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April 2013 | Issue 188 | £3.90 craftycarper.co

Master The Pellet ApproachWe give you the ultimate guide to using this massively underrated bait both as hookbaits and free offerings

WIN!Over £1,300 of Trakker

gear up for grabs

GET THE VERY BEST ADVICE FROM TOP CARP ANGLERS:

Martin BowlerMark PitchersMark BartlettDarrell PeckRob HughesIan RussellAlan BlairIan Stott

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FREE FISHING FOR EVERY READER WORTH £40 AT TWO GREAT UK VENUES

001_CraftyCoverBart_CC188.indd 1 05/03/2013 15:30

Crafty Carper /// Issue 188 /// April 2013 /// www.craftycarper.co

What’s on this month’s cover...

6 Crafty Carper

128 CompetitionTrakker

Trakker are in full swing with their brand

new gear, and they’ve supplied us with a

few Levelite Beds and Layers Sleeping Bags

to give away to three lucky readers.

CRAFTY COLUMNISTS

11 Editorial James Turner

Editor James has had a busy time

of it over the last month, shooting

features and attending shows. Here

he tells us all about it, and what you

can expect from this month’s edition.

141 Diary of an Everyday Carper

Julian Cundiff

He’s the man who never sleeps, and his

busy schedule means he has no choice

but to live up to that moniker. But,

remarkably, he’s still catching plenty!

OUT & ABOUT

84 The TicketMasterFrom north to south we’ve

got your next fi shing trip sorted. We

preview six of the best day tickets in

the land, and offer free fi shing at two

class venues in Yorkshire and Essex.

INTERACTIVE

26 Catch ColumnWant to see your pics

in our magazine? Well you can

in Catch Column. We select the

best of the captures we receive

and send the monthly winner a

£50 Mainline Baits voucher.

71 The Question IsWe have six carping

masters on hand to answer all

your carping questions. Having

problems landing that target fi sh?

Don’t know which rig to use? Don’t

worry, because these guys do!

133 Subs Offer We’ve got a corker of

a subscription offer for our readers

this month – a year’s subscription

to Crafty and a truckload of some

fantastic Taska terminal tackle.

Front cover: Carp-catching machine Mark Bartlett with a stunning 27lb mirror.

49 Master Pellet FishingTony Smeats

There is more to pellets then just whacking them out

around a hookbait. We got pellet master Tony Smeats to

show us how to get the most out of the little devils.

13 The TravellerMark Bartlett

Mr Bartlett ventures down Hampshire way as he takes

on the famous Yateley day ticket water – Sandhurst.

Can he catch a Sandhurst stunner? You bet he can!

95 Carpers’ KitTeam Crafty takes a shufti at some of

the best gear money can buy, including a look at the

ever useful distance sticks from Cygnet, and editor

James talks about one of his essential bits of kit.

37

006-007_Conts_CC188.indd 1 11/03/2013 19:18

Crafty Carper 7

Contents /// March 2013

BEHIND THE SCENES AT CRAFTY CARPER

Highlights of the month…

136 InboxThis month’s Inbox is a

Carpin’ On 2013 special. We have a

special report on this year’s Carpin’

On show, and feature some of the

best photos from the exhibition.

FEATURES

20 When Opportunity KnocksIan Stott

Sticky consultant Ian Stott tells us

how he makes the most of the time of

year when everything starts to come

to life, especially those hungry carp.

24 Rigs Under The SpotlightRob Hughes

In a brand new series we ask a

top angler to review one of their

favourite rigs. This month Fox

maestro Rob Hughes gives us

the low-down on the Zig Rig.

33 The Great Crafty DebateCrafty has once again

presented the experts with a

carping dilemma. This month the

panel discuss whether they prefer

to use a clutch or backwind.

37 Urban BanxAlan Blair

Alan Blair continues tackling those

overlooked, less attractive, but often

productive carp waters. His park

lake has lost its lid now, so it’s time

for the Nash man to bag a few.

43 Crafty Carper Under-21sBYCAC champ Josh has

had another good month on the

bank, and Taska young guns Kieran

Panchal and Harry Law team up

for a cracking piece covering a

season on Birds Green Top Lake.

