On sale March 20th – April 17th 2013
Tried and Tested Tackle: Fox Supa Brolly System, JRC Contact Luggae, Pro-Logic Firestarter Bivvy and more
April 2013 | Issue 188 | £3.90 craftycarper.co
Master The Pellet ApproachWe give you the ultimate guide to using this massively underrated bait both as hookbaits and free offerings
WIN!Over £1,300 of Trakker
gear up for grabs
GET THE VERY BEST ADVICE FROM TOP CARP ANGLERS:
Martin BowlerMark PitchersMark BartlettDarrell PeckRob HughesIan RussellAlan BlairIan Stott
Feed Your Way to
Success
Get Crafty... G
ET CA
TCHIN
G!
No.1
88
March 2
01
3craftycarper.co
Why planning your baiting strategy will improve your results
FREE FISHING FOR EVERY READER WORTH £40 AT TWO GREAT UK VENUES
001_CraftyCoverBart_CC188.indd 1 05/03/2013 15:30
Crafty Carper /// Issue 188 /// April 2013 /// www.craftycarper.co
What’s on this month’s cover...
6 Crafty Carper
128 CompetitionTrakker
Trakker are in full swing with their brand
new gear, and they’ve supplied us with a
few Levelite Beds and Layers Sleeping Bags
to give away to three lucky readers.
CRAFTY COLUMNISTS
11 Editorial James Turner
Editor James has had a busy time
of it over the last month, shooting
features and attending shows. Here
he tells us all about it, and what you
can expect from this month’s edition.
141 Diary of an Everyday Carper
Julian Cundiff
He’s the man who never sleeps, and his
busy schedule means he has no choice
but to live up to that moniker. But,
remarkably, he’s still catching plenty!
OUT & ABOUT
84 The TicketMasterFrom north to south we’ve
got your next fi shing trip sorted. We
preview six of the best day tickets in
the land, and offer free fi shing at two
class venues in Yorkshire and Essex.
INTERACTIVE
26 Catch ColumnWant to see your pics
in our magazine? Well you can
in Catch Column. We select the
best of the captures we receive
and send the monthly winner a
£50 Mainline Baits voucher.
71 The Question IsWe have six carping
masters on hand to answer all
your carping questions. Having
problems landing that target fi sh?
Don’t know which rig to use? Don’t
worry, because these guys do!
133 Subs Offer We’ve got a corker of
a subscription offer for our readers
this month – a year’s subscription
to Crafty and a truckload of some
fantastic Taska terminal tackle.
Front cover: Carp-catching machine Mark Bartlett with a stunning 27lb mirror.
49 Master Pellet FishingTony Smeats
There is more to pellets then just whacking them out
around a hookbait. We got pellet master Tony Smeats to
show us how to get the most out of the little devils.
13 The TravellerMark Bartlett
Mr Bartlett ventures down Hampshire way as he takes
on the famous Yateley day ticket water – Sandhurst.
Can he catch a Sandhurst stunner? You bet he can!
95 Carpers’ KitTeam Crafty takes a shufti at some of
the best gear money can buy, including a look at the
ever useful distance sticks from Cygnet, and editor
James talks about one of his essential bits of kit.
37
006-007_Conts_CC188.indd 1 11/03/2013 19:18
Crafty Carper 7
Contents /// March 2013
BEHIND THE SCENES AT CRAFTY CARPER
Highlights of the month…
136 InboxThis month’s Inbox is a
Carpin’ On 2013 special. We have a
special report on this year’s Carpin’
On show, and feature some of the
best photos from the exhibition.
FEATURES
20 When Opportunity KnocksIan Stott
Sticky consultant Ian Stott tells us
how he makes the most of the time of
year when everything starts to come
to life, especially those hungry carp.
24 Rigs Under The SpotlightRob Hughes
In a brand new series we ask a
top angler to review one of their
favourite rigs. This month Fox
maestro Rob Hughes gives us
the low-down on the Zig Rig.
33 The Great Crafty DebateCrafty has once again
presented the experts with a
carping dilemma. This month the
panel discuss whether they prefer
to use a clutch or backwind.
