korum fishing made easy consumer guide 2014

FISHING MADE EASY

CONSUMER GUIDE 2014

GET 'EM GRUBBING! AN EXCITING NEW FEEDER APPROACH55NEW PRODUCTS

THE RIGS AND BAIT TO TRY N

OW!

ANDY FINDLAY ADE KIDDELL GARY KNOWLES DAI GRIBBLE CHRIS PONSFORD PHIL SPINKS SHAUN HODGES ED MATTHEWS MAT WOODS ADAM FIRTH

FEATURING

TOP TIPSALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FEEDER FISHING

SURFACE CARP IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS IN SECONDS

HUGE BREAM DISCOVER TEAM KORUM'S BIGGEST EDGES

PLUS

korum.co.ukFishing Made Easy

WEIGHS JUST

6KG

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All drawing dimensions in millimetres Tolerance 0.25 unless specified

Description:

Drawing Number:

Sheet No:

Material:

Drawn by:

Additional Information:

Preston Innovations Limited No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electrical or mechanical, including photocopying, recordings or otherwise stored in any retrieval of any nature without written permission of the copyright owner.

Preston Innovations LimitedUnit 1Highbridge CourtStafford Park 1TelfordShropshireTF3 3BDTel: +44 (0) 1952 290 520E-mail: [email protected]: www.prestoninnovations.co.uk

Date:

Chris Taylor

N/A

Bivvi

See Sheet

Sheet Size:1 A4

Colour:See Sheet

Finish:See Sheet

Scale: See Sheet

Height: 1.5mWidth: 2.2mDepth: 2m

Total Weight: 6kgComplete with groundsheet

(All measurements are approximate)

SIDE VIEW

AREA

1 man carperThe Korum 1 Man Carper is the first ever single rib shelter, saving weight and time

where it matters. Comes with groundsheet, tension bars and pegs.

features:

also:

18 get grubbingGary Knowles explains how

to make the most of your maggot fishing

32 monster breamDai Gribble shares his advice for seeking those

massive sized slabs

38 flavour zoneAndy Findlay puts his

'Flavour Zone' idea to the test on the Method feeder

42 top tipsChris Ponsford shares his

12 top tips for year round success

56 fight the flowAde Kiddell on how the simple

things can make a huge difference to your fishing

04 digging for goldMat Woods tells the story of his favourite carp capture

08 Cutting itWe join Adam Firth on a day ticket stretch of canal

14 surfaCe suCCessEd Matthews recalls a successful session with a rather impressive end!

22 monsters on the methodPhil Spinks reveals the secret to two very special recent captures

26 ultimate tenCh rigsCheck out these ultra-effective tench rig set ups

62 may the fours be with youShaun Hodges reveals the story behind his elusive 4lb perch

tips and triCksLook out throughout for our tutorials on how to set up the perfect rigs

FISHING MADE EASY 2014

korum.co.uk

3 fb.me/korum.angling

2014 cONTENTScover shot

Ade Kiddell by Adam Firth on the

River Severn at Arley

God I love fishing.

Im looking at the list of contributors to this years Korum publication and I feel like an Editor all over again. See weve taken a different approach this year, detailing the stories of our favourite captures through the year, as well as looking at the red hot tactics our

consultants are using to keep them one step ahead of everybody else. 2013 was a big year for Korum, both in terms of the fish we all caught, but also the amount of tackle we sold. A big thanks to all of you who continue to follow and support the brand, we hope were providing you with the sort of tackle you can use for years to come.

In line with the theme for this years magazine, I thought Id tell the story of one of my own special captures in 2013. Its always great bagging a new personal best its what many of us strive for but itd been a few years since I had the pleasure. Heres my story. I hope you enjoy it and all the other great content in this years mag.

Korum Brand manager and carp expert mat Woods tells the story of his favourite capture this year, as he introduces you to yet another fantastic edition of Korums fishing made easy magazine

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For details on the full Korum product range, news and videos visit:

Korum.co.uK

KorumUnit 1, Highbridge Court, Stafford Park 1, Telford,

Shropshire TF3 3BDTel: 01952 290520Fax: 01952 [email protected]

European Distribution CentrePrimo Distribution B.V.,

Kelvin Ring 27B-29, 2952 BGAlblasserdam, Netherlands

Tel: 0031 78 6999593Fax: 0031 78 6999594

All Korum products are covered by intellectual property rights.

Specifications and prices are correct as of March 2014. All specifications are approximate and may vary or be modified.

Registered in England and Wales. No. 03318338

Mat Woods

Occupation: Korum Brand ManagerFavourite venue: Weston Park

@MatWoodsKorum

FISHING MADE EASY 20144 @KorumFishing

FISHING MADE EASY 2014 welcome

I cant remember ever having so many people in my swim because of something Id caught. From guys Id just met, to people I only knew through social media, to long term pals and even work colleagues - my swim was alive with anglers, all sharing in the moment. When a creature of that magnitude is sat glistening in the sunlight, its quite easy to attract a crowd. Let me tell you why.

See Id been at Chester races on the Saturday. Stag do. Drinking from 9am till 9pm is not something I am as adept at as once upon a time, so Saturday night I was being nursed by my beloved fiance, feeling like a bag of rusty spanners. When I woke on Sunday it was as if the inebriation never happened. I felt right as rain. Why? Well, I was going fishing. The spring in my step could have put a kangaroo to shame and the car was loaded painlessly and swiftly.

I hit the road early, with plans to line my stomach with one of Julies magic breakfasts in the Baden Hall Fisheries caf. If youve not tried one, you need to. How anyone can walk past a caf by a lake I dont know. Its a rite of passage!

First, I went down the lake to see my mate Andy Blower, whod lost a fish in Peg 13. To be fair, on paper given the weather forecast where Andy was seemed bang on. Interesting, then, that I decided to go on the back of the wind. I watched the water for some time, chatting to the lads about what the fish had been up to. With the information at my disposal and the wind feeling quite chilly, I really fancied peg 6. Dont ask me why. I suppose when youve been visiting a venue regularly and catching a few which I had you have an extra sense for that sort of thing. I actually would have rather gone in Peg 5, but it was occupied. 6 it was!

It turned out the guy in Peg 5 had caught a 30lber, his first ever. As the session progressed I got to know this chap and his son much better. What a true gent and countryman. Whilst he hadnt been fishing very long, he was open about the fact and eager to learn. Very refreshing! I got the impression Dave had never told a lie in his life. Another great character in the chapters of my carp fishing I hope we cross paths again. Too many are quick to judge guys like Dave, but we all started somewhere. Good luck to him, and his lad. With the inner-hunter type instincts they had and an eagerness to better themselves, theyre sure to be carp anglers for a very long time.

Anyway, I digress. After securing Peg 6, I went for breakfast and felt a billion times better for it. Back down the lake Andy kindly gave me the last of his milk (it was the only thing Id forgotten in my haste) and I was soon raring to go with the marker rod. I knew from last year that somewhere out there was a raised area. Chances were it would be weeded over, but if there was a small clear area amongst

the weed, I was intending to find it. As it turned out, it was quite easily found. A big weed bed to the left marked the edge of the spot. Long of this was just much deeper and it was the same shorter of the area, whilst to the right it was clear, but a bit softer. More of a soft duff on the lead, rather than a firm thonk!