62 Angling Through the Seasons Part 1

Martin Bowler

Martin is back with another fantastic

series, this time looking at what effect

the seasons have on carp fishing.

First up is a look at many anglers’

favourite time of year, early spring.

79 A Look at PasteLeon Bartropp

Paste is a hookbait that serves anglers

well at this time of year. We gave our

old mate Leon a call to give us an

insight into how to use it, and even

how to cook up your own batch.

90 BYCAC 2013It’s that time of year

again; the Korda British Young

Carpers’ Angling Championship

will soon be upon us. We give

you a rundown of what to expect

from this year’s competition.

120 Most MemorableDan Chart

Surrey angler Dan Chart braved

brutal winter conditions to try to

catch the sought after Clover. He

recounts the amazing story of his

campaign on the Road Lake.

146 Five-Minute Interrogation

Mark Pitchers

Fox angler Mark has quite an

imagination; from inventive ways of

punishing anglers leaving their rods

unattended, to some interesting

views on reincarnation, this is one

interview that shouldn’t be missed.

TACTICS

108 One Step AheadDarrell Peck

Pecky’s back! The big-carp supremo

is a hauler like no other, and he

returns to the pages of Crafty with

some hints and tips to help you stay

ahead of the pack this spring.

Super-Bart!

Check out this effort from

cover star Mark Bartlett. He

told editor James where he

was going to be casting,

so James zoomed in on the

coot floating nearby, and

as you can see, Bartlett

was bang on the money.

But just to bring him back

down to earth, our editor

caught a brief glance

of Bart’s briefs. It’s not

often we say this, but is

that Superman emerging

from Bart’s waistband?

Carpin’ On Backstage

The Crafty team were all

over Carpin’ On 2013. We

managed to get the likes

of Terry Hearn, Tom Maker,

Jerry Hammond, Bill Cottam,

Derek Ritchie, and Mark

Pitchers back to our micro

studio and subjected them

to some carpy conundrums.

We even got the chance

to meet and interview Jim

Davidson, who gave us

quite a raucous interview,

which hopefully, after a bit

of clever editing, we will

be able to show you via

Crafty TV. Stay tuned folks!

114 In the Spotlight: FoamChris Lowe

There’s more to foam than just Zig

fishing. Avid angler Chris Lowe gives

us the low-down on his favourite

foam tactics. Put his advice to the

test and you won’t be disappointed.

CARP FOOD

55 Carp FoodJoe Turnbull cooks up some

cork dust pop-ups and gives some tips

on adding extra attraction, plus editor

James takes a look at what’s been

catching him some fish this month.

CARPERS’ KIT

100 In FocusFox Supa Brolly System

Fox have only gone and made the

Supa Brolly even better! We gave it

the Crafty inspection, and we have

to say, it’s still a cracking bit of kit.

103 In FocusJRC Contact Luggage

JRC have upped the stakes when it

comes to quality luggage at a fair price.

We took their Contact carryall, rucksack,

and rod sling for a little road test.

105 In FocusPrologic Firestarter Bivvy

One glimpse of the name of this

bivvy got us all excited, and

thankfully it didn’t disappoint;

a great product at a great price.

Read our review on page 105.

131 Mega DealsIf you’re in the market for

some new gear, then look no further

than our Mega Deals page. There are

deals for hooklinks, clothing, carp

care, and even a cracking book deal.

62

006-007_Conts_CC188.indd 2 11/03/2013 19:18

THE VENUESandhurst Lake is part of the Yateley

complex, and is now under the new

ownership of Nick Leach. After talking to

him, it sounds like the future is in very safe

hands, and this popular venue should go

from strength to strength. You can currently

book tickets through Yateley Angling

Centre and obtain up-to-date information

on the going swims and tactics. These

guys have helped with the lake for many

years, and are a wealth of knowledge if

you are planning a trip to Sandhurst.