37 Urban BanxAlan Blair
Alan Blair continues tackling those
overlooked, less attractive, but often
productive carp waters. His park
lake has lost its lid now, so it’s time
for the Nash man to bag a few.
43 Crafty Carper Under-21sBYCAC champ Josh has
had another good month on the
bank, and Taska young guns Kieran
Panchal and Harry Law team up
for a cracking piece covering a
season on Birds Green Top Lake.
62 Angling Through the Seasons Part 1
Martin Bowler
Martin is back with another fantastic
series, this time looking at what effect
the seasons have on carp fishing.
First up is a look at many anglers’
favourite time of year, early spring.
79 A Look at PasteLeon Bartropp
Paste is a hookbait that serves anglers
well at this time of year. We gave our
old mate Leon a call to give us an
insight into how to use it, and even
how to cook up your own batch.
90 BYCAC 2013It’s that time of year
again; the Korda British Young
Carpers’ Angling Championship
will soon be upon us. We give
you a rundown of what to expect
from this year’s competition.
120 Most MemorableDan Chart
Surrey angler Dan Chart braved
brutal winter conditions to try to
catch the sought after Clover. He
recounts the amazing story of his
campaign on the Road Lake.
146 Five-Minute Interrogation
Mark Pitchers
Fox angler Mark has quite an
imagination; from inventive ways of
punishing anglers leaving their rods
unattended, to some interesting
views on reincarnation, this is one
interview that shouldn’t be missed.
TACTICS
108 One Step AheadDarrell Peck
Pecky’s back! The big-carp supremo
is a hauler like no other, and he
returns to the pages of Crafty with
some hints and tips to help you stay
ahead of the pack this spring.
Super-Bart!
Check out this effort from
cover star Mark Bartlett. He
told editor James where he
was going to be casting,
so James zoomed in on the
coot floating nearby, and
as you can see, Bartlett
was bang on the money.
But just to bring him back
down to earth, our editor
caught a brief glance
of Bart’s briefs. It’s not
often we say this, but is
that Superman emerging
from Bart’s waistband?
Carpin’ On Backstage
The Crafty team were all
over Carpin’ On 2013. We
managed to get the likes
of Terry Hearn, Tom Maker,
Jerry Hammond, Bill Cottam,
Derek Ritchie, and Mark
Pitchers back to our micro
studio and subjected them
to some carpy conundrums.
We even got the chance
to meet and interview Jim
Davidson, who gave us
quite a raucous interview,
which hopefully, after a bit
of clever editing, we will
be able to show you via
Crafty TV. Stay tuned folks!
114 In the Spotlight: FoamChris Lowe
There’s more to foam than just Zig
fishing. Avid angler Chris Lowe gives
us the low-down on his favourite
foam tactics. Put his advice to the
test and you won’t be disappointed.
CARP FOOD
55 Carp FoodJoe Turnbull cooks up some
cork dust pop-ups and gives some tips
on adding extra attraction, plus editor
James takes a look at what’s been
catching him some fish this month.
CARPERS’ KIT
100 In FocusFox Supa Brolly System
Fox have only gone and made the
Supa Brolly even better! We gave it
the Crafty inspection, and we have
to say, it’s still a cracking bit of kit.
103 In FocusJRC Contact Luggage
JRC have upped the stakes when it
comes to quality luggage at a fair price.
We took their Contact carryall, rucksack,
and rod sling for a little road test.
105 In FocusPrologic Firestarter Bivvy
One glimpse of the name of this
bivvy got us all excited, and
thankfully it didn’t disappoint;
a great product at a great price.
Read our review on page 105.
131 Mega DealsIf you’re in the market for
some new gear, then look no further
than our Mega Deals page. There are
deals for hooklinks, clothing, carp
care, and even a cracking book deal.
62
006-007_Conts_CC188.indd 2 11/03/2013 19:18
THE VENUESandhurst Lake is part of the Yateley
complex, and is now under the new
ownership of Nick Leach. After talking to
him, it sounds like the future is in very safe
hands, and this popular venue should go
from strength to strength. You can currently
book tickets through Yateley Angling
Centre and obtain up-to-date information
on the going swims and tactics. These
guys have helped with the lake for many
years, and are a wealth of knowledge if
you are planning a trip to Sandhurst.
