The Facebook Q&A Sessions with the Stars have become a phenomenal success. This time we have twice Fish O Mania finalist Tony Curd in the hot seat to answer all your questions. Tony is in hot form of late with some very impressive results all over the country. Smashing up some of the best in the business from average pegs, Tony is certainly one to fear if you draw near! Fearless on any method Tony has big match wins using everything from methods through to long pole both deep and shallow. What better way to learn from the best?? Ask him yourself!

If you have any questions you would like to ask Tony, start submitting them now and be at the top of the list for a guaranteed answer. Questions to info@bait-tech.com please start the question with SWSTC. Remember there’ll be a prize for Tony’s question of the night!

Sessions with the Stars with Tony Curd will be held Tuesday 29^th May 7:30-8:30pm. Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BaitTech

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We all wan’t to catch the big girls in the lake but it’s a waiting game unless your very lucky a lot of effort also helps you catch them, I’ve put together my top ten tips for catching the big girls. Have a read through! I have another 10 also coming on the site shortly.

We have a comment section at the bottom so don’t be affraid to leave a comment with a tip! A lot of young anglers visit this website looking for help so join in and help them.

Let’s start -

• If you can, try to locate the fish BEFORE you choose a peg. Or any areas in which you think the carp will be patrolling.

• Try to use fishmeal-based boilies during the summer. And 50/50 mixes/Bird food based during the winter and also spring

• Add plenty of salt to the particles, especially cooked types including hemp, maize, tares, beans, Parti blend, maple peas, and chicks. Carp absolutely love the taste of salty food. But just be careful… Don’t to over the top with the salt as it’s not good for them the same as it’s not good for us. I would recommend one table spoon of salt to around 5 litres of particle.

• Why not try and add some chili’s to the particles. Carp love that hot “Kick” from those lovely spices. Chili flakes, or powder work well in my opinion. I would probarly recommend 2 table spoons to 5 litres.

• If standard carp baits like boilies don’t seem to be working then try the ever faithful maggots. You can easily fill a small PVA bag with maggots to give some free offerings at long range. Another tip is to fill the PVA bag half way and then fill the remaining half with a dry ground bait.Why? The ground bait will give a good cloudy attraction. Some people are put off about maggots for two reasons. The price and also because anglers think that the maggots wriggle off into the silt and running off. Simple solution, freeze the maggots before you go on your session and they just put them in a PVA frozen.

• When the water gets a bit cold during winter, try casting your rigs more frequently and target different areas in order to place your hook close to the fish. Cold water does slow down the movement of the Carp so there is less chance the fish will swim towards your hook bait.Summer is different, the fish are more active and you can lay little traps in different areas by just placing some bait in the margins and wait.

• Don’t just use one size of pellet or particle. Try to vary them, this will help confuse the carp when which gives you the advantage on your hook bait.

• Add high sources of vitamin C to your bait. I sometimes mix my method mix up with vitamin C. Another tip is if you can be botherd soak your boilies in some orange juice thus gives more flavor and also adds sugar to the hook baits.

• If you worry that you may over feed the swim the use something like a breadcrumb ground bait with just attractants in it but without all the particle then your not filling the fish.

• Whenever possible try to avoid using round baits. So many people use them. Try to be different, dumbbells or some sort. The carp wise up to this and will know that there is danger around the hook bait!

That’s all for this part of the top 10. Check back soon for another top 10.

Reece

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This is a guest post from one of our readers, Mark Erdwin, if you want to tell us your story like Mark then email dc@fishable.co.uk.

With my fishing I have always been in search of that one necessary and defining factor, that I feel as anglers we all seek, fish with character and places that stir that special magnetic passion within, leaving us entwined and infused with the quarry we seek and drawn to the surroundings that encompass them, where special fish are not always of leviathan proportions, but yet leviathans in character alone, where dreams can be pondered upon and dashed all the same, yet we return,again and again, for who knows what will happen next time? The draw and pull proving too powerful.