With the wind off my back and easing down a little, I took the lapse in weather to empty a bucket of bait on the spot. I endeavoured to be as accurate as possible. Any Boilie Rocket going off target was stopped to land 30yds out. Accuracy is playing a huge role in my fishing, so I try not to let my lack of talent let me down!

As I baited with a mix of hemp, casters and Sonubaits Code Red Boilie crumb, fish crashed just 10yds away! I am sure they were taking some of the floating casters in my mix. Crafty devils! As I usually do, I left the spot to simmer for a good couple of hours. I really took my time getting the rods marked out around the Yard Sticks, getting

new rigs on. I do this quite often. Seeing as how the fish were obviously in the area, it made sense. Im sure leaving the spot un-fished gets a few fish mooching around, looking for danger. If they dont confront any, Im sure these fish return more confident later on.

After the mother of all downpours, I prepared my rigs. Id caught on the Jester rig all year its three maggots on top of a pop-up. I was also testing the Korum Carp Leaders, the brown colour was perfect for the Baden lakebed. Happy with my setups, I popped two rigs on the spot and sat back to watch. Roy and I talked cobblers as usual and the fish did their usual Sunday afternoon disappearing act. Had I spooked them?

As night fell, all I did was recast the rods. By 7pm I was fast asleep. Itd been an especially busy time at Korum HQ. Id worked numerous consecutive weekends for the Club Korum Fish Camp project and given it was the first time Id actually just stopped for some time, I was out like a light.

Everyone forgot about this 22lb mirror!

Digging ForGoldas i Baited With a mix of hemp, casters and sonuBaits code red Boilie crumB, fish crashed just 10 yards aWay! i am sure they Were taKing some of the floating casters in my mix. crafty devils! mat woods

korum.co.uk


mat woods DIGGING FOr GOlD

The carp cant resist the wriggling maggots | A breakaway lead is a great way to check for weed | Mats rig, a great option for day ticket carp venues

Mats swim Lots of open water to target

Some time in the wee hours, my bedchair was soon creaking itself into life, when the left hand alarm woke me, the bobbin dropping to the floor. Bream I thought. I wound down in the fish and played it in quite easily. No histrionics, no worry. As I came to my senses a little, I remembered being told the big common doesnt really fight. My leg instantly started shaking. See the fish of my desires the venues big common usually comes out on its own, the captor only ever having this one fish during their session. Because of this, my first bite usually results in me breathing a little heavier than usual!

As I came into better contact with the fish close in, I knew it was a chunk. Theres something about the way bigger fish move through the water and the way it feels through the rod, its so obvious. After a tense tussle and a little knit-one, pearl-one with the other rod, I saw my first glimpse. It was quite clearly a mahoosive common carp. My whole body began to shake. Both from anticipation and the fact it was much colder outside than in my sleeping bag!

As I lead the fish towards the net, muttering Dont fall off, dont fall off I lifted the handle and the huge bar of gold was mine. I somehow knew Id just caught my biggest ever carp.

The fish had sort of beached itself in the shallow water. As I took a better look, I was literally at boiling point; ready to erupt and shout the most obscene amount of profanity Staffordshire has ever heard!

When I clocked a missing scale in the centre of its flank, it was like the music stopped. Like the needle skipped straight off the record. I recognised it as the other big common, not the big common. Rather than running around like a headless flea I calmly let out a much more serene Oh yes Woodsy! I was still over the moon and still vibrating like a giddy fool. What a truly remarkable creature.

I lifted the beast from the water and knew it was bigger than the last time I saw it. I was still shaking, so my initial weighing ceremony was about as useful as a chocolate teapot. In the end, I used my landing net handle resting across my shoulder and a tree branch for a settled reading of exactly 38lb. A new personal best. OH YES! My ears circumnavigated my head as they span a gazillion revolutions around my rapidly melting brain. What a feeling!

I popped the fish into the Recovery Sling for photographs in the daylight and jumped straight back into the sleeping bag, grabbing my phone to text Amy and send a few tweets.

Steve Fitzpatrick from Angling Times was still awake, having just sent the paper off late to get the World Champs details in. Turned out I was on the cover too, having written a feature about the exact rig Id been catching on. Spooky!

I wasnt back asleep long, as another take had me down by the rods. This time, the battle was even less enthusiastic and a nice patchy 22lb mirror was in the net before I knew it. A successful night, and with my Korum colleague Adam Firth due in the morning anyway, the timing couldnt have been better.

By morning, the whole world had sent me a tweet, text or rang to pass on their congratulations. What very few of them knew, however, was how jaw-smashingly gorgeous the leviathan inside the sling was. I popped my waders on for the photos, and had a parade of people in the swim. Ive got so many pictures Im spoilt for choice! Big thanks to Roy, Adam, Ryan, Dave and everyone else who helped with the photographs. Im over the moon with the shots.

We had some great banter as I held the golden bar of sunshine up for the cameras, all mesmerized by its immaculate condition. I can think of only one better looking common carp in all the world this ones big sister!


DIGGING FOr GOlD mat woods

As we sent her on her way, I gave her a kiss on the back with the classic old school pose, and punched the air. My hand got shook off the end of my arm and there was even some man-hugging going on. The rather poignant words Baden Gold were uttered many times.

Back in the swim, I seemed to be the only one who knew there was still a 22lber to be photographed. As I turned back to face the lads, all I saw was Roy and Adam jump about 3ft off the ground, eyes bulging as I heard an enormous carp crash behind me. I didnt see it. Im sort of glad.

That was definitely the big common. Oh my God! said Roy. Thats the biggest carp Ive ever seen, said Adam. Quite clearly, the big girl was mocking me. And just 20 yads right of my baited area, too! If Id seen it, it would haunt me every day, so I just have to make do with the memory of the noise.

The pictures of the 22 were quite jovial. It looked like a right scamp compared to the 38, bless him. Lovely fish, mind, and had it been the only one of the trip Id have been happy enough. As I said there and then It wouldnt be Baden without a token Baden Hall 22lb-er! Id been getting one every trip!

Everyone departed my swim and it was just me, sitting looking at the pictures on mine and Adams cameras. Roys shots were equally impressive you literally couldnt choose the best shot from any of them.

My phone went into meltdown again as the ripples of the capture leaked out. And then it dawned on me. Wed got work to do! Always the story, but I wouldnt have it any other way. Id had my moment in the sun, holding up a tremendous and truly inspiring common carp. Mustnt grumble!

38lb and a new UK personal best. Jaw-dropping

RodsAvid 12ft DSK

ReelsAvid Custom Control

Main Line14lb Xpert Reel Line

LeaderXpert Carp Leader, brown

End TackleXpert Carp Lead Clip

RigXpert Braid with Xpert Specimen hook

FloatMarker Float

Shelter1 Man Carper

mats

tacKle

as We sent her on her Way, i gave her a Kiss on the BacK With the classic old school pose, and punched the air. my hand got shooK off the end of my arm and there Was even some man-hugging going on. the rather poignant Words Baden gold Were uttered many times. mat woods

korum.co.uk


mat woods DIGGING FOr GOlD

Itadam firth

Occupation: Media CoordinatorFavourite venue: Shropshire

Syndicate Lake

@AdamFirthKorum

adam firth is an angler Who has to maKe the

most of the time he has availaBle. We join him on

a day ticKet stretch of canal Where he hopes a

Well-planned recce trip Will maKe his suBsequent

day session even more memoraBle


cuTTING IT adam firth

Nestled in the heart of south Staffordshire is some of the most enjoyable canal carping available in the UK.