The lake itself is about 14 acres in size,
and has around 28 swims offering a wide
variety of options. Don’t think it will be
packed to capacity like most day ticket
lakes, as only a certain number of anglers
are allowed on at any one time. I think this
is an excellent policy, and it really does
make for a pleasant stay. The fish stock
speaks for itself, with around 200 fish
which are packing on the weight. There’s a
huge head of 30lb+ fish in the venue, with
around 50 fish over this barrier and loads
from mid- to upper-30s, not to mention
the three 40lb+ specimens that would be
enough to fish for on their own. There was a
stocking of some smaller fish back in 1998,
and these are now approaching 20lb.
So there you have it, an awesome stock
swimming around in this glorious gravel
pit awaiting your bait. As for where you
decide to place the bait, it’s up to you, as
there are numerous features. The depths
are from 2-10ft, with an average depth
of 6ft, but there are plenty of bars and
humps, weedbeds, and even an island
that you can fish from, which is pretty
cool. All I can say is get yourself down
there – you won’t be disappointed.
FACILITIES:There are Portaloos situated at the two
main car parks on the fishery, which are
kept clean, and just around the corner from
the lake there are a couple of take-aways
that will deliver to the gate if needs be.
A new security gate has recently been
erected so you can sleep safe knowing that
you, your vehicle and your gear is safe.
TICKETS AND PRICES:Fishing at Sandhurst is day ticket
only with tickets available in advance
from Yateley Angling Centre.
Email: info@yateleyangling.
co.uk or tel: 01252 861955.
They are priced as follows:
Two rods for up to 12 hours — £20.00
Two rods for up to 24 hours — £25.00
Three rods for up to 12 hours — £25.00
Three rods for up to 24 hours — £30.00
RULES � NO parking behind swims
� No unattended rods
� Only designated pegs may be fished. No
swim-building or clearing is permitted
� No litter. You will be asked to leave if
there is litter in or around your swim
� All fish caught must be returned to
the water as soon as possible
� No boats, including remote
control bait boats
� No fixed-lead rigs may be used
� No peanuts, trout pellets or preserved
baits allowed (excluding hookbaits)
� Barbed hooks only
� No unaccompanied juniors (under 18)
� No guests allowed
ADDRESSSwan Lane, Yateley GU47 9DA
The TravellerMark Bartlett
14 Crafty Carper
Once in the swim I took my time in
setting up base, and with little chance
of rain on the cards I opted for the
Supa Brolly because it would give me
the best visibility over the water. I set
it up in a way that I could lie in bed
and see all the area in front of me. If
a carp decided to stick its head out I
wanted to see where it was so I could
get straight on it. Whilst doing this I
was constantly scanning the water for
signs of fish, which was tricky due to
the amount of bird life present in the
area. My plan was to fish some really
bright hookbaits and keep moving
them around the swim to cover all the
water in front of me. I didn’t think the
carp were in the mood for feeding, so I
wanted to make it as easy as
possible for them. When
it’s tough going,
the last thing you
need is any doubt
in what you’re
doing, so use
whatever you’re
most confident
with. Personally,
I have total faith in
Mainline pop-ups, so I
“My plan was to fish some really
bright hookbaits and keep moving them around the swim to cover all the water
in front of me”
013-017_Traveler_CC188.indd 2 14/03/2013 10:17
LEFT One of each. I opted for a different hookbait on each rod – all of them high-viz.
ABOVE A standard lead clip system was my choice on all three rods this month.
RIGHT The bird life was having a whale of a time feasting on the weed.
The TravellerMark Bartlett
Crafty Carper 15
put a bright pink Clockwork Orange, a
bright green Indian Spice and a white
Milky Toffee on my three rods. I like
small 12mm pop-ups for this. I jazz
them up with some Hinders Liquid
Gold Betalin; this provides ultimate
visibility and maximum attraction in the
cold clear water. I opted for the same
rig on each rod, which was a Combi
Rig comprising 10ins of 25lb Rigidity
with a 1ins section of stripped-back
20lb Coretex and a Size 5 SSBP hook
(I also like to mould the putty around
the knot between the Rigidity and
Coretex). All three rods were kitted
out with leadcore leaders and lead
clips, and my main line was upped to
20lb Soft Steel because I didn’t want
to take any chances if I hooked into
one of the big units in Sandy.
