’t have as many fish but they were a bigger average size for sure. Although August doesn’t look as good as the other summer months I caught a pb that month, a well known fully scaled mirror called ‘spike’ that later found fame when Rob Hughes and Simon Crow put the fish in Carpworld when they caught it as part of their day ticket carp fishing series. I was keeping the bait going into the main lake during this time and had I have fished it more I’m sure I’d have added a few more carp to the August tally.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, don't forsake your baiting, keep it going in<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ABmjOBPgc/XpMWEm2kzBI/AAAAAAAAEuM/xkUNtTc4L7gFDtvBkY-AJ_piq11rwe1kwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Baugust.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ABmjOBPgc/XpMWEm2kzBI/AAAAAAAAEuM/xkUNtTc4L7gFDtvBkY-AJ_piq11rwe1kwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Baugust.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
September<br>
I bagged another 12 carp in September, that’s still 3 carp a session for the month despite the temps slowly starting to fall and the angling pressure of spring and summer really starting to bite. Although the runs kept coming the fishing was clearly past it’s peak and starting to slow down. During this month I just kept fishing and kept the bait going in, that was the most important thing and one of the most important things to consider during the year, you have to keep the bait going in, the carp will keep coming if you keep it going in. My home mades weren’t exactly a complete food source but they had enough fat content so they at least offered something although I knew I would need a change of flavour/base solvent for next year.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, carp fishing has past it's peak for the year<br>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmBsql7DMKQ/XpMZ6Z1ua6I/AAAAAAAAEuY/RyYVQxiFTE4KsCwQ-t_HxLx7PH_sIxhbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bseptember.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmBsql7DMKQ/XpMZ6Z1ua6I/AAAAAAAAEuY/RyYVQxiFTE4KsCwQ-t_HxLx7PH_sIxhbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bseptember.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
October<br>
Another 10 carp came my way during October. As you can see there is a gradual slowdown in captures as we go through late summer and autumn towards winter. By now I’d stopped floater fishing and was concentrating on the boilie fishing. In mid October we had early frosts and I managed another PB in bitterly cold conditions, I remember the night well, it went down to minus 5 which was bitterly cold for October but I still caught 3 fish, one of which was the banana leather, a well known fish that eventually got moved into the syndicate lake, I caught the banana from there too one January afternoon and it became the last fish I caught before leaving the syndicate in early 1994. The banana weighed 16lb 13oz, one ounce heavier than spike the fully scaled I’d caught in August. Back then these were big fish for the Wirral area, in fact they still are to this day. Despite the cold air temperatures the water hadn’t ‘caught down’ yet and I caught well through October, a month that can often throw up a biggie and that’s another of my carp fishing tips, don’t give up too early before winter sets in.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, don't give up carp fishing too early<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LXyZ-B11kc/XpMbwI_9--I/AAAAAAAAEuk/rIXj0GxYFWQC6An2Im2PdXExzBpEVFS2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Boctober.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LXyZ-B11kc/XpMbwI_9--I/AAAAAAAAEuk/rIXj0GxYFWQC6An2Im2PdXExzBpEVFS2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Boctober.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
November<br>
In November I had a very respectable 8 carp, most of them came early in the month before the cold weather chilled the water down and my results at this time reflect my winter carp fishing to this day, I fish up until the third week of November then I hang the carp rods up and go lure fishing. One thing you’ll notice in the graph is that there is no ‘feed up’ before winter, just a gradual decline in captures as we progress through autumn and into winter. I believe the ‘feed up’ is a fairy tale carp anglers tell themselves to keep going but I’ve never seen it in my results and I analyse them every year. If there was a feed up I think I’d see an increase in the number of carp caught in October or November but there never has been so there’s another useful carp tip, if anyone goes on about the feed up, treat what they say with a pinch of salt!.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, hang the rods up after the middle of November<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTHChBqYLyo/XpM-VEw1ieI/AAAAAAAAEuw/MqybD11hvZMETGjskZnbOthhAhX6-NQ8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bnovember.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTHChBqYLyo/XpM-VEw1ieI/AAAAAAAAEuw/MqybD11hvZMETGjskZnbOthhAhX6-NQ8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bnovember.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="308" /></a></center>
<br>
December<br>
Zero carp in December, it’s possibly the worst month of the year to go carp fishing. There seems to be a period when the carp completely switch off and it’s from mid November through until the end of December, it’s like the carp have an adjustment period to the lower water temperature and the shorter days. Even since 1992 I’ve always found December to be a poor month for carp fishing and this is why I put my carp rods away around the third week of November. I have had some success at Christmas time but not in this year so the last of my carp fishing tips is to leave December alone, try a bit of lure fishing, have some time off in the run up to the festive season and re-charge your batteries, that’s what I do and it works well for me.<br>
<br>
<center>Carp Fishing Tips, December is the worst month of the year for carp fishing<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCw2pcp5ZUk/XpM_YhbP8MI/AAAAAAAAEu4/QfhOxyUtaRkjciIUMjznKTslctjLhivCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bgraph.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCw2pcp5ZUk/XpM_YhbP8MI/AAAAAAAAEu4/QfhOxyUtaRkjciIUMjznKTslctjLhivCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Btips%2Bcarp%2Bseason%2Banalysis%2Bgraph.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="242" /></a></center>
<br>
I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at my carp season of 1992, it was an epic season for me, I’ve only included carp over 5lb in weight, I actually ended up catching well over 250 carp in total but there were a lot of fish in the 3-4lb range that I ended up just putting back because they were too small to document and I was catching so many. To give my results some perspective, the person who caught the next most had 60 fish for the year so I was well out in front of everyone when it came to catches. I learned an awful lot from books like carp fever and from magazines like Carpworld and I took what I read and applied it to my own fishing, I’ve had good years since then, quite a few in fact but this was my best learning year and it set the foundations of my carp fishing life today, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading and/or watching this and I hope the carp fishing tips throughout this article and video help you on your way. Catching carp isn’t about x-bait or x-rig, it’s about location, setting traps, thinking outside the box and protecting your edges.<br>
Keep your own secrets and be lucky.<br>
Mark.<br>
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Peperami has been around for many years, as carp baits go this spicey and meaty flavoured snack is really good. Carp seem to like the taste of it and they are attracted to it in a big way so let’s take a look at peperami for carp fishing.<br>
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Peperami is available in most stores and shops, I tend to buy mine in the multi packs from the supermarket, bought as a bunch of 5’s I think they are cheaper than individual peperami sticks. One tip I have for buying <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/eUlFLO">Peperami</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Peperami"> from the supermarket is to wait until it’s discounted. Every now and again they mark peperami down to clear stock and when I see it at a discount I’ll pick up a bunch of 5’s. At the moment a bunch of 5’s is £2.75 so it’s not a cheap carp bait by any means.<br>
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<center>A low double common carp taken on peperami with a small mesh bag of peperami chops<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0e9hZtks7Q4/XmOttADFDvI/AAAAAAAAErQ/3oXNY1oiCR4HtfJ5-aGDam3OCgsZlhdpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Bwith%2Bpeperami.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0e9hZtks7Q4/XmOttADFDvI/AAAAAAAAErQ/3oXNY1oiCR4HtfJ5-aGDam3OCgsZlhdpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Bwith%2Bpeperami.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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When carp fishing with <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/eUlFLO">Peperami</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Peperami"> I open up a stick and cut it into pieces with a pair of braid scissors. Chopping up a stick of peperami like this gives you a hookbait for your carp rig and a small handful of freebies which you can either throw in, mix with pellets or mesh up in some <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/kJb7oO">PVA Mesh</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=PVAMesh">. Peperami and pellets are a great combination for carp fishing but in winter I like to use just the peperami for my carp fishing.<br>
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<center>Peperami for Carp Fishing, click below to watch<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yc32cjhM1TE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br>
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I put one piece of peperami on my carp hair rig, once the bait is held in place with a hair stop I start to trim the peperami with my braid scissors to remove most of the outer skin. I leave the skin underneath the peperami, where the hair enters the bait. Peperami skin is quite tough and by leaving it alone at the entry point, I lessen the risk of the hair cutting through the bait when playing a carp. If you can keep your peperami hookbait after catching a fish, you can re-use it without needed another piece for the hair rig.<br>
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With a trimmed down piece of peperami mounted on my carp hair rig I’ll either add a small pva mesh bag of chopped peperami or I’ll just fish it as a single hookbait. Remember it’s winter so you don’t want a lot of feed in your carp swim, you just want to try and ‘nick a bite’ and using peperami for carp is ideal for doing this.<br>
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<center>Peperami carp bait clearly visible at the capture of this carp<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvL8WZxMZhE/XmPTm5K5baI/AAAAAAAAErs/QjIFx5lswF4YbPbyQIO_rIx67-no0NtcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bbaits%2Bpeperami.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvL8WZxMZhE/XmPTm5K5baI/AAAAAAAAErs/QjIFx5lswF4YbPbyQIO_rIx67-no0NtcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bbaits%2Bpeperami.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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Some carp anglers like to tip their peperami with foam so they have a bright colored ‘sighter’ for the carp to home in on and to add a little buoyancy to the hookbait. Be very wary of doing this, it works and works well but don’t critically balance your hookbait. Peperami is loaded with oil and oil is heavier than water. As the oil leaks out of your peperami and water replaces it, your peperami will get lighter. If you’ve critically balanced your bait so it sinks very slowly, you may find your bait floating once some of the oil has leaked out. Tip your peperami with a piece of <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/5QbGy0">Rig Foam</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Yellowfoam"> by all means but make sure it sinks reasonably quickly rather than very slowly.<br>
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<center>Rods are out and my peperami carp baits will catch fish today<br><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-In5y21wAako/XmOvMqO_9FI/AAAAAAAAErc/Nm_YE2zf_0M3uJk_jDvKmGLISrt6AsHVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Brods.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-In5y21wAako/XmOvMqO_9FI/AAAAAAAAErc/Nm_YE2zf_0M3uJk_jDvKmGLISrt6AsHVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/carp%2Bfishing%2Brods.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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Used as a single hookbait, peperami is very easy to use, it comes nice and neatly packed and it’s ideal for carp fishing, you can just keep a couple of sticks in your bait bucket or tackle box and it’s really convenient. Most people fish with boilies but it’s important to have a ‘change bait’ for scratching time when you’re struggling for bites and peperami is one of my favorites when I’m struggling. You may have your own ‘go to’ carp bait for those tough times but if you haven’t, you should consider trying peperami for carp fishing.<br>
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<center>Video fish, 13lb 6oz taken using peperami for carp fishing<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFIyU8Wfl9E/XmOsNTFCkOI/AAAAAAAAErE/6RyvE-F8GcswzUZpsbah6huePYo075UvACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/peperami%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFIyU8Wfl9E/XmOsNTFCkOI/AAAAAAAAErE/6RyvE-F8GcswzUZpsbah6huePYo075UvACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/peperami%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center><br>
If you'd like some ideas to help you improve your own fishing please visit my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/markernw" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a> for access to tons of tips videos and ideas to help you level up your fishing.<br>
Tight Lines<br>
Mark.<br>
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I swear tackle companies are trying to invent ever more complicated carp rigs to part us from our cash. It’s not uncommon for rigs to include multiple swivels, multiple float stops, tubing, shrink tubing, bait screws or rig rings these days. It’s very easy to get caught up in the carp rig hype and go along with these rigs. Tackle companies are very happy for you to do this as you’ll have to buy twice as many rig components but the truth of the matter is that all these rig bits just aren’t necessary. In this article I’m going to look at easy to tie carp rigs for beginners. This article includes a video that takes you through the knotless knot carp rig and the video itself is entitled ‘easy to tie carp rigs for beginners’ too, you can click the play button and watch it from this page, it’s well worth a look, specially the workings of the rig which comes later in the video.<br>