One angler eager to get some more canal carp under his belt is media man Adam Firth. Like many, his time is vastly limited by having a young family and a busy career.

Despite this, we joined Adam as he begins putting in the groundwork for a short day session his first on the canal this year. Rather than spend 12 hours actually fishing, in a bid to keep the missus sweet and maximise his available time, Adam will be spending the first 3 hours of his trip looking for fish on a recce mission the night beforehand.

day 15.00pmAdam arrives on a well-known area of the canal for carp. Having researched through the local tackle shop, Ians of Penkridge, he knows a few fish have been coming out of a nearby Marina. The light is falling - the perfect time to go looking for activity.

Im going to prime the Marina with some Code Red Boilies, he says. Ive opted for a mixture of sizes, as Im not sure what the nuisance species situation is like.

7.00pmHaving marched the banks some more, checking every likely looking area, it also looks like some carp may be living under one of the barges outside the Marina. With the chimney pumping away and lights on in the boat, Adam figures it must be pretty warm under there:

Often the regularly lived in spots along the canal will be where the fish hide. In many instances, the owners of the boats feed the fish accidentally, chucking their leftovers straight out the window! I see fizzing, and I reckon it must be carp.

Having checked lots of snags, bridges and other areas of cover, Adam heads home to start tying rigs for the following day.

day 29.30amHaving dropped his son off at nursery, Adam arrives and unloads his gear onto his Korum Compact Barrow ready for a canal assault!

10.30amFollowing a short walk along the canal, checking all the likely looking spots once again, Adam spots what looks like fizzing between two boats. Well worth an hour or two that is, he grins, grabbing his gear off the Compact Barrow. Its still a little chilly, so maybe the morning activity of the boats cooking breakfast has moved these fish around. Two carefully placed casts later, Adams in business.

11.10amThe boats are starting to head off for the day, so Im putting some backleads on to prevent disasters, Adam explains. Ive also kept my tips high enough that the boat users can see them, and running them parallel to the bank means no broken rod tips from either boats or maniac cyclists! A top tip and one any canal angler will know is well worthwhile!

12.00pmWith the fizzing having subsided and the morning activity in and out of the Marina having died down, Adam moves to the mouth of the Marina. Its where he confidently put most of his bait last night. The carp live in the Marina according to my research. I can understand why, its like a little lake back there."

12.40pmRods are placed in the mouth of the Marina and along the entry wall. A top up of Code Red boilies just reminds the carp its there!

2.50pmWeve just had a rain shower and the canal came alive with activity. Carp have been crashing in the Marina and theres been fizzing over his rods. Just as the air of anticipation becomes too much to handle, Adams right hand rod kicks into action!

Bream! he fumes. Time to switch to the Snowman rigs and avoid these little blighters.

Day 1: 5.00pm pre-baiting can bring instant results | Day 2: 9.30am a barrow is essential for canal carping | Day 2: 11.10am backleads prevent disasters when fishing near boats

its still a little chilly, so mayBe the morning activity of the Boats cooKing BreaKfast has moved these fish around adam firth

The adjustable loading area on the new Compact Barrow makes canal carping much easier

korum.co.uk


adam firth cuTTING IT

3.10pmNo sooner does Adam get his rod back on the money with a Snowman rig, he gets a much more positive take. This is most definitely a carp! The fish tried to get in the Marina and gave my tackle a real test. Hes a lovely little common. Not a monster, but more than welcome.

4.00pmAdam went for a walk along the bank to check some of his other spots, only to have to come flying back down the canal as his left hand rod this time signaled a massive dropback.

This one was off the entry wall, the fish mustve just swam straight towards me and downstream. When I picked up the rod he was under the boats! After a powerful tussle with what looks like a decent mirror, Adam punches the air as it kisses the spreader block.

4.05pmWhat a beauty, laughs Adam. Its a cracking mirror and well deserved. This fish looks like it would probably be 20lb+ if it lived in a lake munching boilies. I love these lean canal carp.

4.30pmI suppose Id better adhere to the rules, smiles Adam, packing his gear onto the barrow. And I dont mean the No Night Fishing, either. If Im not home to cook the tea the missus will go wild!

A good days fishing and just enough time for a quick half in the local pub before heading home. Job done!

What id do With another 12 hoursIll definitely be heading back out on the canal again through the colder months. There are other Marinas nearby with superb winter track records, with rumours of bigger fish, too.

"Bait seems to be really crucial to where the carp will feed. I know the fish will live around the Marinas and areas of structure, but baiting those spots means when they get hungry and leave the Marinas, theres something waiting for them. Hopefully Ill bag a canal 20, to tick off a goal thats been on my list for a few years.

Heres hoping you guys reading this get out and can manage exactly the same. Good luck!

Finding Canal Carp

1 Bridges and other brick structures are often a magnet

for canal fish. They are also a good vantage point when

looking for canal cruisers.

2 Snags large or small can hold fish. At the very least, bait

them and keep an eye on them for future trips.

3 Overhanging trees that offer cover over deeper water

are a perfect hangout for carp. This particular spot is a

known area for the species.

4 Boats that are resident in an area and kept warm can

often attract carp. They like the warmth and free food

from lived in barges.

5 Marinas are a haven for canal carp and usually a great

starting point. Always be mindful of the residents.

Theyre paying to live there!

6 If you know carp get caught from your stretch, a walk

will soon show where anglers regularly fish. Bankstick

holes are a dead giveaway.

What a Beauty. i love these lean canal carp. adam firth

Day 2: 12.40pm a top up of Sonubaits Code Red keeps the fish interested | Day 2: 2.50pm bream can be a nuisance on canals


cuTTING IT adam firth

Carp rodsDesigned for all modern carp fishing methods these rods have all the backbone and playing action required to cope with the biggest of casts and largest of carp.

12lb xpert reel lineThis super smooth line can be used for a huge range of fishing styles. The green tinge makes the line blend in under the water, making sure the fish are less wary.

korum Carp bite alarm and indiCatorProvides all you need to fish a static rod. The all new alarm boasts an extra long battery life thanks to an advanced specification of internal circuitry. It has an indexed front power/volume adjustment knob which offers loud audible indication quickly and efficiently. Also included in the kit is our popular Bite Indicator with 4 choices of bobbin heads.

3-rod+ Carper holdallThree rods can be carried ready-rigged in their own fully-padded compartments, along with up to three further rods with or without tubes, or a pole. Outer pocket takes our landing nets and banksticks with ease.

let's gocarping!

everything you Will need to fish the canals for carp liKe adam

availaBle in 2.5, 2.75, 3 & 3.5lb

availaBle in sizes 6-15lb

kZr mini pit 6000From its wide arbour spool to its compact body, this stylish reel oozes quality and performance. The double anodized spool features an oversized line clip to give confidence on even the most powerful casts.

h190 x W30 x d25cm

Out July 2014

Out June 2014

Carp rigThese rigs take the hassle out of carp fishing. They come complete with a rig and terminal tackle for big carp fishing. One knot and you're fishing!

korum.co.uk


adam firth lET'S GO cArPING

Carping OnCarp fishing doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, using Korum Carp Rigs, it's easier than

ever before. Simply tie on to your line with the end tackle in the packet, add a bait and a

lead, and you're fishing.

