Not a bad view

Not a bad view

Sunday, 30 November 2014

Top 5 Videos this week

Hello and welcome to the last blog this week, and this time I am going to post my top 5 fishing related videos this week So sit back and I hope you enjoy.

My top 5 videos this week

Video 1 - Carl and Alex - Carl and Alex are right up there with my favourite YouTube channels, and this video has shown what amazing videos they film and upload for everyone to see and watch . 

Video 2 - Carl, Alex and Alan Blair - This is another video from Carl and Alex but this time they are fishing with one of the best young anglers out there, Alan Blair who you might know from Urban Banx. This is a great video once again so check it out. 

Video 3 - Angling Lines - This is a fairly new channel with around 2,000 subscribers but if they keep uploading videos like this they should be one of the best channels on YouTube. What other videos offer 3, yes 3, 50lb+ carp in one video. 

Video 4 - The Carp Catcher - What top 5 video count down would be complete without a video from this guy. This video sees him fishing Linford Lakes which is a stunning complex and once again the video is full of tips and advise to help you with your fishing as well as some cracking stories. Don't be confused by the mention of the World cup final is was uploaded on November the 23rd. 

Video 5 - From the waters edge - Now here is one for you sea anglers, this video sees them fishing for cod from the beach, with plenty of tips and advise for you to try out this video had to be in this count down. 

That's it from me for now, and I know its only a short blog but there is plenty of videos for you to watch so I hope this makes up for it but for now tight lines and keep fishing. 

The Eastern Carper

Saturday, 29 November 2014

Fine down for winter - Best rigs for me

Hello and welcome to the episode of this blog and today I am going to be looking and my three favourite winter rigs and what you need to tie them.

It’s been getting cold over the last few weeks so I thought now would be a good time to take a look at some of the winter carp rigs and presentations I’ll be using this coming winter. In the summer I tend to fish bigger waters with a small head of carp but now in the winter I tend to target different types of waters just for the day, such as smaller waters of around 3 acres with a more fish in which allows me to test out a few rigs. It’s worth bearing this in mind because the waters I fish tend to be just as pressured in winter as they are in summer and this has had an impact on my rigs over the last year or two. So with this in mind let’s get onto the rigs.

Rig 1 - The KD rig
KD Rig
So where did the KD rig come from. The KD rig was developed by long-time Essex carper Steve Eves and many of the guys at Korda, Fox, Nash and other major fishing companies have used this presentation in their fishing because of the great hook holds that it attains.

The hair positioning is critical on the KD rig. It leaves the back of the shank just above the eye, which has the effect of making the hook eye light and the point relatively ‘heavy’ when used with a balanced bait. This helps to ensure that the hook is always in optimum hooking position and ready to prick the bottom lip. This is why I like using this rig as I think it gives me the best chance of hooking any fish that picks up the bait. I also think he KD rig is best used with a curved hook pattern. As a result, go get some Kurv Shanks and catch some carp, this is due to testing it with various hooks and comparing the results.

Components Needed
  • Supernatural 
  • Kurv shank hook 
  • Split Shot 
  • Size 8 Ring Swivel 
  • Link Loop 
Rig 2 - Chod rig

Chod RigThe chod rig is perhaps the most popular rig of all time. So, why do so many anglers, professionals and novices alike, use the short, stiff, pop-up rig, Well I think it’s practically tangle free, presents the bait perfectly over any type of bottom debris and carp find it very hard to eject because of its inherent stiffness and curve. It also suits itself to the type of winter fishing I am doing which is on medium sized waters with a lot of leaves and branches on the lake bed due to the amount of trees around the lake and this means that I need a rig to sit on top of this.

Now, the chod rig is a specialised pop-up presentation and has to be tied carefully using the correct components. A stiff material in this case, I like to use Korda Mouthtrap which is now an absolute must in my tackle bag because it allows you to form that all-important curve that helps spin the hook into prime hooking position when touched by a carp. It also needs to be used in conjunction with a mega-buoyant pop-up. Anglers have experimented using it coupled with a bottom bait, but it’s nowhere near as effective.

Components Needed
  • Korda Mouthtrap or similar material 
  • Chod type Hook 
  • Size-11 Ring Swivel 
  • Small Rig Ring 
  • Lighter 
  • Chod-It Tool or Pulla Tool 
  • Dark Matter Putty 

Rig 3 - Multi rig
Multi RigThe best part of the Multi-Rig is its extreme versatility and the way you are able to fish it in any situation. The loop at the hook end not only adds stiffness to the rig, but it also allows you to change hook and bait at the drop of a hat. Just take the large loop up and over the point of the hook and slide the hook off, it couldn't be simpler. The multi rig can be used as a bottom-bait presentation too. The angle created when you use a bottom-bait hook like a Wide Gape helps flip the hook into position to take hold in the bottom lip.