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<center>Easy to tie carp rigs for beginners, click below to watch<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4yeFQ2NCypQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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The knotless knot carp rig starts with a loop, mine is a simple 3 times through the eye overhand knot that’s pulled tight with a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/Bdy3KT">Hook Pulla</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Hookpulla"> and it’s made of <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/VAceAV">ESP Sink Link</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=ESPSinklink"> Braid. The loop should be smaller than the bait you’re putting on the hair so that the knot sits inside the bait, tying the loop this short means the knot will prevent the hook bait sliding on the hair, effectively the hook bait will be locked in place.<br>
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<center>Loop smaller than the bait so the knot sits inside the bait<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0v8dfeIIy70/XYVAgRMpwII/AAAAAAAAEms/LHN0MVKBlyIaU094cHftK0eS35Rc9EmdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0v8dfeIIy70/XYVAgRMpwII/AAAAAAAAEms/LHN0MVKBlyIaU094cHftK0eS35Rc9EmdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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Once the loop is tied and the bait is hair-rigged it’s time to form the knotless knot. The hook is important and I use a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/Qk2Ei0">Kamasan B175</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Kamasanb175"> trout hook in size 6, it’s a salmon hook but the long shank and down turned eye makes it superb for the knotless knot, it’s also cheap at around £4 for a box of 25 or £9 for a box of 100, how’s that compared to £6 for a packet of 10 you’ll pay for branded carp hooks!.<br>
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<center>Kamasan B175 hook, 5-10mm from bait to hook bend is just right<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvqmkELiFlM/XYVFL6YXaiI/AAAAAAAAEnA/XvAGaVP_YdU0vCWp2v_2E36LfrP_CiFEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners%2Bkamasan%2Bb175.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvqmkELiFlM/XYVFL6YXaiI/AAAAAAAAEnA/XvAGaVP_YdU0vCWp2v_2E36LfrP_CiFEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners%2Bkamasan%2Bb175.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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Thread the sink link hook length through the back of the eye of the hook, the hair should come off the back of the eye and run down the back of the hook shank. You can adjust the length of the hair at this point and I find 5-10mm from the bottom of the bait to the bend of the hook is about right. With the hair held in place start whipping the braid up the hook shank from the eye, the whipping should start the opposite side from the slit in the hook eye and you should do 14-15 times up the shank. By now the hair should be exiting roughly level with the hook point. Once this is done simply take the end of the sink link hooklength and pass it back through the eye of the hook from the back of the hook to the front, so it comes out on the inside of the hook eye.<br>
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<center>Whip 14-15 times so hair exits opposite the hook point then thread hooklink back through the eye<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdxKfznZ_l4/XYVF3lUcpNI/AAAAAAAAEnI/tpJOk6LhTeoCPDY0c8-AoHU_HEYx0e5zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners%2Bknotless%2Bknot.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdxKfznZ_l4/XYVF3lUcpNI/AAAAAAAAEnI/tpJOk6LhTeoCPDY0c8-AoHU_HEYx0e5zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners%2Bknotless%2Bknot.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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Once the knotless knot has been tied simply add a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/EI0jBD">Swivel</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Swivels"> to the other end of the hooklength using a palomar knot, at this point this simple carp rig is complete. The kamasan b175 hook has a down turned eye so it acts as a line aligner but requires no extra tubing to make the hook flip, the down turned eyed does this aggressively on it’s own. The ESP Sink Link Braid is heavy enough to sink on it’s own so doesn’t require sinkers to keep it pinned down. This simple carp rig works with all lead arrangements, inline leads, lead clips or running leads and it’s a cracking budget carp rig too because it only has 3 rig components and they are all relatively cheap.<br>
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<center>Tie a swivel to the other end of the sink link and the knotless knot carp rig is complete<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCE9RipCqVg/XYVHwFYAsYI/AAAAAAAAEnU/4FQqUzO7wzsZil4lJCrrZcPSAihQIJSQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners%2Besp%2Bsink%2Blink.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCE9RipCqVg/XYVHwFYAsYI/AAAAAAAAEnU/4FQqUzO7wzsZil4lJCrrZcPSAihQIJSQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners%2Besp%2Bsink%2Blink.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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As with any carp rig, this simple carp rig requires tuning and you do this by making a note of the hook holds of the fish you catch. A fish nailed in the bottom lip is perfect, if a hook pull occurs this is a sign the rig is too short and you should tie another an inch or so longer to give the carp a chance to get the bait properly. If the carp is hooked in the scissors or just outside the mouth this is a sign the rig is too long and you should re-tie the rig an inch or two shorter because the carp has too much room to move. By concentrating on the hook holds and tweaking the rig you can nail your carp correctly in the bottom lip most times. From experience I would suggest a starting rig length of 8-10” then work from there.<br>
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Carp rigs made with braid can suffer tangles, they tangle in 2 places, the hooklength and the hair itself. To prevent hooklength tangles add a two or three bait stringer or <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/kJb7oO">Mesh Bag</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=PVAMesh"> to the rig, the extra weight of the bag/stringer will prevent the rig from tangling. The other potential tangle point is the hair, it should exit from the back of the shank but it can wrap around the shank on the cast so I use a one third piece of <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/TJcwhS">PVA Foam Nugget</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=PVANuggets"> and I fold it over the hair effectively trapping the hair in place and stopping it from tangling. If you add a stringer and a piece of foam to a braided carp rig it shouldn’t tangle.<br>
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<center>Add a mesh bag and fold a pva nugget over the hair to prevent tangles<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn-Qs69SGy0/XYVBR9BcnPI/AAAAAAAAEm0/mpf6IY0v_7UJkG7TXAF71ZoHZMpStx64QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners%2Bavoiding%2Btangles.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn-Qs69SGy0/XYVBR9BcnPI/AAAAAAAAEm0/mpf6IY0v_7UJkG7TXAF71ZoHZMpStx64QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/easy%2Bto%2Btie%2Bcarp%2Brigs%2Bfor%2Bbeginners%2Bavoiding%2Btangles.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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So that’s it for easy to tie carp rigs for beginners, the rig is superb, it’s caught me thousands of carp over the last 30 years and I still use the rig today, if you’re stuck wondering which carp rig to try I’d recommend this one, it’s a simple carp rig, it’s safe carp rig, it’s a great river carp rig, it’s a canal carp rig, in fact it’s just a superb all round and easy to tie carp rig for beginners.<br>
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Below is a video called 'Safe Carp Rig' and this is the inline lead arrangement I use with this rig, below that is a video on how to tie the palomar knot which is used for the swivel, check them out, give them a like on Youtube, subscribe to my Youtube Channel and feel free to have a say in the comments section of any of the videos in this article on Youtube.<br>
Tight Lines<br>
Mark.<br>
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Once upon a time I used to fish the Burton Mere syndicate in South Wirral, I fished those lakes from 1989 to 1993 and the place was a big part of my carp fishing apprenticeship, you might say I ‘cut my teeth’ on those lakes. During my time on there the owner built some stock ponds and one day I noticed him walking round with a bucket and scoop, he was lashing feed into the lakes and at the time I was hungry for info so I asked him what the feed was?. ‘Wheat’ came the reply, he was feeding his fish wheat and as it turns out wheat was a very good carp bait too. I had to try some and what I found was indeed a very good and very cheap bait for carp fishing so let’s take a look at preparing wheat for carp fishing.<br>
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<center>Wheat for fishing, you won't find a cheaper carp bait<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4S2_SuMpeN0/XO17G5IMVOI/AAAAAAAAEg0/_hbmM02mAU0PWhY6ewbW9ys1dAZP2lJbACLcBGAs/s1600/wheat%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bcarp%2Bbaits.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4S2_SuMpeN0/XO17G5IMVOI/AAAAAAAAEg0/_hbmM02mAU0PWhY6ewbW9ys1dAZP2lJbACLcBGAs/s1600/wheat%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bcarp%2Bbaits.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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Like all particles for carp fishing, wheat has to be soaked and boiled so I generally fill my bucket with an inch or two of dried wheat. On top of the dried wheat I pour around 4 times as much water as there is wheat because it’s going to expand as it soaks and it will expand even further once it’s cooked. With the water added I give it 24hrs to soak then I boil it for no more than 10 minutes, wheat is reasonably soft compared to some seeds so it doesn’t need to be boiled quite as hard as seeds like hemp and pigeon conditioner. With the wheat boiled it’s just a case of tipping the wheat back into the bucket and leaving it to cool down then it’s ready to go fishing with.<br>
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<center>Preparing Wheat for Carp Fishing, click below to watch<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yKQn7TBLecA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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Like all particles you can use wheat as a background feed as part of a spod mix, you can fish other particles or boilies over the top or you can fish with wheat itself. In recent years fishing for carp with wheat and any other particle for that matter, has been made easy by <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/UE2h0S">Fox Arma Mesh</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Armamesh">. Arma mesh works the same way as a pva mesh system accept the mesh doesn’t dissolve, it retains the seeds and protects them from nuisance fish. The ability to use hair rigged particles for carp fishing is a real string to the carp angler’s bow, especially on heavily pressured carp waters where the fish will turn away from boilies when the angling pressure bites. Small packets of seeds have been a big fishing edge of mine for quite a while now, in fact the fox arma mesh is now a standard part of my fishing kit and I don’t go fishing without it<br>
<br>
<center>A small package of wheat made with Fox Arma Mesh fooled this common carp<br>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eujOtWVMl0A/XO105U-D1zI/AAAAAAAAEgo/Q4XZPhlNAggLsi4qwR4hUaFEPHdOjAr1gCLcBGAs/s1600/wheat%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eujOtWVMl0A/XO105U-D1zI/AAAAAAAAEgo/Q4XZPhlNAggLsi4qwR4hUaFEPHdOjAr1gCLcBGAs/s1600/wheat%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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My articles for this blog usually come with a corresponding video which is published to my youtube channel. The video is embedded into this article so please click on it to watch how I prepare wheat for carp fishing. My youtube channel is worth subscribing to as well and you can do that on youtube or by clicking one of the subscribe buttons on this page, don’t forget to click on the bell icon to make sure you get notifications of when my videos are published, that way you won’t miss out. My video on preparing wheat for carp fishing has lots of information in it along with the captures I made using wheat as a hookbait during filming. You can see first hand that wheat is a very good bait for catching carp. It’s not just for carp though, wheat is a very good bait for roach, tench and bream too so this article is useful for other specimen anglers and not just carpers.<br>
<br>
<center>A nice common caught on a wheat hookbait made with fox arma mesh<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JVdpOI9tAzw/XOsi2GwVq0I/AAAAAAAAEgY/61eGHH1lZRkf38hfMz20ZHj0ngOpB8yqwCLcBGAs/s1600/preparing%2Bwheat%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JVdpOI9tAzw/XOsi2GwVq0I/AAAAAAAAEgY/61eGHH1lZRkf38hfMz20ZHj0ngOpB8yqwCLcBGAs/s1600/preparing%2Bwheat%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="300" /></a></center>
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at wheat, I’ll finish with a very useful point about wheat as a carp bait, it’s cheap, very cheap!, 20k of hemp costs £40-£45 at the time of writing and the sack of re-cleaned wheat I used in the video cost just £7.50 so using wheat for carp fishing gives exceptional value for money.<br>
Until next time, tight lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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Hemp seed, there are few fishing baits around that attract fish like hemp. Hemp seed is an outstanding fishing bait for most species of fish and you could be a specimen carp angler, a barbel angler, a bream or tench angler, a match angler or a pleasure angler just enjoying a day’s fishing, whatever branch of angling you participate in, this article on preparing hemp seed for fishing will be of use to you.<br>
<br>
At the time of writing I’ve paid £30 for the 15 kilo sack of <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/ILklR1">Hemp Seed</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Hempseed"> that features in this article, hemp seed isn’t the cheapest fishing bait by any means but it is certainly a very effective one and fish like Carp, Barbel, Tench, Bream, Roach, Dace and Chub just can’t resist the magic seeds, hemp seed seems to have an almost drug-like attraction to all of these fish.<br>
<br>