The lake itself is about 14 acres in size,

and has around 28 swims offering a wide

variety of options. Don’t think it will be

packed to capacity like most day ticket

lakes, as only a certain number of anglers

are allowed on at any one time. I think this

is an excellent policy, and it really does

make for a pleasant stay. The fish stock

speaks for itself, with around 200 fish

which are packing on the weight. There’s a

huge head of 30lb+ fish in the venue, with

around 50 fish over this barrier and loads

from mid- to upper-30s, not to mention

the three 40lb+ specimens that would be

enough to fish for on their own. There was a

stocking of some smaller fish back in 1998,

and these are now approaching 20lb.

So there you have it, an awesome stock

swimming around in this glorious gravel

pit awaiting your bait. As for where you

decide to place the bait, it’s up to you, as

there are numerous features. The depths

are from 2-10ft, with an average depth

of 6ft, but there are plenty of bars and

humps, weedbeds, and even an island

that you can fish from, which is pretty

cool. All I can say is get yourself down

there – you won’t be disappointed.

FACILITIES:There are Portaloos situated at the two

main car parks on the fishery, which are

kept clean, and just around the corner from

the lake there are a couple of take-aways

that will deliver to the gate if needs be.

A new security gate has recently been

erected so you can sleep safe knowing that

you, your vehicle and your gear is safe.

TICKETS AND PRICES:Fishing at Sandhurst is day ticket

only with tickets available in advance

from Yateley Angling Centre.

Email: info@yateleyangling.

co.uk or tel: 01252 861955.

They are priced as follows:

Two rods for up to 12 hours — £20.00

Two rods for up to 24 hours — £25.00

Three rods for up to 12 hours — £25.00

Three rods for up to 24 hours — £30.00

RULES � NO parking behind swims

� No unattended rods

� Only designated pegs may be fished. No

swim-building or clearing is permitted

� No litter. You will be asked to leave if

there is litter in or around your swim

� All fish caught must be returned to

the water as soon as possible

� No boats, including remote

control bait boats

� No fixed-lead rigs may be used

� No peanuts, trout pellets or preserved

baits allowed (excluding hookbaits)

� Barbed hooks only

� No unaccompanied juniors (under 18)

� No guests allowed

ADDRESSSwan Lane, Yateley GU47 9DA

The TravellerMark Bartlett

14 Crafty Carper

Once in the swim I took my time in

setting up base, and with little chance

of rain on the cards I opted for the

Supa Brolly because it would give me

the best visibility over the water. I set

it up in a way that I could lie in bed

and see all the area in front of me. If

a carp decided to stick its head out I

wanted to see where it was so I could

get straight on it. Whilst doing this I

was constantly scanning the water for

signs of fish, which was tricky due to

the amount of bird life present in the

area. My plan was to fish some really

bright hookbaits and keep moving

them around the swim to cover all the

water in front of me. I didn’t think the

carp were in the mood for feeding, so I

wanted to make it as easy as

possible for them. When

it’s tough going,

the last thing you

need is any doubt

in what you’re

doing, so use

whatever you’re

most confident

with. Personally,

I have total faith in

Mainline pop-ups, so I

“My plan was to fish some really

bright hookbaits and keep moving them around the swim to cover all the water

in front of me”

013-017_Traveler_CC188.indd 2 14/03/2013 10:17

LEFT One of each. I opted for a different hookbait on each rod – all of them high-viz.

ABOVE A standard lead clip system was my choice on all three rods this month.

RIGHT The bird life was having a whale of a time feasting on the weed.

The TravellerMark Bartlett

Crafty Carper 15

put a bright pink Clockwork Orange, a

bright green Indian Spice and a white

Milky Toffee on my three rods. I like

small 12mm pop-ups for this. I jazz

them up with some Hinders Liquid

Gold Betalin; this provides ultimate

visibility and maximum attraction in the

cold clear water. I opted for the same

rig on each rod, which was a Combi

Rig comprising 10ins of 25lb Rigidity

with a 1ins section of stripped-back

20lb Coretex and a Size 5 SSBP hook

(I also like to mould the putty around

the knot between the Rigidity and

Coretex). All three rods were kitted

out with leadcore leaders and lead

clips, and my main line was upped to

20lb Soft Steel because I didn’t want

to take any chances if I hooked into

one of the big units in Sandy.

