Carp Catchers Blog

This is an alternative to the previous Carp Catchers Blog on how to tie The Shot On The Hair Rig. It is tied in exactly the same way except the hair is lengthened by 10mm and the shot is placed halfway along the hair rather than directly next to the bait.

Setting the rig like this means the bait sits up off the lake bed by about 10mm if using a pop up hookbait. It allows the hook to lay flat on the lake bed alway from the bait, making it less obvious to wary carp. This alternate Shot On The Hair Rig  provides good bait separation and ensures the rig is hook heavy, making it more likely to catch in the carps mouth.  Though more effective with pop up hookbaits, a bottom bait can be used and the rig will still be very effective as it is still hook heavy.

Tight Lines

Dave

We have some nice new luggage from JRC in stock now. The JRC Extra Large Carryall, JRC Large Carryall and JRC Medium Carryall  feature an all new design for 2010. All three are all fully padded with three large exterior pockets, non slip padded shoulder strap and padded carry handles. For more information or to purchase please click on the above links. The entry level  JRC Contact Carryall  features double zipped pockets and easy access dual zip main compartments. Finally we have the JRC Mini Cool Box which has a highly insulated main compartment and a toughned ball leather base to protect the contents from the wet. For more information or to purchase please click on the above links.

                                 JRC Extra Large Carryall 

                                                      JRC Contact Carryall

                                           JRC Mini Cool Box

Best Fishes,

John

This Carp Catchers Blog will show you how to prepare hemp. The fresher the hempseed the easier it is to prepare so try to make sure your supplier (if it’s not us) has a regular turnover.

The first step is to soak the hemp in water for 24-48 hrs. Make sure that there is plenty of water over the hemp as some of it will be absorbed by the seeds. Step 2 is to boil the hemp till the seeds split and a little white sprout appears, if you add a little salt to the water it helps to keep the seeds a nice shiny black. After cooking you can add any other flavourings or additives that you like, although it is more than adequate as it is. Once the water has cooled it ready to use or bag up as required. Make sure to keep the hemp in the water it was boiled in as this will contain all that lovely hemp oil. Also if the hemp dries out it will float!! Freezing is the best way to store your cooked hemp if you are not going to use it straight away. Here at Carp Catchers we do dry Mega Hempseed in 5kilo bags.For those that don’t want to prepare their own we also do our frozen ready prepared Mega Hempseed with maggots, casters plus added betaine. We also have Dynamite Baits Frenzied Hempseed  and for PVA bagging TFG PVA Friendly Red Hot Chilli Hemp .

Best fishes,

John

Hey it’s the 1st of march and the sun is shining and spring is in the air, hopefully we’ll all be able to go fishing soon.

Best fishes,

John

The Claw rig is a very effective bottom bait rig. With no shrink tube or rigs rings its also very simple to tie.

For the purpose of this demonstration I used the Korda Hybrid Stiff Coated Braid, a Korda Kurv Shank  Hook and a 3mm length of the Korda Silicone Tubing.

Step 1.

Remove roughly 4 inches of coating from the Korda Hybrid stiff hooklink and tie a small overhand loop in the stripped end.

Step 2.

Now thread a 3mm section of Silicone tubing onto the hooklink.

Step 3.

Then pass the hook point through the silicone tubing towards the loop tied in step 1. Make sure not the snag the hookpoint in the braid on the way through as this could damage the hooklink.

Step 4.

Thread the hooklink through the back of the eye and then thread your choosen hookbait onto the hair and secure it with a bait stop. Set the hair with about a 1cm gap between the hookbait and hook.

Step 5.

Now whip the hooklink up the shank of the hook 6 times before passing it through the back of the eye to create a knotless knot. 

Step 6.

Next thread two of the small Korda Sinkers onto the hooklink. It is easier the strip a small amount of coating off the end of hooklink as the coating makes it too thick to get the sinkers on.

Step 7.

Tie a figure of eight knot in the end of the hooklink.

Double over the end of the hooklink and create a loop like so….

Then pass the end of the doubled over loop through the loop just created….

And again….

Moisten the knot and pull it tight.

Step 8.

Position the Korda Sinkers evenly apart along the hooklink and gently steam it straight over a kettle.

The rig is now ready to be attached to your lead setup and cast out.

Due to the stiffness and nature of this rig it is best fished over firm/hard lakes beds.

Tight Lines

Dave

The new Nash Deliverance Spods feature a unique dimpled nose cone taken from golf ball technology. This dimpling ensures that the Nash Deliverance Spod  has a longer, and straighter flight giving both increased distance and pinpoint accuracy. The nose cone is also specially loaded for retrieval with minimum effort. For more information or to purchase please click on the above link.