2oz K-flat sWivel leadAlso available in 1.1, 1.5, 3 & 4oz

Boilie catapultFeed the carp some free bait using

the Korum Boilie Catapult

Korum Braid carp rigComes with a Lead Clip included

15lB xpert reel lineAlso available in 6, 8, 10, & 12lb


cArPING ON setting up the perfect rig

how to Tie a Carp Rig

1 Thread a Carp Lead Clip and tail rubber onto your reel line 2 Tie your reel line to the Carp Rig swivel with your preferred knot 3 Pull the swivel into the Lead Clip to secure it in place

4 Attach your chosen lead to the Lead Clip 5 Insert a Quickstop Needle into the base of your Quickstop 6 Push the Quickstop through a Code Red boilie and you are ready to fish!

quicKstopped BoilieAttach the quickstop on your Korum

Carp Rig

korum.co.uk


setting up the perfect rig cArPING ON

SurfaceSuccessKorums short session specialist, ed mattheWs recalls a successful session,

lasting only a couple of hours, With a rather impressive end!

i Was over the moon, a neW uK pB and caught off the surface too! ed matthews


SurFAcE SuccESS ed matthews

Id been watching the weather closely on the run up to this session. It had turned hot, with a slight wind blowing, ideal for a spot of surface fishing. This is my favourite way to target carp and I was chomping at the bit to get down the lake. When I arrived I got my surface fishing kit out of the car as fast as possible and started to make my way around the lake. Its important to travel light when surface fishing, as conditions can change quickly with the fish often moving accordingly, one minute they will be in front of you, the next at the other end of the lake!

As I walked around there were a handful of other anglers already fishing, I found one group of fish milling around in the sun catching some rays, but unfortunately there was someone fishing the water that the desired peg covers. I carried on around to where there was a long area of bank not being fished, on closer inspection I could make out the odd fish bow waving in-between patches of weed.

That was all I needed to see and couldnt wait to wet a line. I spodded out five spodfuls of Sonubaits Oily Floaters well beyond, and up wind of the fish, then sat and watched. With my Korum Polarized Sunglasses on, the bronze lenses really helped to see what was going on just under the waters surface. A few fish swam right under my baits, ignoring them, however one committed to taking three or four freebies. The wind was blowing into my swim which wasnt ideal for presentation but at least I had the fish in front of me, I spodded again before waiting for another reaction. A new member, Dave arrived and we chatted while the bait drifted in towards us and again a few baits where eaten before the wind picked up and put the fish down. I decided to keep the bait going in with both Spod and Catapult and Dave decided to go his separate way. No sooner had he left the swim, the wind dropped the lakes surface like glass and I was presented with an opportunity.

With balanced tackle floater fishing can be extremely good fun. My 2.2lb Xpert Rod and KXi

50 reel loaded with 10lb Xpert Reel Line are just right for the job, and with the help of a 20g Klear Controller I can easily cast an Oily Floater or a tough Oozing Floater hookbait over 80 yards!

Swimming from left to right was a large fish, so I cast my hookbait out well past the fish, slowly winding it back into the path which the fish was taking. Its worth noting that when I fish like this, I prefer to use a real mixer from straight out the bag as the takes are often more committed.

This time was to be no different and the fish took my hookbait as sweet as a nut, but on doing so realised something was wrong and the water erupted as the fish was hooked! The carp then made off on a long run towards where I knew there was a snag so I applied what pressure I dared and was able to turn the fish in the nick of time. The fight then turned into a steady plod, leading me to believe this might be a decent fish. As the carp neared the net I could see it was indeed a lump and prayed for my tackle to hold.

I neednt have worried, the 4ft, 8lb Xpert Power Mono hooklink and size 10 Xpert Specimen hook did their job perfectly and the fish went in the net first time calmed down by a bit of trailing weed. I left the fish in the net and quickly phoned Dave who was by this time in his car driving through the gate! Dave was more than willing to come back to help out. We picked the fish out the water and straight away I could feel it was pretty heavy, up on the scales it went up to 41lb exactly.

I was over the moon, a new UK PB and caught off the surface too! A quick few photos and the fish was soon back home. I stood on the swim with a big smile on my face, the wind had now picked up and any signs of fish had now disappeared. My chance to catch that fish was very short lived and with the conditions changing I decided to make my way home for a cider in the sun!

ed matthews

Occupation: Fishery ManagerFavourite venue: River Severn

@KorumFishing

korum.co.uk


ed matthews SurFAcE SuccESS

1 Slide two Korum Rubber Stops onto your main line 2 Followed by a Korum Klear Controller 3 Add two more Korum Rubber Stops

Surface SecretsCatching big carp off the surface is an art, but it's not difficult to set up a successful rig.

Here's the very setup Ed Matthews used for his monster 40lb surface carp. Try it!

Klear controllerAvailable in 10 & 20g

10lB xpert reel lineAlso available in 6, 8, 12 & 15lb

xpert ruBBer stopsEach pack contains 6 small, 6

medium & 6 large


SurFAcE SEcrETS setting up the perfect rig

how to Tie a Surface Rig

4 Tie on a size 8 Korum Xpert Specialist hook with your preferred knot 5 Slide a Korum Bait Band onto the shank of the hook 6 Using a Baiting Needle, pull the Bait Band through a Sonubaits Oozing Floater

irresistiBle BaitSonubaits Floater Pack contains

the complete pack of hookbaits and pellets for feeding

specialist hooK & Bait BandHooks available in barbed or

barbless in sizes 6-16

Bait bands contain a mixture of 3.2 & 4.8mm bands per pack

Bait & tacKle pouchPerfect for keeping bait and small

tackle items in

korum.co.uk


setting up the perfect rig SurFAcE SEcrETS

Despite the huge strides made in making quality baits for tench and bream there is still little doubt that one of the absolute best remains the humble grub. In both its forms (maggot and caster) nothing gets big fish switched on as much as mass and accurate baiting with these versatile baits. For the last couple of seasons Ive targeted tench and bream on a couple of large stillwaters using this approach, and in this short article Im going to detail the way I set up for this style of fishing.

Ill start with the basic gear; I find the 1.5lb Xpert rod is absolutely perfect for this approach and is matched with a KZR 6000 Mini Pit reel loaded with 10lb Xpert Reel Line, this creates a lovely balanced set up, casting feeders with ease whilst allowing you to play fish on relatively light hooklinks with total confidence.

Assuming Ive already established that my target fish are in the water Im fishing, Ill start by leading around with a marker float set up. As a rule of thumb if bream are my target Ill be looking for weed free areas between 25 and 60 yards from the bank, whereas if tench are the quarry Ill be much less concerned by the weed, in fact Id positively welcome it, and be looking for a spot between 10 and 35 yards from the margin. Once the swim is identified Ill leave the marker float in place before casting the spod right on top of the marker, after identifying a far bank feature such as a tree or building Ill then clip this up and walk it along the

bank, clipping both my fishing rods up to exactly the same distance before tying some marker elastic on the main line a foot from the rod tip. Ill now wind the marker float in and make about two dozen casts with the spod, loaded with dead maggots, casters and hemp in fairly equal measures. When baiting up like this I aim to create an area about the size of a pool table and fish one rod on each end of this zone. Once completed the swim is now primed and ready to fish, and depending on the stock density and conditions, the fish can (and do) move over the feed in a matter of minutes, often I have a had a take within minutes of my first cast.