I didn’t really want to be
thrashing around with marker
leads too much, so I decided
to ring my mate Ian Russell,
who has fished this place
for the last 10 years or
more. After a quick chat he
put me on to some spots
and told me about the swim
I was in. I would normally
double-check this anyway, but I know
Chemo is on the ball, and I was really
pleased when I got a nice drop on all
three rods the first time round. The
margins are fairly shallow on this bank,
with it sloping down to a reasonable
depth of around 6ft about 45 yards out.
It is weedy on the shallow areas and
there is quite a lot of bird life feeding
on the weed, with a few swans hardly
having to put their heads under the
water to have a munch on it. After it
drops off it is reasonably clear from
the 45yd-mark to the middle, which
is about 90-100yds. This is where I
was going to move my rods around in
the hope of landing on a few fish.
The rods were out and I was all nice
and chilled, watching the water. I was
just sorting out my tackle box when
the left-hander was away. This was
too good to be true. Rock up, sling out
the rods, and one nailed just over 2
hours later! I got on with doing battle
with the unknown culprit, and after a
couple of attempts to rid himself of a
trophy shot, a lovely upper-double was
in the net. A pristine common of 18lb
8oz was photographed in the wintry
sun. The rod that received the bite was
the Clockwork Orange pop-up. I didn’t
think it was totally down to the fact
that the fish preferred the Clockwork
over the Indian Spice or Milky Toffee;
I reckoned it was more down to the
location. The left-hander went
back out, and the right-hander
came in and was repositioned
to the left. I was well chuffed.
I’d had one already, but if
I’m honest I felt like it was a bit of a
fluke. Better to be lucky than be good!
Darkness on the first night was
approaching, and now I’d bagged one I
could afford to try something with one
rod, so the decision was made to get
some bait out there. A jar of Hinders
particles, around half a kilo of 10mm
Mainline Hybrid boilies, and a handful
of larger Cell baits were mixed up. I was
going to put out six or seven spods
over an area the size of a groundsheet
and just put one rod on it. I found a
little hard area about 80 yards out, and
I clipped up my rod as well as the spod
rod. The baits were spread nicely and I
chucked out a Milky Toffee pop-up, and
then rebaited the other two rods with
fresh hookbaits for the night ahead.
Tea was cooked, the hot-water bottle
was filled to keep me company for the
evening, and it wasn’t long before I
disappeared into the land of Nod. A
6.00 a.m. alarm call saw the middle
rod slowly releasing some line, and I
scurried out of my nice warm pit to do
battle. After wiping the sleep from my
eyes it slowly dawned on me that the
lake had frozen in front of
me for about 30 yards, so
LEFT Returning the first fish of the session – it’s always a great feeling to get off the mark - especially when the venue has
been quiet for so long.
013-017_Traveler_CC188.indd 3 14/03/2013 10:17
RIGSUNDER the SPOTLIGHT
This brand new series sees a top angler review one of their favourite carp-catching rigs – this month it’s Rob Hughes.
This month: Zig Rigs
24 Crafty Carper
ANGLER PROFILE
Rob Hughes
Age 41
HometownWestbury
OccupationSolicitor/TV presenter
UK PB48lb 14oz
Favourite venueHeron at Abbey Lakes, France
RodsFox Horizon XT
ReelsFox Stratos 12000E
AlarmsFox NTXr
I’m going to start off with a very
bold statement – Zigs are incredible
fi sh-catchers at any time of year,
but now is when they really come into
their own, and if you don’t try them you
are seriously missing out on chances. In
fact, I’d go as far as to say they are as
good as boilies the majority of the time,
and probably better than them now!
Wow! There’s an opening, but quite
frankly, it’s absolutely bang on. Just
look at the top lads, the pages of Carp-
Talk, and particularly the results of
the British Championships, and you’ll
see that Zigs are incredibly effective.
Carp don’t just feed on the bottom
and the top, they feed in the middle
as well, and there’s a lot of middle to
go at. Herein lies the problem; a lot
of the time anglers are a little unsure
of what to do, so they usually have
a half-hearted go for an hour or two,
and when the rods haven’t rattled off
they reel in and revert to the AA of
carp fi shing, the PVA bag. Big mistake!