I have enjoyed stillwater Carping, but over the years I found myself becoming more and more intrigued with flowing water and what lies beneath that veneer, the winding ever changing form of rivers, their veins spread across our countryside, where an angler can find respite far away from the hustle and bustle of many venues.Rest assured targeting river carp is not easy, but in some aspects it has advantages, for one you generally don’t have the angling pressure that you will find on most still-waters and that is in itself a major plus.

A fighting fit Mirror caught from a marginal gully in the river

However there remains a lot of water where the fish can hide and this is where I found myself doing recces and lots of them, especially during the close season, this is the time when investing in groundwork reaps reward later on, many of our rivers are open to public access and spending time looking for likely holding areas is time that is well spent.

Slacks and where the river slows up such as bends, are all likely looking spots, areas where boats and barges which are infrequently moved are moored up, as well as bridge stanchions, weirs and backwaters.These are all very favourable areas. Even without such features, the most basic looking area can be absolutely packed with underwater features, such as marginal gullies where food deposits are swept into and collected, making a natural larder for the fish to return to.

Remember you are fishing for fish that travel miles of river, you could be close to them or very far away, so it helps to break down areas of the river into manageable chunks, I always try to adopt an approach that all fish have holding areas which they move between. For instance say we have three areas, area (A) (B) and (C). For this instance I have labeled area (A) and (C) as holding areas, area (B) being a middle ground area, which the fish move between on their journeys to areas (A) and (C), now you can and will catch fish from from area (B) as the fish move between their main areas, but I have generally found captures to be more spaced out and with less continuity than when fishing holding areas (A) and (C) and it is these areas which you need to seek out, if you wish to catch with regularity.

good quality bait is always essential

Pre-baiting is of major importance as well and for myself must be cost effective, over the years I have favoured Vitalin mixed with Haiths red band pigeon conditioner, as well as maize, these are usually made ready in bulk using an old burco boiler and eventually mixed with the vitalin and balled up into the areas I plan to fish and on a regular basis. This alongside a helping of my chosen boilies, these are usually introduced in various shapes and sizes to help keep the fish guessing, whilst on the hook I usually go with a 20mm bait. This approach allows me to bulk out my baiting whilst still keeping the cost economical, admittedly the use of vitalin and bird seed can draw in the Bream, but I have generally found, if you have picked the right spot the Carp won’t be far behind them. Yes you can opt for pre-baiting with boilies alone and this can work out very favourably, the only reason I myself do not take this route is purely down to cost. What I will say right now, is that like any still-water, a good quality hookbait is of necessity, yes you will catch on poorer quality baits but with a lot less regularity. For this reason when it comes to my hookbaits I always use a high quality base mix and it is something I would never try to cut corners on.

Rigs are one area that I must admit to keeping very simple, usually favouring a low resistance kwik change run ring, running ledger and depending on the area I’m fishing, either a coated braid such as Gardner sly skin, or a supple braid in the shape of either Drennan sink braid or Gardner trickster heavy. Like most people, hooks are a major confidence factor for me and as such I do tend to stick to certain patterns more than others, especially favouring over the years Gardner Talon Tips, as well as the Ashima “indisepensable Carp” hooks, both of which are very strong and reliable patterns and apart from the usual components such as heavy metal putty and back leads (flying and non flying), my rigs remain extremely basic.

The enjoyment with river carping is that you never know what will grace your net, when out on recces over closed seasons I have seen some simply stunning low doubles, mooching about alongside lumps that I would estimate at 40lb,I have also had large leathers casually swim by under my feet, that is what makes it all so very special and with so many different areas on rivers to sink your teeth into, there is always a chance that one bite could be something very special indeed. As I write this, rain is pouring down heavily, giving the rivers some much needed rejuvenation and in doing so drawing my thoughts to linger on those dark and enigmatic shadows that glide in and out of that special place in an anglers mind, here they pay me more frequent visits, allowing me to look over them in retrospect, with wonderment and awe, In hope that one day they may do me the honour of residing within my net.

Tight lines, 

Mark Erdwin

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THIS week’s Angler’s Mail magazine is a springtime stunner.