<center>A sack of hemp seed for fishing, currently around £30 for 15 kilos<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGLP3XNtqGo/W1r8qerGysI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/9qfrB_YuTHYaLhcnO2c0E9XrVoU3CFpIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Hemp%2BSeed%2Bfor%2BFishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGLP3XNtqGo/W1r8qerGysI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/9qfrB_YuTHYaLhcnO2c0E9XrVoU3CFpIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Hemp%2BSeed%2Bfor%2BFishing.jpg" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="467" /></a></center>
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Obviously you can’t use hemp in its raw form straight out of the sack, it has to be soaked and boiled first, this can be a long and laborious task specially if you are carp fishing with hemp seed and require large amounts of the seed. Many carp anglers completely overdo hemp seed and they put so much in that the carp get pre-occupied on the hemp seed to the exclusion of all other baits, I’ve had this happen to me in the past and I’ve sat there with a swim that resembles a jacuzzi as the carp root out every last grain of hemp whilst ignoring the hookbait I’m fishing over the top. With this in mind I limit my hemp seed to one third of my spod mix these days and I make up the other two thirds with trout pellets, sweetcorn, chopped boilies and whole boilies, this gives me the best of both worlds as far as hemp seed fishing goes, I have enough hemp in the swim to hold fish but it’s not the dominant bait so the fish will feed more on the pellets, sweetcorn and boilies and these are the baits I want the carp to be picking up because one of them will have my hook in.<br>
<br>
<center>Click here to watch a step by step Guide on how to prepare hemp seed for fishing<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W5w1pwGUrWw" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<br>
The correct way to prepare <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/ILklR1">Hemp Seed</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Hempseed"> in a pan is to soak it for 24hrs then boil it for 20 minutes until the grains start to split, as I only require enough hemp seed to do one third of a spod mix I can use a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/PkptXJ">Thermos Flask</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Stanleyflask"> to prepare it instead. I’m limited to about 3 pints of hemp using the flask method but this amount is perfect, by the time the spod mix is made up I’ll have in excess of 9 pints or over a gallon of bait, this is a good bucket full and easily enough for a carp session. Using a Thermos Flask also allows me to cut out the laborious task of slaving away over a hot stove cooking up pans and pans of hemp, I simply put my 3 pints of hemp in the flask, add boiling water, seal the lid and leave the hemp seed in the flask overnight to cook. Next morning the hemp seed can be emptied out into a bucket and it will be perfectly split and ready to take fishing so that's perfect hemp seed for fishing with minimum effort, it takes as much of your time as boiling the kettle!.<br>
<br>
<center>Preparing hemp for carp fishing, use a pint glass to measure/pour the hemp into the Thermos Flask<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvjNO2abq1U/W1r-mujasEI/AAAAAAAAEWc/ywR8s7VfPogcSd1ItcFXGaISClDvjk1kACLcBGAs/s1600/preparing%2Bhemp%2Bseed%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Bthermos%2Bflask.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvjNO2abq1U/W1r-mujasEI/AAAAAAAAEWc/ywR8s7VfPogcSd1ItcFXGaISClDvjk1kACLcBGAs/s1600/preparing%2Bhemp%2Bseed%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Bthermos%2Bflask.jpg" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="401" /></a></center>
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As well as being a perfect amount for a bucket of spod mix, 3 pints of hemp is also perfect for a day’s barbel fishing on the river, it’s also twice as much as a match angler or a pleasure angler would need for a day’s stick float fishing on the river for roach, dace and chub, you can split the 3 pints up and freeze one half for your next session if you are preparing hemp seed for just pleasure fishing.<br>
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<center><ins class="epn-placement" data-config-id="5ba956c03bf20a2c223b9433"></ins></center>
<br>
So that’s it for preparing hemp seed for fishing, whether it’s hemp seed for carp, hemp seed for barbel or just hemp seed for a pleasure fishing session, using a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/PkptXJ">Thermos Flask</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Stanleyflask"> is a very cheap way to prepare these magical seeds and hemp is certainly well worth buying.<br>
Hemp seed also works really well in combinations with other particle baits, specially for carp, the 'hemp and pellet' I've covered in this article but hemp seed also goes well with Sweetcorn, Maize, Tiger Nuts and Maple Peas. I've already covered preparing and using some of these particles and they all work brilliantly when fished over small beds of hemp seed, you can check out some of these carpy particles below, each article has a youtube video to go with it and you can watch it from the blog or better still pay my youtube channel a visit, there are loads of fishing videos on there and they are all split by category so it's easy for you to browse them.<br>
<a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.com/2008/12/maize-for-carp.html
" target="_blank">How to prepare Maize for Carp Fishing</a><br>
<a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.com/2008/11/tiger-nuts-for-carp.html" target="_blank">How to prepare Tiger Nuts for Carp Fishing</a><br>
<a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.com/2017/04/maple-peas-for-carp-fishing.html
" target="_blank">How to prepare Maple Peas for Carp Fishing</a><br>
<a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.com/2018/05/pigeon-conditioner-for-fishing.html
" target="_blank">Fishing How to prepare Pigeon Conditioner (Cheap alternative to hemp)</a><br>
<br>
<center><ins class="epn-placement" data-config-id="5ba957963bf20a2c223b9434"></ins></center>
<br>
<center>A big river weaver carp caught fishing with hemp seed as feed<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8PD1X3vMd6U/W1sBXo6l3TI/AAAAAAAAEWo/5o-2m8JFGIgWBI2oichDCVVze7aerHnUgCLcBGAs/s1600/carp%2Bbaits%2Bfishing%2Bhemp%2Bseed%2Briver%2Bweaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8PD1X3vMd6U/W1sBXo6l3TI/AAAAAAAAEWo/5o-2m8JFGIgWBI2oichDCVVze7aerHnUgCLcBGAs/s1600/carp%2Bbaits%2Bfishing%2Bhemp%2Bseed%2Briver%2Bweaver.jpg" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="342" /></a></center><br>
Until next time.<br>
Tight Lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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Way back in the 1970’s there was a revolution in carp baits, angler’s discovered seeds and pulses and it was an era of particle fishing. Hemp won the battle of the particle baits and even today it’s still regarded as one of the most outstanding carp attractors there is. Like everything in fishing pressure can take its toll and eventually hemp slowed down, this lead anglers to look at other seeds and pulses and they found there were other good seeds that were attractive to carp.<br>
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<center>Pigeon conditioner, it makes a great spod mix for carp<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4lB1OZxdXIg/WvDIS4WmNZI/AAAAAAAAEUw/7Xqk4HLJ5T0HlFP4BqNQ1ydVFNx-tUbsgCLcBGAs/s1600/pigeon%2Bconditioner%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4lB1OZxdXIg/WvDIS4WmNZI/AAAAAAAAEUw/7Xqk4HLJ5T0HlFP4BqNQ1ydVFNx-tUbsgCLcBGAs/s1600/pigeon%2Bconditioner%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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Among these other seeds were baits like groats (rolled oats), red dari seed, white dari seed, wheat, barley and pulses like mung beans, pinto beans and black eyed beans. It’s easy to see why <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/dhTISi">Pigeon Conditioner</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Pigeonconditioner"> has proved so popular with anglers ‘in the know’, a quick look at the label to see what’s in it and you will see most of these seeds, they are all attractive to carp and they come with the added touch of an aniseed flavour, again another highly rated carp attractor in its own right.<br>
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<center>How to Prepare Pigeon Conditioner for Fishing (Click below to watch)<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WU5lTW9bx2g" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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Preparing pigeon conditioner for carp fishing couldn’t be more simple, just put your pigeon conditioner into a cool box, poor boiling water over it and close the lid, leave it overnight and next day you have perfectly prepared pigeon conditioner ready to go fishing with, it really is that simple. (See the video above).<br>
<br>
<center>Using a coolbox to prepare pigeon conditioner for carp fishing<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HIfjgEXYDY/WvDHttGzo2I/AAAAAAAAEUo/d7r5rH1BX3A90IMLYhblfM08GPXO6UTbACLcBGAs/s1600/pigeon%2Bconditioner%2Bcarp%2Bbait%2Bbaits.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0HIfjgEXYDY/WvDHttGzo2I/AAAAAAAAEUo/d7r5rH1BX3A90IMLYhblfM08GPXO6UTbACLcBGAs/s1600/pigeon%2Bconditioner%2Bcarp%2Bbait%2Bbaits.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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<a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/dhTISi">Pigeon Conditioner</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Pigeonconditioner"> can be used as it is for fishing but it benefits from a process I refer to as ‘layering’. Layering your pigeon conditioner involves adding a mixture of different sized baits to your pigeon mix. The pigeon conditioner becomes the base layer of a spod mix, it’s a mix of seeds that will keep carp, tench and bream grubbing about in the swim and the extra baits you add become the baits you fish with on the hook. In this article I’ve added maple peas to my pigeon conditioner spod mix but you can add anything else you want, favourites of mine include sweetcorn, tiger nuts (chopped and whole), maize, chick peas, trout pellets and boilies (whole and chopped). With a good mix of baits in the spod mix you also have more options for which bait you’ll fish on the hook. By adding some of these baits you don’t leave the carp to get pre-occupied with just the seeds and this method of layering your pigeon conditioner spod mix brings you more runs.<br>
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One big advantage of using <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/dhTISi">Pigeon Conditioner</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Pigeonconditioner"> as the base of your spod mix instead of hemp is that it keeps the cost of you bait down. Currently hemp is around £45 for a 20k sack whilst a 20k sack of pigeon conditioner comes in at around £18, a considerable saving over using hemp. Not only is pigeon conditioner less than half the price of hemp, it’s easier to prepare which is ideal if you have limited time due to work and family commitments. Pigeon conditioner runs hemp a pretty close second in the fishing stakes too, it’s an exceptionally good fish attractor and well worth a look if you’ve never tried it before.<br>
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<center>Nice mid double common caught on a maple pea over pigeon conditioner<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nr_tNtFeATk/WvDInJ-lVZI/AAAAAAAAEU4/hb5esbOoXksFkWDWcQsU8qb8Osgu98kEwCLcBGAs/s1600/carp%2Bbaits%2Bpigeon%2Bconditioner%2Bred%2Bband.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nr_tNtFeATk/WvDInJ-lVZI/AAAAAAAAEU4/hb5esbOoXksFkWDWcQsU8qb8Osgu98kEwCLcBGAs/s1600/carp%2Bbaits%2Bpigeon%2Bconditioner%2Bred%2Bband.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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I hope I’ve given you some food for thought regarding the use of <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/dhTISi">Pigeon Conditioner</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Pigeonconditioner"> for carp fishing, it’s an outstanding particle bait mix that’s largely gone under the radar so it’s well worth using.<br>
<br>
Please check out my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/markernw" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a> and subscribe and also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/markernw/" target="_blank">Follow my Instagram Page</a>, when I’m not making fishing videos I post some of my catches to my Instagram so it’s a good way to keep in touch with what’s happening on the North West Carp and Anglers Diary fishing blogs.<br>
Until next time<br>
tight lines and take care.<br>
Mark.<br>
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Throughout my angling life I’ve tried many different fishing knots, all knots can have their place but I only use a handful of them on a regular basis, in fact I’d say there are only really five fishing knots I use these days and below are four of the knots used and a short youtube video for each on how to tie them. The fifth knot will be subject to it’s own article and video so please subscribe to this blog via email or rss feed and visit my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/markernw" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a> and subscribe to that too, that way you won’t miss out when my videos are uploaded. You can also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/markernw/" target="_blank">Follow Me on Instagram</a> where you can keep up with the current fishing i'm doing in between YouTube Videos.<br>
<b>Palomar Knot</b><br>
First up is the Palomar Knot. This is probably the easiest fishing knot to tie. I use this knot for both braid and mono and it’s ideal for tying both types of line to both swivels and hooks. My preference with the palomar knot is to use it for tying mono directly to a hook, either for a surface fishing hooklength or occasionally for those long fluorocarbon rigs I use for my barbel fishing but more so with non pellet hookbaits like bread or luncheon meat. The palomar knot is simplicity in itself to tie, you just thread your line through the eye of your hook or swivel and double it back so the line runs through the eye twice. Tie an overhand knot in the doubled over line then pass the swivel or hook through the loop as per the diagram below then gently tighten everything down, don’t forget to wet your braid or mono as you tighten the knot. Although the palomar knot is simple to tie its extremely reliable and has great knot strength, definitely a knot that won’t let you down. Just click and play the video underneath the knot diagram to see how to tie the palomar knot.<br>
<br>
<center>Fishing Knot Diagram, The Palomar Knot<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGDWiln-g3w/WjWdIG9PU5I/AAAAAAAAEJc/L2hoEBAEG60ZiozrW06tKABZjdiV6oRIgCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BPalomar%2BKnot.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pGDWiln-g3w/WjWdIG9PU5I/AAAAAAAAEJc/L2hoEBAEG60ZiozrW06tKABZjdiV6oRIgCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BPalomar%2BKnot.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="132" /></a></center>