I didn’t really want to be

thrashing around with marker

leads too much, so I decided

to ring my mate Ian Russell,

who has fished this place

for the last 10 years or

more. After a quick chat he

put me on to some spots

and told me about the swim

I was in. I would normally

double-check this anyway, but I know

Chemo is on the ball, and I was really

pleased when I got a nice drop on all

three rods the first time round. The

margins are fairly shallow on this bank,

with it sloping down to a reasonable

depth of around 6ft about 45 yards out.

It is weedy on the shallow areas and

there is quite a lot of bird life feeding

on the weed, with a few swans hardly

having to put their heads under the

water to have a munch on it. After it

drops off it is reasonably clear from

the 45yd-mark to the middle, which

is about 90-100yds. This is where I

was going to move my rods around in

the hope of landing on a few fish.

The rods were out and I was all nice

and chilled, watching the water. I was

just sorting out my tackle box when

the left-hander was away. This was

too good to be true. Rock up, sling out

the rods, and one nailed just over 2

hours later! I got on with doing battle

with the unknown culprit, and after a

couple of attempts to rid himself of a

trophy shot, a lovely upper-double was

in the net. A pristine common of 18lb

8oz was photographed in the wintry

sun. The rod that received the bite was

the Clockwork Orange pop-up. I didn’t

think it was totally down to the fact

that the fish preferred the Clockwork

over the Indian Spice or Milky Toffee;

I reckoned it was more down to the

location. The left-hander went

back out, and the right-hander

came in and was repositioned

to the left. I was well chuffed.

I’d had one already, but if

I’m honest I felt like it was a bit of a

fluke. Better to be lucky than be good!

Darkness on the first night was

approaching, and now I’d bagged one I

could afford to try something with one

rod, so the decision was made to get

some bait out there. A jar of Hinders

particles, around half a kilo of 10mm

Mainline Hybrid boilies, and a handful

of larger Cell baits were mixed up. I was

going to put out six or seven spods

over an area the size of a groundsheet

and just put one rod on it. I found a

little hard area about 80 yards out, and

I clipped up my rod as well as the spod

rod. The baits were spread nicely and I

chucked out a Milky Toffee pop-up, and

then rebaited the other two rods with

fresh hookbaits for the night ahead.

Tea was cooked, the hot-water bottle

was filled to keep me company for the

evening, and it wasn’t long before I

disappeared into the land of Nod. A

6.00 a.m. alarm call saw the middle

rod slowly releasing some line, and I

scurried out of my nice warm pit to do

battle. After wiping the sleep from my

eyes it slowly dawned on me that the

lake had frozen in front of

me for about 30 yards, so

LEFT Returning the first fish of the session – it’s always a great feeling to get off the mark - especially when the venue has

been quiet for so long.

013-017_Traveler_CC188.indd 3 14/03/2013 10:17

RIGSUNDER the SPOTLIGHT

This brand new series sees a top angler review one of their favourite carp-catching rigs – this month it’s Rob Hughes.

This month: Zig Rigs

24 Crafty Carper

ANGLER PROFILE

Rob Hughes

Age 41

HometownWestbury

OccupationSolicitor/TV presenter

UK PB48lb 14oz

Favourite venueHeron at Abbey Lakes, France

RodsFox Horizon XT

ReelsFox Stratos 12000E

AlarmsFox NTXr

I’m going to start off with a very

bold statement – Zigs are incredible

fi sh-catchers at any time of year,

but now is when they really come into

their own, and if you don’t try them you

are seriously missing out on chances. In

fact, I’d go as far as to say they are as

good as boilies the majority of the time,

and probably better than them now!

Wow! There’s an opening, but quite

frankly, it’s absolutely bang on. Just

look at the top lads, the pages of Carp-

Talk, and particularly the results of

the British Championships, and you’ll

see that Zigs are incredibly effective.

Carp don’t just feed on the bottom

and the top, they feed in the middle

as well, and there’s a lot of middle to

go at. Herein lies the problem; a lot

of the time anglers are a little unsure

of what to do, so they usually have

a half-hearted go for an hour or two,

and when the rods haven’t rattled off

they reel in and revert to the AA of

carp fi shing, the PVA bag. Big mistake!

