Pole Fishing - January 2020 PDF
Pole Fishing - January 2020 PDF
Pole Fishing - January 2020 PDF
POLE
T H E O N L Y M A G A Z I N E F O R P O L E A N G L E R S
HARD V
FISHING
SOFT
ANDY GELDART
ON PELLETS
OR WINTER SILVERS
COX’S APPROACH F
DARREN
IDE SPY!
ANDY MAY
HEADS TO
DOCKLOW
FOR SOME IDE
ACTION
NOT JUST AN
F1 ANGLER!
HOW JAMIE HUGHES
QUALIFIED FOR SILVERFISH
PLUS
ROB PERKINS
ALEX CLEMENTS
£4.20
GRAHAM WEST
ALEX DOCKERTY
JANUARY 2020
T A C K L E O N T E S T: P R E S T O N I N N O V A T I O N S X S 9 0 P O L E , B R O W N I N G T A R G U S S E A T B O X ,
MIDDY S UP RA D RY N E T S , D A IWA A D VA N TA GE G R O U N D B A I T S , M A P S E A L S Y S T E M E VA L U G G A G E
POLE
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WELCOME
WELCOME
JANUARY 2020
W
elcome to the January issue of back in 2015. The past four years have been forward to seeing what he can do with this
Pole Fishing magazine. brilliant and during that time I have learnt highly regarded title.
It is probably common a lot, both about the trade and to add to my As always, this issue is full of big-name
knowledge to many of you skill set. stars and brings you content from a range
who follow me through social media, but for My next step sees me continue within the of different venues, with the anglers within
those who don’t already know, after two years angling trade, as I will be taking on the role demonstrating the tactics needed to keep
in charge of this magazine it is my time to of media coordinator at Sonubaits, under the catching this winter. You’ll also find lots of
say farewell and hand over the reins to a new Preston Innovations banner. It’s a role that tackle to feast your eyes on and maybe add to
editor. I will be looking to grasp with both hands, those Christmas wish lists!
I have loved my time working on Pole continuing to bring great content to anglers Finally, I would like to say a massive thank
Fishing as editor and before that across both but from the other side of the proverbial you to all of the Pole Fishing readers for
this and sister publication Match Fishing fence. Of course, the decision didn’t come your support and feedback over the past few
magazine as an editorial assistant alongside lightly but is one I feel is right for me at this years – I hope to see many of you on the bank
Joe Carass, Alex Bones and the dynamic duo time and a great opportunity to join such a soon!
that were Matt Godfrey and Tom Scholey – big company in Preston Innovations, to which
not to mention a man who was with me every Sonubaits belongs. All the best
step of the way, the fantastic David Haynes It also gives me great pleasure to be able
who deserves the utmost credit for his work to announce that it will be ex-England youth
on these magazines, largely behind the international Alex Clements who will be
scenes. filling my shoes on the magazine. As well
Each of them has taught me plenty, for that as being a fantastic angler, Alex has good
NOVEMBER ISSUE: TRI-CAST TRILOGY 2 MARGIN POLE
I am incredibly thankful, as I am to David knowledge of the trade having worked in Joseph Webb
Hall Publishing for giving me an opportunity both sales and media roles within tackle
to prove myself working across the magazines companies previous to this. I, like you, look
MONEY
TACTICS REVEAL
ED
PVA ON
THE POLE?
SET THE PERFEC
TRAP IN DEEP T
CATCH FISH
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OFF!
PLUS ADVICE
ROB WOOTTON
DARREN COX
LATEST OFFERS ON
AMER JAWAD
RICHARD CHAVE
£4.20
ROB PERKINS
PAGES 80-81
SEPTEMBER 2019
| 03
WW W. POL EFIS HING MAG AZINE.COM
54 NEW GEAR
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ISSN 1470-0727
NEWS
WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF ANGLING OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS
After 17 years of unprecedented Over the course of Steve’s a coach or manager working “We wish him the very best
success, Steve Sanders has made tenure, England amassed a with young people. of luck for the future and
the decision to stand down total of 21 medals with 10 Ben Thompson from the hope he continues to enjoy
from his position as manager team medals and 11 individual Angling Trust said: “We are his own team and individual
of the Sensas Team England medals. obviously disappointed to lose match fishing.”
U20’s team. The undoubted highlight such an important and talented Steve added: “I have enjoyed
Steve first took the reins as came in the 2013 World member of our management every minute of my time as
manager in 2003, leading the Championships in France on team. Steve has been integral England manager and it has
team into the 17th FIPS-ed the La Vilaine River. England to the success of the team and been a privilege to work with
Youth World Championships produced a phenomenal development of so many anglers the many talented youngsters,
in Portugal with immediate performance and swept the within the system. I’m proud of each and every
success, as the team returned board with team gold and “I speak on behalf of the one of them.
with an individual silver medal individual gold, silver and Trust and all the anglers who “Not only have they
and a creditable fifth place bronze medals. have been fortunate enough to achieved unprecedented
finish in the team category. Steve’s contribution to the benefit from Steve’s knowledge success, they have represented
This was the beginning of an development and progression over the years in offering our nation with honour and
incredibly successful journey of the anglers he has tutored our sincere thanks for the distinction.
to become the number one and mentored over that period enormous amount of effort and “We have an outstanding
ranked team in the world and has also been immense. Many commitment he has contributed tradition of producing top
10 years and 10 medals later, of the young anglers progressed over such a long period. He has quality young anglers. I’d
England achieved that goal and through the system going on created a legacy and finding like to wish the team and my
have remained at the top of the to represent England at senior someone to fill his shoes will be successor the very best of luck
rankings ever since. level, the ultimate accolade for incredibly difficult. for the future.”
In case you missed them, here are 2020 dates for Fish’O’Mania.
This year 18 venues up and down the country will host the
minimum 100 pegged qualifiers with the final again to be hosted at
This was
Jake’s first Hayfield Lakes. Once again the winner of the Fish‘O’Mania Grand
outing in his Final at Hayfield Lakes on Saturday, July 11th will net a cool £50,000,
new Preston with the runner-up taking home £10,000. Also, for the first time, the
Innovations/
Sonubaits angler with the highest total weight from the sections that do not
colours. produce the winner and runner-up will receive £2,500.
LE
A N G LE R FI
ON
ROB WOOTT
Age: 37
r
Lives: Leiceste
on so r: Dy na mite Baits
Sp
65-2/M2
Pole: Middy XZ
V EN U E FI LE
S
HILLVIEW LAKE ,
ing, Tewkesbury
Location: Twyn GL20 6JH
Gloucestershire
1134717
Contact: 0789
lakes.biz
www.hillview
WON DER S
ERC RA FT…
WAT Dynamite Bait
s-backed Rob
f watercraft a
nd
W
a
o
si
o
m
tt
p
o
le
n
th
discusses the
e ory that has se
keep him one
en
importance o the c o n d it io n s to
im u si n g h is knowledge of
h .
a h e a d o f th e competition
step
Rob favours
a strung out
shotting
pattern.
A
big part of anyone’s fishing I’m at Hillview Fishery near Tewkesbury catch you a few fish, simply due to the
and an aspect that is often for today’s piece and you could say that the concentration of them, it’s often the last
overlooked is the watercraft lake I’ve chosen to sit on is pretty typical part of my peg that I will try.
side of the sport, and more of a lot of commercials up and down the The trouble with catching fish from this
particularly the location of country – a nice margin either side, gently part of the swim is they simply want to be
your quarry at any given time. As pole sloping shelves and a large area of open out of the way, and whenever you hook
anglers we have a limited reach with the water. All areas in which fish will sit, but one here it generally puts all the others
tool we choose but this doesn’t mean it understanding where, when and why they on edge. As a result they will then tend
should prevent us catching a boatload of will reside in certain areas is often key to to move to a safer area, often in someone
fish. winter carp success. else’s swim.
One of the first things I teach anglers I find it a far better option to leave any
when they have a day’s coaching with me open water at the extreme of my peg until
is all about watercraft and where fish tend FIND THE ZONE as late as possible in the session; that way
to reside at certain times of the day. Winter Open Water – The fish that are out here the fish in this area may have started to
fishing relies massively on location, as quite are here to try and get away from the think about feeding. And if they haven’t,
often the fish in your local commercial will bankside disturbance; they do not want well you have reduced the likelihood of
be far less likely to move big distances to to get caught and while there’s no doubt any carp residing here from spooking into
feed. that targeting this area of the swim may another anglers swim.
A prestine winter
common carp.
The rain has also had another effect on margin-only feature! I fall for the trap and Malman Dusty, the main line is 0.14mm
a lot of venues; I reckon that a lot of the agree to only set up margin rigs to see what Middy Lo-Viz and the shotting of the rig
colder rainwater chills the bottom section I can catch. is with No10 Slot Shot, and rather than
of the lake and for that reason the shallow Fortunately for me the edges on Heron bulking the shot I slightly spread them out
water in the edges of a lot of venues I’ve lake are quite a nice depth at between two in the bottom third of the rig. Hooklength
been visiting has been producing. The and three feet deep, the colour is good also wise I’ve gone for 0.10mm Lo-Viz and I’ve
water is still cold in the margins but it’s just so after a plumb up around my peg I’m got a size 18 Gamakatsu pellet eyed hook
not as cold as the water at the bottom of pretty confident of catching a few. I decide tied knotless knot style to house a bait
the lake. These areas are also the first to to fish two lines, each side of my fishing band. These hooks are the finest I’ve found
warm up those vital few degrees as the sun position and both 13 metres down the bank. for hair rigging so it’s worth giving them a
emerges on a cold winter morning – why Now, even though my theory suggests the go once the fish become a little picky about
wouldn’t they produce the goods? fish should want to be in the margins, and what they have a chomp on. Elastic for
of that I am confident, they still won’t want today is a Yellow Reactacore, lovely and soft
to sit under my nose so putting a little bit on the strike but powering up quickly.
THE CHALLENGE of distance between yourself and the fish is At Hillview you’re pretty limited on the
The stocking at Hillview is pretty high advised. bait front, which, in all honesty, suits me
and I’ve been told to expect a good day’s Because I’ve found the same depth on down to the ground! I don’t fancy using live
fishing, so after spouting off to editor Jake both swims I’m going to get away with baits like maggots as I may have problems
about my theories he’s challenged me to a one rig for the session. The float is a 4x12 with silvers, and like many commercials
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AN GL ER FIL E
DARREN COX
Age: 53
on
Lives: Stratford-upon-Av
inline
Sponsor: Garbolino, Ma
Pole: Garbolino UK1
Accomplice Evo
VE NU E FIL E
Y
MEADOWLANDS FISHER
more,
Location: Ryton-on-Duns
Coventr y CV8 3EG
Contact: 07858 756474
www.fisheries.co.uk
MASTER
THE CASTER!
When it comes to catching winter silvers there are few better
baits than casters. Garbolino’s main man Darren Cox
explains how to get the most from this fantastic bait.