The stiffness that the doubled section of braid creates is key to the hooking efficiency of the rig as is the angle that the Chod style hook sits at on the loop. When fished critically balanced, or slightly overweighted, the multi rig kicks the hook bait away from the lead each and every time, giving excellent presentation. The little break in the coating allows the rig to spin and catch hold when sucked in by a fish.

Components Needed
  • Your choosen Hook link material 
  • Chod style Hook
  • Small Rig Ring to attach the bait
  • Split Shot and Dark Matter Putty or both if required

Anyway that's it for now so tight lines and keep fishing. If you need to any questions answered then please contact me.

The Eastern Carper

Friday, 28 November 2014

Put more fish on the bank this winter- Version 2



Hello and welcome back to my blog, I am sorry I wasn't able to upload a blog yesterday as something came up which meant I wasn't able to post anything. But today I am going to another 'put more fish on the bank this winter'. As I thought that there was still a lot more to say on the subject I have decided to go ahead and write up on more ways to improve your catch reports this winter.

With changing of the seasons from autumn to winter here are some top carp fishing tips fro
m me to you to help you catch some fish in the weeks ahead. 

1. Try to fish on water all winter -
I am really looking forward to autumn and early winter. Due to the amount of time I have had recently to spend on the bank, I have been changing from one local water to another all year in an effort to make the most of the time available, and even though I have caught some stunning looking fish I have chosen to fish one lake for my entire winter campaign. This is something that I would advise anyone thinking of fishing a lake in the winter to do as you are able to get to know where the fish like to be at certain time, you know which swims produce in certain weathers and you get the fish to the bait you are using, this is the reason I stick to one bait. All of these small things added together add up to you catching more fish and hopefully better fish. When choosing a lake choose one that has a good record in the winter that isn't to far to travel so you are able to do day sessions as well as overnighters. 


2. Choose you bait carefully - The first thing to consider when choosing a bait in winter is if the carp or fish are actually going to eat it when the water temperature drops. Oily baits and boilies that worked so well in the summer can definitely work against you in the winter! I found this out the hard way many moons ago. My winter bait of choice is Mainlines Cell or Nash's Amber strawberry which works well in rivers as the carp are used to feeding on bread left over from people feeding the duck. In low water temperatures all bait will take longer to start working and releasing all their locked-in attractors. 

So, one way to help speed up the process is to squash each boilie before I throw them in. This gets the boilies leaking their attractants quicker and also ensures the baits flutter down through the water and settle gently on top of any debris that might be hidden on the bottom such as dead leaves or silt.



It's no good spending time searching for and finding moving fish unless you are prepared to move yourself3. Observation - The last thing to consider next time you are by the lake is observation. Just one sighting of fish activity can turn a blank session or even a complete winter season around.Binoculars definitely come in handy on some of the larger gravel pits, especially during the colder months when it can be very hard to see carp showing amongst hundreds of birds.Remember though, there’s no point in watching carp show or bubbles breaking the surface through your binoculars if you are not prepared to make the effort and move all your kit so the fish are within casting distance. So in summary keep looking and keep mobile. 

That is all for today's tips so tight lines and keep fishing and remember, you cant catch carp without being on the bank. 

The Eastern Carper

Wednesday, 26 November 2014

Tackle review on The Nash scope rods

Hello and welcome to the first tackle review on this blog, today I am going to be looking at a product that has changed my fishing since its release and although it might not be the newest product out Nash have just announced the new additions to the already excellent range of products. 

So what's different about the scope rods, well for one they are alot shorter than a conventional carp rod of 12 or 13 feet and this gives me a advantage on the waters I fish where the fish are normally tight into bays and very over looked and uncared for area of the lake and these rods allow me to get into these small holes in the bushes alot stealthier and quieter than I could with a 12 ft rod. I know alot of people reading this will think that because the rod is shorter then they can not be as strong as a normal rod but actually I have found that they are some of the toughest but most forgiving rods I have used. They are just as good and accurate at chucking a 4oz lead 150 yards as any normal rod would be an they are also great for when the fish is right under the rod tip as they have a great tip action to them. I believe so much in them I see no need to use anything apart from them unless I absolutely have to that's how good I think they are.

Scope Rods
The biggest benefit of a rod like this is the weight and how easy it is to carry with you when ever you go fishing. Because they are so light you hardly feel them whether you put them in a rod holdall with other rods or whether to are just taking the rods and a small bag for a short session they suit both situations perfectly. they can be stored in the boot of your car ready to go for them days when you suddenly find yourself with time to spare and you fancy getting a carp on the bank. 

