DH FISHING |
I never could get my head around paying £13 a spool for hooklength material, maybe i'm just tight, but with so many options out there in terms of braided materials, i felt settling with one product was best for me. The Kameleon is a coated 'two tone' camou braid that changes colour every few inches to help it blend in to the lakebed and this is what makes it so versatile - not to mention the price is miles cheaper than many of the products out there at £4.99 (give or take) a spool and Suffix is a tried and tested brand that has been about for years! The beauty of the Kameleon is you can use it with or without the coating and the two tone colour means you can use it on light coloured lakebeds, but when you are fishing over darker stuff, the dark green sections blend in well - or you can do what i do and do the old marker trick and colour them in! This saves on having to buy 3 or 4 different colours of hooklink material to suit different fishing situations! I use it in 25lb, for all of the rigs i like to use and when stripped back i've found it to be nice and flexible, but not so much so tangles are a risk. Not once has it let me down. More recently i also decided to give the Camo Skin a go, also in 25lb and i have been equally impressed. The Camo Skin is slightly different to the Kameleon in that it has a continuous colour and i've found it to be slightly less stiff with the coating on, but just as easy to work with either way. So all in all, if you are looking for a hooklink material that won't break the bank and won't let you down then i'd seriously recommend looking at these or any other products from the Suffix stable. All good tackle shops will stock it.
Tight lines, Dan
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As i got more and more in to my Carp fishing, it became clear to me i needed to upgrade in the bite indication department. I had always had cheap 'roller wheel' alarms and whilst they had served me well, the versitility of more expensive alarms on the market was all too appealing. I went in to the market for something 'middle of the road' and after reading many different views and opinions on alarms, there is no doubt the most popular is the Delkim range. I couldn't afford the Txi's and figured there was no point in me getting the plus model either. So i settled for the base model 'EV' and to put it in a nutshell, i'll never look back! (If i ever upgrade it would be to Txi's). The Delkim range utilises vibration sensing technology, where a small 'Y' shaped sensor detects the vibration created by the line moving over it. It is infact that sensitve, that on the highest sensitivity setting, you can blow very slightly on it and it will set it off!
The alarm can also have the volume and tone adjusted to suit the anglers personal preference and it is all operated by the little blue button on the front (The higher models have a switch in the bottom corner). Simply hold down, until you hear 3 beeps to switch on, same again until you hear one beep to turn off. There are a whole host of accessories to go with these alarms, that are compatible right through the range, including Hard Cases, Snag Ears, Lock Systems to allow quick removal on and off banksticks, Recievers and loads more to customise your set up to your hearts content. The EV's retail for around £55 give or take, with the slightly more expensive plus and Txi models going for around £85 and £120 respectively. For more information on these great bits of kit visit www.delkim.co.uk for videos and professional reviews. Tight lines, Dan Well, it had been the best part of 12 weeks since i last stepped foot out on my 'Unfinished Business' campaign, owing to breaking my leg and the desire to re-visit the scene of my 'little accident' was beginning to get the better of me.
A culmination of not feeling up to it and weather has held me back in the past fortnight and after this weeks plummet in temperatures, it looked set to hold me back again. However thanks to a quick reccy from a good mate, i recieved the news i wanted to hear.... the lake had no lid. So off i trundled this morning, knowing that with a good 6-8" of Ice cold extra water in, i would be up against it. I went in fishing on the bottom to begin with. One rod on an Xcel Baits Yellow Banoffee Fluoro and the other on a VNF pop up, both with 20 or so VNF 16mm Freezer bait over the top. For the first hour and a half i sat and watched the water for signs of life and not long after the rods were out a fish had crashed out, which was good to see. A short while after, the ripple on the lake suddenly ebbed and revealed all i needed to know. There were Carp everywhere infront of me, but i couldn't see them beforehand due to the sun still being low in the sky. All moving very lethargically about 2-3ft under the surface. I found myself in a bit of a conundrum, as a didn't want to wind in and spook them by doing the sensible thing and whacking a zig out.... but in the end i gave in and did it anyway, with an White Xcelerate Fluoro pop up my choice of bait. I opted to leave the VNF rod alone and did my best to get the zig out in the area without spooking the fish. Although they did drift out of the area for a bit, they did come back so i was hopeful of a take. Long and short, i watched numerous fish ignore the zig time and time again and when 2 fish slowly mooched over a baited patch in the margin without so much as a hint of a