Up to a couple of years ago I was
the same. I knew they were effective,
but didn’t really like using them, and to
be honest I felt like I was tactical pub
chucking with a lure somewhere up
in the water when I was using them.
However, I persevered, and took time to
learn them by going out with a couple
of really good Zig anglers, particularly
Mark Bartlett and Tom Maker, who are
arguably two of the best Ziggers in the
country. And you know what, I learned.
I made myself learn because they
simply can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.
I actually went to an easy runs water
with a bucket of slop and only Zig Rigs,
which gave me no option to fi sh with
anything else. I caught, refi ned the
technique, added a couple of my own
RIGHT Here are the components that Rob uses to construct his Zig Rig.
024-025_Rigs_CC188.indd 1 11/03/2013 09:17
“In the spring, try between half and
three-quarters depth, and in the summer, when it’s hot, aim
anywhere between half and full depth”
Rigs Under the SpotlightRob Hughes
Crafty Carper 25
CONSTRUCT HUGHESY’S ZIG RIGWith the new Zig Aligna from Fox, it’s never been easier to fi sh Zigs. Here’s how.
Cut the hooklink to the chosen depth and attach a hook using a Grinner Knot.
Place the thin end of the loading tool through the loop on the back of the Zig Aligna.
Now thread a Zig Aligna onto the hooklink, thick end fi rst, and position over the eye of the hook.
Pull the tool through the loop and it traps the foam in place, like so; the rig is complete.
Put a piece of foam into the loading tool, as shown here.
When fi shing a standard Zig Rig approach, Rob opts for a lead clip setup.
1
4
2
5
3
6
ABOVE For deeper lakes you can’t go wrong with an adjustable Zig arrangement.
BELOW A lovely Zig-caught mirror.
twists, and I now reckon they are one of
the best ways of catching carp there is.
In the UK I am now almost as likely to
be fi shing a Zig as I am a bottom bait.
Carp are opportunist feeders and
will eat what’s in front of them, but
it does need to be in front of them.
We have all had fi sh over our baits but
not had a bite. Is this because they
are not feeding, have picked us up and
done us, or possibly because they are
feeding up in the water rather than on
the bottom baits? Through my diving
I have seen that they spend an awful
lot of the time up in the water; this is
where you fi nd the likes of emerging
nymphs, taddies, etc., particularly
through the spring, and this is why
Zigs are so effective at this time of
year. Nature is prebaiting for us.
I think part of the mental issue with
Zigs is the rig itself, because it is not
as easy to tie, nor as easy to cast, as a
standard rig. However, things need not
be complicated, and this is one of the
most important issues when you start
Zigging. Make up a few and keep them
in a rig box ready to go; you’re more
likely to change over to a rig that’s
already made up than if you have to
make one on the bank. Get a handful
ready and put the foam on at home
so you don’t have to faff around
chopping things to the right
size, and make them up
to 10-12ft deep so you
have a depth choice. If
the lake you are fi shing is
shallower, you can always cut them
down to the depth you need, or if you
really have to search the depths, use an
adjustable Zig fl oat, which makes the
job really easy without having to recast.
Stick with black, yellow, and
occasionally white foam for the
hookbait, and cut it so small that
it’s only just big enough to hold the
hooklink and hook up in the water.
If you really want something that
is user-friendly and does the job
properly, have a look at the new Zig
Alignas, which not only look absolutely
bang on underwater, but are also mega-
simple to tie up. Simply tie on a hook,
slide on an Aligna, then insert the foam
into the band. The foam piggybacks
the hook in the middle of the shank
and you’re ready to go. Simples!
The only complicated bit is where
to fi sh them, so this is where you
have to do some work. As a rule, when
it’s really cold, aim for half to quarter
depth; I prefer a brighter foam hookbait
here. In the spring, as it’s warming up,
try between half and three-quarters
depth, and in the summer, when it’s
hot, aim anywhere between half and
full depth, or sometimes even over
depth like an anchored fl oater.