With the swim now ready it's time to focus on the end rigs. I like to keep the swim topped up with regular amounts of fresh live red maggots and I do this using a Korum Grub Feeder. For tench and bream I like to use the 45g version as its not too heavy to risk bouncing a small hook out of a hooked fish, but is more than heavy enough to create the desired bolt effect. The feeder itself has an anti-tangle rig sleeve and a green translucent outer shell with a flat leaded bottom ensuring it sits the right way up on every cast. Not only does its streamlined shape help with distance casting, Ive found the added bonus that when fished inline it's much less susceptible to snagging in thick weed that tench love to head for when hooked than a traditional, square profiled feeder. I like to ensure the last few feet of my rig are pinned down to prevent spooking fish, and as I find backleads can also snag in weed I prefer to

the humBle maggot is nothing short of irresistiBle When targeting

specimen fish. northern ace gary KnoWles explains hoW to maKe the

most of your maggot fishing.

gary knowles

Occupation: Construction Project Manager

Favourite venue: Cheshire Mere

@KorumFishing

GetGrubbing


GET GrubbING gary knowles

fish with a 60cm long Xpert Speci Leader above the feeder. Although lead-free this material sinks like a stone, following the lake beds contours whilst also reducing the potential for tangles on the cast. The Grub Feeder is simply threaded onto the leader and pushed gently onto the pre-attached Quick Change Bead creating a safe, but effective bolt rig.

For the hooklink I prefer a slightly stiffer mono, again due to its anti-tangle properties, and I use Xpert Power Mono hooklink in 8lb. As Im looking to create a bolt effect I prefer a short hooklink and find something between 4 and 6 just about perfect. At the business end I use a Palomar knot to attach a size 12 Xpert Power Hook, and to increase my hook up rate I always make the rig much more effective by creating a line-aligner by threading a single Korum Artificial Maggot up the shank of the hook, starting at the centre of the thick end of the grub, and coming out a few millimetres down from the pointed end. As well as putting the required aggressive angle in the hook, it also has the added benefit of counterbalancing the weight of the hook, thus creating a critically balanced bait, one which fools the shy biting tench over and over again.

With the rods clipped up and the swim already baited its now just a simple case of adding a couple

of live maggots onto the bend of the hook in the traditional way, then popping open the clasp on the Grub Feeder, loading with live maggots and casting to the far bank marker, feathering your line until it hits the surface.

Before setting the bobbin remember to unclip the line from the spool as once hooked on this rig, tench in particular can give real screaming runs that would snap you off if the line remained in the line clip.

To get the maximum effect out of this style of fishing you need to keep the bait going into the swim so Ill generally recast each rod every 20 minutes or so, keeping the swim active. If you havent had a bite since your last cast simply re-clip your main line to the spool before winding in, re-bait and recast. Or following a fish or a missed take, all you need to do is cast into the lake away from your swim, wind in until the marker braid is a foot from the rod tip again, clip up and you are good to go again, safe in the knowledge you are fishing tight and effectively over your baited spot.

Maggot fishing is an enjoyable and very effective method made simple by the new Xpert end range from Korum. If you havent tried it yet, you should. You wont be disappointed.

Rods1.5lb Xpert rod

ReelsKZR Mini Pit 6000


End TackleGrub FeederXpert Power HookXpert Power Mono 8lbSpeci Leader

Rig4-6" Mono

BaitKorum Natural MaggotsLive Maggots

gary's

tacKlemaggot fishing is an enjoyaBle, and very effective method made simple By the neW xpert end range. gary knowles

A 15lb 12oz Northwest Mere bream

A 9lb tench from a large northern stillwater

A 9lb 1oz female tench caught on maggots

This 14lb 7oz bream couldn't handle a short hooklink


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gary knowles GET GrubbING

1 This is what you'll need to create the perfect Grub Feeder rig 2 Thread three live maggots onto a mag aligner rig 3 Select the Grub Feeder size required and open the top shell

Get Them Grubbing Around

The Grub Feeder is a superb presentation for a host of species.

Here's one of the most effective ways to fish the feeder a short bolt rig!

xpert poWer monoAvailable in 4-15lb

xpert semi fix BeadTapered to allow a slow release

tWo Korum faKe maggotsAvailable in Fluoro or Natural in Red/White or Yellow/Orange


GET THEM GrubbING ArOuND setting up the perfect rig

how to Load a Grub Feeder

4 Fill the Grub Feeder with maggots covered in Sonubaits Krill Flavour Shaker 5 Make sure the maggots are just under the rim of the feeder lid 6 Click the lid shut to secure the feeder and cast out

8lB xpert reel lineAlso available in 6, 10, 12 & 15lb

xpert speci leaderAvailable in green and brown

gruB feederAvailable in small in 15 & 30g and

large in 30, 60 & 90g


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setting up the perfect rig GET THEM GrubbING ArOuND

Monstersmany Big fish angler

s often underestimate the effectiveness

of the method feeder.

With tWo recent huge captures on this tac

tic, phil spinKs reveals his secrets

on the Method

phil spinks

Occupation: Tackle Shop ManagerFavourite venue: River Wensum

@KorumFishing


MONSTErS ON THE METHOD phil spinks

Method Feeder fishing is something that I love doing. Its a style of fishing that makes me 100% confident that my rig and hookbait are sat in the perfect position waiting for a fish to take it. Its also one of the easiest styles of fishing that you could do!

Method feeders can be used on all types of set-ups, from light feeder rods, through to big beefed up carp rods. You can use it with pellets or groundbait and even cast long distances, or place it onto a margin spot. But the main advantage is that you will always be fishing effectively when the feeder hits the bottom.

My bait choice is simple I like to use groundbait around a feeder as it packs into a very aerodynamic shape and also contains less actual feed content than pellets. Groundbait is massively underestimated as a bait for big carp and tench, with most anglers opting for boilies and pellets. The carpet of feed, with your hookbait sat in the middle is virtually irresistible to specimen fish.

Due to this method being often overlooked by specimen anglers, I think this is why I have had so much success with it. You may have seen in the angling press my success in catching Norfolks largest carp, a fish given the nickname of Babyface, at a huge weight of 52lb 1oz. A 45g Dura Method feeder was the successful tactic. The big girl fell to three fake casters hair rigged on a small size 12 Xpert Specimen hook tied to a short 3 inch Xpert Braided Hooklink in 10lb breaking strain.

The fight was awesome on a light 1.75lb Xpert rod and KZR 6000 reel loaded with 12lb Xpert Reel Line, everything balanced out lovely when playing the 50lb-er, the only thing that I nearly lost was my nerves when I saw the huge carp powering up and down the margins attached to my specialist gear. It was such a great feeling when I managed to lift the net safely around the bigun. It just goes to show that Method feeders arent just for match anglers!

I was still on a high the following week and as Id caught the biggest carp in the lake, the carp anglers didnt turn up so I was able to get in a much tenchier looking swim. After a quiet night the tench came on the feed around 7am and I'd soon notched up eight lovely tench, the biggest one, a beautiful female fish with immaculate bottle green flanks, which topped the scales at 10lb 4oz. Backed up by a few bonus sized roach around the 2lb mark, I left the lake mid-morning a happy man. With a double figure tench and a 50lb carp under my belt within a week, theres no doubting that the Method is a great tactic for specimen fish.