pause, i felt they simply weren't interest in a feed so i decided to call it a day. Nice to be back out though after them, despite the lack of fish on the bank. Having a dabble on a stretch of Canal next weekend for silverfish, which i'll write a blog on, so look out for that. Tight lines, Dan. I thought i'd stick with the 'Vale of York' theme, with the reviews and this time concentrate on a place which needs no introduction to most of the Yorkshire 'scene', as Elvington has been a popular fishery for a long time. Located a few minutes outside of Wheldrake, Elvington is a lovely lake, lined with lily's and mature overhanging trees. With plenty of depth, it is home to a wide array of fish including Tench, Bream, Roach, Rudd, Eels and of course, what it has become known for: Carp and Catfish. The lake holds a very good head of Carp, with a large proportion of them being 10lb+, running to mid 20's and as such Elvington is a good venue if you're after a few less runs, with the chance of better fish. I wouldn't say it was 'easy', but on the right day, with the right approach multiple fish captures are common. The Catfish do come out fairly regularly too, with fish present to over 40lbs! Elvington is quite a popular venue, so it's wise to get there early for opening time at 6:45am, as there is a caravan area on site it can be quite busy in the summer, although on one of my visits with my fishing buddy Matt, we did go in 'peak season', but had the lake to ourselves most of the day. The owners do stipulate, that the early riser is quiet upon entering the fishery, out of respect for the caravaners. The biggest i've managed to bag has been the 17lb 10oz Common pictured above, off the surface. When the weather is nice, it is a good surface venue, so i would keep that in mind for sure.
Day tickets are priced at £6 for one rod, £7 for two or more, so the fishing is very reasonably priced. If you'd like more information on the fishery, then visit www.elvingtonfisheries.co.uk where a full rule list and description of the fishery can be found. For those that fish on day ticket waters, Elvington is a cracking lake, with some cracking fish and i can't wait for my next visit! Tight lines, Dan Westerly Lake is a lovely picturesque little pool i first had the good fortune to fish a couple of years ago. With it's central Island and its overhanging willows, it is a nice place to spend a day if you are a Coarse or a Carp Angler. The lake caters for all types of anglers with most species of fish, including Carp to over 20lbs, good Roach, Bream, Tench, Crucians and also Chub. I personally have only really Carp fished it and have had Carp to just shy of 10lbs and plenty of them, with the vast majority being very hard fighting Commons. The bigger ones are there, it's just getting through the smaller fish! The venue does have good potential for big Roach, having managed a fish at 1lb 6oz after hearing rumours they were there to catch. The owner is an approachable guy and keeps the place immaculate at all times and the rules in place on the fishery are fairly standard with those of most Coarse Fisheries. If you're after somewhere to try for Coarse fish or just for a few runs off Carp, where size doesn't matter, whilst in a nice environment, then i'd definitely reccommend Westerly.
The lake opens at 7am and Tickets are £6 for one rod, £8 for two. After 8pm they can be bought from the lodge. For more information and a full rules list please visit www.westerlylake.co.uk Tight Lines, Dan If there was one venune in Yorkshire that i wish was just that bit closer to home it would be Majestic Pool, owned by East Yorkshire Carp Anglers Phil Sainty and Danny Fletcher. Majestic is a picturesque lake, reedlined with plenty of features to go at. I've only actually fished the place three times and i do regret not being able to get over more. I remember going down there when the very first work to develop the lake in to a Carp Fishery began and i can't wait to get back and fish it again (and i definitely will this year!) as it has been too long. Majestic was kind to me, as it yielded my first ever 20lb Carp caught by design off the bottom (My previous 20's had been off the surface elswhere) aswell as 3 other fish to just short of 20lbs on subsequent sessions. I've continued to watch on with interest through social media as the fishery has flourished and as the residents, stocked in 2009 have gone from strength to strength. Majestic now sits probably as the best day ticket Carp Water in East Yorkshire and has an absolutely brilliant head of fish. Without doubt it ranks among the best for 20lb+ fish, with some absolute crackers to boot. The owners now estimate that within the depths of the 3 acre pool there are now around 120 fish and an estimated 75% of those are all over 20lbs, with 25 of those being in excess of 25lbs, topped by a particular handful of fish, one of which has done 30lbs and the others are estimated to top the magical weight going forward in to 2015! The lake is run on a booking system, with no looking around without prior arrangement. There are 8 pegs available and only 6 anglers are allowed on at any one time to give anglers plenty of room. Prices are £20/24hrs, £40/48hrs, £55/48hrs, with 12hr day or overnight tickets priced at £15. The lake is also bookable exclusively. For a full list of rules you can visit www.majestic-pool.com and to book on call 07764988293 or 07904079647.