I’ll close by repeating my opening
gambit that Zigs are incredible
fi sh-catchers at any time of year,
but now is when they really come
into their own. If you don’t try
them you are seriously missing out
on chances. Happy hunting! CC
024-025_Rigs_CC188.indd 2 11/03/2013 09:17
52 Crafty Carper
RIGHT A powerful rod is needed to punch out a fully-loaded spod.
BELOW Be careful not to overfill the spod because it won’t fly straight.
BOTTOM To stop spod spill, plug the top with groundbait.
So that’s commercial venues covered,
but what if I need to leave a bait in
place for longer? Well, like nearly
every bait in fishing, there is a plastic
alternative, and pellets are no different.
They come in a variety of different
sizes and buoyancies, all of which
are very handy, and obviously don’t
break down and can withstand the
attention of nuisance species, including
crayfish and poissons chat. My personal
favourites are 12 or 14mm pop-up
versions which I use in a very particular
way. The ones I use have a large hole at
one end, so I can add a counterbalance
shot if I so wish. I fish them on a fairly
standard pop-up rig and fill the whole
with a liquid attractor, then plug it
with groundbait or paste. Once cast
out the plug dissolves and releases
the attractor; try it in the edge and
you’ll be amazed at how well
it works. This is fished
in conjunction with
what I describe
as a PVA mesh
stringer. Thread
several 12mm
pellets into
some mesh
and tie them
under tension;
this creates a
presentation that
scatters the pellets
underwater. As the
PVA dissolves it
actually shrinks,
contracting the
mesh tube,
until the mesh
finally gives,
scattering the
pellets over a
saucer-sized area
– a great technique.
My next tactic may
seem a little old hat, but
boy, if you get it right it will catch
fish all day long. I simply balance one
of my pre-drilled pellets with a piece
of plastic corn; this gives the bait a
very visual aspect, as well as adding
a degree of buoyancy. This is fished
with a very small PVA bag of micro
pellet nicked onto the hook, a deadly
presentation in its own right. I have
also found that by utilising the line clip
and marking the line, I can get better
results. By regular recasting to the
same spot I can create a small tight
baited area that attracts and holds fish
for longer, which means more bites.
For long-range work, or on small
bite-sized packages, I tend to use solid
PVA bags, with a small artificial pellet
the same size as my free offerings,
normally 4mm or 6mm. This might
seem tiny but it matches the contents
of the bag, and helps to negate the
weight of the hook. I’m fairly convinced
that when a carp drops down to feed on
a tight group of pellets like this, it tries
to suck in everything in one go, and this
small hookbait goes in the mouth very
easily. This style of fishing has caught
me loads of fish when I’ve launched a
solid bag out towards showing fish.
My final little presentation is the
Method, a tactic that is overlooked
by many, and I must say it’s their loss
and my gain. I either fish Method balls
on the clip to create a baited area
that’s topped up every cast,
or just like the PVA bag
approach, as a chuck-
it-and-chance
technique.
Rather than use
a dedicated
Method mix,
I much prefer
to scald the
pellet to create
my own individual
mix. Simply add
several good handfuls
of 4mm pellets to a
bowl before pouring
boiling water
over them till
they’re covered.
Then leave
them for just a
minute before
draining off the
excess water,
and let them stand
for several minutes;
it’s even better if you
can seal the container, but not
necessary. After a short period the
pellets become sticky and can be
moulded around a Method feeder.
With a few different presentations
covered, I think it’s fair to complete
this guide with an explanation of how
to feed pellets. As I’ve said, I tend not
to go overboard with feed, but it can
be an advantage when it comes to
encouraging carp to feed. Most people
carry around a bucket filled with a mix
of different types of pellets. These
will be a variety of sizes, densities and
have varying breakdown times, and I do
exactly the same. The problem is how
to get them out into the swim. If you
try to catapult them out, range is an
issue, and because of the variety they
fly all over the place. So when using the
catapult, I’ve always found it best to
049-053_MasterPelletFishing_CC188.indd 4 11/03/2013 11:29
Master Pellet FishingTony Smeats
INSET PVA bags of pellet are easy to feed and go further.
ABOVE Carefully does it — steering a pellet-caught carp to the net.