Out now, and only £1.80, here for Fishable fans is a look at some highlights…

FISH WEIGHT CHEATING

John Bailey will get you thinking, and teach some anglers how to do it right.

WE CAST 50% FURTHER…

A new product helped one Mail man go the distance.

WIN DAIWA KIT!

A Team Daiwa TDXR5 pole worth nearly £1,300 plus great runners-up prizes are up for grabs.

WHERE TO CATCH TENCH

Your No.1 weekend guide, compiled by the Mail’s local experts, has a special focus.

ALL THE BIG NEWS

Including exclusive full result and big name reaction to national species poll, plus FREE bait scheme!

STAR ANGLERS

• Alan Scotthorne –  five times World Champion’s bream Action Replay
• Mark Wilkinson – top tackle dealer, man behind Chapmans Angling
• Gary Newman –  why river giants trip leaves him NOT wanting more!
• Colin Davidson – feeding to catch carp plus bite alarm essentials

SUPERB INSTRUCTION

• All The Answers – the No.1 coarse Q&A with pukka Prodigy prizes
• Secret Lives of Coarse Fish with Dr Stuart Clough
• Essential Knowledge –  Andy Browne on hair-rig essentials

TOP TACKLE EXCLUSIVES

• Pure Fishing and Lure Anglers Society’s Lurefair show reports
• Budget Korum carp combo hits the target when tested

PLUS FASCINATING TALES AND OPINION, AND LOTS MORE…THIS WEEK IN THE BIG VALUE ANGLER’S MAIL MAGAZINE.

Visit the Angler’s Mail website > www.anglersmail.co.uk 

Join Angler’s Mail on Facebook > www.facebook.com/AnglersMailMagazine

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THIS week’s Angler’s Mail magazine is a blockbuster.

Out now, and only £1.80, here for Fishable fans is a look at some highlights…

CARPERS v MATCHMEN!

The new mag gives you a ringside seat to a unique challenge.

GREATEST CATCH OF BIG CARP EVER

Full details and pix are inside this week’s award-winning Angler’s Mail news section.

ULTIMATE HOOKS GUIDE

All is explained with brilliant close-up photography.

GIANT WHERE TO FISH SECTION

It’s May Bank Holiday weekend and the Mail experts have delivered extra ideas to help you find a really good swim.

ALL THE BIGGEST NEWS

• England’s smallest ever champion
• CEMEX’s potential buyers explain themselves
• Stunning Scottish monster
• Was eel really 15 lb?
• Exciting barbel events

INTERESTING STAR ANGLERS

• Tony King –  specimen ace
• John Bailey – why roach rock!
• Gary Newman –  river giants
• Colin Davidson – underrated baits

VERY LATEST TACKLE

Daiwa poles explained on a live session and you chance to win Fox carp gear. Both sets of new product can also be seen on exclusive videos at www.anglersmail.co.uk

PLUS! GREAT NEW BAITS COVERAGE, FASCINATING TALES AND OPINION, AND LOTS MORE…

Be sure to get this week’s Angler’s Mail magazine!

Visit the Angler’s Mail website > www.anglersmail.co.uk 

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There it is, I said it and now I am going to explain why I believe blanking is better than catching carp and before you say it, no I have not been drinking, smoking or taking any kind of pills (at least not while writing this anyway).

I speak straight from the heart and 100% mean what I say when I utter these words…’every carp angler should blank on a regular basis, if you don’t blank, your not a proper carp fisherman’.

Carp fishing takes fisherman back to that hunter gather stage of evolution, pitting your wits against a skilful adversary with nothing but a spear and a rock (rod and leads thanks to Korda) and its that inner sanctuary, solitude and competition that draws a carp angler in.

For me there are three solid reasons why blanking is better than catching, I think that many of you will agree. So here goes with the first of my reasons, the challenge.

Why do things the easy way?

If your fishing a joint like this, you are not a carp fisherman!