Up to a couple of years ago I was

the same. I knew they were effective,

but didn’t really like using them, and to

be honest I felt like I was tactical pub

chucking with a lure somewhere up

in the water when I was using them.

However, I persevered, and took time to

learn them by going out with a couple

of really good Zig anglers, particularly

Mark Bartlett and Tom Maker, who are

arguably two of the best Ziggers in the

country. And you know what, I learned.

I made myself learn because they

simply can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.

I actually went to an easy runs water

with a bucket of slop and only Zig Rigs,

which gave me no option to fi sh with

anything else. I caught, refi ned the

technique, added a couple of my own

RIGHT Here are the components that Rob uses to construct his Zig Rig.

024-025_Rigs_CC188.indd 1 11/03/2013 09:17

“In the spring, try between half and

three-quarters depth, and in the summer, when it’s hot, aim

anywhere between half and full depth”

Rigs Under the SpotlightRob Hughes

Crafty Carper 25

CONSTRUCT HUGHESY’S ZIG RIGWith the new Zig Aligna from Fox, it’s never been easier to fi sh Zigs. Here’s how.

Cut the hooklink to the chosen depth and attach a hook using a Grinner Knot.

Place the thin end of the loading tool through the loop on the back of the Zig Aligna.

Now thread a Zig Aligna onto the hooklink, thick end fi rst, and position over the eye of the hook.

Pull the tool through the loop and it traps the foam in place, like so; the rig is complete.

Put a piece of foam into the loading tool, as shown here.

When fi shing a standard Zig Rig approach, Rob opts for a lead clip setup.

1

4

2

5

3

6

ABOVE For deeper lakes you can’t go wrong with an adjustable Zig arrangement.

BELOW A lovely Zig-caught mirror.

twists, and I now reckon they are one of

the best ways of catching carp there is.

In the UK I am now almost as likely to

be fi shing a Zig as I am a bottom bait.

Carp are opportunist feeders and

will eat what’s in front of them, but

it does need to be in front of them.

We have all had fi sh over our baits but

not had a bite. Is this because they

are not feeding, have picked us up and

done us, or possibly because they are

feeding up in the water rather than on

the bottom baits? Through my diving

I have seen that they spend an awful

lot of the time up in the water; this is

where you fi nd the likes of emerging

nymphs, taddies, etc., particularly

through the spring, and this is why

Zigs are so effective at this time of

year. Nature is prebaiting for us.

I think part of the mental issue with

Zigs is the rig itself, because it is not

as easy to tie, nor as easy to cast, as a

standard rig. However, things need not

be complicated, and this is one of the

most important issues when you start

Zigging. Make up a few and keep them

in a rig box ready to go; you’re more

likely to change over to a rig that’s

already made up than if you have to

make one on the bank. Get a handful

ready and put the foam on at home

so you don’t have to faff around

chopping things to the right

size, and make them up

to 10-12ft deep so you

have a depth choice. If

the lake you are fi shing is

shallower, you can always cut them

down to the depth you need, or if you

really have to search the depths, use an

adjustable Zig fl oat, which makes the

job really easy without having to recast.

Stick with black, yellow, and

occasionally white foam for the

hookbait, and cut it so small that

it’s only just big enough to hold the

hooklink and hook up in the water.

If you really want something that

is user-friendly and does the job

properly, have a look at the new Zig

Alignas, which not only look absolutely

bang on underwater, but are also mega-

simple to tie up. Simply tie on a hook,

slide on an Aligna, then insert the foam

into the band. The foam piggybacks

the hook in the middle of the shank

and you’re ready to go. Simples!

The only complicated bit is where

to fi sh them, so this is where you

have to do some work. As a rule, when

it’s really cold, aim for half to quarter

depth; I prefer a brighter foam hookbait

here. In the spring, as it’s warming up,

try between half and three-quarters

depth, and in the summer, when it’s

hot, aim anywhere between half and

full depth, or sometimes even over

depth like an anchored fl oater.

I’ll close by repeating my opening

gambit that Zigs are incredible

fi sh-catchers at any time of year,

but now is when they really come

into their own. If you don’t try

them you are seriously missing out

on chances. Happy hunting! CC

024-025_Rigs_CC188.indd 2 11/03/2013 09:17

52 Crafty Carper

RIGHT A powerful rod is needed to punch out a fully-loaded spod.