If you are after a nice lake, run by Carp Anglers, for Carp Anglers, with 20lb+ fish a regular occurence, then i'd strongly reccommend giving Majestic a try. Tight Lines, Dan This rig was one i'd seen get raved about, both on the TV, in video's and in angling publications. It has a multitude of uses and can be used with different bait arrangements, but it's main purpose is to present a popped up bait and is often used in conjunction with a 'solid bag'. This can be a simple pop up boilie, wafter or snowman arrangement. Although it is used with a 'hair', the way it is tied means the hair exits the shank of the hook at an acute angle, as opposed to your bog standard 'hair rig' set up. The aim is to ultimately create a balanced bait, where the hookbait sinks slowly under the weight of the hook and a shot, so that the hook comes to rest flat on the lakebed, while the bait hovers above. Ideally the rig is best used on fairly clean areas of lakebed. So how do you tie it up? 1) Take your choice of hook - a Curved Shank pattern is the norm for this rig. Also take a length of hooklength material. I use Suffix Kameleon or Camo Skin in 25lb. 2) Strip back a 3" section of your hooklength material if it is coated. As with the Multi rig you may need to strip less if you are a more proficient rig tier! Form a small, overhand loop in the end to form the hair. I've tied it a little larger for the purpose of the guide so it is all clear. 3) Pass the hooklength material through the 'back' of the eye (Side facing away from the shank of the hook), until you have the desired length of hair to accept your bait. You will also need to leave around 10-15mm free between where your hookbait would sit and the eye of the hook (This ultimately is where the shot will go, to finish the rig off and gain the presentation you require), but it depends on how far you would like your bait sat off the bottom. 4) Trap the hair against the shank, take the hooklength and begin to whip up the shank of the hook to tie a normal knotless knot, but after a couple of whips pull the hair out and away from the shank, before going around it with the hooklength and continuing to whip up the shank. This creates the unique angle with how the hair comes away from the shank (See below). 5) Once you've whipped up the shank your preferred amount of times (7-8 times is fine, but if you are casting long ranges and attaching PVA bags you may want to whip a few more times to keep everything straight and secure. Big casts can pull the hair out of position if not), pass the hook length back through the back of the hook eye as normal. With practice you are aiming for the 'uncoated section' of the hooklength mentioned in point 2 to finish around 10mm away from the hook eye. This aids in the movement of the rig once in use. Attach a swivel/link loop to the other end of the rig and at this stage the rig is pretty much complete. You can add putty to the hooklength if you wish, to pin it down once in use and to aid in hooking. You can see in the image below to coated and uncoated sections of the hooklength. 6) You can then mount your bait and attach your shot to anchor it down once in use. Generally a BB will be sufficient, but with custom hookbaits you could alter the buoyancy so the hookbait does not require as much weight to anchor it down. When the bait is mounted, the rig should look like this (The bait is a 14mm Xcel Baits Banoffee pop up). For the purpose of this guide i've tied the hair up slightly long so everything is clear. This rig nails fish really well and on the occasions i have used it and can't recall ever dropping a fish on it. If i know 100% the spot i am fishing is clean and i wanted the hook out of the way on the deck, whilst fishing a pop up, this is what i would turn to.
Tight lines, Dan I was first shown this rig a few years ago by Northeast angler Paul Scott, whilst i was struggling getting my head around fishing in a situation that was new to me. The first night i used the rig, it was 2-0 to me and i have used it ever since for most of my Carp fishing. The simplicity and versatility of the rig is why it is so good and it has been written about in many of the angling magazines in the past few years. It re-sets well and i have found it to really nail fish - I can honestly say i've lost very few fish on it since i began using it. For presenting pop ups, it's my favourite rig. So, how do you tie it up? 1) Take a length of your chosen hooklength material. I tend to use Suffix Kameleon or Camo Skin in 25lb. This is a coated material. 2) Strip back around 3" and tie an overhand loop in the braid you have just exposed (I'm all fingers and thumbs so i always strip plenty back - the more proficient rig tier won't need to strip as much). The loop will be used to attach the hook and with practice you are aiming for the coated part of the braid to finish just above the knot you have just created. This aids in the rigs movement once in use due to the short bit of exposed, uncoated material near the knot. Ensure the loop isn't too small, otherwise it will not slide over the hook! (You can tailor the size of the loop to suit how far you want your bait to sit off the bottom) 3) Take your choice of hook and a bore ring/screw (My preference is to use a bore ring/screw but you can also use a micro swivel or a rig ring). The hook in the image below is a Sz.8 PB Products Chod just for reference. You can also use this rig with curved shank and widegape patterns, but generally the Chod is the 'go to' pattern. 4) Thread the loop you made before through the eye of the hook from the inside (point side). At this point, thread on your preferred item for bait attachment (Bore screw/micro swivel/rig ring) and then pass the loop over the hook to 'lassoo' the hook in place. 5) To finish the rig off, attach the other end of the rig to a swivel, link loop or whatever it is you prefer to use via a Palomar Knot. You could include an anti tangle sleeve at the swivel end if you were that way inclined to aid with kicking the rig out straight. Then place the required amount of putty around the loop knot. Adjust to suit the pop up you are using. 6) Attach your bait and off you go! The business end of the finished rig should look like this... If anyone decides to give the rig a go on the back of reading this, then good luck and i hope you bag some crackers on it.