The challenge of fishing was born thousands of years ago when man was little more than a less hairy ape, many fisherman are still in this primitive stage but the challenge behind carp fishing has evolved quickly for me. Maybe because I have only been targeting decent carp actively for 4-5 years, before that I was strictly a match and pole type of guy like many of us or maybe because the ‘off the shelf fisherman’ that trawl our syndicates now have pushed us to search out that mecca more actively.

If I caught big carp every time I went fishing I would get bored, move venues often and for exactly the same reason why the pinnacle of carp fishing is to target the likes of the Car Park Lake at Yately, I wouldn’t get that fix of adrenaline when my buzzer screamed off.

Catching big carp is the icing on the cake when I go fishing and for those that have not realised that they don’t go fishing to catch fish, your living in a dream world, you will work it out sooner or later.

Don’t get me wrong we all like to get a bend in the rod, occasionally a trip to the local stocked pool to bag up on stockies, test some rigs and baits is needed but I couldn’t do that every time. It amazes me how carp match-men do it, constantly battling it out for decent weights of fish is great fun but it’s not carp fishing is it? If it is then we need a new name, maybe carp stalking.

There is nothing more exciting in carp stalking than putting all your skills, knowledge and watercraft into creating that perfect rig,  getting the positioning right and waiting for that run but its not everything. I have had some of the best days fishing of my life blanking in style on a syndicate, all the time pays off in the end and you only get out what you put in.

So my first reason why blanking is great is because of the challenge it creates, for me, carp stalking without the challenge would be camping with a rod.

Can you feel the adrenaline? Well can ya?

The moment when a plan comes together is one of the best thrills in fishing, making your own bait, designing your own rig, locating feeding carp and getting everything perfect only to be rewarded by a carp is pure adrenaline. Those carp fisherman still using shop bought rigs, shelf life baits and targeting highly stocked ponds all the time really do not know what they are missing, I actually feel sorry for them and feel that its our duty as real carp fisherman to completely ignore them, let them continue to do what they are doing and leave us and our syndicates alone!

If you know every bait and rig you put in the water is going to catch you a fish, where is the excitement? where is the adrenaline?

I can kind of understand why many anglers who believe real carp fishing is boring because they see me and you sitting in a chair, walking the banks looking like were doing nothing. What they dont realise is the thought pattern, the strategy and the curiosity that is firing in our brains.

I actually think that many anglers do not even try real carp fishing let alone get good at it because of 3 reasons, non-competitive natures, ignorance and the number of brain cells they are working with.

Here were go, the third reason why I think every angler should be blanking regularly is self improvement.

The third reason why blanking is a must for all carp fisherman

Self improvement sounds a bit ‘counselling’ but what I mean kind of works alongside my first and second points. How on earth are you going to improve as an angler, get better and catch bigger and better fish if all you do is the same thing every-time you go fishing and catch dozens of fish on each visit to your local heavily stocked pond using the same off the shelf rig and baits?

Blanking is about learning, adapting and improving from what you have learnt, The more time you put into learning the better fisherman you will be and there is nothing better on a learning curve than a blank on a new venue.

If you bag up on every venue you fish then your either very lucky or your not improving as an angler because your not challenging yourself and your fishing the same boring stock pond each week.

Blanking encourages self improvement, its the driving force behind adapting and growing into becoming a better angler.

So there you have it my 3 reasons why blanking is great, now get out there and start blanking your way to success, I promise you wont regret it.

A thought to finish on…

So blanking encourages self improvement, which in turn leads to challenging yourself and then onto the moment it all comes together in  that session of a lifetime. For me each season is about this, working towards one session, working towards self improvement and challenging myself to adapt to the next challenge.

Bagging up on your local stock pond each week would be like going to school and having the same lesson 5 times a day every day.

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Its official Robson Green is a nob, but before I tell you something you didn’t already know let me explain what I mean.

There has been loads of chit-chat on social media and fishing forums about what a token fool RG is because of a show he did in mid April where he was essentially attempting to murder carp, a fish we love, but don’t forget the in the US of A carp are vermin, I mean I would and have quite happily been out shooting rats.