Rods1.75lb Xpert Rod

ReelKZR Mini Pit 6000


End TackleDura Method FeederSpeci LeaderXpert Specimen HookXpert Power Braid

RigMethod Feeder Rig

BaitSonubaits 50:50 Method:PasteSonubaits Hemp & Hali Crush

phil's

tacKle

With a douBle figure tench and a 50lB carp under my Belt Within a WeeK, theres no douBting that the method is a great tactic for specimen fish. phil spinks

The Dura Method Mould creates an aerodynamic shape for casting

This 10lb 4oz tench was tricked using a Dura Method Feeder | Never underestimate the power of a Method Feeder as this 52lb 1oz mirror shows!


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phil spinks MONSTErS ON THE METHOD

A Methodical ApproachThe Korum Dura-Method feeder casts miles, keeps bait on unlike ANY other Method feeder and

catches loads of big fish every year. Here's the rig Phil Spinks uses to such good effect.

oozing pop upsNew from Sonubaits available in

Coconut, Krill, Pineapple & Squid Ink

The perfect powerful team of Xpert Power Hooks and Xpert Power Braid

Sonubaits 2mm Fin Perfect Feed Pellets are ideal

soaKed pellets

1. KSKPL/01

xpert poWer Braid & hooK


A METHODIcAl APPrOAcH setting up the perfect rig

how to Load a Dura Method

1 Load a small amount of pellets into the bottom of the Dura Method Mould 2 Place your hookbait on top of these pellets 3 Press down in the middle of the feeder 4 Press the outer edges of the

feeder to ensure the bait sticks 5 Use the push button base to separate the mould from the feeder 6 The finished article, an aerodynamic Method Feeder

xpert speci leaderAvailable in green and brown

dura method feederAvailable in 30, 45 & 60g


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setting up the perfect rig A METHODIcAl APPrOAcH

Big tench fishing can Be extremely reWarding. from frantic Waters Where dozens of Bites are expected, or Big gravel pits Where one Bite could Be the catch of a lifetime, having ultimate faith in the rigs you're using can maKe all the difference. Team Korum have caught more double figure tench between them than most could dream of, but despite this, most of the lads stick to the same set of rigs for the majority of their tench fishing. Check out these ultra-effective setups they're simple to make up and easy to use, meaning you can fish with the utmost confidence. As always, they are all put together using a key range of Korum terminal tackle, feeders and leads. Add these rigs to your armoury and you'll be catching more big tench in no time.

Maggot RigMaggots can be a devastating bait for tench, especially when the fishing is difficult. The short hooklink and bolt rig effect of this rig is extremely effective. It can be fished as a mag aligner style rig, or even with three hair-rigged artificial maggots.

1 Grub Feeder 2 Speci Leader - brown 3 Xpert Power Braid - brown 10lb 4 Xpert Power Hook 5 Artificial Maggots


ulTIMATE TENcH rIGS choosing the right one

Leadclip RigA scaled down version of rigs used by carp anglers, the leadclip rig is perfect early in the year when there is less weed, or when fishing on gravel spots. Short hooklink of around 6 inches will fool any tench when it picks up your hookbait. It also has the advantage of being able to lose the lead while fishing in and around weed, making playing fish much easier!

1 Speci Leader 2 Speci Lead Clip 3 Xpert Power Braid - green 10lb 4 Xpert Specimen Hook 5 Artificial Corn 6 Flat Swivel Lead

Heli-rigThis is the ultimate rig for fishing long distances due to is aerodynamic shape and tangle-free properties. The use of the feeder allows bait to be introduced accurately near to the hookbait, while the short hooklength aids in the hooking of the fish. Use this and youll never suffer with tangles again.

1 Ready Heli Kit - Quick-Change Swivel 2 Xpert Power Mono - 10lb 3 Xpert Power Hook 4 Combi Feeder 5 Artificial Maggots


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choosing the right one ulTIMATE TENcH rIGS

dura-method feeders & mouldsThe Method feeder is arguably the most prolific tactic in modern coarse fishing, but we felt we could improve upon our original flatbed Method feeder. By making the feeders from metal, providing an impact shield on the front and improving the traditional style Method mould, we've developed feeders that are now the first choice of many top match anglers, specimen anglers and carp fisherman. Sizes 30g, 45g, 60g.

river feedersThis is the first feeder made especially for river fishing one that takes into account the flow of the river, as well as the realities of fishing in deeper water. The contoured shape has an extremely low profile, meaning you can use a lighter feeder where you'd usually have to go up a size. The impact cage at the top of the feeder also ensures all your bait gets to the river bed. Sizes 60g and 90g in small and 90g and 120g in large.

comBi- feedersThe best of both worlds. Supplied with a removable set of caps, this can be used as a Block-End or an Open End feeder depending on the situation required. There's no need to carry around such a wide range of feeders, just take the Combi-Feeders. Available in sizes from 30g to 150g, to cover the vast majority of angling scenarios. The Combi-Feeder caps will fit all of our Open Ended Feeders, if you already have those.

gruB feedersArguably the most exciting feeder to hit the market for many years. This new 'clam-style' frame enables you to fill the feeder in the palm of your hand, without losing any bait in the process. Simply click open, fill, then click shut. What could be easier? This in-line feeder also features the first ever built-in line clip, to shorten rigs and present buoyant baits right over the top of the feeder. Sizes 15g and 30g in small and 30g, 60g and 90g large.

open ended feedersProbably the most popular feeder in coarse fishing! A wide variety of sizes to suit the majority of situations, we've everything from 30g to 150g. The material used is extremely hard-wearing, and the camouflage colour will not scare fish. So whether you're casting out for big bream on large reservoirs, or chasing monster barbel on flooded rivers, these sturdy, reliable feeders simply will not let you down.

mesh feedersA great alternative to the traditional Open End feeder when you want a faster release of bait and an increased amount of attraction pumping from the feeder. The first choice for many anglers using pre-soaked pellets, or lighter, fluffier mixes of groundbait for silver fish. These feeders work brilliantly loaded with everything from bread, groundbait, pellets and even chopped meat. Sizes from 30g to 150g

LEADERSIN FEEDERS Korum's range of sWim feeders is Both innovative and reliaBle. something for every angling approach.


lEADErS IN FEEDErS feeders for every situation

groundbait bowl & hoopComplete with lid, mounted on a frame to attach to any Korum chair.

dura-method feeders & dura-method mouldsProvide a super strong feeder that ensures all of your bait gets to the lakebed thanks to its unique design and structure. The dedicated mould gives a tapered shape to your bait for increased casting distances.

8lb xpert reel lineThis super smooth line can be used for a huge range of fishing styles, we've worked hard to make a line that can be pulled tight to iron out any kinks and to stop pig tails. The green tinge makes the line blend in under the water, making sure the fish are less wary. With 1000m on every spool you're sure to get good value for money.

quiCk Change beadEnables you to change your hooklength instantly and acts as a shock bead when fishing a running feeder. Simple to use and totally reliable.