T
here are few natural baits that DEPTH AND FEEDING I must use a catapult as I am fishing further
sort out quality fish the way There is one line I love to fish casters on out in six feet of water. The depth is double
casters do! At this time of year lakes wherever I can, and that’s a short line. that at 14 metres but after a main steep
when the cold sets in, if you Ideally I like to be able to throw them out drop at 13 metres it gradually slopes up
are looking to catch a better of my hand as it is so easy to do when you and gets shallower all the time.
stamp of silvers then casters marry perfectly are fishing another line. I want to build I like to get into a ‘good depth’ of water,
with the clearer colder water conditions. this swim for later in the session as I know and by that I mean either down the first
They can be a gamble for sure, because if the longer I leave it the better it will be for main ledge or into the equivalent of at least
it’s not a big-fish day, if they are not feeding sure. half the main depth. So, for example, if I
or just not present in the swim, then Today at Meadowlands my swim is not can find six feet of water and my longer
they can be too selective. For this reason, quite deep enough very short for this time line down the ledge is 12 feet deep then I
I seldom fish them as the only option, of year, so I would rather make sure I am in feel comfortable fishing there.
especially in a match. the correct depth of water. For this reason, What you must remember with roach
Golden shells!
however, is how active they are when Even for silvers it’s worth
they feed, often feeding up well off the having a side pull system
just in case something larger
bottom. This means that even in the cold puts in an appearance.
weather they can drift into shallower
water, certainly if it’s still fairly deep up the
ledges.
If my caster line is part of a multiple
plan of attack, I will kick it off simply by
starting to loose feed. It will build slowly as
the constant loose feed falling through the
water should start to attract fish slowly but
surely. Six to 10 casters every two to three
minutes is usually enough to build the
swim for later on. However, if I feel I may
Home made Dacron
need the swim earlier I kick it off with a bit connectors made using a
of groundbait. Drennan bead and fly fishing
On commercials I’m more than Dacron.
Darren favours the
comfortable using a fishmeal mix, and Garbolino Lube to
today I have mixed up a 50/50 mix of right depth, looking for a good ledge if lubricate his elastic.
Mainline Sweet Marine and Tom Thick there is one, is more important than being
Original. I will put one squeezed ball in comfortable.
and one almost loose to send a trail down
through the water. These will contain
dead pinkies, casters and a few dead red RIG CHOICES
maggots. This then gives me the option to Rigs are quite simple; I will have a few set
start on any one of those baits; they should up for this line as it will depend how the
also attract smaller fish initially, so I can fish are feeding as to which one is the most
at least catch those until the better stamp effective on the day. I use the Garbolino
of roach turn up. I’m sure small fish often DCC32 (or old DC12H), which has a nice
encourage better fish to move in over bait long carbon stem and fine hollow antenna.
quicker too. Depth will dictate the weight A smattering of
If you can throw your casters in it required but today in six feet of groundbait, pinkies
and casters helps keep
makes life much easier and helps water I will set up a 0.5g float the fish interested.
you feed less more frequently, with a high bulk and several
even when fishing and catching small No11 droppers. The
on other methods early on. bulk helps me get to the settles as I’m convinced the roach watch
But accurate plumbing killing zone, which is the bait fall before intercepting it.
and finding the the bottom third of I will also have a lighter 0.2g or 0.3g
the water. I expect version with strung out No10s and No11s
bites on the drop to give me a much slower fall in case the
or just as the bait fish come higher up in the water. The final
PRESENTATION
There are a few important things you must
consider when fishing for roach anywhere:
presentation is critical. There is no one
‘right’ way, the right way is how the fish
Nailed! A crushed shell and a want it on the day, and the only way to find
hook perfectly positioned in
the top lip. this out is by constantly experimenting. Try
laying your rig in ‘up tow’ or ‘down tow’,
Shot pliers are a fantastic flicking it past the main feed, letting it run
tool to add and remove shot
without damaging the line. with the wind/tow, holding it dead still,
slowing it down, or indeed a combination
of a few or all of those ways to keep the fish
coming for the whole session. You need to
try and see the pattern forming, as there
will be one.
Today, once I started catching well I
could see exactly the fastest way to catch
fish constantly, quickly and giving me bites
that were virtually unmissable. By laying the
rig straight over the feed area with my hook
downwind of the pole tip, I would let it
settle on its own for five seconds or so and
then slow it down very slightly in the tow.
This way I think my rig was tight, the bait
had virtually stopped for a few seconds on
the bottom and the float would bury.
Once I found this pattern it was a time
and motion process, making sure I was
doing exactly what I needed to do to get
those good bites. You have to keep your
feeding constant too, as this can change
the way the fish react completely. If my
bites went iffy on me today, I could almost
guarantee an odd fish by flicking the rig
just past my feed line. This often caught me
a slightly better roach and even a few nice
hybrids that must have been hanging off long on the caster, especially double
the back of the feed off the bottom. with line on the bottom, holding the
Hooking the caster correctly is also rig perfectly still on my bump bar.
really important. When I am catching well These methods work really well
I don’t want to completely bury the hook on most venues, and are perfect for
in the caster as I feel I can miss too many canals and slow-moving rivers in
bites. I will bury the hook as normal but summer and winter. There is one
then bring it out slightly so that the point thing for sure, roach absolutely love
of the hook is just showing out of the side casters, and they are a must if you are
of the caster and the spade of the hook is targeting bigger ones in clear water
also showing. It’s having the spade buried conditions.
that I think causes you to bump fish or miss Don’t forget your casters this
bites. However, it is a good way if you need winter for a lovely day’s roach
to fool a few fish on to the hook on a hard fishing, or just to top up a good
day. net of fish on the short line to gain
Don’t ignore casters on longer lines those extra few pounds that make all
either. The beauty of casters is that you can the difference on many matches.
feed them accurately with a catapult and
they make a lovely noise, which definitely
attracts fish. They are great for skimmers
too and I catch many skimmers in winter
A stamp winter
roach, you can’t
beat it.
FLOAT
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ANGLER FILE:
JAMIE HUGHES
Age: 35 Lives: Wirral
Sponsors: Matrix,
Spotted Fin
Pole: Matrix MTX4
CLASS
A SILVER LINING
Jamie Hughes once again proves that when he puts his mind to
any style of fishing he is capable of producing the goods…
W
ith the weather now this month I would try to get on the bank few smaller events, all fairly local fisheries
starting to show some as much as possible to make the most of that would almost guarantee a great day’s
real signs that winter is some good fishing before the shutdown of sport.
just around the corner, the winter happened. This meant that for First up in the diary was the Autumn
I made the decision that once I would be able to focus on a Festival held at Weston Pools Fishery. I had
spent some time here just a few weeks back
competing in the Natural Baits Festival and
really enjoyed it, so when a space came
available in my coaching schedule I quickly
jumped at the chance to get myself back to
Weston.
As with most events here this festival was
again to be scored by section points, with
a random draw each day over three of the
lakes on the fishery’s main site. In a little
change from normal however, the decision
was made to drop the section sizes down
to just five to six pegs to hopefully create
a slightly fairer competition. This was
something that I thought was a good move
with the fish beginning to move into their
winter homes; however, it did mean that
a perfect score of two section wins would
definitely be needed to win overall so I
couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.
On to the first day and I was more than
happy to be heading off to Peg 24 on
Belvedere Pool. This is a really consistent
area of the lake that is usually home to
a few larger specimens and a peg that I
felt would give me a chance of winning
the section. That was until venue expert
Kieran Marsden sat down ide with just the very occasional
next to me on Peg 25, which better fish making an appearance
is possibly Weston Pools’ most between them, before the time
famous epicentre. This was came when I had to try and force
sure to make winning far more things. Swapping to a bigger pot
difficult but all I could do was and double feeding after every fish
to get on with things and hope the swim began to change and a
that the lake’s F1 population few of the lake’s elusive F1s started
wasn’t residing underneath the to make an appearance. Other
lily bed in front of Kieron. than an occasional look in the
With just open water to edges where I had a few F1s, the
target my match was to be a remainder of the match was spent
simple affair with pellets at on my maggot line where I was
five and 13 metres, maggots able to catch steadily by rotating
at an angle at six metres and a shallow and deck rigs. Action
margin being my plan for the had been far from hectic but the
day. The biggest decision for me steady finish meant that my catch
however, was what strength kit of 74lb was enough for a section
to use as with the water cooling win, which is all I could have
down a lighter approach may expected from this lake.
be best, but I wasn’t sure just Elsewhere the other pools had again
how delicate I could go. After a quick like the best option I was looking forward fished well with Kristian Jones winning the
call to Matty Dawes I went with a 0.13mm to the match. match overall with 150lb from Stretton,
hooklength option as there was still a good With potentially lots of fish required to followed by several other 100lb catches.
chance that Weston’s crazy carp would try do well, as always my intention was to fish This gave Kris his second section win
their best to steal my rigs. as few lines as possible to give myself a and with a total weight of around 230lb
I started in the usual manner with pellets better chance of reading how the fish were was enough to win him the event. Ashley
short, and to say I had a great start would feeding instead of diluting the fish over Reeves had finished in second place, again
be an understatement! In the first 90 several different areas of the peg. A four- with two points but a smaller weight, and
minutes I landed 12 carp, which put me line approach of two margin lines, maggots I was lucky enough to pinch third with the
around the 70lb mark while the rest of the at nine metres to the bridge and pellets at biggest weight of several anglers on three
lake struggled for bites. I had clearly drawn 16 metres would hopefully be enough to points.
on the nest, but even so I still had to try cover all eventualities. Once again it had been a great couple of
and keep in touch with the fish as there With Canal Pool generally being a slow days at Weston with some brilliant catches
was no way that they would stay around for starter for the first couple of hours I chose for late October – I’ll most certainly be
too long if their mates kept being caught. to fish my long pellet line to give the making sure to leave some space in the
Sure enough the carp quickly vanished shorter maggot lines a chance to develop. diary to get myself back there as much as
and the remainder of the match became This worked okay at first but it soon possible next year.
a more winter style job with just an odd F1 became apparent that the fish were not
to be caught from around the swim. The happy in the shallower water, and a move SILVER FISH
carp did have another quick feed in the to the deeper middle line needed to be Last up this month I was back to chasing
dying stages, when I found a couple short made a little earlier than I had planned. qualifiers as I headed off to Aston Park
and one other fishing to the next pallet, Dropping short helped a little, although Fishery in Sheffield, for my second
but other than that I really did feel like I fishing here so early meant that there was attempt to win a place in the Angling Trust
had limped through the final few hours. still a large amount of tiny fish in the peg. Silverfish Final at Hallcroft Fishery early
Sadly during my barren spell Kieran’s peg I ploughed on with this for an hour next year. This was actually a venue I had
had burst into life and for a good three or so, catching lots of small roach and never seen before but after speaking to my
hours he landed a large F1 every cast crazy mate Mr May it sounded like
fishing shallow to the lilies. On arrival
of the scales I knew that I wouldn’t have
enough, with my 110lb catch falling 35lb
short of winning the section. I did have
the consolation of finishing second in the
match overall but knew that not winning
the section meant that a festival win was
now impossible.