The rods come in a variety of lengths and test curves which means that they can suit almost any fishing that you are likely to do in the UK and on some venues abroad. To have a look at all of the rods available check out http://www.nashtackle.co.uk/products/view/scope-rods

If you would like to see someone using them to their best abilities then look no further than Alan Blair. He uses the Scope rods in alot of his videos including the ever popular Urban Banx. I will leave to Nash TV's channel at the bottom of the blog so you can all see what a great rod they are, but that is it for now so tight lines and keep fishing. 

Rating - 9/10 
Value for money - 9/10

The Eastern Carper


Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Put more fish on the bank this winter

Hello an welcome back to my blog, this time I will be discussing my tips and tricks to increase your catch rate in the coming months. We all know that winter carping is one of the hardest times of year to get a bite let alone bank a fish but i hope this will give you a few tips to help solve this problem. 

Top 5 tips to increase your catch rate: 


1) If possible fish a local water - Fishing a local water is a real advantage; visit it as often as possible. Watch the water and if you see a carp keep it to yourself. If you see a couple of fish show in a certain spot then pay extra attention to this area as they are likely to be in and around this area, this could be because the water is deeper than the rest of the lake, there might be more natural food and the water might be warmer from a moored boat or this could be where the sun spends most of the time which warms the water up quicker and the carp are attracted to these spots, so do you homework and checkout good looking spots.
Always watch the water and follow the carp.2) Find the fish - This is one of the most vital things to do when fishing in the winter but it is also the most difficult part of winter carp fishing as the the fish tend to be very localised. Finding the fish is crucial to success the fish will not move to you in the winter. Putting out a bed of bait and hoping to attract fish will not work on most waters. If you find the fish then the results that can be had are amazing. The way to find this fish is to spend alot of time at the water looking for jumping fish, bubbles where they are feeding or other signs of fish but you could also ask other people that fish the lake and see what the catch patterns are like, such as time they are being caught, location on the lake, rigs and also bait they are using. All of these will help you catch more fish.  
3) Get the bait and baiting situation correct - Far too many people ruin their winter chances before they even cast out by putting too much bait in whilst they are fishing. In the winter the fish don't want to feed as much as they are not using up as much energy as in summer or spring, this means you need less bait. I like to use a high attract but also high nutritional value bait that is good for the fish and keeps them coming back for more, In the winter I use Mainlines Hybrid as i think its an excellent bait for that time for year. I tend to put in around 50 baits at the start of a session over a large area to hopefully intercept more fish than if I fished a tight patch of bait and then i fish bright pop-ups over the top to draw the fishes attention if they are in the area. A top tip is to soak your hookbaits in Korda's goo as this increases the attraction and appeal to the carp in the area at the time.
4) Don’t be put off by the conditions -  I have spent literally thousands of hours keeping records and trying to find feeding patterns. I have come to the conclusion that there are no patterns.On mild days with a south westerly I have often felt confident and not had so much as a beep, whereas on freezing cold days, when it is a real effort to make yourself go I have had multiple catches.If anything I have found cold frosty days, with no wind, to be slightly better. Sometimes when a water is just starting to freeze can be a could time, is it that the fish know and are having a little nibble to tide them over?
5) Use rigs you are confident with - If you use rigs that you are confident with and have caught fish in the past as you know that the fish can be fooled by this rig, on tip though is to scale down as much as possible so I will use the smallest hook and lightest hooklink I can get away with for the fish I am catching and this also means matching the hook to the bait I am using. I like to use Korda's supernatural personally with their new krank hooks as I want the hook to turn as quickly as possible when its sucked in. So keep it simple and don't over complicate the rigs just because you have seen other people doing it, just adapt a rig you like and you will be fine. 
Anyway that's if for now so tight lines and keep fishing.
The Eastern Carper

Monday, 24 November 2014

Winter tactics to get you catching again

Hello and welcome back to The carp addicts blog, this time we will be talking about the best and my favourite rigs to catch a large variety of winter fish from rivers and lake up and down the UK. In the winter some people think that the fish are unable to be caught but with the right rigs and correct approach winter can be one of the best times to catch a new PB, with fish like carp up at their biggest weights and waiting to be caught, so lets get onto my top 3 winter rigs.

1. River fishing - At number one it is one of my all time favourite rigs for winter fishing for Roach, Bream, Dace and Perch as well as the many other species that live in our rivers, When the river temperature drops and the fish become a lot less interested in feeding then  I like to move onto the pole a it offers me greater accuracy and precision baiting to draw the fish into a small area around my hook bait. I like to fish with a small float such the Middy Silver fish ultimate 2, fished with the thinnest line I can get away with and the smallest hook possible to match the size of fish as well as the hook bait, and for hook bait i choose Pinkies or Hemp seed as I feel it gives my the best chance to catch a few fish on the day. 