<br>
<center>How to tie a palomar knot, click below to watch<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9O1VBGZuIWY" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<br>
<b>Grinner Knot (Uni Knot)</b><br>
Next up is the grinner knot, also called the Uni Knot. This is another knot I use for both braid and mono and again its for tying both of these types of fishing line to either a swivel or a hook. I mostly use the grinner knot (Uni Knot) for tying braid or mono mainline to a swivel when I’m making my rigs. I use the grinner knot (Uni Knot) for carp rigs, pike rigs and barbel rigs, again it’s a twice through the eye knot that’s incredibly strong once tied and bedded down. Its not so easy to describe how to tie a grinner knot (Uni Knot) in writing so please check out the diagram below then click to watch the video below that. The grinner knot (Uni Knot) is another ‘non strangulation’ knot that won’t let you down and it's the knot I tend to use most in my fishing.<br>
<br>
<center>Fishing Knot Diagram, The Grinner Knot (Uni Knot)<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMLtTp_LryM/WjWdT1UeqNI/AAAAAAAAEJg/sx5ZPHKLGSQmPubSEQTNLKTNco79l_IbwCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BGrinner%2BKnot.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMLtTp_LryM/WjWdT1UeqNI/AAAAAAAAEJg/sx5ZPHKLGSQmPubSEQTNLKTNco79l_IbwCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BGrinner%2BKnot.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="215" /></a></center>
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<center>How to tie a grinner knot (Uni Knot), click below to watch<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iFyHd7XUD5E" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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<b>Braid to Mono Shock Leader Knot</b><br>
Apart from tying braid or mono to a hook or swivel, a fisherman may on occasion need to tie two pieces of line together. In my own fishing I sometimes need to use a braided shock leader for long range carp fishing or I need to use a fluorocarbon leader with a braided main line if I’m dropshotting for perch. For both long range carp fishing and dropshotting I use a braid to mono shock leader knot. If you follow the instructions, the braid to mono shock leader knot is fairly easy to tie but you must make sure you follow along precisely, on occasions you can wrap the second part of the knot from the wrong direction and it will unravel on you under pressure, which is why I wrap both the mono and the braid round my hands and pull really tight in the video below, the knot needs to be tested properly. This braid to mono shock leader knot works really well, it won’t let you down and its very small so it won’t get caught in the rings of your rod. Have a look at the knot diagram below then click to watch the video of how to tie a braid to mono shock leader knot that's underneath.<br>
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<center>Fishing Knot Diagram, Braid to Mono Shock Leader Knot<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_qDvqCYhg-k/WjWdcjTIM7I/AAAAAAAAEJk/aU2W6_I4mzoLWN-p21hUppMq8kCvXgpNACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BBraid%2Bto%2BMono%2BShock%2BLeader%2BKnot.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_qDvqCYhg-k/WjWdcjTIM7I/AAAAAAAAEJk/aU2W6_I4mzoLWN-p21hUppMq8kCvXgpNACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BBraid%2Bto%2BMono%2BShock%2BLeader%2BKnot.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="141" /></a></center>
<br>
<center>How to tie a braid to mono shock leader knot, click below to watch<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/izfnSLIGmFc" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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<b>Figure 8 Loop Knot</b><br>
Last but not least is the figure 8 loop knot, I know a lot of people use this fishing knot for easy change of carp rigs but I like it for looping larger items of tackle onto your line, if you make the figure 8 loop large enough you can loop on a spod or spomb, a deeper or even a marker float so the figure 8 loop knot has it's uses and I've never had one let me down. The figure 8 loop knot is very easy to tie, it's a bit like tying an over hand knot except you go round the back and pass the doubled over line through the loop from the other side, check out the short video below to see how it's done.<br>
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<center>How to tie the figure 8 loop knot<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T5Iesyumcdk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br>
The above four fishing knots are the ones i’ve settled on using after a lifetime of fishing, none of them will let you down and you can have total confidence in these knots. For those of you who’ve read this far, you will be wondering where the fourth fishing knot is?. The fifth knot I use is the ‘knotless knot’ and this will be subject to an article and video all of its own. The knotless knot is the key knot in virtually all of my carp rigs and I’ll cover it separately at some point in the future. If you’d like to see the knotless knot please subscribe to this blog via email or the rss feed and please visit my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/markernw" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a> and subscribe to that too, if you subscribe to my youtube you won’t miss out when the knotless knot video or any of my other content gets uploaded.<br>
I hope you find these fishing knots useful.<br>
Until next time, tight lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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The good old British weather, as fishermen we just can’t escape it and if you’re a regular bankside visitor or you’re new to Angling and plan to be fishing a lot, then sooner or later you’ll find yourself caught in the rain and you’ll get a good soaking.<br>
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<center>The good old British weather, sooner or later you get wet!<br>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0EASyaZWKU/WdE7aXvUUuI/AAAAAAAAEIU/wLB4x61fZTYIiFt67iq7coYzAN0jUnzRgCLcBGAs/s1600/waterproofs%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bbritish%2Bweather%2Braining.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0EASyaZWKU/WdE7aXvUUuI/AAAAAAAAEIU/wLB4x61fZTYIiFt67iq7coYzAN0jUnzRgCLcBGAs/s1600/waterproofs%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bbritish%2Bweather%2Braining.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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It took me many years to realise the value of a decent set of fishing waterproofs and when I started researching what I was going to buy I wasn’t particularly happy with the choice. I couldn’t find a decent set from a fishing tackle company, not many sold them and those that did were quite expensive. Fortunately internet carp forums were getting very popular and it was quite easy to find out what other anglers were doing to get round the lack of choice and it became obvious very quickly that army surplus gear was very very popular and with good reason, you could get top quality waterproofs for fishing from an army surplus store for not a lot of money and Ebay was the place to go for them and funnily enough it still is today.<br>
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<center>Click below to watch me take a look at the best fishing waterproofs available today.<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dj9ZTia6FsU" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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<b>British Army Goretex Overtrousers</b><br>
My first purchase was <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/pn9kss">Army Goretex Overtrousers</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Overtrousers">, being made of goretex they were incredibly light weight and completely waterproof. My normal waist size was 36 inches so I ordered goretex overtrousers with a 40 inch waist. Remember these trousers just go straight over the trousers you’d normally wear for fishing so it pays to go a size or two bigger to get a good fit. The trousers have an elasticated waist and legs so they are very comfy to wear and combined with a pair of Wellington boots (wellies) the bottom half of your body stay’s completely dry and being army surplus gear, the standard army DPM Camo pattern fits right in on the bank.<br>
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<center>British Army Goretex Overtrousers, one of the best waterproofs for fishing.<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dth4CW4o8L4/WdE8kzygYvI/AAAAAAAAEIc/YAx5F-fiioMvLJHFCzPqD0qsWHorak4fwCLcBGAs/s1600/best%2Bwaterproofs%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bbritish%2Barmy%2Bgoretex%2Bovertrousers%2Blightweight.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dth4CW4o8L4/WdE8kzygYvI/AAAAAAAAEIc/YAx5F-fiioMvLJHFCzPqD0qsWHorak4fwCLcBGAs/s1600/best%2Bwaterproofs%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bbritish%2Barmy%2Bgoretex%2Bovertrousers%2Blightweight.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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<b>Rip Stop Army Poncho</b><br>
My second ‘fishing waterproofs’ purchase was a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/i2B8yx">Rip Stop Army Poncho</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Poncho">. The poncho is great for fishing, you literally just put it on like a jumper. It throws over you and you just poke your head through the hole in the top so it drapes down off your shoulders whilst you’re still wearing a coat underneath. The hood keeps your head dry and if you need to get your hands out you can just unfasten one of the studs that run down either side of the poncho. It’s made from ‘rip stop’ nylon so again the rain water just balls up and rolls off leaving you completely dry. The poncho is incredibly light weight but the ‘rip stop’ qualities mean it won’t tear if you catch it on some brambles or a branch. Another good point about the poncho is the colour, again olive green is perfect for blending in on the bank.<br>
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<center><ins class="epn-placement" data-config-id="5baa74e690ffc409047d380e"></ins></center>
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<center>Rip Stop Army Poncho, one of the best waterproofs for fishing.<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wiF81bIrX3c/WdE88MQvfRI/AAAAAAAAEIg/hx8Cf1Tx038ZVtsNV5QgyQ8CBC08xaBMwCLcBGAs/s1600/best%2Bwaterproofs%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bnylon%2Brip%2Bstop%2Barmy%2Bponcho.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wiF81bIrX3c/WdE88MQvfRI/AAAAAAAAEIg/hx8Cf1Tx038ZVtsNV5QgyQ8CBC08xaBMwCLcBGAs/s1600/best%2Bwaterproofs%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bnylon%2Brip%2Bstop%2Barmy%2Bponcho.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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Neither the goretex overtrousers or the army poncho have any real thermal qualities but they are both windproof and they will help a little with wind chill at certain times of the year. Both are simply light weight garments that are designed to keep our soldiers dry and to pack away into a very small space and this makes them the perfect and certainly the best fishing waterproofs you can buy. Like many anglers before I’ve benefitted from using army surplus waterproofs, even today you’ll be hard pushed to find these kind of quality waterproofs at such a reasonable price. I wouldn’t use anything else to keep me dry when I’m out fishing in the rain and I’d highly recommend them if you go fishing regularly.<br>
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As well as my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/markernw" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a> you can also follow me on Instagram now. I use Instagram to post pics from the fishing sessions I do in between filming and writing this blog so just <a href="https://www.instagram.com/markernw/" target="_blank">Follow Me</a> to see what I'm up to at the moment, you may just get an idea of what will be in my future fishing videos too.<br>
Until next time<br >
tight lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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The sport of fishing is a strange one, we get bombarded with adverts and advice about baits, tackle, rigs and lures yet in reality fishing is as simple as putting a bait or lure in front of the fish. Finding the fish is near enough everything and if we break captures down in terms of importance then catching fish is 98% location, 1% bait and 1% rig, you simply can’t catch them if they aren’t there.<br>
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<center>Brown lens polarizing sunglasses for fishing, great all rounders if you're new to our sport<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsGWMv7tFWg/WWuEX0vfG1I/AAAAAAAAEGg/4xk6StgkPqwlril44wrHz55ZtdSOvo8awCLcBGAs/s1600/Polarising%2Bsunglasses%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bbrown%2Blens%2Btotal%2Bfishing%2Bgear.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsGWMv7tFWg/WWuEX0vfG1I/AAAAAAAAEGg/4xk6StgkPqwlril44wrHz55ZtdSOvo8awCLcBGAs/s1600/Polarising%2Bsunglasses%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bbrown%2Blens%2Btotal%2Bfishing%2Bgear.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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With location being so vital to successful fishing, <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/C8m2Ir">Polarised Sunglasses</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Sunglasses"> suddenly become a very important item of tackle that we really can't afford to be without. A good pair of Polarised sunglasses will take the glare off the water’s surface and allow us to see down into the water and this is a massive help when it comes to finding or spotting fish. With a pair of sunglasses on you can certainly spot fish that you couldn’t see with the naked eye. If you are a fly or lure angler polarizing sunglasses also offer some protection for your eyes, we’ve all seen the pictures that go round social media sites like facebook with an unlucky angler having a hook right through the eyeball after a freak accident, pictures like that really make me cringe and simply wearing a pair of these glasses whilst fishing will keep your eyes safe from harm, especially if you are casting repeatedly.<br>
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<center>Click below to watch me talk about Polarizing Sunglasses for Fishing<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QCl0mYz574E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Choosing a pair of polarizing sunglasses for fishing is easy for new anglers if you follow this simple advice, just remember that lens colour is the most important thing when considering a new pair of <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/C8m2Ir">Polarised Sunglasses</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Sunglasses"> and below is a quick guide to the three main lens colours and their use in fishing.<br>
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<b>Black or Dark Grey Lens Sunglasses</b><br>