Next day and again I was happy with my
draw as I headed off to the iconic Peg 42
on Canal Pool. This lake was fishing by far
the hardest of the three lakes in use, with
just 75lb winning on the previous day, but
with a nice busy small-fish match looking
an all-out maggot/caster approach would my 20lb target, which was thought might be through the water I also began to feed
be the best option, as the main species for enough to win the pool. my longer line in the same fashion with a
the day would be ide. So with just six pints of maggots on the catapult for if the short line needed a rest
After driving over the moors, which side tray I went about trying to empty the at any point. Looking back now however,
resembled a scene from the Arctic, when lake of its tiny fish population; on this and if I was to fish my match again I would
we got to the venue, winter had most occasion I hoped that just two lines at six have only fed the line at six metres for the
certainly arrived for this match, with a and 13 metres would be enough as each entire session, as apart from a couple of
sharp frost on the ground. was to be loose fed heavily with the hope of quick goes to see if any larger fish were
On to the draw and Peg 13 on the Lilly attracting lots of fish from the pegs around further out on the long the 13m line
Lake was my location, which didn’t seem me. produced very little, and in hindsight
to get any of the locals very excited. It Starting at six metres, I decided to just possibly stopped some fish moving on to
sounded like the wider end of the lake cup a dozen maggots in to start just in case my more productive short line.
was the more favoured area to draw as the cold had put the fish off. This failed So pretty much my entire match was
these pegs were also home to some large to work so I started to throw six to eight spent at six metres, where I went through a
skimmers alongside the larger stamp of maggots over the top every 30 seconds. good five pints of maggots to catch around
ide. Still, with plenty of bites on the cards This quickly provoked a response and I 200 fish. It had been really interesting
I felt positive that as long as the skimmers began to catch small 2 to 4oz ide regularly. trying to work out the best ways to feed
didn’t feed in large numbers I would be Seeing that they wanted some feed falling as there were constantly different species
able to catch enough small fish to reach and stamps of fish moving through the
peg, meaning that at times a shallow/slow
fall would be best while at others a bulked
down rig was far more productive.
The scales arrived and even I was
surprised when 47lb something was called
out, which was most certainly one of the
best winter silvers catches that I’ve ever
had! On the day this was enough to win
the match overall, meaning I had a place
in next year’s final! The other lakes had
fished a little harder than expected, with
Mick Brownell winning the Stable Lake
zone with 38lb and Andy May booking his
place in the final from Split Lake with 25lb.
It had turned out to be well worth the
effort and I must say that the venue fished
brilliantly despite the horrible weather.
Now I’ve got a bit more homework to
do, as I’ve never seen Hallcroft before;
hopefully Andy and I will get up there a
few times over the winter to work a few
things out. I’ll let you know how we get on.
4x8 RW Maggie
2.5feet
No11s spread through the rig
0.105mm hooklength
T
his month’s rig was one that Hooks and line were a size 16 Matrix Silver
Andy May actually showed hook to 0.10mm diameter hooklength.
me while out filming the Lastly, the elastic of choice is a 4-6 Slik,
latest edition of Winning which is now my go-to commercial silvers
Ways, at Weston Pools. It elastic as it prevents any fish being bumped,
is used when targeting ide shallow in while still allowing me to swing fish up to
the colder months and is the same rig around 5oz, a big advantage when it’s a
that I used for spells at Aston Park when numbers game.
securing my place in the AT Silverfish
Final next year.
Firstly, and an important component of
the rig, is the float. A 4x8 RW Maggie is
perfect for the job due to its carbon stem JAMIE’S IDE RIG
and delicate solid bristle, which makes Float: Richie Wilson Maggie 4x8
Jamie gives a lowdown it extremely sensitive. The bristle, being Main line: 0.135mm Matrix Power
of the rig that helped him solid and not hollow, also creates very
little resistance when a fish takes the bait,
Micron
Hooklength: 0.105mm Matrix Power
qualify for the AT Silverfish which I believe is vital when ide are the Micron
target. Shotting: Strung out No11s
Final… Shotting is extremely simple with just Hook: Matrix Silvers size 16
four No11s spread evenly through the rig. Elastic: Slik 4-6
HARD
VSOFT
Andy Geldart has al
hard pellets but knows th
ways preferred
ere are days
tfish their
when soft pellets will ou
how he fishes
tougher cousins. Here’s
both…
AN GL ER FIL E
ANDY GELDART
Age: 34
Lives: Leeds
te Baits
Sponsor: MAP, Dynami
Pole: MAP TKS 1001 3G
VE NU E FIL E
HALLCROFT FISHERY
d,
Location: Hallcroft Roa
Retford DN22 7RA
This amount of
loose feed kicks off
the skimmer line.
I
f I’m honest, I’ve always considered shapes, sizes, flavours, oil levels and natural food source than any bug or grub
myself to be more of a hard man breakdown rates, where the confusion found naturally in the lake’s water.
than a softie. I am of course talking starts for many anglers.
about my choice of pellet here! That This is one of the reasons I’ve always
said, I am slowly realising that soft been a plain, hard, carp pellet man. Keep HARD PELLETS
pellets can be more effective on certain things nice and simple is my motto! For me, the use of hard pellets is a
days. Apart from plain pellets enabling me to confidence thing. Many years ago – around
Pellets have certainly come a long keep my approach very simple, they also a decade or more – pellet fishing was all
way since the early 1970s, when the only have a huge amount of other advantages based around the use of soft expanders;
commercially available products were high- over other baits. They’re readily available, although bait bands were available,
oil trout pellets. Ideal for building rapid cheap, easy to keep and don’t go off like we never used to hair-rig them as is so
weight growth in stew pond trout in fish live baits, work ALL year round, versatile, common now. I can’t take the credit for
farms, in the 1990s fishery scientists found catch everything from small fish through to pioneering the use of hard pellets on the
that pellets with very high oil contents the biggest specimens and, best of all, they hook, but I was one of the first to get on
could be detrimental to the long-term are full of vitamins, minerals and other to using them. Basically, I found that they
health of coarse fish and so a whole host of nutrients that makes them good for the were much more efficient, particularly
lower oil, wheatgerm-based pellets started fishery’s stock. when fishing at long lengths or when using
to flood the market. The final, and one of their biggest a running line setup.
It is this influx of 1,001 different types advantages, is that stocked carp are reared Soft pellets are very good on the hook,
of pellet, available in a legion of different on them, so they treat pellets as more of a as we all know, but when it comes to match
The carp
liked the hard
pellets today.
conditions especially, it can cost you fish by outfishing casters or vice versa.
using them. What I mean is if I were, for When the weather is cold or the fishing
example, fishing up to an island or other is hard, I find expanders really come into
feature at 14.5 metres plus, as a soft pellet their own. Also, they are a must for F1
tends to come off every time you strike, you fishing I find. Whether it’s an ‘ejection’
can lose precious match time re-baiting. thing, I don’t know. By ejection, I mean
If it takes around 20 to 30 seconds to ship that when the fish are being finicky, it is
in, re-bait and ship out, over the course easier to spit out something hard than soft.
of a five-hour match you could lose up to For example, it is much easier to spit out a
30 minutes or more. That can be a lot of grape than a feather! This 10th of a second
weight lost on some days. longer in the fish’s mouth could be the
Like all things in life though, there’s difference between a positive bite and a
always a negative to offset the positives. missed one.
Hard pellets tend to be better on days My basic premise regarding pellets is
when the fish are up for a feed, when dictated by two things: Firstly, what fish are
fishing shallow or when you’re really you ‘ideally’ targeting? And secondly, how
bagging. When the day is fishing much well is the venue fishing on that given day?
harder, it is usually a soft pellet that will see Skimmers and F1s are usually soft pellet
you getting the most bites. To be honest feeders while carp generally go for hard
though, I like to use hard pellets for ones, but see on the day as being too rigid
around 99 per cent of my fishing. can cost you fish.
TWO BAITS,TWO LINES PERFECT PRESENTATION hard pellet had been the top boy, but that
Today, I have two lines. My right-hand one Rig-wise, pellet fishing is very simple. I said you might fish a match there tomorrow
is reserved for skimmers, while the left- have a 0.16mm main line to either 0.16mm and it could be soft pellet that slays it. The
hand is for carp… hopefully! hooklength on the carp line or 0.12mm thing to remember is that if you can fish
Over the skimmer line I have loose fed on the skimmer line. The float is a Mick both well, then you will always catch.
around 100 micros to kick the line off, Wilkinson Wire Slim 0.4g shotted with 14 That’s the simple power of pellets.
before pole potting a pinch of micros every No11s spread out along the rig, to give the
cast. I cup my bait in as it makes no noise, pellet a lovely natural fall.
so I don’t tend to attract the carp as readily. The rig is plumbed up to fish around
Over the top, I’m looking to fish either a one inch overdepth, although on very
4mm or 6mm expander. soft, silty venues like Hallcroft, it is worth
Ideally, I don’t want carp coming on to plumbing up regularly or moving slightly,
this line as it will prevent the skimmers as the fish will quickly dig out the bottom,
from properly settling. Commercial seeing you fishing way underdepth.
skimmers also don’t have the appetite that I remember doing a feature years ago
most anglers credit them with. I find that on Bridges Pool. I plumbed up at the
it is better to almost starve them on to the end of the session, where I’d started, and
hook, rather than trying to force things. found that the swim was now 14 inches
On the left-hand carp line I simply deeper than it had been at the start of
catapult a few hard 4mms every few the day!
minutes to make a clatter on the top with a Over the next few hours, with the
banded 4mm on the hook. rain getting harder, the fish have
With the weather being quite mild, but come more regularly, much to Mark
low pressure and wet, it is the carp that the cameraman’s annoyance, as he
have fed the best. I have had a dozen or so desperately struggled to keep water
skimmers on my skimmer line, but even drops off the lenses.
quietly potting micros in, I’ve still caught By the time we’d decided to call it a
the odd one. This has seen the skimmers day, some four hours later, I’d recorded
not settling properly. a dozen skimmers, for just under 20lb
and 11 carp for close to 100lb. Today,
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Canal Bonus Fish
A
Although it’s a canal, the
s temperatures plummet
Loose feeding
bream and skimmers has always and clarity drops out of our
can’t resist pellets. worked on local canals there are few
canals. better places to head than
inner city stretches or active
marinas. The reason is simple; the activity
and shelter provided in these areas makes
them a perfect resting spot for the canal’s
inhabitants, not to mention the likelihood
of a few free offerings introduced by the
boat owners, passers-by or people feeding
the ducks, all of which are highly unlikely
when venturing off the beaten track.
SETTING
THE TRAPS
Spotted Fin’s Nathan Thompson demonstrates a simple
yet effective approach to targeting your local narrow canal.
VE NU E FIL E
W
OXFORD CANAL, ENSLO
MARINA
Location: Kidlington AS
society.co.uk
www.kidlingtonangling
AN GL ER FIL E
NATHAN THOMPSON
Age: 27
Lives: Didcot
Sponsor: Spotted Fin
Pro Type Carp
Pole: Preston Innovations
“On this particular venue I have found that a feed and rotate
policy is often the best approach.”
