Archive for the ‘Hints And Tips’ Category

Alternative Shot On The Hair Rig

Friday, March 12th, 2010

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

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Preparing Hemp

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

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

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How To – Running Rig

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

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.

Korda_Running_Rig1Korda_Running_Rig4

Step 1.

Thread your mainline through your desired length of rig tubing.

Korda_Running_Rig2

Step 2.

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

Korda_Running_Rig5

Step 3.

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

Korda_Running_Rig3

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.

Korda_Running_Rig6

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

Korda_Running_Rig7

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

Korda_Running_Rig8

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

Guru_Micro_Lead_Clip7

Step 5.

Pull the swivel inside the Run Rig Rubber.

Korda_Running_Rig10

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.Korda_Running_Rig11

Step 7.

Clip the lead onto the ring clip.

Korda_Running_Rig12

Step 8.

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

Korda_Running_Rig13

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.

Korda_Running_Rig14

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

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Frozen In

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

I’m sure this weather is driving all you fisherman out there mad, I know that it’s driving me round the twist. A good use of time in these circumstances is to sort your kit out ready for the coming thaw. Go through all your carryalls and rucksacks and give them a good spring clean. Clean your rods and reels, if your reels need a service now is the ideal time to get them done. Also sort through your tackle box and top up on anything you’re short of. Now is also a good time to tie up lots of spare rigs in the warmth of your living room rather than when your hands are cold and chapped on the bank. Roll on the thaw !!!!

Best Fishes,

John

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How To – Solar Quick Change PVA System

Friday, January 15th, 2010

The Solar Quick Change PVA Bag System is ideal for anglers who use PVA bags for the majority of their angling. The system will ensure you don’t lose the bag on the cast while improving casting distance and accuracy. The system is designed to be anti tangle and works with any inline lead.

For the purpose of this demonstration I used a Korda Flat Pear Inline Lead, Solar Contour Super Supple Rig Tubing and Korda Size 8 Ring Swivels  was used between the helicopter beads for the rig to be attached to.

Solar_PVA_System1

Step 1.

Thread your mainline through your desired length of the Solar rig tubing.

Solar_PVA_System2

Step 2.

Now thread 1 of the beads provided with the Solar PVA System onto the rig tubing followed by the Korda Ring Swivel followed by another bead. If you’re using mainline straight through there is silicone tubing provided for the beads to the grip. If you’re using leadcore then please ensure all beads can be pulled free of the leader to ensure the lead will be lost in the event of your line breaking. Tie or loop your hooklink to the ring swivel.

Solar_PVA_System3

Step 3.

Now thread on one of the sleeves provided and push the tubing securely inside.

Solar_PVA_System5

Step 4.

Then gently push the insert out of your choosen inline……

Solar_PVA_System4

…..and thread it onto your mainline.

Solar_PVA_System6

Step 5.

Tie a Figure Of Eight Loop Knot  in the end of your mainline and attach the Solar quick change PVA bag clip like so.

Solar_PVA_System8

Step 6.

Now pull the lead over the clip followed by the sleeve and rig tubing. The finished setup should look like this.

Solar_PVA_System

All you have to do to attach a PVA bag is to pull the clip out of the bottom of the lead and hook a PVA bag on before pulling the clip back inside the lead. Then just thread the hook through the mesh of the bag and your ready to cast out.

Solar_PVA_System9

Solar_PVA_System10

Solar_PVA_System11

Solar_PVA_System12

Solar_PVA_System13

This set up is particularly well suited to adding freebies with the Mag Aligner Rig and really comes into it’s own during the winter months.

Give it a go.

Tight lines

Dave

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Winter Carp Fishing – Freezing Conditions.

Monday, January 4th, 2010

For those of you who dare to brave the banks during the colder months it is worth baring in mind that equipment can freeze up, especially those items left outside your bivvy/shelter. The one item of tackle which you don’t want to fail you during the long dark nights is your bite alarms. With most bite alarms operating by a magnet roller it is possible for these to freeze which would mean a disaster should you get a run during the night and your alarm fails to signal a pick-up. A small bottle of Glycerol (Basically an anti-freeze) is all that is needed to prevent such items freezing up. Simply apply a thin layer around the roller during sessions where temperatures could well freeze them up. It can easily be wiped off when it is no longer needed and it will save missing a run which at this time of year is very likely to have been hard earned.

It can also be used for your rod rings to prevent your lines freezing to them. You should be able to get Glycerol from Boots or your local chemist

Tight Lines

Dave

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How To Use Guru Pellet Cones

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

The Guru Pellet Cones  are an innovative alternative to PVA bags that enables an angler to present a small pile of feed around the hookbait. The tangle free presentation that the pellets cones provide is ideal for use with small soft pellets or groundbait.

Guru_Pellet_Cone1

The pellets I used in this demonstration were Dynamite Baits Marine Halibut Pellets.

If your using groundbait or softened pellets start from step 4. If your using harder pellets and are scolding them follow steps 1-3 first.

Step 1.

Pour the pellets into the bottom of a bait container.

Guru_Pellet_Cone2

Step 2.

Now pour boiling water over the pellets until they are all just covered over with the water and leave for 20-30 mins.

Guru_Pellet_Cone3

Step 3.