BELOW Be careful not to overfill the spod because it won’t fly straight.

BOTTOM To stop spod spill, plug the top with groundbait.

So that’s commercial venues covered,

but what if I need to leave a bait in

place for longer? Well, like nearly

every bait in fishing, there is a plastic

alternative, and pellets are no different.

They come in a variety of different

sizes and buoyancies, all of which

are very handy, and obviously don’t

break down and can withstand the

attention of nuisance species, including

crayfish and poissons chat. My personal

favourites are 12 or 14mm pop-up

versions which I use in a very particular

way. The ones I use have a large hole at

one end, so I can add a counterbalance

shot if I so wish. I fish them on a fairly

standard pop-up rig and fill the whole

with a liquid attractor, then plug it

with groundbait or paste. Once cast

out the plug dissolves and releases

the attractor; try it in the edge and

you’ll be amazed at how well

it works. This is fished

in conjunction with

what I describe

as a PVA mesh

stringer. Thread

several 12mm

pellets into

some mesh

and tie them

under tension;

this creates a

presentation that

scatters the pellets

underwater. As the

PVA dissolves it

actually shrinks,

contracting the

mesh tube,

until the mesh

finally gives,

scattering the

pellets over a

saucer-sized area

– a great technique.

My next tactic may

seem a little old hat, but

boy, if you get it right it will catch

fish all day long. I simply balance one

of my pre-drilled pellets with a piece

of plastic corn; this gives the bait a

very visual aspect, as well as adding

a degree of buoyancy. This is fished

with a very small PVA bag of micro

pellet nicked onto the hook, a deadly

presentation in its own right. I have

also found that by utilising the line clip

and marking the line, I can get better

results. By regular recasting to the

same spot I can create a small tight

baited area that attracts and holds fish

for longer, which means more bites.

For long-range work, or on small

bite-sized packages, I tend to use solid

PVA bags, with a small artificial pellet

the same size as my free offerings,

normally 4mm or 6mm. This might

seem tiny but it matches the contents

of the bag, and helps to negate the

weight of the hook. I’m fairly convinced

that when a carp drops down to feed on

a tight group of pellets like this, it tries

to suck in everything in one go, and this

small hookbait goes in the mouth very

easily. This style of fishing has caught

me loads of fish when I’ve launched a

solid bag out towards showing fish.

My final little presentation is the

Method, a tactic that is overlooked

by many, and I must say it’s their loss

and my gain. I either fish Method balls

on the clip to create a baited area

that’s topped up every cast,

or just like the PVA bag

approach, as a chuck-

it-and-chance

technique.

Rather than use

a dedicated

Method mix,

I much prefer

to scald the

pellet to create

my own individual

mix. Simply add

several good handfuls

of 4mm pellets to a

bowl before pouring

boiling water

over them till

they’re covered.

Then leave

them for just a

minute before

draining off the

excess water,

and let them stand

for several minutes;

it’s even better if you

can seal the container, but not

necessary. After a short period the

pellets become sticky and can be

moulded around a Method feeder.

With a few different presentations

covered, I think it’s fair to complete

this guide with an explanation of how

to feed pellets. As I’ve said, I tend not

to go overboard with feed, but it can

be an advantage when it comes to

encouraging carp to feed. Most people

carry around a bucket filled with a mix

of different types of pellets. These

will be a variety of sizes, densities and

have varying breakdown times, and I do

exactly the same. The problem is how

to get them out into the swim. If you

try to catapult them out, range is an

issue, and because of the variety they

fly all over the place. So when using the

catapult, I’ve always found it best to

049-053_MasterPelletFishing_CC188.indd 4 11/03/2013 11:29

Master Pellet FishingTony Smeats

INSET PVA bags of pellet are easy to feed and go further.

ABOVE Carefully does it — steering a pellet-caught carp to the net.

BELOW Proof that pellets can catch decent-sized carp,

Crafty Carper 53

fire out small PVA bags; this increases

the range and keeps the baiting nice

and tight. If I want to go even further

out, then I opt for the spod. To get the

best from this I two-thirds fill the body,

then cap it off with a plug of pellet-

based groundbait. This stops irritating

spod spill, and ensures that every

single last pellet is deposited

exactly on the spot.