Tight lines, Dan. Whilst i have be edging my way in to world of Carp rigs it became apparent to me very quickly that the possibilities with rigs are endless, which lead me to conclude i needed to nail down a couple of specific 'go to' rigs for the lions share of my fishing - and what hooks to use with them. With hooks i'm open to trying different types from different manufacturers, but over the past 18 months i have settled on PB Products Chod Pattern, Fox SR's, Drennan Super Specialist's and Gardner Mugga's. I have found all four of them to be reliable for fishing Multi rigs, blow back set ups and KD's respectively. PB's Chod I've landed the vast majority of my Carp on these hooks throughout the past 18 months, as with my favourite rig being the multi-rig they are perfect for the job. I've found them to be very sharp and also quite resistant to blunting easily and as a consequence i've dropped hardly any fish at all on them. I have also found these to be spot on for surface fishing due to the actuely out turned eye, when sidehooking baits. They are also very well priced at £3.99 per pack. Fox Arma Point SR I got on to these hooks more recently having been advised that they were good quality hooks. Although the Arma Point's have been around for a long while they are one hook i'd never really got round to trying until now. So far i've been happy enough with them and i intend to alternate between these and the previous pattern purely from an experimental point of view. They are slightly more expensive at £4.25, which seems to be the going rate, but they do come in a neat little clip container. Drennan Super Specialist The Super Specialists are a hook that have stood the test of time and are a favourite with many. I bought a couple of packets early 2014 to give them a try, due to having one or two issues with other brands and on the occasions i have fished bottom baits, these have served me well and i've since seen no real reason to change. They are very strong and due to the inturned eye and point they are aggressive with or without a shrink kicker. They sell for around £3.90 give or take, so are well priced. Gardner Mugga's During 2013, in among the fish i was getting using the ever reliable multi rig, the KD was also proving effective from time to time, for presenting wafters and they are also good for solid bag fishing. Gardner Mugga's need no introduction and i found them perfect for the job. They are ridiculously sharp, with a needle fine point and i have observed the points do burr quite easily, but they don't half nail the fish. Can't recall losing one on them if i'm honest! At around £4.25 a pack they are again that bit more expensive, but very effective! Loads of different manufacturers make the equivalent of the patterns above and in my opinion for 90% of your fishing they are all you are ever likely to need and will cover a whole multitude of rig situations. Simple is best and there's no real need to over-complicate things. I'll be putting together another little post detailing the rigs to use with these hooks soon.
Tight lines, Dan. In the summer of 2014 i had a niggling urge to get myself a pole again to have the option to do a bit after the silverfish from time to time when to mood took me.
Due to financial restraints i needed something strong, not too heavy and fairly rigid at full length without costing an arm and a leg. After having a look in a tackle shop i settled on the Maver Strong arm 11m, which was suitable for both fishing for small Carp and Tench when needed an on the canal too. Having now used it for a while for different fish and purposes i've found it handles Carp and Tench well but it is also good whilst after the silvers on the canal, even at full length. For under £150 it really is a great little bit of kit for the pleasure angler who doesn't need to be fishing miles out, who needs versatility. The pole has very little flex in the walls and is rated to 20+ elastics, so is more than capable of handling those big carp that inhabit our commercial fisheries. Personally i have had fish to 7 or 8lb on it. It is most definitely at home on the canal though and i have found it easy to ship and use even when wet, which can cause some poles to be a real pain to use. Weighs 976g at 11m, although with the power kits fitted you'll be fishing at around 10.5m to allow for larger elastics. Would reccommend to anyone. Tight Lines, Dan |