BELOW Proof that pellets can catch decent-sized carp,
Crafty Carper 53
fire out small PVA bags; this increases
the range and keeps the baiting nice
and tight. If I want to go even further
out, then I opt for the spod. To get the
best from this I two-thirds fill the body,
then cap it off with a plug of pellet-
based groundbait. This stops irritating
spod spill, and ensures that every
single last pellet is deposited
exactly on the spot.
For me, pellets are a
massive edge, simply
because so few
people actually use
them as hookbaits or as a bait in their
own right. This is a massive bonus,
and when you think how often carp
see pellets, in one form or another,
you can’t help but catch a few with a
carefully laid pellet-based trap. Go on,
give them a go – you won’t regret it. CC
049-053_MasterPelletFishing_CC188.indd 5 11/03/2013 11:29
DARRELL PECKONE STEP AHEAD
Hauling machine Darrell Peck gives some pointers to make this spring your best ever, and put you one step ahead of the rest of the fi eld.
ANGLER PROFILE
Darrell Peck...........................Age 31...........................HometownChelmsford...........................OccupationAngling consultant...........................UK PB65lb 4oz...........................Favourite venueNorth Met Pit...........................RodsDF Infi nity 12ft 3.75lb...........................ReelsDaiwa QDX...........................AlarmsDelkim Tx-i
108 Crafty Carper
108-112_OneStepAhead_CC188.indd 1 11/03/2013 16:03
Spring is probably the best
time of year for me. The carp
are just waking up from their
winter slumbers and they’re on the
move. That said, I’ve just experienced
my best winter ever on the banks
of the magnifi cent Rockford Pit
nestled deep in Ringwood. What I’m
trying to say is that with a bit of
effort and baiting, carp don’t need
to lie up all winter. If you keep them
feeding and get the location right,
you can still catch, just like I have.
There was many a time when I’d
sit there wondering what on earth I
was doing. I would scan the area for
signs of fi sh, and at times it looked
so bleak and cold that I did question
my sanity. However, as darkness fell
I got a real sense of magic, and time
after time I would get the much-
needed bite to keep me going. To be
honest, this continued throughout
my Rockford winter exploits, and
having pinpointed the exact zone of
where they were lying up, I tallied up
a huge list of big carp. This included
two, yes two, separate 50-pounders
– mind-blowing, to be honest.
Right, on to spring, because this is
what we’re all getting excited about.
The carp are at their biggest weights
and are active. This means just one
thing – they’re on the move and using
energy. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist
to work out that they require food for
energy, so it’s time to get the rods out.
One Step AheadDarrell Peck
Crafty Carper 109
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out
that they require food for energy, so it’s time
to get the rods out”
TOP Darrell reminisces about the unbelievable winter he’s had. Follow his tips and you’ll be one step closer to the catch of your dreams.
108-112_OneStepAhead_CC188.indd 2 11/03/2013 16:03
Get In Bed with the Trakker Competition
Trakker have been thinking
hard about how to help
anglers get more kip on the
bank. Their brains have been in
overdrive, but they’ve come up with
two fantastic brand new items for
2013: the Layers Sleeping bag, and
the imperial Levelite Bed. Not only
that, they’ve supplied us with a few
to give away to our readers, but
winners beware – using these items
£1,300+ TRAKKER COMPETITION
Here’s your chance to become the proud owner of the brand new Levelite Bed and Layers Sleeping Bag.
for a quick overnighter between
work days is not advised. You may
very well be so cosy that you don’t
get up for work the next morning!
Trakker have nailed it with both the
Levelite Bed and the Layers Sleeping
Bag, and we’re offering the chance
for three readers to bag one of each.
That’s nearly £440 worth of top-
quality new Trakker gear. To win, all
you have to do is answer a question.
THE LEVELITE BED
That’s right – it’s a bed,
not a bedchair – a bed!
It’s not a typo, get over
it! And what a bed it
is: versatile, light, fl at
and comfortable – it’s
got all the basics. The
Levelite gets its name from its abilities, i.e. it’s both light
in weight and has a completely fl at profi le. It features
a thick padded mattress and a strong aluminium frame.