Do not get me wrong, what a bunch of weirdo’s the American fisherman are but thats culture and tradition, we dont sit here in the sunny UK moaning about the Peruvian’s chowing down on Guinea Pig pie for dinner so don’t get all arrogant with this is my opinion.

just look at him

I am by no means defending the US fisherman, I actually feel sorry for them, remember this is the same country that had G Bush as its president. The checked covered Yanks would rather catch half pound Bass than 30lb carp, fine, leave them to it, in fact get them over here and set them free on my local waters to control the fecking Perch problem, they would be in heaven, bless them.

Back to the Geordie geezer…

Anyway back to Mr Green himself, my opening gambit sounded harsh but now let me explain. I have several friends who I would happily class as ‘nobs’, you know why? Because they are hilariously stupid, crazily funny and to be perfectly frank Robson Green is a breath of fresh air in this industry.

I am fed up of the same old boring fishing ‘celebrities’ getting spread very thinly across magazines and TV programs spouting all kinds of BS, ‘this rod and that reel are the dogs gonads’, my arse, if they weren’t free and you had a choice in using them what would they say then, perhaps if the big name brands didn’t give away so many free products the prices of such products would come down enough for us normal anglers to be able to afford.

I have drifted again, I apologise

I have been reading several forums in the last week or so and hundreds if not thousands of people are constantly ranting about how they are fed up with the same old boring celebs on TV, so it makes me wonder why they also jump on the ‘hate Robson’ bandwagon when he is delivering something completely different from the norm. So what if he tried to shoot a carp, I’m sure he wouldn’t do that in the UK, if he did I would be the first to start air-drying 18mm boilies to fire at his Northern mug.

at least he has the balls to be himself!

Fishing, carp fishing in particular is becoming very bitchy and very hypocritical, we can’t have it both ways and for me people like Robson Green are a breath of fresh air. I hope the carp fishing TV produces realise what they are missing out on, yes he is an absolute tit but come on we all know its the annoying things that get us talking, get companies selling products and get brand awareness far above any other method of marketing, just ask Compare the Meerkat or the guy with the ‘tash from Go Compare.

Robson, if by some stroke of luck you are reading this, you are a nob, but so am I (at least I hope I am) but keep it up, my Sky plus box doesn’t know whats hit it with all the series’s of your I have recorded. Get your carp gear out (not your spear) and show this carp fishing industry what its missing. Though you are no doubt in a state of alcoholism watching Geordie Shore because of NUFC’s lucky season, I hate to be the one to break it to you but by the time you wake up it will be next season and they will be getting relegated.

What do y’all think of Robson Green? Comments below please.

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THIS week’s Angler’s Mail magazine is brilliant read and it also comes with free bait stops!

Out now, just £1.80, here for Fishable fans is a look at some highlights…

FREE BAIT STOPS!

Every issue has a mixture of different types to cover all manner of baits – pellets, boilies, meat, corn… the lot. Hair rig ‘em right, and be sure to watch the instruction video.

FLOATER POINTERS – get geared up now for when they’re really having it up top. Colin Davidson explains keys to success.

WIN KORUM GEAR! – see a Korum ace in action then try and win great Korum gear. The Mail has got kit worth £1,500 up for grabs!

HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER – a cracking read and tips from the one and only John Bailey.

THE BIG NEWS

• Exclusive record bream latest – more on the 22 lb 12 oz mega slab
• Which British record claims will be accepted – the Mail finds out.
• CEMEX waters draw interest

+ THE BEST TACKLE

+ REALLY HELPFUL INSTRUCTION

+ STAR ANGLERS’ SPECIAL FEATURES

+ WHERE TO FISH THIS WEEKEND - your No.1 guide… compiled by exclusive local experts!

Don’t miss this week’s issue of Angler’s Mail magazine. Just £1.80.