With a few recent night-time frosts and throughout the year but never more so in the day before testing the water with the
daytime temperatures now hanging into than when temperatures plummet, with a potential of some bonus fish later in the
single figures, it is about now that these lot of quality roach, bream and big perch day, on this particular venue I have found
sorts of venues really come into their own congregating in the area among other that a feed and rotate policy is often the
and with a trip to the canal on the cards I species. best approach.
have ventured over to Enslow Marina on By doing this I can establish an area of
the Oxford Canal, better known to the the peg in which the fish will settle most
locals and regular anglers here as the Rock SET THE TRAPS confidently. This is true during both
Of Gibraltar (named after the famous pub Unlike many other canals that I have pleasure and match situations, where the
just a stone’s throw up the road). fished, where setting up new lines is often pressure of anglers being sat on the bank
This stretch, like many marinas around a gradual process throughout the day, can often spook fish into different areas of
the country, is known to hold a lot of fish aiming to catch a rook of small fish early the canal.
RIG CHOICES
Float choice for me on the three and a half
feet swim has to be an Ian Heaps tapered
balsa float in a 0.3g size; it may seem a bit
out of the ordinary to use a pencil style
float, especially when targeting skimmers
Luckily the
bright sunshine
didn’t put off
the bream.
THE SESSION
It hasn’t been the easiest of sessions but an
early skimmer across got things off to a nice
start. A number of indications followed but
never materialised into true bites until a big
perch took fancy to my single caster hook
bait, a nice fish at around the 1lb mark.
A look short produced a few small roach
and perch, but with a couple of bonus
fish already in the net they had whet my
appetite and these small fish really weren’t
cutting the mustard, even if they were sat
over my bait in numbers.
Nonetheless I decided to ditch the top-
five line to focus on my bonus fish swims.
Sport wasn’t hectic but sure enough with
some perseverance and by alternating
between the two, with the occasional top-up
of groundbait and even more occasional
sprinkling of maggots, I managed another
four nice bream between 2lb and 3lb, plus
a few dumpy perch on small segments
of worm or a caster over the groundbait,
ending the session with a satisfying double-
figure haul.
NON-FISHMEAL MIXES
WITH THE QUALITY YOU HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM SPOTTED FIN
W W W . S P O T T E D F I N . C O M
Where To Visit
W
medallist for England at youth level and three-time Matchman ell, my last ever Venue Detective with Jake
Of The Year! He is now arguably the top angling coach in the Fowles and his lovely little doggy Minnie Moo
country and can be booked online at today, and I couldn’t think of a better fishery to
www.fishingcoaching.co.uk. go to than the beautiful Docklow Pools.
• 2016 Fish ‘O’ Mania champion • World youth individual The day started off with one of Docklow’s
• Three-time Kamasan Matchman silver medallist famous breakfasts; the food and hospitality here are second to none,
Of The Year • Full-time angling coach you really are made to feel at home from the moment you walk
• Youngest ever Matchman • All-round nice guy!
through the doors. Jonathan Bozward is one of the nicest blokes in
Of The Year
the world and can’t do enough to help you out. His brother Simon
is a “proper ’un” too and has the tackle shop impressively stocked
and the bait is always in tiptop condition. You really don’t want for
is going in. The reason I’ve cupped bait in that’s why I love targeting silvers. My marker red maggot and I make sure to lay the rig
to start, even though I’m going to be loose today, for example, is the whole of a big tree in the opposite way to the wind, as that’s
feeding, is to instantly target the fish in an opposite! the way the undertow is going. By holding a
area where my rig is settling, but the beauty After that initial feed I come back and tight line to the float with the back shot you
of loose feeding is that I can draw the fish give the short line two lots of 20 maggots by can then detect bites on the drop.
in and cover a much larger area. hand. I will continue to feed this way for a I catapult two lots of 15 to 20 maggots
Quite often, and especially when I’m good hour and around every three to five over the top and get a little dink
pellet fishing, I will make sure I’m bang minutes! Remember, silver fish will quite straightaway from a roach, then the next
on my markers, which could be a blade of happily come up in the water, especially go I catch a little baby perch. I try double
grass! You really do have to be that accurate, ide and chub, and the temperature doesn’t red maggot as a bigger bait; quite often
but the beauty of loose feeding is that you really affect them. Carp and F1s though, are this results in not only quicker bites as it’s
can explore much more of your swim and completely different. It’s on with a single a standout hook bait but usually bigger
fish. This works a treat and I catch three ide or little roach within two minutes
ide between 8oz and 10oz in three goes… every put in, but I know I’m going to
wohooo! Every time I lay the rig in I’m giving catch much quicker short. It’s on with
it 20-odd maggots through a catapult to a side hooked single white maggot
steadily build the swim. and I’m rewarded with… the best
It goes quiet for four or five minutes before fish in the world first chuck, a chub,
I hook into the culprit! Lots and lots of lovely yessssss! I think everyone on the
No6 elastic streams out of the pole but I’ve complex heard me let out a massive
soon got the fish under control by using the “ooossshhh” as I netted it. This short
puller kit, and within 30 seconds I net a lovely line was solid and I’m catching a
3lb… F1, errrr, it’s not very silver and ide 10oz to 1lb ide every go by laying the
looking! rig in against the wind and holding
Just under an hour into the session I’m a tight line – the fish are all hooking
starting to miss bites, which tells me that the themselves really.
fish are coming up in the water. So, it’s on One thing that I have talked
with the through-the-water rig set at roughly about quite a lot when targeting ide
half depth and I’m instantly rewarded with is that you don’t need to unship
an ide, but I then start missing more bites. your top kit, this makes things much
The wind is making things very tricky too; quicker and will put more fish in your net in got someone like me next to you then I will
I shallow up a little and manage two little match conditions. Ide don’t really fight and certainly be nicking your fish (sorry).
roach before going five minutes without a it’s so much more efficient to just ship back, I go out long while priming short again
bite. Hmmm, usually when you catch one ide net the fish and then you’re straight back in and within five minutes I’m getting bites. It
there’s lots there! business again. The light elastic is a must for only takes 15 minutes to get them back short
I go back on the bottom and begin to put these fish, if your elastic was too strong you and I give it another hour before the wind
a few decent ide in the net by feeding heavier would be bumping loads. gets the better of me and the easterly wind
just once to try and keep them down, as I Noon comes around quick and the lovely takes its toll on my mittens, brrrrr!
can’t really present the rig correctly due to Jonathan visits us with a picnic… what a man! I’ve ended the session with a good 40lb of
the wind, so rather than persevere and do it After that break and not feeding the fish for mainly ide, a few roach, a perch, a gudgeon,
wrong I’m cancelling fishing shallow out long a good 40 minutes (we had lots of tasty food) an F1 and the bestest fish ever, a chub. It’s
and looking to catch just on the bottom. I went back in short and didn’t get a bite. been an amazing few hours at one of the best
I’m still loose feeding the short line and This again clearly shows the importance of fisheries in the country. I can’t wait to come
90 minutes in I notice a swirl on it. To be fair keeping bait going in for these shoal fish, if back, oh wait, I’m back next week, and the
the long line is good and I’m catching an you don’t in match conditions and you’ve week after… wohooooo!
D
o you want to be named the The event will be covered within Pole Steve has expressed his determination
2020 Veterans Champion? Fishing magazine and sister publication to return to retain his title in 2020, so
Well, this is an event you Match Fishing, with both magazines also competition is fierce. However, you have
won’t want to miss! This year’s putting up a 12-month subscription for the to beat the best to be the best, so if you
Veterans Championship is winner of the event. fancy your chances get yourself booked on
once again a one-off match to be held at Steve Downes took the honours in last and be in with a chance of being named
the stunning Packington Somers Fishery year’s event and added the title of Veterans the 2020 Match Fishing & Pole Fishing
in Meriden, near Coventry, set adjacent to Champion 2019 to his name. Drawing a Veterans Champion!
Stonebridge Golf Club. fancied area in Peg 7 on Siblings B lake,
The event will take place on Friday, Kevin caught F1s shallow throughout the DATE: August 14th, 2020
August 14th, 2020, and is open to all match to finish with a weight of 137lb VENUE: Packington Somers Fishery
anglers aged 60 years and above. Tickets 8oz, to narrowly beat venue regular Derek
for the event will cost £25 with a further Hartshorn, who was just 6lb behind, just To book your spot in the match head to:
(optional) super pool on the day of £10. ahead of Bob Greenbury and Harry Billing. www.shopatdhp.com
PRACTICE
MAKES
Words and photos: Steve Martin
PERFECT
Daiwa star Will Raison gives an insight into how he
approaches a practice session when he only has a single
day to formulate his best plan of attack.
AN GL ER FIL E
WILL RAISON
Age: 44
Lives: Aldershot
Sponsor: Daiwa
Pole: Daiwa Air Z160
–
ts th
lle ep
pe ft d
VE NU E FIL E
3
lin m
o.uk
www.tunnelbarnfarm.c
m
ft ots
e ag
de
pe g
pt
lle ots
h
ts la
–
ea te
rly
,
t l nd
ine
lle ha
pe eft-
L
T
he hotly contested Tunnel my irst port of call when I arrived, as he above the hook. The hooklength was a size
Barn Farm winter league could give me loads of information about 16 Guru F1 Pellet hook on six inches of
consists of 22 teams of four, how the lakes had been ishing in recent 0.10mm Drennan Supplex luorocarbon.
and it is ished over a period weeks. For ishing maggots on the same line,
of 10 rounds throughout the “By all accounts the venue had been the loat was a 4x12 version but with a
winter. England ace Will Raison is part ishing well, so I just need to gauge the carbon stem, known as an RW Winter
of the Guru team ishing the event, but mood of the ish to ind out where they Maggie. Shotting was a small bulk plus
it had been a while since he had visited are feeding, what depth they are at and two droppers, and hook size was an 18 F1
the Midlands complex, so he needed to the baits, either pellets or maggots. Paul Pellet.
reacquaint himself with the venue. suggested Peg 3 on Canal was a good area The setups were similar for the rigs Will
We joined Will the day before the irst to try a few ideas.” planned to ish close to the island, except
round of matches, and after a conversation Will set up four top kits for the session that the pellet rig had a 4x12 wire-stemmed
with Tunnel Barn regular and Guru team- using the grey coloured F1 Speed kits for loat, and the maggot rig a 4x10 carbon-
mate Paul Holland, he settled for a session his Daiwa pole. Adding short No4s to each stemmed model. Shotting for the latter
on Peg 3 on Canal Pool. made them the same length as normal was a wide spread bulk with two droppers,
“Practice is so important, even if you are top kits, to ensure he ished at the same which took into account the shallower
familiar with the venue,” explained Will. distance if he decided to set up any more depth of water.
“However, on a large complex like Tunnel rigs. Each kit was itted with pink Daiwa “I use the wire-stemmed loats when
Barn you would have to make regular visits Hydrolastic. ishing expanders, as they ensure more
to get to know all the lakes intimately, but The irst of Will’s rigs was for ishing direct contact with the bait as it quickly
that was time that I didn’t have due to a expander pellets in the deeper water, and it settles. The maggot rig is set so that I can
busy international schedule. comprised a Richie Wilson 4x14 F1 Winter see any indications of ish intercepting a
“I still didn’t want to turn up ‘cold’, and Dink on 0.14mm Tournament Mono. bait on the drop.
as Paul asked me to ish for his team he was Shotting was a spread bulk set 10 inches
ine d “To be honest, I’m happy with my rigs
t l an
lle -h
pe ight
R
as they are similar to those that I ish on so it has to ind my hook bait without too 10.15AM
Middle Lake at Gold Valley, where F1s are much else to feed on.” Will started on his 6m line and to kick off
also the main target, so other than the odd Red maggots, another good winter he fed a single small Toss Pot of micros,
tweak I’m conident in how they ish. option for F1s, were Will’s alternative bait before settling the 4mm expander over it.