A black or dark grey lens blocks out the most light from the sun. This makes them ideal for bright sunny days. You know the type of day, not a cloud in the sky and the sun beating down relentlessly. If you are out fishing in these conditions then black or dark grey lens glasses are perfect for fish spotting when it’s really bright.<br>
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<center>Polarised Sunglasses featuring a black or dark grey lens, great for finding fish on bright sunny days<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOLC3mYSs1A/WWuDXSb5KTI/AAAAAAAAEGc/86Ou00BNJHAfag_TW2EKD-ktKO_38YgVwCLcBGAs/s1600/Polarised%2Bsunglasses%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bblack%2Bor%2Bdark%2Bgrey%2Blenses%2Bfortis%2Baviator.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOLC3mYSs1A/WWuDXSb5KTI/AAAAAAAAEGc/86Ou00BNJHAfag_TW2EKD-ktKO_38YgVwCLcBGAs/s1600/Polarised%2Bsunglasses%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bblack%2Bor%2Bdark%2Bgrey%2Blenses%2Bfortis%2Baviator.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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<b>Amber Lens Sunglasses (Yellowy colour)</b><br>
An amber or yellow lens lets in quite a lot of light. This makes them ideal for low light conditions. Again you know the type of day, it’s dull and overcast with plenty of dark clouds around or it’s late in the day and approaching dusk and the light is fading. If you are out fishing and it’s quite dull then the amber lens glasses are perfect for spotting fish in low light conditions.<br>
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<center>Amber lens Polaroid Sunglasses, ideal for spotting fish on dull and overcast days<br>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vm9c0G8v7rU/WWuFKi8Q8jI/AAAAAAAAEGk/XiA1ntckIWIWvxzWA43ShtMNRSayzJ56wCLcBGAs/s1600/Polarizing%2Bsunglasses%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bamber%2Blens%2Bfox%2Bxt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vm9c0G8v7rU/WWuFKi8Q8jI/AAAAAAAAEGk/XiA1ntckIWIWvxzWA43ShtMNRSayzJ56wCLcBGAs/s1600/Polarizing%2Bsunglasses%2Bfor%2Bfishing%2Bamber%2Blens%2Bfox%2Bxt4.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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<b>Brown Lens Sunglasses</b><br>
A brown lens is a really good compromise between black and amber lenses. Brown lens sunglasses don’t block out as much light as the black lens and they don’t let in as much light as the amber lens. Although they aren’t perfect for very bright or very dull days, they offer the best compromise if you just want one pair of glasses and it’s the brown lens polarizing sunglasses I’d recommend a newcomer to fishing to buy first because they will be great for all but the very brightest or dullest conditions, which is most of the time.<br>
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<center>A bonus mirror carp caught when I spotted some fish with my brown lens polarising sunglasses<br>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NYgcszaB5sc/WWt6YSe_dXI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/1qNEwZxRswI98TsejhNp98nFDEm8KU7NACLcBGAs/s1600/polarised%2Bpolarising%2Bpolarized%2Bsunglasses%2Bkorda%2Bfortis%2Baviator%2Bfox%2Bxt4%2Bfishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NYgcszaB5sc/WWt6YSe_dXI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/1qNEwZxRswI98TsejhNp98nFDEm8KU7NACLcBGAs/s1600/polarised%2Bpolarising%2Bpolarized%2Bsunglasses%2Bkorda%2Bfortis%2Baviator%2Bfox%2Bxt4%2Bfishing.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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I’m mainly a short session carp angler so it’s vital that I locate those carp as quickly as I can. The first thing I do when I arrive at a lake is put my polarised sunglasses on, I’ve gained so many bonus captures when I’ve walked around a lake and found carp I wouldn’t have seen with the naked eye. Of all the items of tackle out there, a decent pair of polarizing sunglasses for fishing are a must for all fishermen the world over, whether you are a fly angler, a lure angler, a carp angler, a pike angler, river angler or a sport fisherman of any kind, a decent pair of <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/C8m2Ir">Polarised Sunglasses</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Sunglasses"> will help you catch more fish and you are certainly missing out on extra captures if you don't own and use them.<br>
Until next time, Tight Lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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For my first trip of the year targeting UK Catfish I wanted to try an area of the catfish lake I’d never fished before, at least not for catfish anyway. I had a feeling it would turn out to be a good spot but unfortunately I found the area occupied on my arrival at the lake so I’ll have to leave that particular gut feeling for another time. With my new swim ruled out my best option was to drop into my favourite swim in the middle of the lake so at 2pm I pitched up in a very familiar swim and gave myself half a day to bank a wels catfish from the lake. In June it’s half light at 10pm so I had a maximum of 8hrs to bag a fish for the film that’s embedded into this article below, little did I know what was going to follow!.<br>
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First up I had to tie my rigs. Catfishing for me is very much a compromise so I just use a ‘stepped up’ carp rig. I use a size 8 <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/l8MjmY">Korda Kurv Hook</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=kordakurv"> with 25lb <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/VP2iZh">ESP Sink Link Braid</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Sinklink"> as the hooklength. I simply hair rig a single 16mm Coppens Pellet then put the hook on knotless knot style. The hooklength is around 10 inches long (just less than the length of a ruler) and the lead arrangement is a homemade inline lead with 18 inches of <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/HV6EQz">Rig Tubing</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Rigtube"> behind it. It’s a very standard type of carp rig and the idea is to fish for cats and carp whilst having the strength in the hooklink to land both.<br>
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<center>My pellet rig for UK Catfish, it's just a stepped up carp rig<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUuPKgb4eYk/WT1mcPBdSGI/AAAAAAAAEFU/crxGD9viU344INrVmq7Sufn7A_ZKQWcTgCLcB/s1600/wels%2Bcatfish%2Bpellet%2Brig.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUuPKgb4eYk/WT1mcPBdSGI/AAAAAAAAEFU/crxGD9viU344INrVmq7Sufn7A_ZKQWcTgCLcB/s1600/wels%2Bcatfish%2Bpellet%2Brig.jpg" data-original-width="450" data-original-height="253" /></a></center>
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I rigged up a bait pretty quickly and under armed the first pellet out 15yds or so. On top of this hookbait I put a bed of around 100 pellets although I did lose count whilst putting them out so that’s a ball park figure. Once the pellets were out and the rod was on the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/CxEx0C">Delkim</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Delkimtxi"> I began to sort out the second rod, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with this rod, did I put another trout pellet on and go all out for cats or compromise and target carp on the boilie?. I thought I’d sit down and have a think about that for a while so I left the second rod on the rest and began feeding mixers over the top of the pellet rod that was already fishing. I’ve done this before in the past and as well as attracting carp to feed in my swim, the carp feeding activity also pulls in the catfish.<br>
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I never did get that second rod out, I pondered what to do with it for just under an hour then my first run came to the pellets. It was the usual stuttery type of take you get from a catfish, they seem to take the bait and just not realise they are hooked and this one was no exception. I hit the rod and found myself attached to my first catfish of the year. It lacked the power of some of the larger cats that inhabit the lake but despite ‘only’ being 14lb 8oz it was still a powerful fish and it gave me the run around a little bit, specially close in as I had quite heavy beds of lily pads either side of me. All went well landing the fish and in less than an hour of fishing I’d already got some film footage.<br>
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Because ESP Sinklink is a braid for carp fishing I make sure I check it after every catfish, the ‘sandpaper’ type pads in the cats mouth can damage a braided hooklength and this had happened during the playing of this mid double catfish. I stripped the rig down and tied a new one using the same hook and the same <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/EI0jBD">Swivel</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Swivels"> and <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/nBAeRk">Kwik Link</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Kwiklink">, basically I just replaced the damaged braid with new stuff.<br>
<br>
I was fishing again in no time and half an hour later it was déjà vu as I picked up a second wels catfish similar in size to the first one. I weighed the second cat in at 13lb 8oz, just a pound smaller than the first. Neither of these fish were what I was really after but if the cats kept feeding as they were the law of averages would mean a bigger one sooner or later, so again I tied up another new rig to replace the braid that had been damaged during the fight and under armed the bait out. After each wels catfish caught I was also topping up the swim with a further 50 <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/CnvvZC">Coppens Pellets</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Carppellets"> so there was always plenty of bait to keep them interested.<br>
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After a quick brace of mid double cats it went quiet and I managed to have a brew and a bite to eat before it kicked off again. I was still fishing with the one rod and again it signalled a stuttery take that suggested another catfish had taken the trout pellet hookbait. Straight away I could tell I’d hooked into the right sized fish as my line peeled off the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/jGwwgk">Reel</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Shiman5500ci4"> under pressure, the difference in power between a mid double and a mid twenty was clear and I had to fight this one all the way to the landing net. I had a lucky break with this fish when it came straight over and through the pads on my left hand side, I was in a bit of trouble for a moment but once it cleared the pads it was just a case of keeping it under control until it was ready to <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/4i7Yzu">Net</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Landingnet">, which thankfully wasn’t long. On the scales I got 25lb exactly, not quite as big as I was hoping for but it would certainly do!.<br>
<br>
By now I was into a routine, again I changed the rig due to some damage to the hooklength braid, I had a new rig tied and out and another 50 pellets on top of it in no time. Half an hour later it was away again and again I found myself hanging on as my line disappeared from the reel at a rate, like the last mid twenty I had just as much trouble with this one, indeed this catfish eventually found its way into the pads to my right and for a few minutes I was locked in a stalemate unable to move the fish. I piled on the pressure to my left then again to my right in the hope of getting the fish moving again, when I’d done this I applied as much pressure as I could in an upwards direction to try and get the fish up near the surface, this worked a treat and I managed to steer the fish into the open and keep it under control until I could get the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/4i7Yzu">Landing Net</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Landingnet"> under it.
My second twenty in half an hour weighed in at 24lb 2oz and it made up a very nice brace indeed with the 25lb fish that came just before it.<br>
<br>
I put the rod out again but after a couple of bruising scraps lasting more than 20 minutes each I was knackered. When the rod went again for a fifth time I was starting to think ‘not again’, thankfully the fifth wels catfish in 4 hours was the smallest at about 5lb, I didn’t bother weighing it and after filming a little bit of commentary for the video I decided to pack up early rather than try to catch another one. I’m pretty sure I’d have caught again had I stayed until the end but 5 catfish in a half day session was an exceptional catch and to be honest I was worn out.<br>
<br>
I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at fishing for UK wels catfish with trout pellets, as anglers who visit Spain’s River Ebro will tell you, trout pellets are a superb catfish bait and pellet fishing for UK Catfish is just a scaled down version of how catfish anglers fish over there. If you have catfish in your water or you’re going to a day ticket catfish lake then pellets will be a top choice of bait for sure.<br>
Until next time<br>
Tight Lines<br>
Mark.<br>
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The Cromwell social didn’t exactly get off to a good start for me this year. I was right on schedule until a few miles before my A1 turning when my sat nav decided to take me the wrong way due to a new road layout and an out-of date tom tom. I had a nightmare after that and just working out the right direction took me an hour. I arrived with no time to have a walk around and talk to any of the anglers that were packing up and I was barely in time for the draw which I didn’t get to film this year. I just let everyone take their pieces of paper from the hat, it’s always tempting to dive in and grab one as everyone looks at their position in the draw but I’d already decided I was having the last one in the hat so I took a backseat and waited. Taking the last one paid off big time and I got 3rd choice of peg, I couldn’t have been happier, I had an inkling the fish were stacked in the middle area and being 3rd out I was guaranteed a swim that would cover the fish. I chose peg 6 in the end, I’d been in this peg once before on our very first Cromwell social so I had an idea of what to expect, it was the lakes ‘long chuck’ swim and I was well geared for fishing at range with my <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/M4gpHX">Harrison Torrix TE Rods</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Harrisontorrix">.
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<center>Cromwell Lake Carp Fishing, click to watch<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lH_uYOZ4dtI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Our booking started at 9.30am on Friday morning so I took my time and set up the bivvy first before getting to work on the rods. I’d decided to go all out on zigs for this session, it was high pressure, sunny but with a cold wind North Easterly wind, the exact same conditions I had last time I’d fished peg 6 three years earlier and I’d caught on the zig rig back then.