Visit the Angler’s Mail website > www.anglersmail.co.uk

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Thanks to www.greysfishing.com for the image

Carp Fishing Tackle Review #1: Greys Prodigy Rucksack

Before we start the actual review theres something you all should know: at first the Greys Prodigy rucksack seemed very expensive to me, I saw it online and thought it looked the part but was unsure whether it would do everything it claims to. That was until the day I turned up fishing with my fishing buddy Ace, now Ace is a man of ‘tart’, he likes the stuff that everyone else likes in the carp fishing world and usually I am the complete opposite but guess what he had on his back that morning on our local syndicate, yes, you guessed it. So anyway, on with the review.

In the first in our series of carp fishing tackle reviews we are looking at the Greys Prodigy Rucksack, something that many of us will already have seen or heard of.

First impressions of the Greys Prodigy Rucksack

WOW!, is all I can say, when you see one of these rucksacks up close you can really see the quality, unfortunately on a lot of product shoots I have seen this inherent quality has not shone through as much as it should/could of but trust me this thing is amazing. The zips, the material, the sheer amount of pockets, hideaways and storage is strangely stimulating and at the same time hard to match.

Features

There must be a zillion pockets on this thing, its like a tardis, it really is, whatever you have to put in it it will take it. No matter how much weight you put in it, it will take it in its stride with its thoroughly padded shoulder straps, waist strap and additional fasteners to add extra support if required. I’ve had well over 50kg in this rucksack without it breaking sweat, unlike myself!. Greys really have thought of everything, you get large, small and medium pockets, a front chamber to add your Greys tackle box in, a top insulated cavity for fresh bait or food and additional waterproof zip sections for anything you want to keep out of the rain. Unlike many other rucksacks in the carp fishing world, this bad boy looks to take inspiration from the climbing and hiking arena, the padded back section sits flush to your back and  you do not get the dreaded poke in the back form something in your bag that is protruding, the outer shell is too robust for anything like that.

Key selling points of the Greys Prodigy Rucksack

This bag shines far past anything other rucksack I have seen on the market, it has so many great points that I can’t fit them all in to sentences so hear you go, a nice little set of bullet points:

• The pure class of the way it looks
• Its strength and weight it can hold with ease
• Capacity, it will suck you up and spit you out
• Options available for storage
• Comfort when using
• Robustness, I’ve tossed, dragged, dropped and given this thing a hard time with not even as much as a broken zip in over a year!
• Not everyone has one!

So what is wrong with the Greys Prodigy rucksack?

Well, we are an honest bunch and for our carp fishing tackle reviews we will always tell the truth and yes, there is one thing wrong with this rucksack, it may just be the way I use it but a friend also has the same issue and it is really frustrating. The top of the rucksack has 2 compartments, one is the insulated area and waterproof zip section and above that on the very top of the rucksack is a smallish flat compartment, which to me lends itself to bits and bobs like tools, pliers, crimpers, bus bars and alarms as well which all fits in nicely until you get on the bank and start to unpack your bits, setting up etc. You will naturally open the main compartment to take something out, this zip section acts like a hinge and your heavy bits in the top section then shoot backwards and pull your bag over consistently, its very irritating especially if you leave one of the top 2 zips open. The other small niggle is the back support section, I would like this to be a little bit stiffer. If you take things out the main section and have stuff in the top area the bag folds making it a right pain to get stuff out the middle compartment while holding the top section. Something just to keep it upright would work a treat and probably solve the issue above too! Come on Greys, you know it makes sense!

Other valid points…

For me the fact that Greys are not always in the spot-light in the carp fishing world is great, you don’t see them puffing out their chest with big profile celebrity angler sponsorships all over the front of every magazine and thats great because it means that not many people have the amazing products in their range, long let it stay that way! Though Greys would probably hope it does not.

Carp Fishing Tackle #1: The conclusion

There is no doubting the sheer brilliance of this rucksack, it screams class and delivers on so many levels. Be sure to combine it with the Greys prodigy tackle box and you have the perfect arsenal capable of carrying everything you need for a long weekends fishing! For me, the price is cheap for what it is but I also assumed it wouldn’t be up to scratch on my first impressions so get out there and find a friend or a tackle shop with a model on display and have a rummage! Well done Greys, another classy product that is top quality but priced to be available to everyone!

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