Cs series 10ft feeder rodOur most popular CS Series rod which is perfect for feeder work on commercials. Each rod in the range has a short handle for ease and comfort, whether fishing from a seatbox or from a chair.

getorganised

availaBle in 9, 10, 11 &12ft feeder rods & 11, 12 & 13ft float rods

method feeder essentials

quiCkstops on hair rigsAvailable in barbed and barbless in short (4") or long (15") in sizes 10-16.

korum method runner reel 3000 Designed specifically for fishing with Method Feeders for hard fighting carp. Perfect when used with the CS Series 10ft Feeder rod and enables you to leave the rod on freespool. Also available in 4000.

availaBle in standard & large in BlacK & camou

availaBle in sizes 6-15lb


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method feeder fishing essentials GET OrGANISED

baitattachmentquicKstops with chris ponsfordOf all of the ways of attaching baits, the Quickstop is by far my favourite. Their shape allows them to be pushed through all manner of baits, both hard and soft, and as the name suggests, quickly! By attaching the Quickstop to my rig using a small loop, the Quickstop will stay permanently attached. Using the Quickstop Needle will allow you to push the Quickstop through your chosen bait with ease. Whether Im using soft pellets on a Dura Method Feeder or worm section with a Mesh Feeder, Ive always got a Quickstop attached.

hair rigs with mat woodsThe Hair rig has been a method of attaching baits for a very long time. Most modern methods of attaching baits use some form of the hair rig for attaching the bait to the rig, whether tied into the loop permanently, or clipped on afterwards. What I like about the rig is the simplicity of it, the speed and ease of tying is a massive positive for me. It can be used for all manner of baits, from boilies and pellets, to artificial baits such as maggot or corn. It has stood the test of time!

Bait Bands with shaun hodgesBait bands make attaching baits securely an easy task. Theres also more than just one way to attach your baits using them. For the most part, I use bait bands on short rigs, used on Method Feeders when using pellets or Bandums as hookbaits. I like to use a short hair, with the band trapped in a loop to leave the hook exposed. When Im surface fishing, the band allows me to keep the bait tight to the shank of the hook, leaving the point exposed, but also hiding the hook.


bAIT ATTAcHMENT which set up to use

paste cages with tim janssenTheres no denying that barbel love paste. Its soft texture and huge amount of smell and taste is irresistible. The shape of the Korum Paste Cages allow you to push the paste inside the cage, giving great amounts of grip to hold the paste on the rig in fast flowing water, where the barbel live. Theres two different sizes, depending on what size lump of paste is needed. By simply flattening the lump of paste, laying the cage in the middle, and moulding it into the cage will make sure the paste wont come off.

Boilie screWs with phil spinksI do lots of fishing with boilies throughout the year. Not only for carp but all manner of species. For some of this fishing, the speed in which I can get my rig back out is essential, often leading to multiple captures within the space of minutes. For this, I need a way of attaching my baits easily, quickly and securely. This is where the Korum Boilie Screw comes in. This little screw will attach to any loop and theres no risk of it coming free during the fight. Theres no messing around trying to find baiting needles and boilie stops, just screw it in and cast out!

meat screWs with nigel botherwayKeeping meat on the hook can be a real pain. This soft, smelly bait can easily come off when hooked directly, and a small boilie stop is easily pulled through the middle of the bait, not ideal when you need to keep your bait on for a long cast. Korum Meat Screws solved the problem their wide, deep screw cuts into your meat hookbaits holding them firmly on the rig, enough to withstand long casts and fast flow from rivers. Its also matched to the colour of the meat to look natural. Simply attach the Meat Screws to any rig with a loop, using the small and secure retro-fit hook.

With many different Ways of attaching your Baits, it can sometimes Be a Bit confusing on What to use and When. Weve asKed six memBers of team Korum, Which is their favourite and Why!


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which set up to use bAIT ATTAcHMENT

gravel pit fishingdai gribble

dreaming of a monster Bream? Big fish ace and long time all-rounder dai griBBle has had his fair share of them over the years, and in the throes of his oWn Bream campaign has come up

With some gems of advice for those seeKing suBstantially sized slaBs

dai gribble

Occupation: EA Senior Environment Officer

Favourite venue: The next one!

@KorumFishing MonsteRbream

Tactics for


TAcTIcS FOr MONSTEr brEAM dai gribble

Most species of fish are easier to catch at certain times of the year than others. My experience of fishing in what used to be the closed season is that bream are easier to catch from March through to May right up to spawning than at any other time of the year. In the past I used to have a break from fishing at the end of the river season but not anymore bream generally start to feed earlier than carp and tench so as soon as the river rods are put away its time to get the bream tackle out.

locationBig bream tend to come from big waters and the key to successful bream fishing in the spring is the same as at any other time location. So where do you start trying to locate bream?

At any given time of year bream tend to be found in the same areas of a lake as previous years so if the water youre targeting has swims that have produced bream in past springs this is a good starting point.

The ever-friendly carp anglers are also a good help in locating them however secretive they are about their carp catches most are only too happy telling you about the 'huge bream' theyve caught. If you make them aware youre interested in bream not carp they are usually very helpful but be warned - most carp anglers dont even net bream, let alone weigh them, so the weights they quote are often on the optimistic side. At a glance a 10lb bream doesnt look hugely different from a fish a lot bigger, particularly in torchlight, so dont be surprised if the average weight of any fish you catch is lower than those claimed by carp anglers!

Bream dont like thick weed so clear areas such as gravel bars in the middle of a weedy area can be good, especially if they are few and far between. They also have the advantage of being good for bait presentation compared to silty areas.

Bream do sometimes roll but in my experience on a number of different types of water the small populations of big bream only tend to roll over baited areas so whilst it makes sense to keep an eye out for rolling fish I wouldnt pin too much faith in sighting rolling fish.

In the absence of any clues opt for a swim at a good range in open water facing east so you will be fishing into westerly winds, ideally with a good view of as much of the water as possible. In such circumstances you need to trust in the pulling power of your bait and the undertow from a west wind will take the bait trail out into the lake rather than into your feet!

rigsI have never found bream to be 'riggy', unlike carp and tench. As a result my main criteria in choosing a rig is that it doesnt tangle. If Im fishing close enough to use a PVA bag of pellets then a standard lead clip rig with a 6 inch coated hooklength stripped back about an inch from the hook works well. At long range I find this rig is prone to tangle, especially if it is windy. I suspect this is because the hookbait is much lighter than a typical carp set-up. A Speci Leader attached to a Speci Lead Clip will hold the lead, and the hooklink is a prototype coated braid. I opt for an Xpert Power hook in a Size 8 to finish off the rig.

A lot of my bream fishing has been at very long range (100+ yards) as the nearest gravel spots amongst the weed that have historically produced bream are at this range. My preferred rig for this range is a variation on the chod rig, but with a sinking hookbait. I use a 60cm Speci Leader and trap the hooklength in the middle with Korum Rubber Stops set about 2cm apart. The hooklength is about 4 inches of 10lb Xpert Power Mono attached to a Korum Xpert Power Size 8 tied with a knotless knot leaving about 1cm between the hook and the bait. Ive fished this rig at well over 100 yards and never once had a tangle with it.

RodXpert 1.5lb

ReelKXi Freespin Reel

Rig10lb Xpert Power Mono Size 8 Xpert Power hook

End TackleSpeci LeaderSpeci Lead ClipRubber Stops

AlarmKorum Carp Bite AlarmXL Bite Indicator

dai's

tacKle

Bream don't liKe thicK Weed, so clear areas such as gravel Bars in the middle of a Weedy area can Be good, especially if they are feW and far BetWeen. dai gribble

Dai's number 1 rig for big bream | Fishing for big bream can sometimes be a waiting game | Lots of bait is needed for big bream fishing


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dai gribble TAcTIcS FOr MONSTEr brEAM

night time is BestIf you like to sleep in your own bed at night forget fishing for big bream.