I set up with 3 <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/B06Dt5">Fox Zig Aligna's</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Zigaligna">, I’d heard on the grapevine black foam was doing the damage so I started with two on black foam and one on yellow foam as yellow had caught for me on the last two Cromwell trips. These were fished with a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/7qt7w0">Drennan Super Specialist Hook</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Drennansuperspec"> in size 10, the same hook I use for my <a href="http://anglersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/barbel-fishing-on-river-severn.html" target="_blank">Barbel Fishing</a>. The water in front of me was 12-13ft deep and my zigs were fished at 9, 10 and 11ft as I focused on the narrow band of water 2-5ft down from the surface. Now casting a 10ft long zig rig over 100yds is not an easy thing to do, I had to use a two bait <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/kJb7oO">PVA Mesh Bag</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=PVAMesh"> made with pop ups just to keep the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/NMmKnD">Drennan Double Strength Mono</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Doublestrength"> hooklength from wrapping up around the main line, once I started using the small bag of pop ups I managed to avoid the tangles. I had to lay the zig aligna and mesh bag on the ground to cast and then try and loop the cast high so everything stayed straight as it went out, this combined with the power needed to cast a 3oz lead over 100 yards made the whole process quite tricky but eventually I had 3 baits out at ranges of 100 to 110+ yards.<br>
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<center>The Fox Zig Aligna's I used at Cromwell Lake<br>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSxq4rVoOHY/WRoVghXOrDI/AAAAAAAAEEk/cCqbN0lOuFkQiLr3Gc4JhtlG9hmLnA2lwCLcB/s1600/cromwell%2Blake%2Bzig%2Brigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSxq4rVoOHY/WRoVghXOrDI/AAAAAAAAEEk/cCqbN0lOuFkQiLr3Gc4JhtlG9hmLnA2lwCLcB/s1600/cromwell%2Blake%2Bzig%2Brigs.jpg" /></a></center>
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The day passed uneventfully and I took the chance to have a nap mid-afternoon, after hitting the road at just after 5am I was knackered so a bit of kip and a nice big casserole for tea was just what I needed. I was actually watching my TV in the evening when the middle <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/CxEx0C">Delkim</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Delkimtxi"> bleeped once then sang its lovely warbling song. I was on it in a flash, I wound down and struck into a solid fish which immediately started taking line even at long range, a sure sign of a decent sized fish. I played it for a minute or two before everything went solid and I found myself stuck in the heavy weed. Bailiff Mark was kind enough to come out in the boat and I waited anxiously as he made his way out to where the fish was stuck. In my mind I’d already conceded defeat and it came as no surprise when Mark signalled the fish was gone. I wound in to find the line had parted a couple of inches from the lead.<br>
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I re-tackled after the loss and managed to get the rig back out just before dark. To say I was annoyed and disappointed would be an understatement but things got worse during the night when the right hand rod peeled away at 12.30am. This fish didn’t have the power of the previous lost fish but it still managed to find some weed. I managed to free it and played it all the way in, I had the carp rolling on the surface in front of me when it powered off one last time and as it did, my hook length parted again. I was devastated, two losses, both to breakages, I was not a happy bunny at all and I threw the rod on the rest in disgust and went back to bed. In the morning I tied up a fresh zig and once again I was fishing with 3 rods.<br>
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Second day I did a bit of filming for the video that accompanies this article (above), apart from getting some footage of the lake not much else happened until the evening. At roughly the same time as yesterday the middle rod bleeped once before my main line slowly started peeling from the clutch. Again I was on it quickly only this time I managed to pressure the fish towards me. It was slow and ponderous but it kept coming and I had my heart in my mouth as it got closer to me. Inevitably it found some weed on the way in but the fish was much closer to the bank this time and with some steady pressure I managed to get it moving again. As it came into the margins I caught a glimpse of a lump, as soon as I saw it my first guess was thirty plus. A few minutes later Kev slipped the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/4i7Yzu">Landing Net</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Landingnet"> under her and I breathed a sigh of relief, after a few heart stopping moments I’d finally put a Cromwell carp on the bank.<br>
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Kev held her in the margins whilst I sorted out the mat, sling, scales and cameras ready for weighing and the photo session. We weighed her in at 35lb exactly, all I could think of at the time was that I’d got one and I hadn’t blanked, we did the photo’s and called Mark the bailiff out so he could see it, he gave the fish the once over before I returned her to the water.<br>
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<center>My 35lb Cromwell Lake Mirror Carp, caught on the zig rig<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HxOZqxU24o/WRoWSqVJDCI/AAAAAAAAEEo/rKIcGkjlCrs7DTggpLbXxI7-dcInNCaFQCLcB/s1600/cromwell%2Blake%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HxOZqxU24o/WRoWSqVJDCI/AAAAAAAAEEo/rKIcGkjlCrs7DTggpLbXxI7-dcInNCaFQCLcB/s1600/cromwell%2Blake%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" /></a></center>
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I recast the zig just before dark and when I sat down it sank in properly, this fish is actually a new PB Mirror and it beat my old pb of 32.06 by a couple of pounds. Suddenly the two losses didn’t seem so bad, they’d been playing on my mind all day on Saturday but this fish went a considerable way to making up for them. I fished on through Saturday night and on Sunday morning I got the last of the footage for the accompanying video (above) before I packed up at 9.30am. I stayed until the end and left the rods out for as long as I could but no more runs came and I settled for just the one carp in the end.<br>
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The Cromwell social was another tough one, apart from my 35, Brent managed a brace of low twenties and my mate Darren chipped in with a 23+ so there were only 4 fish caught with quite a few lost due to the weed. If you’re heading to Cromwell I’d definitely recommend dropping the lead on the take and fishing with the zig rig, if you can get on the carp, it’s a method that will work.<br>
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Please have a watch of the accompanying video that’s embedded into this article and subscribe to my youtube channel, you’ll find lots of decent videos about my fishing on there and I try to make sure they contain plenty of tips and advice on how to catch.<br>
Until next time, tight lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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<a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/PFwD8L">Maple Peas</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Maplepeas"> are a classic 70's carp bait, it was the writings of the great Rod Hutchinson that first got me interested in using maple peas as a carp bait and even now I can well remember his classic book '<a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/f5F19A">The Carp Strikes Back</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Carpstrikesback">' and the follow up he did in the late 80's called '<a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/Mp7f3A">Carp Now and Then</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Carpnowandthen">'. Hutchy made some outstanding carp catches back in 70’s and I first found myself drawn to using maple peas myself back in the early 1990's, some 25 years ago. At the time I'd just been made redundant and I was skint, there was no way I could participate in the premier baits fishmeal revolution that was going on in carp fishing at the time, I just didn't have the funds so I opted to start using maple peas for my carp fishing, if they were good enough for Hutchy all those years ago, they were good enough for me.<br>
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Back then I used <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/PFwD8L">Maple Peas</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Maplepeas"> on a Lymm Angling Club water called Grimsditch Mill Pool, both my mate Paul and I bought a sack each so we had 40 kilos between us, we prebaited with those two sacks then bought another sack each to fish with. To cut a long story short I quickly discovered maple peas were a superb particle bait for carp fishing and fully deserving of the reputation they had for catching carp. <br>
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<center>Lymm Angling Club's Grimsditch Mill Pool in the early 1990's, where I first used Maple Peas<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1m9Jwtlmfc/WPOnW631hRI/AAAAAAAAEDk/gkXE1BGcPQY55crt8iv7Yu3c2PpvZFZsACLcB/s1600/lymm%2Bangling%2Bclub%2Bgrimsditch%2Bmill%2Bpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1m9Jwtlmfc/WPOnW631hRI/AAAAAAAAEDk/gkXE1BGcPQY55crt8iv7Yu3c2PpvZFZsACLcB/s1600/lymm%2Bangling%2Bclub%2Bgrimsditch%2Bmill%2Bpool.jpg" /></a></center>
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Times change and in the 25 plus years since I first used <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/PFwD8L">Maple Peas</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Maplepeas"> I've done a few campaigns with them and they've always been very successful, I do use boilies and other particle baits though so maples have been forgotten about in recent years. I've been thinking about my bait for this spring and summer and I thought a trip down memory lane was in order so this year I'll once again be using maple peas as my first choice carp bait.<br>
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I popped over to my local livery and collected a sack of Bamford's Top Flight Maple Peas, I like bamfords for my particles, the sacks they provide always have nice clean bait in and this sack of maples was no exception, the peas were nice and clean with no dust at all. I opened it up as part of the video accompanying this article and although I didn't say it in the film (below), I was very pleased with the quality of the bait.<br>
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<center>How to prepare and use maple peas for carping, click to watch!<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RNpOjxUZUoE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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Like any particle bait for carp fishing, <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/PFwD8L">Maple Peas</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Maplepeas"> need to be soaked and boiled, I soak mine for 24hrs then boil them for 20 minutes. At this point some of the peas will have started to split but most will still be whole and that's exactly what I'm looking for when I've finished preparing them. A further test I do to check that they are ok is to take a maple pea between my thumb and forefinger and squash it, an unprepared pea will be as hard as a bullet but if you've done them right, a well prepared pea will squash between your fingers under not much pressure, check out the video accompanying this article to see how that’s done first hand (above).<br>
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For presentation I have two rigs I use, the first is a simple knotless knot hair rig with a single maple pea on the hair (you can use them as snowman bottom baits too), I use a size 12 <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/l8MjmY">Korda Kurv Hook</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=kordakurv"> for this rig, I realise a size 12 might seem a little small but the korda kurv hooks are particularly big for their size and probably the equivalent of a normal size 10 hook. It's really just a case of balancing the size of the bait with the size of the hook and at roughly 8-10mm in diameter, a single maple pea goes really well with a 12/kurv or a standard <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/7qt7w0">Size 10 Drennan Super Specialist Hook</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Drennansuperspec">.<br>
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<center>A couple of simple carp rigs showing how to present maple peas for carp<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LCK9bpnJRU/WPOsICJxi-I/AAAAAAAAEEA/wXcjcNF8luYpLuJrX3vwMw3D1fUdLLoCACLcB/s1600/maple%2Bpeas%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Brig%2Brigs%2Bpresentation%2Bcork%2Bball%2Bpop%2Bups.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LCK9bpnJRU/WPOsICJxi-I/AAAAAAAAEEA/wXcjcNF8luYpLuJrX3vwMw3D1fUdLLoCACLcB/s1600/maple%2Bpeas%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Brig%2Brigs%2Bpresentation%2Bcork%2Bball%2Bpop%2Bups.jpg" /></a></center>
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My second rig uses the same hook and braid but it's a 'snowman rig', it's a single maple pea with a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/uZqz4w">10mm Cork Ball</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Corkball"> on the hair. Now a 10mm cork ball is exceptionally buoyant so I trim mine down so the bait sinks with the weight of the hook, you have to trim the cork ball quite a lot, so much so that it looks like an apple core when you've finished but that doesn't matter, it's an outstanding presentation and the carp will take it no problem. The braid I use on both rigs is usually <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/VP2iZh">ESP Sink Link Braid</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Sinklink">, I like this braid as it blends in with the bottom well and sinks of it's own accord without needing '<a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/Pt2Ad1">Sinkers</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Sinkers">' or '<a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/EGn8Mx">Rig Putty</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Heavymetal">' to pin it down, not having to buy extras to pin a braid keeps the cost of your fishing down. The length of both rigs is around 6 inches, I always shorten my rigs when particle fishing, you are naturally fishing tight beds of small baits so the carp don't have to move far between baits and the shorter rig naturally helps prevent bite offs.<br>
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<center>A snowman maple pea presentation trips up a carp<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cm1vtPfKlpg/WPOsjpxM-hI/AAAAAAAAEEE/1x6eHWBBgXIcif1xf_DFqo75n7WyeuCdgCLcB/s1600/maple%2Bpeas%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cm1vtPfKlpg/WPOsjpxM-hI/AAAAAAAAEEE/1x6eHWBBgXIcif1xf_DFqo75n7WyeuCdgCLcB/s1600/maple%2Bpeas%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing.jpg" /></a></center>
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It’s been a few years since I last used <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/PFwD8L">Maple Peas</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Maplepeas"> and to finish off the video to this article I took my newly prepared peas to a local lake. The lake is well stocked but the fish are no pushovers by any means, they are well fished for and they know how to avoid getting caught so a result was by no means guaranteed. Most anglers on the lake use boilies and they do catch fish but the carp do seem easier to catch if you do something different. I gave myself 4 or 5 hours on this session and after a slow start with nothing showing, half an hour in I clocked a few fish in an area nobody was fishing so I moved swim and walked a bait down to where the fish were. I put the rig in amongst them along with a few handfuls of peas to get them interested and it didn’t take long before the rod pulled round and I was away with a small mirror, I’d guess at around the 6lb mark. That fish must have spooked the rest because they went to ground after that which was a shame as the one I caught was perhaps the smallest I saw show.<br>
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<center>A small mirror taken on Maple Peas<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAdIor_Nupc/WPOrhlIbSgI/AAAAAAAAED4/VR6AYdhPDNQJthQcKfcWr5j_Y-J4kJRbgCLcB/s1600/maple%2Bpeas%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Blymm%2Bangling%2Bclub.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAdIor_Nupc/WPOrhlIbSgI/AAAAAAAAED4/VR6AYdhPDNQJthQcKfcWr5j_Y-J4kJRbgCLcB/s1600/maple%2Bpeas%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Blymm%2Bangling%2Bclub.jpg" /></a></center>
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I find on hard fished waters the carp are easier to catch if you do something different, when everyone else is using boilies, particle baits like <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/PFwD8L">Maple Peas</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Maplepeas"> can score really well, not only can they out fish boilies on pressured waters, they are a fraction of the price and the sack I have cost £10.99 for 20 kilos. When I first started using maples it was because I’d just been made unemployed and I was skint, today I use them to be different and because they catch me carp when boilies don’t and they do it without costing a fortune. If you’re looking for a bait for the year ahead and don’t want to pay £10-£15 for a kilo of frozen boilies in the shop and you don’t mind preparing your bait a day or so before you go fishing, give the maple peas a try, you won’t be disappointed.<br>
Until next time, tight lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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Once again it’s December, I’ve hung up the carp rods for a while and it’s time have a look back at the highlights of my fishing in 2016.<br>
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For a change 2016 started off with a different species of fish as I decided to do some lure fishing for pike and perch instead, you can read about last winter’s exploits fishing for <a href="http://anglersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/ultra-light-lure-fishing-pt4.html" target="_blank">Shropshire Union Canal Pike</a> and Perch on my sister blog <a href="http://anglersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Anglers Diary</a> and if you've an interest in taking up lure fishing yourself checkout my most recent update on that blog or watch the film below.<br>