“Today is all about inding out where to option, but he pointed out that he would A lack of indications saw him slightly raise
ish and with what baits. I’ve plumbed up refrain from ishing or even feeding them and drop the hook bait, and with no bite
my deeper water rigs to ish the deepest until he had spent some time on the forthcoming he shipped out another pot of
part of the swim – six sections out – as now pellets. micros. He repeated the process again after
that the water temperature is dropping and He had also mixed up a small amount of another ive minutes, and with no action
there’s more clarity to the water, it’s a good F1 groundbait, which would be for the end he left the line to rest.
starting point. of the session, and he would explain more “I feel this will be better with maggots
“When it comes to the shallower rigs, about its function later. later, but I’m not going to touch them for
now that it’s getting colder I won’t ish “Before I start, I just want to mention now as I want to see what happens when I
tight to the island but instead I like to set that I’m ishing in the ive-hour match don’t add any loose feed into the peg.”
the depth at three feet and ind a lat, clear window. If you are going to practise then
spot. I’ve found that it’s a good depth to ish the match times, so that you get an
start on any commercial once it goes cold. idea how the ish are feeding when you are 10.30AM
“I prefer to ish my baits slightly ishing for them. Will switched his attention to his long line,
overdepth; you will see that when I plumb “Also, if you set up before the start time, and just as he did with the short line, he
up I leave the body of the loat just out of it will be the same as in a match. It’s all started with a pot of feed. He ished the
the water, so when the loat settles that’s about trying to mirror what you would do line for 15 minutes, only feeding one more
how much over I’m ishing.” on the day. Unlike in the summer months, helping of micros, and with no indications
Bait for the session was 4mm expanders, you can’t just expect to drop in and catch he again rested the line.
and Will pointed out that he preferred a ish, so it’s key to get a feel for what can
darker bait for F1s. Feed would be micro happen at the start, as that will tell you
pellets, which he had pre-soaked while he what to expect on the match itself. 10.45AM
was setting up, as he wanted them to take “It’s not an exact science and I’ve no idea Back on the short line, and before he
on plenty of water so that they quickly sank. which lake I’m going to draw tomorrow, added any more feed, Will wanted to see
“The heavy micros get down quickly but the more I can get out of the session, if there were any indications. He had an
without spreading out, so they help to pull the better prepared I’m going to be.” F1 immediately, and two more followed. It
ish to a concentrated patch of feed. To To best explain how the day progressed, then went quiet, so he added more micros,
start with I’m feeding to catch one ish, Will’s session has been cut into chunks of which resulted in two more, plus a couple
time to give a better understanding of foul-hooked ish.
on how he gets the most out his peg. “The question is, have they just turned
0.14mm 0.14mm
Spread bulk
Bulk
Two
Two 6in 0.10mm droppers
droppers Drennan Supplex
6in 0.10mm Drennan Fluorocarbon
Supplex Fluorocarbon Size 18 Guru
Size 18 Guru F1 Pellet
F1 Pellet
up or did I feed too much at the start? from off the peg.
Lifting and dropping the bait seems “Fish often congregate between anglers,
to attract attention, so maybe they’re so you can get better results by ishing
following the expander down. I’ve away from directly in front on you. Having
spread the bulk out more to slow the two lines at the same depth gives you an
bait’s descent down to see if that makes a opportunity to ish the irst, catch a ish,
difference.” feed and then switch, so sticking with six
sections I’m going to plumb up two new
lines, as I’m happy with the irst line for
11.00AM now.”
Along with the rig changes, Will also cut
back on the feed by using a smaller pot.
The result was a ish irst put-in, but then 11.30AM
it went quiet. He then upped the feed Having identiied a far-side bank marker,
once more, feeding after each ish, but he Will plumbed up to his left and found the
also foul hooked a few more. depth to be four inches shallower. Once
“I’ve often found that when feeding too the depth was set, he then looked to his
little when ishing the deeper water, the right to ind the same depth and made a
ish don’t seem to want to settle, especially note of where it lined up on the far bank.
when it comes to F1s. They seem to dart He then fed each line with a pot of pellets
around, looking for food, and that’s why and left them to rest.
you get quite a few foul-hooked ish. I He then had a second look on his long
believe that adding more feed will settle line, and to see if the ish had moved in he
them down on the deck, and hopefully the ished without adding any micros. A fourth ished the expander without adding any
bites will be more positive.” F1 was netted and then he continued to ish feed. That failed to get any interest, so he
without feeding. With no further bites, he fed and tried again and waited. After no
decided on a difference course of action. indications, it had become clear that the
11.15AM “It’s all about working out whether to ish were not feeding in the 3ft depth.
To test his theory, Will fed and then waited feed little and often, or more feed less “I’m going to look a little deeper, so I’ve
for a bite. After catching a ish, he fed often. Here it seems to be a case of feed set my maggot rig to ish at three and a half
again, and repeated the cycle. However, more often, but to be patient and wait for feet. It might only need a slight change in
after the third ish, he shipped out and the bite, and that’s the issue. F1s do move depth to ind the ish. However, it’s a good
around in pods, and it’s possible that the time to start feeding maggots, as I’ve had
ish I’m catching are coming to the bait no signs at all on pellets.”
0.14mm 0.14mm
6in 0.10mm
6in 0.10mm Drennan Supplex
Drennan Supplex Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon Size 16 Guru
Size 16 Guru F1 Pellet
F1 Pellet
Once a
clear area
was found,
Will sprinkled
in some red
maggots
around the
mark and
again left the
line to rest. He
added that he
would start to
spray maggots
regularly before
returning.
11.45AM
Back to the new 6m lines, Will fed a pot of
micros to his right and then switched to the
left, where he lowered the 4mm expander
without adding any feed. He picked up
four F1s before the line went quiet. He
then fed the line and switched to his right.
It only produced a single ish, so again he
fed and looked to his left. Once again, just
a single ish, so it was feed, rest and switch.
Will continued to ish the same pattern
and over time he increased his catch rate, but again Will had to wait for bites and New Pool, to see how the anglers there
with the left-hand line being the most there was an added frustration of leaves were doing, and importantly, what Paul was
productive. gathering up against the island due to the doing.
“I may have been a bit impatient earlier, wind being off his back. “Today has been a refresher course, and
as I have had to wait for bites. These ish “It’s a lot of effort to just get small ish. it’s not all about just catching ish. I’ve
are not so quick to feed, and I’m sure that’s The bigger ish deinitely want to be in probably got 70lb in the net, so it’s been a
down to the drop in water temperature the deeper water. It’s a lesson learnt. In success as I’ve got some clues as to where
over recent days. Feeding more micros, fact, the long line hasn’t been the best on I’m likely to catch, whichever lake I draw.
less often, seems to be the right move, either bait. It’s something to bear in mind “Paul knows this place really well, so he’s
as I can catch three ish before I have to tomorrow.” going to help ill in the gaps, which is why
re-feed. However, I’ve had to wait two or I want to sit with him. You can ind out
three minutes before I get any indication. an awful lot of extra information just by
Patience... 13.05PM watching what the other anglers are doing,
“I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the While trying to get the long line working so it’s really worth putting the gear away
pellets and I’ve learnt a lot, but I want to Will had been priming his short line with and spending a bit of time watching the
see how the ish react to maggots, especially plenty of maggots, so for the inal part on locals.
as the water is starting to clear. Not only his session he wanted to concentrate on “You might remember that I mixed
that, but I don’t know where I’m going to that line. up a small amount of groundbait before
draw tomorrow and it may be pellets here, Having had very little on the line at the I started, but I didn’t use it. One of the
but maggots might be right on another start on pellets he wanted to see whether things I like to do once I inish a practice
pool.” the ish had moved into the deepest water session is drop a little groundbait into the
later on, and if he could get more bites on edge, and once I’ve packed up I will go
maggots. back to see if the ish had moved in on the
12.45PM Interestingly, he still had to be patient feed. It’s another clue as to how the ish
Before he had his irst look over on and wait for a bite. However, the ish he might feed.”
maggots, Will fed the 6m line directly in caught were the biggest of the day. The
front with a scattering of grubs. He then best tactic was to feed after each one and
shipped double red maggots across, and drop in over the top. FOOTNOTE
before placing the bait he sprinkled in a Will ended the session 30 minutes Will drew House Pool on the day of the
few freebies from a modiied pot, which later, and pointed out that he had the match, and although he didn’t win the
would allow him to feed sparingly two or information that he wanted and that there lake, he posted the third best weight, 81-8-
three times before having to ship back. would be no point in just ishing for fun 0, from the pool, which earned good points
The change of bait in the slightly deeper as he wanted to catch the last part of the for Team Guru and individually, he was
water resulted in a run of small F1s, match that Paul Holland was ishing on ninth in the match with 132 anglers ishing.
M O R E T H A N A M A G A Z I N Es
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he prestigious Match Fishing adding your name to a star-studded list you’re a subscriber to either – or both!
and Pole Fishing Subscriber of previous winners and will be no mean – magazines, get involved and come and
Classic is back once again and feat, with an impressive line-up of anglers enjoy the day.
set to be held on September gracing the bank year after year. Payouts on this match are always
18th, 2020 at Midlands F1 The Subscriber Classic match allows all generous, with last year’s winner Paul
Mecca, Tunnel Barn Farm! The popular of us working on the magazines to give Wheeler walking away with £650 for his
event is open to subscribers of DHP’s Pole something back to our readers, in what is day’s efforts, and with cash prizes available
Fishing magazine and sister publication always an enjoyable day on the bank at a in each section of five anglers along with
Match Fishing, with anybody holding a fantastic fishery. generous rewards for each of the framing
valid subscription number able to enter. The event wouldn’t be possible without places there aren’t many events that can
Be quick though, the event is often a the support that our faithful subscribers boast as impressive a payout for a one-day
sellout with Match and Pole readers keen give us so it is another way to say thank you event.
to be crowned the Subscriber Classic to them. Tickets will cost £35, with 160 pegs
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Winning the event would see you just as successful as years gone by – if optional super pool on the day of £10.
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IN THE
OTHER DVD SETS
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T O G UM B E R 1 5 T
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54: NEW GEAR
58: ON TEST – PRESTON INNOVATIONS RESPONSE XS90 POLE
62: PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT – BROWNING TARGUS SEATBOX
64: TACKLE SPY – MIDDY SUPRA DRY NETS
66: UP CLOSE – DAIWA ADVANTAGE GROUNDBAITS
68: UP CLOSE – MAP SEAL SYSTEM EVA LUGGAGE
70: COMPETITION – WIN MIDDY WINTER CLOTHING
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T
he new XS range of Preston THE PACKAGE venues ish are constantly being pressured
poles supersedes the Removing the pole from the padded by anglers so the ability to add a more
successful M range, which Response holdall reveals a comprehensive comfortable shorter section to explore
were released back in 2014. package. The irst thing that takes my fancy around the feed area can often guarantee
With improved carbon are the dolly-butt sections, of which you’ll those extra bites.
technology the XS range features greater ind three, then one extension and two Not only that but inserting a mini-butt
strength in key areas and reinforced mini sections that I immediately took a also helps strengthen the end of the joint,
joints for added durability. liking to. On both natural and commercial preventing any crushing under pointy
internal bush that looks capable of housing plan of attack for the day. My overall impression of the XS90? I am
medium sized elastics, and inally, six Roller The Match Lake at Docklow is stocked extremely impressed with its handling and
Pulla Power Top 2 Kits, also pre-itted and with big F1s, carp, skimmers and plenty stiffness, undoubtedly a worthy flagship pole
capable of housing stronger carp elastics. of ide, which no doubt would give me a at a superb price.