2. Still water Carping - As the water begins to cool down i tend to find my self using less and less bait each session as i feel that i am only fishing for one fish at a time and if to much bait goes in at one then this lowers the chances of me getting a stunning winter carp on the bank. My favourite tactic for the past few winters has been maggot and boilie fishing. I will buy as many maggots as i need for the session and freeze these in a airtight bag to kill them as this tends to stop the smaller silverfish feeding on them and then once they are thawed out I will mix them with some 12mm and 16mm Cell in a bucket and i am ready to go, I might add some extra glug or attractants but this is a very simple method. I will then spod out around 5-10 spods to deepish area of water and fish 2-3 rods in this area. the rigs are so simple as well, its just a length of braid with a hook and a bait attached. Could it get any simpler than that.

3. Commercials - Now this is one for everyone, everyone has or is fishing a commercial type fishery as they provide fishing for various species from carp to tiny bleak or gudgeon an they also have plenty of fish in them which means good fishing even in the depths of winter, however they are not easy places to fish sometimes which is why when they days get shorter and the water gets colder you need to think about the methods and bait you are using. In the winter I tend to use a tiny method feeder as it provides a great presentation as well as being able to cast it quite a distance. I like to use small pellets such as Sonu-baits krill or F1 2mm pellets and then cover them in boiling water and leave them for 5-10 minutes and then they are perfect to mould around the feeder. I will always use short hooklinks as well because i feel it gives me a better chance of getting a bite when all else fails. In terms of hookbaits I use Small 10mm or 8mm fluro pop-ups or bottom baits as they catch the fishes eye quickly meaning they are the first thing the fish will pick up, Hopefully.

Anyway thats it for now so tight lines and keep fishing

The Eastern Carper

Sunday, 23 November 2014

Winter Carping essentials

Hello and welcome to the second blog in what I hope is a series of many. this time I will be explaining some of my essential pieces of kit that I take on any winter trip. From Tackle to clothing I will list and explain my top 5 as well as having a look at my favourite go anywhere winter rig.

So my top 5 pieces of kit for winter, well now the days are getting shorter and darker by the minute i tend to find my self doing short day sessions and this means that moving around is the biggest part of the day and this means that during some sessions I will be walking for up to 2-3 hours just trying to give my self the best chance of hooking a fish. So with this in mind here is my top 5 items for winter that are in my tackle bag 100 % of the time.

1. Waterproof clothing and footwear - As I said I spend alot of time moving around the lake or river that I am fishing and this means that I will need to keep dry and warm on them days where the rain will just not stop and this is where this piece of kit becomes vital. My favourite footwear at the moment are the TF Gear Thermo-Tex boots, they are warm and extremely waterproof and great value for money. 

2. Bright Pop-ups - These are the main item of tackle and bait that I don't go anywhere without, they allow me to present a bait over any silt or dead leaves on the bottom and they also provide me with a target hook bait if I choose to fish over a spread of boilies. My favourites for winter are the Northern specials from CC more as they are proven fish catchers and have long lasting buoyancy.

3. Stove - This item is one of the most important items in peoples bag and although I don't drink tea or coffee I am still able to get something warm to eat which helps to keep your body temperature up and allows you to focus on your fishing, it also means that you can shrink the shrink tube down on a new rig should you need to do so. 

4. Solid bags - This is my number one method for winter, as the water temp drops the fish start to feed less and less and this means that a small parcel of bait is the best option. I like to fish it with a
small inline lead, short hooklink and a 12mm or 15mm pop-up and my favourite bait to fill the bag with is Little Gems from Hinders. They offer great attraction to get them fish homing in on the area. 

5. Zig making kit - Yes you read that right, and most of you are probably thinking, have you gone mad, but actually in the winter carp will spend most of their time around 2-3 feet of the lake bed and if you can place a bait in this layer then you are likely to get that alarm sounding again. So next time you are out on the bank try the zigs.

Anyway thats it for now, I will share a picture of the most recent winter zig caught carp, and i think you will agree its a stunner but for now tight lines and keep fishing.

The Eastern Carper

First Blog

Hello and welcome to my first blog, after my other account decided to delete all of the others I had posted, anyway this will just be a short blog to let you know what to expect and my future plans.

So I will be posting 1-2 blogs a day depending on my recent experiences and fishing trips, these will include tips, tactics and advise for every type of angler around the UK . I will also try and post a review on a new piece of tackle every week, depending on the tackle that is released.

So what going to happen in the future, well I hope that this blog will become a very helpful and successful blog for any angling ability around the UK, but that can only be achieved with the help and support of the people reading this blog. So please keep checking this page daily for new blogs and please feel free to contact me with any tackle reviews that you would like to see as well as any general questions you have for me to answer.

I will leave it there for now but there will be a new blog posted tomorrow for you to read so please have a look at that but for now tight lines and keep fishing.

The Eastern Carper