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<center>Lure Fishing for Beginners, click below to watch.<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0H0pXfWBw2s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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After a winter of lure fishing I was itching to get back to fishing for carp, taking a break and targeting those canal pike was a great idea and I came back to my carp fishing in March fully refreshed after my long break. It didn’t take long for my first success to come either as I banked a lovely 24lb+ mirror from one of my local waters. After this quick success I struggled for a while and the next notable carp capture came on our annual social. This year we went back to that popular day ticket water <a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/yateley-sandhurst-carp-lake-social.html" target="_blank">Sandhurst Lake</a> but our return to this venue wasn’t a happy one by any means. I did manage to top score with a nice mirror of 27lb 6oz, a fish I was extremely fortunate to bank given the state of the heavily weeded lake.<br>
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<center>My biggest fish of 2016 from Sandhurst Lake, click below to watch.<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qVzYNW7grGg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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After sandhurst I revisited a lake I’ve fished before, <a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/cheshire-carp-and-catfish.html" target="_blank">The Catfish Lake</a>, I had one eye on the river season opening and with a few weeks to go before the off I had a couple of Saturdays targeting carp and catfish on this lake. Success was instant and I caught a few low double figured carp and several catfish, I had so much good footage I turned both of these short sessions into youtube films, part 1 saw a best catfish of 25lb 4oz and part 2 produced a best catfish of 22lb 8oz. The quality of fishing on this little lake is superb and I’ve no doubt I’ll find time for another couple of sessions on there in 2017.<br>
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Summer turned out to be a bit of a mix of different fishing styles, June 16th saw me leave the carp fishing behind for a while as I concentrated on <a href="http://anglersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/barbel-fishing-on-river-severn.html" target="_blank">Fishing for River Severn Barbel</a>. This year my barbel fishing went extremely well and I banked a run of mid sized severn barbel mostly on or around the 7lb mark with a best of 8lb 8oz. I really enjoyed my summer time fishing on the River Severn and I’ll definitely be going back for more in 2017.<br>
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<center>Barbel Fishing on the River Severn, click below to watch<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s0lxLWDojWM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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The other style of fishing that took over my summer was <a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/floater-fishing-for-carp-free-lining.html" target="_blank">Floater Fishing</a> with an <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/2ieXod">Enterprise Imitation Dog Biscuit</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Chickpeas">. Fishing for surface feeding carp has always been a favourite method of mine and there are a few videos showing zig rig and floater fishing on my youtube channel. This summer I ended up freelining for carp because the fish were so spooky of lines and controllers. Using a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/HQN48m">Drennan Surface Controller</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Drennancontoller"> was a sure fire way to blank on my chosen local such was their paranoia. These carp weren’t very big, just singles and doubles but they’d been fished for hard on the top for many years and I really had to pull out all the stops to catch one. The summer became a real battle trying to outwit them on the surface and I loved every minute of it, for me it was the challenge of trying to hook what seemed like the unhookable most of the time. I managed to catch a few including the stunning fully scaled mid double on the film below, I also broke a very long standing ‘floater pb’ this summer, a pb that had stood since August 1993!, the carp may not have been massive but I earned every one of them and the fishing definitely provided the kind of challenge I like.<br>
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<center>Surface Fishing for Carp, click below to watch.<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cNDnV-HHOYM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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Autumn saw me go back to more conventional carp fishing as I headed back to a different local water in search of another twenty. I’d like to say I caught one but I didn’t, in fact the lake was particularly unkind to me and I ended up blanking for several months as I failed to outsmart a single fish. The closest I came to banking an autumn carp was losing a twenty pound plus common at the net to a hook pull, my only run from September to November and a bitterly disappointing ending to my carp fishing in 2016.<br>
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As I write this in early December I’m taking a break to recharge my batteries with just the odd lure fishing trip here and there, I’ll be back out looking for a winter carp over the Christmas period then I’ll be back to the lure fishing again until spring, all in all it’s been a mixed year and I’m certainly hoping to catch a few more twenties next year. I hope you’ve enjoyed the stories and the short films that accompany them and hopefully I’ll get the chance to make a few more next year.<br>
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Until next time, tight lines and all the very best to you all in 2017.<br>
<br>
Mark.<br>
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<center> My biggest carp of 2016, 27lb 6oz from Sandhurst Lake<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O174zQM1z_g/Vydlp_RyHKI/AAAAAAAAD24/gLkr2HWxsMwFBGlmWRUaOJkVeEy8lfnGwCPcB/s1600/yateley%2Bsandhurst%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Bsocial%2Bsocials.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O174zQM1z_g/Vydlp_RyHKI/AAAAAAAAD24/gLkr2HWxsMwFBGlmWRUaOJkVeEy8lfnGwCPcB/s1600/yateley%2Bsandhurst%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Bsocial%2Bsocials.jpg" /></a></center>
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You can’t beat floater fishing for carp for excitement, it beats sitting behind the delkims any day and I must admit I just don’t get to do enough of it. This summer I decided to rectify that and I’ve been doing some afternoon and evening sessions on a well stocked local carp water but things haven’t exactly gone to plan.<br>
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<center>Floater fishing for carp, click below to watch the video of this session.<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cNDnV-HHOYM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
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The carp in the lake love mixers but they’ve been hammered on them over the years. The first time I took a bucket of mixers down to the lake I got the carp feeding with ease and I must admit to being a little bit too cocky when I first cast out my <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/HQN48m">Drennan Surface Controller</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Drennancontoller">. I thought I was in for a very easy time but within a minute of the controller going out the carp had stopped taking mixers. To say I was puzzled by this would be an understatement, I had the carp fishing equivalent of a 2 yard tap in and I missed!.<br>
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It was obvious these fish had been caught many times before on the surface, they weren’t shy though and they’d come right into the bank to take mixers off the top as long as there was no controller in the swim. This made them vulnerable to a free lined mixer so after blanking on my first session I went back to basics, a size 10 <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/mhb2kV">ESP Big T Hook</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Bigtraptor"> and 8lb <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/NMmKnD">Drennan Double Strength Mono</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Doublestrength"> for the tackle and an <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/2ieXod">Enterprise Imitation Dog Biscuit</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Chickpeas"> for bait. My 6ft length of double strength was greased with a line floatant called <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/q2bTJM">Silicone Mucilin</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Mucilin"> so it wouldn't sink and this was my complete setup, a hook on the end of my line, it couldn't be any more simple.<br>
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I quickly found some fish on my return and they obliged me very quickly when I fired in some chum mixers, usually I like to build the carp’s confidence and get them competing for biscuits but I couldn’t resist a cheeky quick cast to see if I could get a fish in the net quickly. I managed to get my free lined dog biscuit out about 3 rod lengths and it landed right in the middle of some feeding fish. The bait wasn’t in the water long when a carp came for it but these fish are masters of mouthing baits and not getting hooked and I missed my first chance. The fish had approached my fake mixer from the side and felt the line when it mouthed the bait, an occupational hazard when surface fishing for carp. (Watch the video above!). I decided to trim the imitation mixer so it didn't sit so high in the water, I'd had a few chances and clearly something was wrong so I whittled the mixer down so it sat a bit lower in the water and this seemed to work better.<br>
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<center>Feeding them up, a carp surfaces confidently and gulps down a chum mixer<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lImGUDiy-8/V7dhwVXXd4I/AAAAAAAAD6o/8SDaoAuBIxYbtzV3S3rwf9UqzJUJKmhKQCPcB/s1600/floater%2Bsurface%2Bfishing%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Benterprise%2Bimitation%2Bdog%2Bbiscuit%2Bmixer.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lImGUDiy-8/V7dhwVXXd4I/AAAAAAAAD6o/8SDaoAuBIxYbtzV3S3rwf9UqzJUJKmhKQCPcB/s1600/floater%2Bsurface%2Bfishing%2Bfor%2Bcarp%2Benterprise%2Bimitation%2Bdog%2Bbiscuit%2Bmixer.jpg" /></a></center>
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I put the rod down after missing that quick chance and I concentrated on feeding them up and getting them competing for the baits, it took quite a while before I was ready to introduce the Imitation Dog Biscuit again and when I did I got the same result, a mouthed bait and a missed chance. Things went on like this for a while until one suicidal mirror turned up and chased everything, eventually this fish came face to face with my trimmed down bait and took it without hesitation, finally after several missed chances I was in. I had the clutch set on my <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/evTj2h">Shimano Bait Runner</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Shimanobr"> so my 8lb hooklength was never going to break and my new <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/cLFKz5">Korum Twin Tip</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Korumrod"> rod impressed me greatly, it had a lovely through action and was perfect for floater fishing with light lines. I’d actually bought these rods for my barbel fishing but they double up really well as floater rods.<br>
<br>
The fish gave a great account of itself making a couple of long runs then plodding round a lot under the rod tip but eventually I won the day and I slipped the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/4i7Yzu">Landing Net</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Landingnet"> under a lovely fully scaled mirror that weighed 15lb 6oz, well worth the few hours of frustration I'd had to catch it.<br>
<br>
<center>Lovely fully scaled mirror taken off the top on an Enterprise Imitation Dog Biscuit<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVdKZCebIqw/V7dhr4U-_0I/AAAAAAAAD6o/v4m_3oeNEqc3jsX7Q8-AiCqtGsfb8CyvgCPcB/s1600/surface%2Bfloater%2Bfishing%2Bcarp%2Benterprise%2Bimitation%2Bdog%2Bbiscuit%2Bchum%2Bmixers.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVdKZCebIqw/V7dhr4U-_0I/AAAAAAAAD6o/v4m_3oeNEqc3jsX7Q8-AiCqtGsfb8CyvgCPcB/s1600/surface%2Bfloater%2Bfishing%2Bcarp%2Benterprise%2Bimitation%2Bdog%2Bbiscuit%2Bchum%2Bmixers.jpg" /></a></center>
<br>
With a mid double fully scaled in the bag I put the rod down and just concentrated on feeding them up again. You need to be patient when surface fishing for carp and it pays to take your time, the longer you leave it the more confident the carp get.
Once again, despite the bird life, I had the carp at the stage where I could introduce a hook bait again. It took a while but eventually I managed to hook up another carp, this one was clearly smaller than the mid double I’d hooked before but it still gave a good scrap under the rod tip. As well as being smaller it was quite plain compared to the stunner I’d landed earlier and it weighed 8lb 6oz. (The 8lb 6oz is on the end of the accompanying video above).<br>
<br>
After blanking with the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/HQN48m">Drennan Surface Controller</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Drennancontoller"> I was happy that switching to free lining was the way to go, the fish didn’t seem to spook as much although some carp would still back off if the mixer landed right on their heads. It took a few hours for me to earn these two fish, I had to be patient and endure the resident ducks who had more than one free meal at my expense, it was worth the effort to get a couple of fish on the bank though. I like the close quarter fishing too, it’s quite difficult to get a free lined <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/2ieXod">Enterprise Imitation Dog Biscuit</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Chickpeas"> out into the lake so my hook ups are generally within two or three rod lengths of the bank, exciting stuff indeed, perhaps I should try fly fishing for carp next time?.<br>
<br>
Until next time, tight lines and be lucky.<br>
<br>
Mark.<br>
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Early in June I had a few weekends to spare, the carp had spawned on my target water and although it was a good time to catch, I didn’t really want to catch them several pounds down and looking a bit empty and possibly a bit tatty. The river season hadn’t yet started so I found myself looking round for something to fill the gap until the rivers opened. I decided to try for another catfish, I had a couple of Saturday afternoons to spare in the run up to June 16th and I was sure I could catch one in that timescale so I set myself a plan to target carp with one rod and catfish with the other.<br>
<br>
I dropped into a very familiar swim at the lake and got myself set up, a standard carp rig baited with a nashbait <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/rXkWvt">Scopex Squid</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Scopexsquid"> boilie was cast tight to the lily pads on the far bank using the line clip on my <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/jGwwgk">Shimano Reels</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Shiman5500ci4"> to get the rig tight without losing any tackle. I baited this rod with 20-30 baits tightly grouped using a <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/kC8rMU">Catapult</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Carpcatapult">. The other rod was fished with a <a href="https://youtu.be/7m5WBT8SdOw" target="_blank">Pellet Rig</a> for the catfish, it was baited with a 16mm coppens trout pellet and this was fished over a bed of 70-80 of the same <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/CnvvZC">Trout Pellets</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Carppellets"> in order to pull in the catfish.<br>
<br>
I’d only been fishing 20 minutes when the boilie rod on the pads was away with my first fish of the session. The carp caught me unaware so the only footage I managed to get was of me holding the fish up for the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/3HPnWx">Camera</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Camera">, it was a mirror weighing 11lb.<br>
<br>
Things went quiet for an hour or so but eventually the pellet rod gave me one of those stuttery takes that the catfish in this lake seem to give. I picked up the rod and sure enough I was attached to a cat but this one turned out to be more of a kitten, I weighed it in at 8lb 8oz, not quite the monster I was hoping for but it was only mid afternoon and I had plenty of time left.<br>
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I re-baited the pellet rod and topped up the swim with more coppens trout pellets then sat back and waited for things to unfold. I had to wait quite a while for my next run, both rods stayed stubbornly quiet until the pellet rod finally burst into life with another stuttery take. This time the catfish that took the bait was a bit bigger than a kitten and I had a great battle with a mid twenty cat that eventually found its way into my <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/4i7Yzu">Landing Net</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Landingnet">. I weighed this Cheshire Catfish in at 25lb 4oz in the end so I actually got one of my target wels catfish first session out.<br>
<br>
The carp rod stayed quiet after that first fish and I ended up with just the one carp of 11lb and catfish of 8lb 8oz and 25lb 4oz. It was mission accomplished as far as the catfish went but I still had one more trip left before the rivers opened, I couldn’t repeat that feat, could I?.<br>
<br>
After a weekend off I was back again a fortnight later, same tactics, same swim. This time I had to wait an hour before the catfish rod was away, there were no kittens first this week and I found myself attached to another twenty plus wels catfish. Like the mid twenty a fortnight ago, this one gave me a great scrap even on a short line, I had trouble getting this particular cat into the net as it was quite long. Catfish can be difficult to net due to their length, the thing to remember is that the head is by far the heaviest end and even if the tail is still outside the landing net all you have to do is lift the net and the tail should fold and drop into the net, this happened to me with this fish and as you can see in the video that's underneath the picture below, the tail does indeed flop into the landing net.<br>
<br>
An hour in and I had another twenty plus cat on the bank, not quite as big as last week’s but at 22lb 8oz I wasn’t complaining. I got some more video footage and did some photo’s before I returned this catfish to its watery home.