No cutting back is needed on Preston’s really good reflection of the pole’s overall
Spot On cupping kit as it is adjusted with handling, not only for the bigger specimens
a simple pull to your desired length and but also the smaller species.
XS90 POLE PACKAGE
comes supplied with cups. While simply shipping in and out I quickly
Joining the XS90 are also three other became aware of just how stiff the pole really • 1 x 16m Pole
poles including the XS70, XS50 and XS was and it didn’t take long for the resident • Section 9/10 Half Extension
Carp. The XS poles meet a range of budgets skimmers and F1s to make an appearance. • 3 X Match Top 3 Kit (3.95m)
• 2 X Match Top 2 Kit (2.4m)
and suit a variety of ishing styles and also Shortly afterwards I struck into my irst
• 6 X Roller Pulla Power Top 2 Kit (2.4m)
make a fantastic back-up pole for anyone carp of the session; bottomed out on • 1 X Spot-On Kupping Kit And Kups
needing to carry a second pole. Preston Innovations 9 Hollo within seconds, • Section 7/8 Bi-Conical Mini Extension
the strength test had begun! • Section 5/6 Bi Conical Mini Extension
• Monster Response Holdall
ON TEST Straightaway I noticed the easy ship inish
• EVA Elastic Alignment Cones with PTFE bushes
Docklow Pools was the destination for this coming into play as I was able to make
month’s On Test pole trial and I was faced quick manoeuvres with the XS90. With KEY FEATURES
with wet and blustery conditions; although gusts of wind curling around the island it • 100 per cent Torayca High Performance Japanese
not pleasant to ish in, it gave me the perfect certainly piled extra pressure on to the pole, Carbon Fibre
• Interchangeable with the previous Response range
opportunity to really put the Response XS90 which visibly and physically was impressive
• Internal and external reinforced carbon joints
through its paces. in just how well it handled the elements. • Section alignment arrows
With ish showing out long I decided to ship Unfortunately the 10lb plus ish found • Easy ship finish
straight out to 13.5 metres and plumbed the keepnet and the hooked slipped, but
RRP
up, inding a nice flat area of the swim to I ended up with a lovely net of big F1s and
£2,799.99
present my pellet hook bait, which was my skimmers to inish the session.
TOPICS DETAILED:
- Feeder fishing
- Feeding the swim
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THE ONLINE VIDEO MAGAZINE FOR THE THINKING ANGLER THE ONLINE VIDEO MAGAZINE FOR THE THINKING ANGLER
DE S , C ATC H D M D M
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90
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ISSUE 46
88
ISSUE 31 ISSUE 35 ISSUE 36 ISSUE 37 ISSUE 48
68
ISSUE 32 ISSUE 38 ISSUE 47
93
ISSUE 33 ISSUE 34 ISSUE 39
EMPTY IT ISSUE 40 ISSUE 41 ISSUE 42 ISSUE 43 ISSUE 44 ISSUE 45
YZ[\
106-minute HD video
HD VIDEO
96
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ON RIVERS WAGGLER
f ghi
MAGGOT & CORN
HD VIDEO
HD VIDEO
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FISHING HD VIDEO HD
VIDEO
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SILVER FISH
AND BAIT
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ALL YOUR COVERED
RIG
DES’ WINTER
RIGS
WE VISIT
POOLS
DOCKLOW
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WHAT TO
USE FOR
SCRATCHING
AROUND
F H S SHALLOW YOUR SWIM -MINUTE HD VIDEO 94 -MINUTE HD VIDEO LIVE! SCRATCHING AROUND KEEPING IT SIMPLE TA SHALLOW WATER SNAGG IMS
ISSUES SEVEN TO TWELVE ISSUES ISSUES NINETEEN TO TWENTY FOUR ISSUES TWENTY FIVE TO THIRTY
ISSUES ONE TO SIX
>;D<789 :;<
?7< ? <AB;= >@:;?<?EF@7G
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ISSUES THIRTY ONE TO THIRTY SIX ISSUES 37 - 42 ISSUES 43-48
INCLUDES SIX VIDEOS AND THE DIGITAL INCLUDES SIX VIDEOS AND THE DIGITAL INCLUDES SIX VIDEOS AND THE DIGITAL INCLUDES SIX VIDEOS AND THE DIGITAL INCLUDES SIX VIDEOS AND THE DIGITAL INCLUDES SIX VIDEOS AND THE DIGITAL INCLUDES SIX VIDEOS AND THE DIGITAL INCLUDES SIX VIDEOS AND THE DIGITAL
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MAGAZINE VERSIONS OF THE ACCOMPANYING MAGAZINE VERSIONS OF THE ACCOMPANYING MAGAZINE VERSIONS OF THE ACCOMPANYING MAGAZINE VERSIONS OF THE ACCOMPANYING MAGAZINE VERSIONS OF THE ACCOMPANYING MAGAZINE
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SUPRA TROOPERS The Tackle Spy gives some new landing nets from Middy the
shakedown.
I
’ve been hearing
a lot of talk about
revolutionary new
landing nets from
Middy for the last couple of
months and each time these
nets have been mentioned it’s
niggled me – after all, what can
be that revolutionary about a
landing net?
My delivery of the two largest
nets in the Supra Dry range
actually filled me with some hope
though; designed for extreme
competition fishing where speed
is essential they certainly look the
part, and I love the minimalistic
style of them. I hate all the faff that 4/5
manufacturers seem to put around the 5/5
rims of their nets at the minute and the 4.5/5
current trend seems to be that branding is
more important than the net’s function!
These nets perform brilliantly; they are
light, very light in fact, and glide through the The open mesh size is just right too, ideal spreader block (but then, which right-thinking
water beautifully. for speed scooping, and also preventing angler would?), in sensible hands the net is
Which brings me to the part of the net that hooking up your hair rig. plenty strong enough.
Middy claims to be revolutionary – the new I’ve been using the 20in model for my There are three sizes in the range and I
material. This is like nothing I’ve seen before, fishing but after looking at the particularly reckon the smallest 18in version will be perfect
very light and soft but water seems to shake thin 9mm black anodised alloy frame on the for F1 fishing, when a big net can often get in
away from it easily too. As Middy says: “The 22in version I just wanted to make sure it was the way and slow the fishing down.
special mesh is unique like a polished surface up to the job of lifting big fish from the water,
that repels water, so it remains lightweight and which is what it is designed for. RRP:
cuts through the water easily.” Again the net passed the test, and although 18IN £23.99
Cutting through the sales jargon, it does I wouldn’t want to lift double-figure fish 20IN £24.99
just that. without holding the lightweight polymer 22IN £25.99
U
tilising Will Raison’s
vast store of knowledge
and expertise about
groundbaits, four new
mixes have been added to
the Advantage range, which Daiwa claims
to be: “Out of the bag solutions for today’s
popular fishing techniques.”
All Round Black and Method Mix Black
are darker versions of the original mixes
and are launched with cooler weather and
clearer venues in mind, where a dark mix
can be advantageous. All Round Black is
ideal on any mixed fishery or large natural
waters, carrying a proven proportion of
fishmeal and other key ingredients to
deliver a versatile pole or feeder mix for
bream, roach, hybrids, carp and F1s. It can
be mixed with chopped worm and caster
or dead maggots, used on a small feeder
at close range to catch everything and as a
base for other mixes when required.
Method Mix Black will begin working
fast on the bottom. Little or no bait will
come off the feeder on the splash but it
will create almost instant cloudy attraction,
releasing your hook bait quickly. The
lower fishmeal level ensures a versatile
non-rich mix. Mix it 50/50 with micros for
a high bait loading.
Sweet Fishmeal is, as the name suggests,
a sweet-smelling fishmeal mix perfect for
skimmers, F1s and bream on commercials.
Low in fishmeal and food content but with
sweet attractants, being lightly active it
is also ideal for the colder months. Ideal
on the pole with chopped worm, dead
maggots or casters, or as a base for other
mixes when required.
The final mix is River, a sticky mix
perfect for loading with particles on deep
or flowing venues. River mixes up sticky
to carry a lot of bait particles to the river
bed but breaks up fast to deliver feed on
the spot. With high levels of hemp and
coriander in the mix, River is quickly
active, giving off its attractants and
continuing to work as it breaks down. It
can carry plenty of feed particles to the
bottom on flowing water, is ideal for deep
water feeding or can be used as a base for
other mixes.
RRP: £3.99
L
ast year, MAP released the range of cases to carry everything from yet again to allow the discerning angler to
first batch of EVA luggage, hooklength boxes and pole pots through now fully kit out their entire luggage with
which was topped up again to a triangular shaped catapult bag! tough, durable and waterproof EVA!
earlier this year with yet With clear lids on the smaller items First up is the Seal System Carryall.
more items. The existing for easy contents identification, tough Spaciously sized at 55 x 38 x 35cm, it is also
range included a bait system – designed oversized zips, reinforced bases and strong perfectly dimensioned to fit on seatbox
to carry bait ready to go in five EVA carry handles all finished with a sleek footplates to allow for easy transportation
tubs all contained in a waterproof carry carbon effect black with blue flashing, the on a trolley. Carryalls tend to take a lot of
case – two sizes of net bag, including range went down a storm. stick, so an extra-thick double EVA base
a drain hole with sealing cap, plus a This autumn, the range has expanded has been included for durability, along
with handles and a carry strap for those be folded back over to ensure your bait
of you who still carry your kit to your peg remains dry in the rain.
(you are a rare few!). The base section is a foil lined cooler
As if this wasn’t enough, the bag comes section where all your spare baits, food or
with nine (!) inner EVA cases to allow you drink can be stored or even just used for
to sort and organise the contents. If you storage of smaller items of tackle.
wanted to really push the boat out, an EVA Many anglers use a groundbait bucket
Carryall Inner bag can also be purchased but their biggest problem is how to keep
to help you organise the EVA bags that are the contents dry in the rain or stop it
in your EVA bag! Incredible! filling your car with bait when it falls C4000 and C5000 – have also been added
The Roller Bag has been designed to over! This is why MAP has designed the and will be available in shops shortly.
take two of MAP’s Dual pole rollers when Seal System Bucket Insert. Perfect as a
top and tailed, keeping them tightly waterproof lidded groundbait bucket VERDICT: A huge high-quality range to
packed and saving space. At 77 x 30 x in its own right, it will also stack inside suit a plethora of storage preferences and
22cm, it will also accommodate other a standard 25-litre bucket, offering a keep all your valuable gear clean and dry.
makes of pole roller. compact mixing, balling up and storage
The Seal System Bait Bag is very clever solution.
and my personal favourite of the range. Three sizes of Groundbait Bowl NEW SEAL SYSTEM
The top tray section can be used like the complete the range with diameters of
standalone bait system as a way of getting 25, 28 and 30cm, meaning whatever your Carryall: RRP £149.99
all your prepared baits to your peg and preference, you’re covered. Being rigid Carryall Inner C2000: RRP £24.99
Pole Roller Bag: RRP £39.99
ready to go in either bait boxes or EVA means they won’t collpase on you yet can’t
System Bait Bag: RRP £54.99
tubs, speeding up setting up. Simply get broken in transit like plastic will. All Bucket Insert: RRP £24.99
unclip it and put it on to your side tray three bowls fit inside each other if desired. Cases: RRP from £8.99
and you’re ready to go! The lid can then Three medium sized cases – C3000,
WIN
WINTER
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Get your hands on a full set of Middy Winter Clothing
worth £244.95!