For me, pellets are a

massive edge, simply

because so few

people actually use

them as hookbaits or as a bait in their

own right. This is a massive bonus,

and when you think how often carp

see pellets, in one form or another,

you can’t help but catch a few with a

carefully laid pellet-based trap. Go on,

give them a go – you won’t regret it. CC

049-053_MasterPelletFishing_CC188.indd 5 11/03/2013 11:29

DARRELL PECKONE STEP AHEAD

Hauling machine Darrell Peck gives some pointers to make this spring your best ever, and put you one step ahead of the rest of the fi eld.

ANGLER PROFILE

Darrell Peck...........................Age 31...........................HometownChelmsford...........................OccupationAngling consultant...........................UK PB65lb 4oz...........................Favourite venueNorth Met Pit...........................RodsDF Infi nity 12ft 3.75lb...........................ReelsDaiwa QDX...........................AlarmsDelkim Tx-i

108 Crafty Carper

108-112_OneStepAhead_CC188.indd 1 11/03/2013 16:03

Spring is probably the best

time of year for me. The carp

are just waking up from their

winter slumbers and they’re on the

move. That said, I’ve just experienced

my best winter ever on the banks

of the magnifi cent Rockford Pit

nestled deep in Ringwood. What I’m

trying to say is that with a bit of

effort and baiting, carp don’t need

to lie up all winter. If you keep them

feeding and get the location right,

you can still catch, just like I have.

There was many a time when I’d

sit there wondering what on earth I

was doing. I would scan the area for

signs of fi sh, and at times it looked

so bleak and cold that I did question

my sanity. However, as darkness fell

I got a real sense of magic, and time

after time I would get the much-

needed bite to keep me going. To be

honest, this continued throughout

my Rockford winter exploits, and

having pinpointed the exact zone of

where they were lying up, I tallied up

a huge list of big carp. This included

two, yes two, separate 50-pounders

– mind-blowing, to be honest.

Right, on to spring, because this is

what we’re all getting excited about.

The carp are at their biggest weights

and are active. This means just one

thing – they’re on the move and using

energy. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist

to work out that they require food for

energy, so it’s time to get the rods out.

One Step AheadDarrell Peck

Crafty Carper 109

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out

that they require food for energy, so it’s time

to get the rods out”

TOP Darrell reminisces about the unbelievable winter he’s had. Follow his tips and you’ll be one step closer to the catch of your dreams.

108-112_OneStepAhead_CC188.indd 2 11/03/2013 16:03

Get In Bed with the Trakker Competition

Trakker have been thinking

hard about how to help

anglers get more kip on the

bank. Their brains have been in

overdrive, but they’ve come up with

two fantastic brand new items for

2013: the Layers Sleeping bag, and

the imperial Levelite Bed. Not only

that, they’ve supplied us with a few

to give away to our readers, but

winners beware – using these items

£1,300+ TRAKKER COMPETITION

Here’s your chance to become the proud owner of the brand new Levelite Bed and Layers Sleeping Bag.

for a quick overnighter between

work days is not advised. You may

very well be so cosy that you don’t

get up for work the next morning!

Trakker have nailed it with both the

Levelite Bed and the Layers Sleeping

Bag, and we’re offering the chance

for three readers to bag one of each.

That’s nearly £440 worth of top-

quality new Trakker gear. To win, all

you have to do is answer a question.

THE LEVELITE BED

That’s right – it’s a bed,

not a bedchair – a bed!

It’s not a typo, get over

it! And what a bed it

is: versatile, light, fl at

and comfortable – it’s

got all the basics. The

Levelite gets its name from its abilities, i.e. it’s both light

in weight and has a completely fl at profi le. It features

a thick padded mattress and a strong aluminium frame.