I then re-baited with a further 30 trout pellets after this catfish then sat back to await another possible run.<br>
<br>
A few hours later it was the turn of my carp rod on the pads and after a mental fight I finally netted a high single common that weighed 9lb 12oz, it wasn’t massive but it was a nice fish and it fought like a typical high single, trying to charge round everywhere, you can see this common on the video immediately below, just click to watch.<br>
19.30pm seems to be a good time on this lake, a fortnight ago this time produced a 25lb+ catfish and again the catfish rod was away at what appears to be a magic time at the moment. This fish didn’t appear to have the strength of the two previous twenties but it was clearly bigger than a kitten. What turned out to be my last fish of the day weighed in at 16lb 4oz and it brought to a close my short targeting of catfish for this year. Over the two Saturday's I ended up with Cheshire Catfish of 25lb 4oz, 22lb 8oz, 16lb 4oz and 8lb 8oz plus a couple of carp weighing 11lb and 9lb 12oz, it was quality fishing for sure and I was very happy with the results of my two session 'Cheshire Carp and Catfish' campaign which totalled roughly 13hrs of fishing!.<br>
<br>
The river season is now open, I haven’t done any <a href="http://anglersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/river-severn-barbel-fishing-pt1.html" target="_blank">barbel fishing</a> yet, mainly due to the heavy rain we’ve had since the season started but I hope to get on the river very soon. I’ll be back chasing carp again once we are into August, by that time I expect them to have regained some weight and improved in condition after spawning and hopefully the carp I’m after will be attaining some good weights.<br>
Until next time, tight lines and be lucky.<br>
Mark.<br>
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Having been to <a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/cromwell-carp-lake-social-2015.html" target="_blank">Cromwell Carp Lake</a> for the last two PAAS Forum socials this year we returned to <a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/yateley-sandhurst-session-pt1.html" target="_blank">Yateley Sandhurst Lake</a>, a popular southern day ticket water containing numbers of fish that most North West carp anglers can only dream of catching locally.
My trip to Sandhurst started with a 3am alarm call, our booking was due to start at 10am on Friday morning and ahead of me was a near 4 hour drive to the lake, allowing for rush hour at Birmingham and London I gave myself plenty of time and left just before 4am. Fortunately the trip down was good, I met up with a few of the other lads at Warwick services on the M42 and from there a convoy of us drove the last 100 miles or so to the lake after a nice breakfast and a cup of coffee to keep me awake!.<br>
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<center>Click to watch the Sandhurst Carp Social<br>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qVzYNW7grGg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br>
<br>
We arrived at the lake around 8.30am, a couple of the lads were already there and the news wasn’t good, stories of weed cutting, blue dye going in the lake a few days before, bitterly cold weather and hard fishing were the order of the day, of the anglers already fishing some even questioned if there were any fish in the lake so obviously not much had been showing either. We all had a walk around and I did see a few fish off the back of the wind at the far end of the lake, this was a big help and gave me an idea of where I wanted to be. I kept quiet about the fish I'd seen, my track record at the draw is famous…or is that infamous!, my usual position is last so I wasn’t going to give away the location of the fish I’d seen until after we’d all chosen our swims. As it turned out, everyone else was doing the same and after pegs had been chosen everyone started spilling about the carp they’d seen themselves, all’s fair when it comes to getting a good peg at the draw! (lol).<br>
As it happened karma finally paid me back and I came out second, my highest draw position ever. I chose peg 13, a swim I’ve fished a few times before so I knew it quite well, the fish I’d seen were in front of pegs 13 in the middle, 15 and 16 both about 30 yards out, apart from being familiar to me, my reasoning for picking 13 over the other swims is that the carp wouldn’t stay around 15/16 under pressure, once the rigs went out and there were lines in the water I expected them to move into the main body of the lake and by picking 13 I was perfectly positioned to fish the area I thought they’d move into, if nobody fished either of the other pegs then I could take some day gear down there and try for them myself as we’d booked the whole lake. As it happens 15 and 16 did go because a few of the other lads had seen them too.<br>
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<center>Peg 13 at Sandhurst Lake, a familiar swim I've fished on previous socials<br>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZHQ03s16tc/VydqEUGRqPI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/GSH-57ymRJ0zEfIvRjYawV-7t-XcruergCKgB/s1600/yateley%2Bsandhurst%2Bpeg%2B13%2Bcarp%2Bsocial%2Bpaas.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZHQ03s16tc/VydqEUGRqPI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/GSH-57ymRJ0zEfIvRjYawV-7t-XcruergCKgB/s1600/yateley%2Bsandhurst%2Bpeg%2B13%2Bcarp%2Bsocial%2Bpaas.jpg" /></a></center><br>
<br>
I’d not fished overnight since the last social a year ago so I set about putting up my <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/Z9hXN0">Trakker A-Lite</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Trakkeralite"> shelter and got myself comfortable before I set the rods up. I was armed with <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/kXBxcS">Spod</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Spodrod"> and <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/gVEBQP">Marker</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Markerrod"> rods and I had my distance sticks with me too but I was reluctant to start thrashing the water to a foam when there were carp already in the area. I knew my spots anyway so I had a quick lead around and found weed, out in the lake it wasn’t too bad but I was later to find that closer in to my bank it was really bad. I clipped up and worked out the wraps and distance I was fishing at on my distance sticks and I must admit doing this was a massive help when it came to re-casting and getting back on the same spots, how did we ever manage without <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/4mUsFe">Cygnet Distance Sticks</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Distancesticks">!.<br>
<br>
My bait for this trip was particles, <a href="https://youtu.be/dXXERqYBYVg" target="_blank">Tiger Nuts</a> and <a href="https://youtu.be/mbnjhbZi9nk" target="_blank">Maize</a>. Sandhurst lake is a busy day ticket water and the vast majority of anglers are using boilies. I’ve done very well on hard fished waters in the past by giving the fish a bait that isn’t round and made with eggs, as soon as you do this you gain an edge.<br>
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<center>Popups in a mesh bag help my critically balanced tiger nut settle on the weed<br>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XF6dOK22RG0/VydgQ4Jji1I/AAAAAAAAD18/ymCEjbbV6LU1L9E-T8pFV0vavty9G_hvgCKgB/s1600/sticky%2Bbaits%2Bpopups%2Bpink%2Bbuchuberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XF6dOK22RG0/VydgQ4Jji1I/AAAAAAAAD18/ymCEjbbV6LU1L9E-T8pFV0vavty9G_hvgCKgB/s1600/sticky%2Bbaits%2Bpopups%2Bpink%2Bbuchuberry.jpg" /></a></center><br>
<br>
I fished tigers or maize on long braided hook links and made sure my hook baits were critically balanced so they only just sank very very slowly. I made sure the hook was well covered with a foam nugget and I added a small 2 bait <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/kJb7oO">PVA Mesh Bag</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=PVAMesh"> as well, not your normal mesh bag though, a couple of bottom baits would drag the rig into the weed so my bags had popups in them, by using popups the rig would be held up until the mesh bag and the foam nugget melted and at this point the hook bait would slowly sink down and come to rest on the weed.<br>
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<center>Watching the water with a brew in hand at Sandhurst Lake<br>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEtbBt0QGKo/VydicWJS8AI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/mMK1_yRLKToskg7QkqBihDUGaVqHA1eqwCKgB/s1600/yateley%2Bsandhurst%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Blake%2Bday%2Bticket.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TEtbBt0QGKo/VydicWJS8AI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/mMK1_yRLKToskg7QkqBihDUGaVqHA1eqwCKgB/s1600/yateley%2Bsandhurst%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Blake%2Bday%2Bticket.jpg" /></a></center><br>
<br>
After setting up all 3 rods with critically balanced <a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.co.uk/2008/11/tiger-nuts-for-carp.html" target="_blank">Tiger Nuts</a> or <a href="http://northwestcarp.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/maize-for-carp.html" target="_blank">Maize</a> I sat back and watched the water with a brew in hand and I saw quite a few fish as the day unfolded, including a few around my baits too. The wind turned in towards me a little early in the afternoon and I wasn’t happy having a bitterly cold icy blast in my face so I turned my bivvy round so I wasn’t getting the wind in through the door, I’d just finished doing this when the middle rod ripped off out of the blue.<br>
<br>
I hit the rod and found myself attached to the first Sandhurst carp of the social. It was here I found out just how bad the weed was. Almost straight away the fish bogged me down in heavy weed. I had difficulty getting it moving again but eventually the steady pressure made the fish shift. I pumped the fish back slowly only for it to find another thick weedbed. This time it was solid and I couldn’t move the fish, I tried standing on the higher step and trying to get more leverage upwards as well as changing angles to see if I could shift it but the fish was solid. I asked my mate Darren to try and find a boat and whilst he was looking for one I tried slackening off and putting the rod back on the rest to see if the carp would move on its own. Eventually this tactic paid off and when I took up the slack and applied the pressure again the fish came free. From here I was able to slowly pump the carp back towards me. Once it was in the edge I realised it had picked up one of the other rods and I’m sure the rig on the other rod had got stuck in weed too, a dangerous situation to be in and one that very nearly cost me the fish. Luck was on my side though and by taking my time I was able to bring the fish close enough to the bank for Darren to slip the <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/4i7Yzu">Landing Net</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Landingnet"> under it.<br>
<br>
First blood to me then, I had a nice long mirror in the landing net, definitely a twenty and judging by the shoulders on it probably over 25lb. I set up my <a target="_blank" href="https://ebay.us/yGCEL3">Unhooking Mat</a><img style="text-decoration:none;border:0;padding:0;margin:0;" src="https://www.ebayadservices.com/marketingtracking/v1/impression?mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&mkevt=2&siteid=3&campid=5337564527&ad_type=0&toolid=20012&customid=Foxunhookingmat"> at the back of my swim and after unhooking the fish I weighed it in at 27lb 6oz, not a massive fish by sandhurst standards but back home in the North West that's classed as a big fish.<br>
<br>
<center>My 27lb 6oz Mirror from this social, one of only 3 fish caught on a tough trip<br>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O174zQM1z_g/Vydlp_RyHKI/AAAAAAAAD20/HdQ7pzCOBCwQ2DVQ8e9cbODsU8OtrFacACKgB/s1600/yateley%2Bsandhurst%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Bsocial%2Bsocials.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O174zQM1z_g/Vydlp_RyHKI/AAAAAAAAD20/HdQ7pzCOBCwQ2DVQ8e9cbODsU8OtrFacACKgB/s1600/yateley%2Bsandhurst%2Bcarp%2Bfishing%2Bsocial%2Bsocials.jpg" /></a></center><br>
<br>
I was happy with that, I’d only had the rods out for 3 hours or so and the pressure was off already, with a decent fish on the bank I could sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the trip.<br>
It’s just as well I managed to bank that carp because the rest of the trip turned out to be an exercise in camping!, the fish stopped showing in my area and they moved up to the other end of the lake. Despite my best efforts I couldn’t bank another fish so I ended up with just the one carp. Everyone else struggled too and out of 14 anglers on the social only 3 of us caught!. This has been by far the least productive social we’ve had at Sandhurst, the weather was poor with a cold wind and low temps all through the weekend. The ban on zigs has had an effect too, the fish were well up in the water during our stay and if we’d been able to use them I’m sure more fish would have been caught although the weed being so thick I can understand why they were banned in the first place. I'd like to see the owners deal with the weed properly in the first place rather than banning a good method of catching?.<br>
<br>
In some ways it was good to go back to Sandhurst again but it's a water we've visited a few times before, next year I hope we can find a new water to visit. If you're reading this and you know of a decent carp water around 15-25 acres in size with a good head of 20's, will take around 15 anglers with some room to spare and is available for a full lake booking please put a suggestion below using the comments, thanks.<br>
Until next time.<br>
Tight Lines.<br>
Mark.<br>
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