I
n our December issue we put knee areas, waterproof taped seams and
Middy’s winter clothing range under fleece lining.
our Product Spotlight. Now, thanks Many of the same qualities can be
to the generous people at Middy found in the Pro Jacket, with the addition
you have the chance to win a full set of a specially shaped hood allowing
for yourself! for 180-degree unrestricted vision, and
The prize will include the complete elasticated storm cuffs. An MX-800 Fleece is
Middy MX-800 clothing range, featuring a a fantastic addition to the range and can be
MX-800 Bib ‘N’ Brace that utilises body-fit worn as a top layer on cool dry days, with its
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As well as waterproof and breathable underneath the Jacket on the coolest days
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HOW TO ENTER:
For your chance to WIN a full set of Middy winter clothing head over to
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STAY AHEAD
OF THE CURVE
Spotted Fin’s Rich Chapman discusses the wonders
of winter pellet fishing and how to stay one step
ahead of the game to keep you catching.
O
nce those first frosts start
to appear, everyone seems
VE NU E FIL E
to get gripped by maggot
madness! It seems to be a
PARTRIDGE LAKES
rrington challenge of who can bring
Location: Culcheth, Wa
WA3 4AQ and feed the most at times – just throw
Contact: 07469 981743 them… throw them anywhere!
www.partridgelakes.co.uk While there are times that it does pay
dividends, it could be described as a sh*t or
bust approach; occasionally you might end
AN GL ER FIL E
up with the mother lode of F1s descending
on you, more often you can blow your
RICH CHAPMAN peg or end up with thousands of tiny little
Age: 27 silvers, which even combined might weigh
t
Lives: Burton upon Tren about four drams.
Sponsor: Spotted Fin Over the past few years, I have found that
Pole: MAP 801 2G
starting and often finishing the match on
pellets can really give you that edge. I’ve
lost count of the times where I have been
the only one in my section catching on
pellets. It’s all about getting the feeding,
preparation and presentation right and
you will catch. Carp and F1s don’t suddenly
stop eating pellets because there have been
a couple of frosts. But due to their very
nature you can get away with feeding tiny
amounts and still get a response, whereas
maggots often need to be fed in much
larger amounts to make them really work,
which when you are really scratching can
often work against you.
“To make this work you need to be ahead of the game – if you are sat
waiting for one more bite, it’s already too late!”
the last you can really get the most out of move. draw a bit more attraction out of those few
your peg. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t have to pellets, then why wouldn’t you!
You might be catching from upwards of be one a bung, during proper scratching As a starting point for the session,
10 lines through the session, catching a matches it might be two bites over half find the bottom of the nearside shelf.
quick run of fish on each, but to make this an hour, but the sooner you work out the Depending on the venue, somewhere
work you need to be ahead of the game – if pattern the better. between a top kit and two to three sections;
you are sat waiting for one more bite, it’s Hard 4mm pellets will generally be my once I have found that depth I like to have
already too late! You will soon start to see starting point; recently I’m becoming more a quick feel around the rest of the open
a pattern emerge; it might be that you can and more confident in the Catalyst ones water just to check the amount of variation.
get five or 10 fish before the bites start to from Spotted Fin, a nice uniform pellet If it’s only a few inches then I will stick to
slow down, or you start getting liners or that can be banded with no worries with just the one rig and change it throughout
weird indications. If you find you can catch added attraction. Especially when fishing the session.
five fish off a line… catch four… then such small quantities of bait, if you can Floats are pretty standard issue, a slim
body with a wire stem, generally in either the past during the winter months, having to an ‘arrival’, when in reality they have
4x14 in depths up to five feet providing it’s seen first-hand how carp react once the been in front of you all day, but the change
not too windy, then a 4x16 if the conditions temperatures start to drop. I can almost in light has triggered them to have a chew.
are a bit choppier or in six feet. Shotting- guarantee that when people say there are The other way is to grab their attention
wise I tend to use a nicely spread bulk and no fish in their swim… they are wrong! with a bit of food, in this case a pellet. This
droppers, normally three No10 droppers Most of the time, they will be sat relatively is why it is important to have that nice,
spaced around six inches apart (I use the dormant in mid water (often there will be natural slow fall. A pellet wafting gently
length of my pliers as a gauge) then a bulk a specific depth of water that is fractionally through a shoal is going to get a bit of
above that. This gives the perfect blend of warmer) and they will sit there until attention; as soon as you grab the attention
stability thanks to the bulk but with the all- something triggers them to feed. This might of one, a few of his mates might join in too.
important natural fall for the last couple be a change in conditions, such as the light When it comes to the actual fishing,
of feet. starting to fade at the end of the day. You you’ve fed half a dozen 4mms through
I’ve done a bit of underwater filming in suddenly start getting bites and put it down your pot, your perfectly dotted down float
01327 311999
New Year’s Day Pole Fishing on sale
New Year Holiday (Scotland)
(UK & Rep Ireland) 11
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R O B P E R K I N S
WHAT A DIFFERENCE
A WEEK MAKES!
Some reflection and plenty of outings for our natural venue lover Rob Perkins!
I
always find the Sensas Final in feature years ago, I believe with Gilles usually leads to two tough days on the final
France fascinating, particularly the Caudin on the Coventry Canal, where he itself, although this year’s venue coped
importance of your groundbait mix utilised rigs tied on 0.05mm diameter line really well and the fishing was largely pretty
combined with your presentation. direct to a tiny hook! The French also tend good.
Mind you, I think it may just be a to reach for lighter and lighter rigs when On previous trips the fishing has become
fascination with international rules fishing they are struggling to catch or to improve extremely hard for the final itself, my
because it’s not something we get the their catch rate. previous best French match weight being a
opportunity to do very often. I have always I have written before about the need to lowly 370g! Smashed it both days this year,
been an avid follower of the exploits of the experiment with rigs as it’s not always a although to be fair the bar wasn’t very high.
England teams since I was a kid. I think it’s case of lighter is best. But lighter rigs and The last trip I made we were told the yellow
a bit of a shame that international fishing end tackle will more often than not get you sector would be very difficult and you can
and the success we as a nation have in extra bites on pressured venues. The way guess where I spent my two days for the
fishing is somewhat overshadowed these in which the Sensas Final is run inevitably final. But we had practised it and I found
days by big-money individual matches. leads to the venue being pressured due that to get a bite I fished a 0.3g pencil float
The French have always been renowned to the practice taking place in the week with strung out 13s in around 10 feet of
for their finesse. I remember a Stopwatch running up to the two-day final. This water. Also, it was very important to lay your
rig in correctly and I flicked it out beyond Reservoir; the first found me on Peg 32 year my peg looked a bit too pacy and was
my pole tip, pulled the float back directly and I was hoping for a nice day catching boiling into the bank, not ideal but it was a
over my groundbait and then lowered it in. roach and perch on the pole. Thankfully good depth.
If you got a bite it was as it settled or soon though, the short line was too weedy and I started on the float and no bites had
after, so I would wait briefly before lifting after trying my hardest to catch on it I had me chucking the feeder out for a few small
it out and repeating the process. It made to abandon it. This forced me on to my fish. I kept baitdroppering worms in short
for a busy day rewarded with very few bites longer bream line and eight fish later I and eventually I was rewarded with a nice
for me. weighed in a match-winning 29lb 8oz. chub. I kept loading this line up with bait
As with presentation, groundbait plays a My next visit was after the deluge that for the rest of the match but sadly my day
massive part in match fishing in France. As flooded Sheffield. I expected there to be was over and 5lb 5oz was not the finish I
my nickname ‘Uncle Baller’ would suggest, colour in the water and that usually means was hoping for. The river on the whole
I look forward to any opportunity to hurl plenty of bites on the pole at a comfortable fished below par as weather conditions in
copious amounts of groundbait at my pole distance. The colour was a lot worse than I the week had taken their toll.
tip! But the 10-minute pre-baiting period had seen it before, but I still felt we would Finally, a winter league update. I have
is absolutely key to the outcome of your catch a few fish. I was very wrong and the only had a chance to practise for the
match. A careful balance has to be struck colour had made it a day to just try and round at Benwick. A draw in the section
with types of mixes and quantities and avoid a blank. I managed to slip two little beyond the Halfpenny Toll Bridge was met
finally how much live bait to introduce. hybrids into my net for 7½oz. Unbelievably with less than enthusiastic remarks from
The bait limits are plenty but you do have that was enough for my section and third my team-mates. It took me an hour and
to balance out what goes where, which is in the match! three quarters to provoke a response from
obviously difficult at times for an option This month has seen the last of the Tyne a fish and I had odd tiny roach along with
coverer such as myself. matches and it’s been a tough series for some dumpy little perch until the end and
Anyway, back on home soil and me this year. Two draws at Hexham had 1lb 12½ oz was all I could muster.
more familiar venues, but with winter left me a long way adrift in the King of the The league so far has been somewhat
announcing itself with the first hard frosts Tyne. On the last match I pulled out the topsy-turvy and very competitive, with
interspersed with torrential downpours it’s downstream end peg at Wellbank Lane several of the teams in the hunt. At the
fair to say matches have been somewhat at Corbridge. Last year on this match I moment after four rounds Tackle and
testing. drew the top end pegs of this section and Bates lead, with us and Image in joint
I have managed two trips to Ulley had 31lb of dace for fourth overall. This second.