Trakker have also done away with the bulky locking

cams, prevalent on most bedchairs, in favour of a

series of double hinges. These allow the bed to pack

down to be compact, which makes it easier to load

away in the car boot. It even packs down neatly with

a bulky sleeping bag attached, making it perfect for

use with the Layers Bag. It also has the nifty addition

of a clip to hold the bed in place tightly whilst it’s

folded. The bed has a unique patented leg mechanism,

which means the legs (with rotating mud feet) can be

adjusted with the press of a button, and will hold fi rm

to keep the bed in place and level on any bankside

terrain. All this weighs only a meagre 9.6kg, which

makes it nice and light for transportation. It’s easy to

get in the car, and it’s completely fl at and comfortable;

what more could you want from the Levelite?

RRP: £299.99

128 Crafty Carper

The unique patented leg mechanism is something to behold.

128-129_TrakkerComp_CC188.indd 1 11/03/2013 16:42

Name

Postal address

Postcode

Telephone noMobileEmail

Daytime delivery address (if different from above)

Postcode

Post your entry to:Trakker Competition, CC188, Angling Publications Ltd., Regent House, 101Broadfi eld Road, Sheffi eld S8 0XH.

You may photocopy this page to avoid spoiling the magazine. Winners will be notifi ed in writing, please allow 28 days for the delivery of your prize (for which a signature will be required), which will come direct from the manufacturer. No cash alternative.

For more info on Trakker gear, check out the web: trakkerproducts.co.uk

The competition closes at midnight on 16/04/2013.

THE LAYERS SLEEPING BAG

Oh, the snuggliness – year round snuggliness at that!

This clever little bag offers a bit more than an average

sleeping bag. Very rarely do we associate sleeping

bags with versatility, but it’s the case with this bad

boy. Some bags might claim to be for 4-season use,

but how could one sleeping bag be warm enough for

the depths of winter, and yet cool enough for those

sweltering summer temperatures? Well they

can’t, so Trakker have rolled two bags into one.

The top layer has a nice smooth fi nish,

which is ideal for summer and 2-season

work, with an extra layer underneath for a

bit of extra padding. Then there is another

bag underneath that one with a fl eece

fi nish, meaning that when you slip

your frosty toes underneath there’s

a soft cover with the added bulk

of a summer layer above it. Each

also features crash zips, which

easily unfasten when a run

rudely interrupts your slumber,

allowing you to get to the rods

without having to untie yourself

from the bag. Clever, eh? Not

only that, there are elasticated

retention sleeves at the top

and bottom of the bag, plus

an adjustable tension strap

around the middle to stop the

bag slipping out of place.

RRP: £139.99

HOW TO WIN Simply answer the following question:

What is the full name of the new Trakker Bed? (Please circle one)

A) The Flatskinny Bed

B) The Bumpyfatty Bed

C) The Levelite Bed

Crafty Carper 129

CompetitionTrakker

ONE OF THREE PRIZE

PACKAGES OF A LEVELITE

BED AND LAYERS SLEEPING BAG WORTH £440

128-129_TrakkerComp_CC188.indd 2 11/03/2013 16:42

n o w a v a i l a b l e a t : W W W . T H E C A R P S T O R E . C OTheCarpStoreF O R M E R LY T H E A N G L I N G P U B L I C AT I O N S S H O P

TheCarpStoreF O R M E R L Y T H E A N G L I N G P U B L I C A T I O N S S H O P

A N G L I N G P U B L I C A T I O N S ’available � om

brand new online shop...

FATHER’S DAY - JUNE 16THgreat gifts from the carpstore

ArmoLife Cutlery Set

£7.99 + £1.95 P&P

Keep Calm Go Fishing Keyring

£1.95 + £1.95 P&P

Keep Calm Go Fishing Mug

£4.99 + £1.95 P&P

Bank Tramps Beanie Hats

£8.50 + £1.95 P&P

Korda Carp Distressed T-Shirt

£16.99 + £1.95 P&P

Korda Carp Bubbles T-Shirt

£18.99 + £1.95 P&P

Bivvy Tramps Book

£11.99 + £1.95 P&P

Carp Up Close

DVD £14.99 + £1.95 P&P

BLU-RAY £19.99 + £1.95 P&P

Korda Thinking Tackle 7 DVD

£19.99 + £1.95 P&P

AP_GiftAd_CC188.indd 1 08/03/2013 14:35ad template.indd 1 11/03/2013 15:38