                                                                      Nash Deliverance Spod

Best Fishes,

John

We now have the new season JRC Stainless Steel Banksticks and Buzz Bars in stock now as well as the very carpy JRC Digital Scales. We have The JRC Stainless Steel Banksticks  in two sizes 12”/30cm and 16”/40cm and they are made of high quality stainless steel with a classy JRC embossed logo. Very reasonably priced, they are adjustable and the inner is removable for easy cleaning. For more information or to purchase please click on the above link. The JRC Stainless Steel 3 Rod Buzz Bars are also reasonably priced and very versatile. They can be used either with a single central bankstick or with two outer banksticks for a rock solid goalpost set up. Adjustable, they also come in two sizes so you can fan your rods out. Again for more information or to purchase please click on the above links.

The JRC Digital Scales  are fantastic value for money and have a host of features. They have a moulded carry handle and can weigh the largest of carp as they go up to 100lb. The JRC Digital Scales have a memory function, nightlight and come with a padded carry case. For more information or to purchase please click on the above link.

                                                  JRC Stainless Steel Banksticks

                                      JRC Stainless Steel Buzz Bars

                                                      JRC Digital Scales

Best Fishes,

John

The Guru Micro Lead Clips provide a fish safe anti tangle option for the Match/Pleasure angler thats suitable for fishing with either leads or feeders. The design of Guru Micro Lead Clip  ensures that your lead or feeder can be released should it become snagged. 

Guru Micro Lead Clips

The leads I used for the purpose of this demonstration were the Guru Square Leads.

Step 1.

Thread your mainline through the tail rubber and then the lead clip.

Step 2.

Double over the tag end of your mainline and pass the loop through the eye of the size 11 swivel provided.

Step 3.

Now tie an overhand knot with the doubled over section of your mainline but don’t tighten it yet.

Step 4.

Pass the swivel through the loop created by the overhand knot.

Step 5.

Now moisten the knot and gently tighten it down.

Step 6.

Pull the lead clip down over the swivel until you hear it click into the clip.

Step 7.

Now clip your lead/feeder on and slide the tail rubber over the lead clip so the angled edge sits the right way on the clip.

All you need to do now is tie on your rig and your ready to cast out. But before doing so make sure the clip is working correctly and the lead will discharge easily. You are now fishing a carp safe set up.

Tight Lines

Dave

We have the Nash S3 Professional Bivvy and the Nash Frostbite Sub-Zero Sleeping Bags in stock now. These three items are just a part of Nash Tackles extensive new 2010 range. The Nash S3 Professional Bivvy  is lightweight and has three modular options. It has a radical new aerodynamic profile which maximises stability, increases headroom and porch protection. For more information or to purchase please click on the above link.

The Nash Frostbite Sub-Zero Sleeping Bag  is a high performance lightweight sleeping bag designed for the mobile angler. It is manufactured from a waterproof, breathable peachskin material with a thermal fleece lining for quick warm up and increased heat retention. For the larger carp angler we also have the Nash Frostbite Sub-Zero Wide Boy Sleeping Bag  which is made of the same specification materials. For more information or to purchase please click on the above links.

                  Nash S3 Professional Bivvy

          Nash Frostbite Sub-Zero Sleeping Bag

 Nash Frostbite Sub-Zero Wide Boy Sleeping Bag

Best Fishes,

John

Running rigs are very over looked these days by the majority of carp anglers but if used correctly they can improve your catch rates in the right situation. They are advantageous in that they will give you indication as soon as the bait has moved rather than when the lead moves. Fished with slack lines the running rig setup will give you good indication before the line has even tightened. It also means that if your mainline breaks the lead will be released easily.

For this demonstration I used Korda Safe Zone Sinking Rig Tubing, Korda Safe Zone Run Rig Rubbers, Korda Size 8 Swivels, Korda Ring Clips, Korda Silicone Sleeves and a Korda Pear Lead.

Step 1.

Thread your mainline through your desired length of rig tubing.

Step 2.

Now thread your mainline through the ring on one of the Korda Ring Clips.

Step 3.

Then thread on the Korda Run Rig Rubber and push the rig tubing into the narrow end of the rubber.

Step 4.

With the tag end of you mainline tie a Palomar knot. Double over the tag end and pass it though the eye of a size 8 swivel.

Now tie an overhand knot with the doubled over section of your mainline.

Then pass the swivel through the loop created by doubling over the mainline.

Moisten the knot and tighten it down gently before trimming the tag end.

Step 5.

Pull the swivel inside the Run Rig Rubber.

Step 6.

Now push a silicone sleeve over the swivel of your choosen lead and hold it down so the top eye of the swivel is exposed.

Step 7.

Clip the lead onto the ring clip.

Step 8.

Now slide the silicone sleeve back up over the eye of the swivel and over the ring clip.

Notice how the eye of the swivel attached to the lead has been left exposed, this is to allow the setup to lie flat on the lake bed.

To change to lead all you have to do is slide the silicone sleeve back down and swap the leads.

All that is left to do is attach your rig by either using a Korda Kwik Link or tying it directly to the swivel.

Give it a go.

Dave