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???????????? Success
Mixed-Bag
AN GL ER FIL E
GRAHAM WEST
Age: 46
Lives: Dunstable
vations,
Sponsors: Preston Inno
uba its, Bro wn’s Ang ling
Son
Pole: Preston XS90
VE NU E FIL E
PACKINGTON SOMERS
iden,
Location: Somers Rd, Mer
Coventr y CV7 7PL
Contact: 01676 523833
.uk
www.packingtonestate.co
T
wo weeks of rain, the rivers off, or at least fishing a little iffy in the case Packington Somers Fishery in Meriden,
are full to the brim and after of the canals and many commercials. near Coventry. It’s a venue I have fished a
reading the social media With this in mind, light lines, light rigs few times before and one of the greatest
posts, most venues are fishing and fish for everything that swims tactics appeals of the place is that it pretty much
extremely hard! It’s a dilemma are often the way forward, and commercial caters for everybody, with a plethora of
that has faced us over the last few weeks, fisheries that contain plenty of silver fish lakes each offering slightly different target
with so much rain meaning many venues, are the places to head for. weights, species and needing different
namely rivers, have been a complete write- You’re joining me today at the stunning approaches when targeting them in match
Graham’s key skimmer mix. Minimal preparation needed. Just hooked! Cad pots at the ready.
conditions. recently hosted a silver fish match where such as maggots, casters, worms and some 2
Today, of course I am pleasure fishing weights in excess of 30lb were caught, and 4mm Pro Expanders.
and that means free rein. For that I have mainly consisting of roach and skimmers
decided to sit on the venue’s Big Geary’s anywhere from 3oz to 3lb.
lake, and while this particular lake is known I have therefore decided on a softly-softly DOUBLE UP
for its big carp, being a big open water approach with silver fish in mind but really My plan is to fish two lines, both at 14.5
venue where feeder or bomb tactics with leaving the door wide open regarding metres but at angles left and right; this
pellets and boilies often dominates, it has target species by using simple hook baits allows me to easily and quickly switch
between the two fed areas and a plumb Superfeeder Fishmeal and F1 Dark mixed started using it on the pole too. F1 Dark is a
around reveals that the lake bed is very 50/50. I’m a big fan of the Superfeeder proven winner and darkens the overall mix
flat, which allows the same rigs to be used mix, and while the name suggests it’s a off nicely as well as sweetening it a little. A
across both. feeder groundbait I have such confidence few casters and chopped worms are added
One is fed with a mix of Sonubaits in it when targeting skimmers that I have to a one-handed ball and introduced into
A solitary carp
decided to join the
party and a big one
at that!
Graham is really enjoying the new Bristle grease helps dimple the float
Preston Innovations float range. bristle.
Slime, it gets
everywhere but
it means that
you are catching.
the peg.
The other line, positioned to the right,
is fed with the same mix but instead
of ‘natural baits’, 2mm Pro Expanders
are added to the mix with the idea of
alternating on both and nicking a few fish Sonubaits expander pellets
off each line. Again a single ball formed all perfectly uniform and the
with one hand is introduced at the start of perfect size for targeting
bream and skimmers.
the session.
RIGS
Winter is a time of year renowned for its
changing conditions and particularly light,
which can be extremely awkward around
about now. For this reason, although my
main targets today will be the lake’s silver
fish, I still want to be using a float that
offers high visibility, without hindering
sensitivity. The new Des Shipp Slims
range fit the bill perfectly and with a slim
body shape cut through the water cleanly
and with little resistance to the fish, but
a choice of different tip diameters and
materials means you can find a float to suit When they arrive it can be busy fishing.
the conditions on the day.
When the light is perfect then a Chianti
or F1 Fine pattern would be my choice, but drop, while the F1 Pellet has a wire stem and 16 SFL-B, with my hooklengths coming
today I can just tell it’s going to be a pain! is perfect when looking to get the bait down straight off the pre-tied Mag-Sticks.
I’ll therefore opt for F1 Maggot and F1 and be a little more stable in the water. Shotting differs across the two rigs
Pellet patterns, which both have a 1.5mm Both are chosen in a 4x14 size and tied also; a simple strung bulk of No9 shot
hollow bristle that picks up the light well to 0.12mm diameter Reflo Accu Power, complements the wire stemmed F1 Pellet
and glow very bright. The F1 Maggot has with the Maggot teamed up with a 0.10mm while a bulk and two dropper shotting
a carbon stem more suited to a slow fall of hooklength and size 18 SFL-B and the Pellet is preferred in conjunction with the F1
the hook bait and looking for bites on the an 0.11mm diameter hooklength and a size Maggot.
At the business end of my Response XS90 hook resulted in a quick bite and my
I’ve used a one-piece F1 grey top kit, with biggest skimmer of the day, about
No8 Dura Hollo elastic and a side puller 10oz. Having caught a few fish and
just in case I get lucky and need to gain not re-fed the ‘natural baits’ line a
control over any larger specimens. nugget of groundbait with a few loose
offerings within was introduced while
I saw what else the pellet line was able
THE FISHING to produce. Three small skimmers
With highs in temperature throughout the followed, but bites were far from regular should it nod or go on a run.
day likely to hit a mere 6ºC and variable and while these skimmers were nice fish, I Sure enough the fish popped up and
winds forecast I choose to sit on a point, was catching far quicker on the other line. once it had that gulp of air it was game over
Peg 28, on Gearys following a little drive Switching back, the little skimmers and into my net – a stunning zip mirror
around the lake. Being surrounded by trees and roach were steadily lining up for me that was well into double figures, the size
this peg is likely to be in direct contact before a sudden lull in indications told me 18 hook miniscule in its top lip.
with the sun much sooner than other something’s not quite right. My suspicions As the day progressed, the groundbait
pegs around the lake that are tucked away were confirmed when a sudden quick swim got stronger but the pellet line
or shielded and covered in shadow. The indication, met with a big strike, results in faded, just producing the occasional better
trees around the lake are also shielding it my 8 Dura Hollow elastic streaming from skimmer during the day. Sometimes it goes
from too much wind so a slight ripple on the tip of my pole. Carp on! the opposite way, but by having the two
the water and a bit of defence from any Now, when hooking big fish on light gear lines it helps you decide which bait they
stronger gusts should help me maintain it is important to remember to be careful, prefer on the day.
presentation. but at the same time remain in control. The conditions were tough at times, but
As expected after a cold frosty night, it Keep the pole low and allow the fish to tire it has turned out to be very enjoyable day
was a very slow start to proceedings but by out gradually, removing sections a couple with the fishing really getting me thinking
regularly alternating between lines I could at a time so that you can easily add them what to do for the best. It’s been a simple
hopefully discover where the fish were again should the fish bolt back into the case of rotating, topping up with small
going to turn up first and potentially what lake again. amounts of groundbait and catching runs
baits they would prefer on the day. After a lengthy battle I had the fish of fish as they move into the peg. I end the
A good 30 minutes passed before my within range where I could start using my day with a lovely net of skimmers and that
first bite, a small roach falling to a single puller kit; again it’s all about being smooth cracking carp; I’ve probably put over 28lb
maggot hook bait. This was however, here and not ripping the elastic out of the in the net today by taking the very simple
followed by a run of small skimmers. kit in an attempt to bully the fish into the route of catching whatever is willing to feed
A switch to my pellet line, with a 2mm net. Find the point where you can start rather than setting my stall out for anything
Pro Expander slipped on to the size 16 turning the fish but allow it to take elastic in particular.
High Grade Rohacell Foam • Durable and Accurate • 1.2mm - 2mm Bristles • Carbon and Niti Wire Stems
prestoninnovations.com
????????????
DHP Events
T
his is THE event to be a part of
if you’re an angler associated
with an angling club, with
fantastic payouts available at
each of the qualifying rounds
plus further cash prizes on the day of the
final. Prizes don’t stop at that either, with
event sponsor Garbolino having supplied
over £12,000 worth of Garbolino tackle
over the course of the event in previous
years, including poles from the company’s
UK series, rods and reels, Garbolino-
branded caps and a goodie bag for each
angler on the day of the final.
Darren Cox, Garbolino’s UK general
manager, has this to say on the event: “We
are delighted with the huge amount of
support the Garbolino Club Angler of the
Year has received from anglers across the
whole of the country!
“The event continues to get bigger and
bigger every year. We try to select venues
that are popular and offer varied fishing, – I look forward to seeing you all on the
and the numbers over the past few years bank!” QUALIFYING ROUNDS
suggest our north, Midlands and south This year’s event will see the same format
venues are popular among the masses. as in previous years, with three qualifying SOUTH: WEDNESDAY, MAY 6TH –
“It doesn’t matter which region you rounds each seeing a number of anglers GOLD VALLEY LAKES
live in, you can choose the qualifier that making their way through to the final, to be Gold Valley is the south’s flagship venue,
suits your style. Then, if you are fortunate held at Barston Lakes on June 24th, 2020, run by England international Will Raison
enough to get to the final at the wonderful with 45 spaces up for grabs. and his family. With a number of lakes
Barston Lakes – the ‘Wembley of match All entrants must fish at club level and be offering different target species there is
fishing’ – you can also fish to your strengths associated with an angling club, with each plenty of scope for a lot of methods to
as so many methods are capable of club able to nominate and put forward come into play.
producing the winning weight. their best performing anglers to compete
“Let’s hope 2020 is another brilliant year in the event.
To enter, head to
www.shopatdhp.com.
Each ticket for qualifying
rounds will cost £30 with an
optional £10 super pool on the
day of each qualifier.
For successful entrants that
make it through to the final,
there will be a £20 super pool
on the day of the final.
MIDLANDS: WEDNESDAY, MAY 20TH NORTH: FRIDAY, JUNE 5TH – THE FINAL! WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24TH –
– TUNNEL BARN FARM LINDHOLME LAKES BARSTON LAKES
Tunnel Barn Farm is the Midlands Mecca Our northern qualifying round takes us The ultimate in venues to hold a
of F1 fishing and over the past few years to the fantastic Lindholme Lakes complex prestigious final, Barston Lakes is a
has been our most well attended qualifying in Doncaster. Whether it’s big carp, F1s favourite with anglers and has proved to
round. or even chub and barbel that you enjoy be an excellent choice to hold what has
With over 200 pegs spread across the catching, Lindholme has it all. Always a fast become one of the most competitive
nine-lake complex TBF offers fantastic popular round with our northern anglers. matches in the angling calendar. Skimmers,
fishing, with a number of lakes capable of carp and F1s all come into play during
throwing up match winning weights. the final so the most well-rounded angler
almost always comes out on top!
ON THE
CHAN G E
Early win te r ca n be a tri
A
ck
le
y
x
tim
D
e for getting consistent
oc k erty runs through his
sport; Dynam ite Ba its ’
pr oa ch fo r ta rg et in g F1s at this time of year…
ap
AN GL ER FIL E
ALEX DOCKERTY
Age: 24
Lives: Sheffield
s
Sponsor: Dynamite Bait
Pro
Pole: Drennan Acolyte
VE NU E FIL E
LINDHOLME LAKES
orth,
Location: West Carr, Epw
near Doncaster DN9 1LF
Contact: 01427 875555
www.lindholmelakes.co.uk
T
his time of year is often one
that leaves us anglers pulling
our hair out. It’s not quite
rock bottom, in terms of
how dificult the ishing and
conditions can get, but the change is here
and ishing is certainly not what it was even
just a month ago.
Hopefully this piece will dispel a few
myths and clear up a few simple, yet
effective approaches to ishing for F1s
and smaller carp in changing weather
conditions.
PELLETS
Firstly, let’s set the situation. I’ve sat on a
typical peg here on the Bonsai Lake at the
Drennan Lindholme Lakes complex. There
is an island, but it is out of pole reach, so
all the peg is open-water ishing, as it is
with many commercials up and down the
country, meaning the approach will be
relatively straightforward.
I base all my commercial ishing around
pellets, as this is a staple bait for the ish in
these venues – they’ve been raised on them
and fed them all throughout their life and
they see this bait more than any other…
meaning they should be more than happy
to feed on them, should I present a rig
Alex feeds small balls of groundbait and pellets. Micro pellet feed.
The Lindholme
stockies are like
peas in a pod.
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