After 20-30 mins the pellets should still resemble their original shape but they should be soft to touch and lighter in colour.

Guru_Pellet_Cone4

Step 4.

Now take the pellet cone and hold it from the thin end.

Guru_Pellet_Cone5

Step 5.

Gently scoop some pellets into the cone, compressing them in as you go.

Guru_Pellet_Cone6

Step 6.

Once the cone is full compress it firmly with finger and thumb.

Guru_Pellet_Cone7

Step 7.

Now pass the fine baiting needle through the pellet cone, going in from the wider end and out the thinner end. Your now ready to pull your baited rig through the pellets, once you’ve pulled your rig through remove the cone and its ready to cast out.

Guru_Pellet_Cone8

The compressed pellets will look like so when attached to your rig.

Guru_Pellet_Cone

Once cast out the pellets will hold together until they reach the bottom.

Guru_Pellet_Cone9

Within 30 seconds they will have broken down leaving a small neat pile of bait around your hookbait…..Guru_Pellet_Cone11

Give them a go.

Tight Lines

Dave

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How To Set Up The MCF Dumper Lead Clip

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

The  MCF Dumper Lead Clip  is a very clever and innovative lead clip that is guaranteed to drop the lead in the event of a fish snagging or weeding you up. The tapered sleeves incorporated in this lead clip system help to minimise tangles. This Carp Catchers Blog will show you step by step how to set it up.

MCF_Dumper_Lead_Clip1

These can be set-up with any form of leader or tubing but for the purpose of this demonstration I used a ready spliced leadcore leader.

Step 1.

Using a bait needle thread the small rubber sleeve onto your leader or tubing.

MCF_Dumper_Lead_Clip2

Step 2.

Now you need to pass your spliced leader loop through the metal loop on the lead clip. Or tie on your mainline with your rig tubing already threaded on (Miss steps 3 and 4).

MCF_Dumper_Lead_Clip3

Step 3.

Then pass the lead clip through the loop in the end of your leader.

MCF_Dumper_Lead_Clip4

Step 4.

Pull the leader to secure the loop around the metal loop.

MCF_Dumper_Lead_Clip5

Step 5.

Push the small rubber sleeve over the metal loop.

MCF_Dumper_Lead_Clip6

Step 6.

Now push a baiting needle through the longer sleeve from next to the metal hook out of the tapered end and latch the baiting needle onto your choosen rig.

MCF_Dumper_Lead_Clip7

Step 7.

Once you’ve pulled your hooklink through loop it over the metal hook.

MCF_Dumper_Lead_Clip9

Step 8.

To finish the setup pull the hooklink tight and clip on a lead.

MCF_Dumper_Lead_Clip

The lead should not eject on a normal force cast, however if a distance cast is required I would suggest securing the lead in place with PVA tape.

If you are using rig tubing then adapt the instructions accordingly.

Tight Lines

Dave

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Korda IQ2 Fluorocarbon Maggot Rig

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Its getting to that time of year again when maggots are becoming more widely used due to them being such an effective winter bait. Have a go at tying this rig and see how you get on.

The components used in this demonstration were the Korda IQ2 Xtra Soft Fluorocarbon Korda Wide Gape  hook size 8 and  Korda Micro Rig Swivel.

Fluoro_Maggot_Rig

Step 1.

After cutting your required length of fluorocarbon tie on a Korda Wide Gape using a knotless knot making sure to whip round the shank twice on the way back down to the eye. 

Fluoro_Maggot_Rig1

Step 2.

Now thread a micro rig swivel onto the tag end above the hook.

Fluoro_Maggot_Rig2

Step 3.

Then pass the tag end through the back of the eye to the front and trim the tag end down to about 3-4mm. This will have created a D shape on the back of the shank for the swivel to move on.

Fluoro_Maggot_Rig3

Step 4.

Holding the hooklength out of the way slowly blob the tag end with a lighter to secure it in place. Make sure not to burn the hooklink as this will damage the fluorocarbon and increase the chance of it breaking. Also take care not to burn yourself.

 Fluoro_Maggot_Rig4

Step 5.

To finish the rig tie a figure of eight knot in the other end setting the desired length of rig you require and trim the tag end.

 Fluoro_Maggot_Rig5 

The finished rig should look like this.

Fluoro_Maggot_Rig6

This rig works best with a large bunch of maggots and a couple of imitation pop-up maggots to help counter the weight of the hook. This rig isn’t strictly a maggot rig and can be used with other baits as well. 

The knots used in this demonstration can be found in previous blogs by using the search bar on the top right hand side of the page.

Give it a go.

Tight Lines

Dave

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Single Hookbait Fishing Pt 3

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Another single hookbait which could be utilised well in the winter is artificial baits, preferably the flavoured or high-viz variety as they need some attraction to them. The Enterprise Artificial Boilies 10mm , the Niteglow Eternal Boilies and the Solar Everlasting Hookbaits are all top artificial baits that will work well as single hookbaits. Don’t discount artificial sweetcorn as a single winter bait either the ever popular Enterprise range or the new Cotswold Bait Creations Soft Floating Corn. Imitation baits are resistant to nuisance fish, won’t lose bouyancy, go soft or lose attraction.

Single_Hookbaits2

Give them a go.

Dave

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