Trakker have also done away with the bulky locking
cams, prevalent on most bedchairs, in favour of a
series of double hinges. These allow the bed to pack
down to be compact, which makes it easier to load
away in the car boot. It even packs down neatly with
a bulky sleeping bag attached, making it perfect for
use with the Layers Bag. It also has the nifty addition
of a clip to hold the bed in place tightly whilst it’s
folded. The bed has a unique patented leg mechanism,
which means the legs (with rotating mud feet) can be
adjusted with the press of a button, and will hold fi rm
to keep the bed in place and level on any bankside
terrain. All this weighs only a meagre 9.6kg, which
makes it nice and light for transportation. It’s easy to
get in the car, and it’s completely fl at and comfortable;
what more could you want from the Levelite?
RRP: £299.99
128 Crafty Carper
The unique patented leg mechanism is something to behold.
128-129_TrakkerComp_CC188.indd 1 11/03/2013 16:42
Name
Postal address
Postcode
Telephone noMobileEmail
Daytime delivery address (if different from above)
Postcode
Post your entry to:Trakker Competition, CC188, Angling Publications Ltd., Regent House, 101Broadfi eld Road, Sheffi eld S8 0XH.
You may photocopy this page to avoid spoiling the magazine. Winners will be notifi ed in writing, please allow 28 days for the delivery of your prize (for which a signature will be required), which will come direct from the manufacturer. No cash alternative.
For more info on Trakker gear, check out the web: trakkerproducts.co.uk
The competition closes at midnight on 16/04/2013.
THE LAYERS SLEEPING BAG
Oh, the snuggliness – year round snuggliness at that!
This clever little bag offers a bit more than an average
sleeping bag. Very rarely do we associate sleeping
bags with versatility, but it’s the case with this bad
boy. Some bags might claim to be for 4-season use,
but how could one sleeping bag be warm enough for
the depths of winter, and yet cool enough for those
sweltering summer temperatures? Well they
can’t, so Trakker have rolled two bags into one.
The top layer has a nice smooth fi nish,
which is ideal for summer and 2-season
work, with an extra layer underneath for a
bit of extra padding. Then there is another
bag underneath that one with a fl eece
fi nish, meaning that when you slip
your frosty toes underneath there’s
a soft cover with the added bulk
of a summer layer above it. Each
also features crash zips, which
easily unfasten when a run
rudely interrupts your slumber,
allowing you to get to the rods
without having to untie yourself
from the bag. Clever, eh? Not
only that, there are elasticated
retention sleeves at the top
and bottom of the bag, plus
an adjustable tension strap
around the middle to stop the
bag slipping out of place.
RRP: £139.99
HOW TO WIN Simply answer the following question:
What is the full name of the new Trakker Bed? (Please circle one)
A) The Flatskinny Bed
B) The Bumpyfatty Bed
C) The Levelite Bed
Crafty Carper 129
CompetitionTrakker
ONE OF THREE PRIZE
PACKAGES OF A LEVELITE
BED AND LAYERS SLEEPING BAG WORTH £440
128-129_TrakkerComp_CC188.indd 2 11/03/2013 16:42
n o w a v a i l a b l e a t : W W W . T H E C A R P S T O R E . C OTheCarpStoreF O R M E R LY T H E A N G L I N G P U B L I C AT I O N S S H O P
TheCarpStoreF O R M E R L Y T H E A N G L I N G P U B L I C A T I O N S S H O P
A N G L I N G P U B L I C A T I O N S ’available � om
brand new online shop...
FATHER’S DAY - JUNE 16THgreat gifts from the carpstore
ArmoLife Cutlery Set
£7.99 + £1.95 P&P
Keep Calm Go Fishing Keyring
£1.95 + £1.95 P&P
Keep Calm Go Fishing Mug
£4.99 + £1.95 P&P
Bank Tramps Beanie Hats
£8.50 + £1.95 P&P
Korda Carp Distressed T-Shirt
£16.99 + £1.95 P&P
Korda Carp Bubbles T-Shirt
£18.99 + £1.95 P&P
Bivvy Tramps Book
£11.99 + £1.95 P&P
Carp Up Close
DVD £14.99 + £1.95 P&P
BLU-RAY £19.99 + £1.95 P&P
Korda Thinking Tackle 7 DVD
£19.99 + £1.95 P&P
AP_GiftAd_CC188.indd 1 08/03/2013 14:35ad template.indd 1 11/03/2013 15:38