Whilst most fish come in the dark hours enough come before dark to make it advisable to get your bait out a couple of hours before dark and cast as soon as possible afterwards so if the bream turn up early you are ready and waiting. Dont be in a hurry to wind in the following morning either.

A few years ago I had just told my mate that he wouldnt catch with his hooks in his butt rings when minutes later at 10am I had a bite the culprit being a 16lb 2oz bream.

I use fairly heavy bobbins, Korum XL Bite Indicators with the weights attached are ideal. The bites tend to be the up and down type if you get a screamer its probably a tench or a carp! Whilst most bream dont fight much the odd one does, though the fight is rarely memorable, a big bream of 14lb or more is an impressive fish.

Hopefully if youve read this far youre keen to have a go for a big bream and if so I hope the above advice drawing on many years experience will help you along the way.

Another big bream goes back into the lake

Night time can be productive! | Big bream have big mouths and can eat a lot of bait


TAcTIcS FOr MONSTEr brEAM dai gribble

actionget more

Designed by our expert team of consultants to provide a totally unique action and tip recovery speed. Powerful butt and middle sections, combined with fast-action tips, means greater casting capabilities and unrivalled fish playing performance. They meet the exacting standards of the elite big fish hunter.

All two piece rods with Fuji cork handles.

AvAILABLE IN:

RODS

11ft 6ins 1.1lb 12ft 1.5lb

12ft 1.75lb 12ft 2.2lb

plateau

margin shelf

silt

marKer floatA compact design to allow them to

be used with lighter leads

how to Attach a Marker Float

1 Slide a lead followed by a Korum Buffer Bead onto your braided reel line 2 Attach the float to the end of your braid reel line 3 Slide the Buffer Bead over the Swivel and the rig is complete

Available in 2, 3, 4, 6 & 8oz

K grip sWivel lead


uSING A MArkEr FlOAT setting up the perfect rig

Weeds

Bar

how to Plumb

1 Put your marker rod to one side and slowly pull the rod tip back. Through the braided line you should feel the contours of the lakebed 2 Once you've found a spot, pull the line from your marker reel

12" at a time... 3 ...until the float reaches the surface. You can then cast out your fishing rods to the float

Using A Marker FloatDrawing a picture of the lakebed and knowing what to look for can totally transform your

results, especially on gravel pits. Here's a simple guide to finding features.


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setting up the perfect rig uSING A MArkEr FlOAT

the

ZONEFLAVOUR

Andy Findlay

Occupation: BuilderFavourite venue: Makins, Leicester

@KorumFishing

Match fishing genius and tackle innovator Andy Findlay visits one of his favourite venues, to put his 'Flavour Zone' idea to the test on the Method feeder.

Andy 'The Fin' Findlay is a man who needs little introduction. He's been dominating the UK match carp scene for decades, using new inventions, tactics and techniques to keep himself one step ahead of the competition. The Leicestershire-rod has more wins to his name than most of us can care to dream of, regularly clinching match victories with his inherent ability to catch loads and loads of carp!

The commercials are certainly where Andy is most at home, but it's not just match venues that take Andy's fancy. In fact, some of his favourite local venues are small club venues and day ticket waters, that he finds perfect for trailing new bait mixes, or giving new inventions a try.

With products like the flatbed Method feeder, Pellet Feeder, Banjo Feeder and Pellet Cone to name but a few all coming from the mind of this awesome angler, Andy's always tinkering with new things. So with the fishing tough and the weather inclement, what does The Fin have up his sleeve this time to get a bend in the rod?


THE FlAvOur zONE andy findlay

8.30amIt's a blustery day at Brooksby College lake near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. It's a venue top match man and innovator Andy Findlay holds dear to his heart for good reason! The venue itself holds a historical significance in fishing, as this is where Andy developed the first ever flatbed Method feeders.

"I used to come here with the prototypes," he grins, "It was obvious the feeder was going to be special and is now easily the most popular fishing style on match and pleasure venues. It all started here."

8.35amIndeed, Andy fancies a bite or two on the Method today, using one of the most recent guises of this flatbed feeder. The Korum Dura-Method is new to Andy's armoury, but the tactic he'll be trying today is an edge he's known about for years.

"So many anglers use the same approach now, it pays to have an edge up your sleeve," he explains, preparing his Salted Nut Crush groundbait for the feeder.

"I mix my groundbait different to most, adding all the water in one go and letting the mix become almost cake-like. Initially it looks like there's too much water, but after half an hour or so, I can just rub my hands through it and it's perfect for fishing. Much stickier! It won't dry out through the day either."

9amAndy begins making a few preliminary casts to get clipped up to a far bank margin. It's an area Andy fancies as it's sheltered from the wind and there are some overhanging trees in the area.

"It's perfect for my Flavour Zone technique. I want to get the fish really interested in this spot, so they visit it more frequently through the day," says Andy. "I do this using a liquid and powdered boost to my bait."

This involves a squirt of neat Salted Nut Crush Liquid Flavour directly on the loaded feeder. Not mixed through the groundbait, just pure liquid on the outside of the groundbait. "This creates an instant cloud through the water column. It's more instant in this cool water than when it's diluted through a groundbait. This particular liquid has been a real edge this winter. It's salty, but also sweet," adds Andy. "It must drive the carp's tastebuds wild!"

9.30amAfter an initially slow start, where Andy actually switched to a sweetcorn hookbait to get a quick bite, the rod hoops round with a hard-fighting carp. "Found them," Andy smiles.

10amAndy now switches to the Method feeder, but won't be casting too regularly. With the water still cool, he's playing the game of patience, letting the nutty liquid and groundbait work its magic rather than bombarding the area with too much

bait. "I want to concentrate the fishes attention to one area," he says, "Too much bait at this time of year can be the kiss of death."

With that, the tip rattles with a drop back and Andy winds down to another fish. "I'd just switched hookbaits to a Sonubaits Band'um in a different colour. They're perfect for using in a bait band as the shape makes banding them easier. Good job, my hands are cold!"

10.45amWith a few twitchy bites resulting in no fish, Andy switches hooks to a new Korum hook he's enjoyed using recently. This CS Series hook has been developed specifically for use with hair rigs, something Andy uses a lot!

"I like the wider gape it makes sense, especially with a harder hookbait like a hard pellet or Band'um boilie," he points out. "The stronger wire will also come in useful today fishing against these snags. These carp are powerful!"

11amThe changes are working a treat Andy's just landed his third carp of the day and the sun's even come out! The Fin's trademark accurate casting has provided him with bites on a very difficult day. "I know when the fish are around the feeder, as a slick hits the surface from the nutty liquid getting disturbed by the fish. That's something which can provide a big edge on lakes like this, where the carp have wised up to angling pressure and modern techniques."

It's a lovely common this time. Andy's pleased with this one!

8.35am Salted Nut Crush is perfect for big carp | 9am Fin boosts his Method Feeders with Salted Nut Crush Liquid Flavour | 9.30am A familiar sight - Fin into another fish

this particular liquid has Been a real edge this Winter. it's salty, But also sWeet. it must drive the carp's tasteBuds Wild! andy findlay

11am

10.45am


korum.co.uk


andy findlay THE FlAvOur zONE

ANDy FINDLAy'S

Top Five Bait Tips1 Squirt natural-based liquids like this directly

onto the feeder

2 Try different colour baits depending on the

water clarity

3 Try meat for Method feeder fishing in warm water

4 Boost your groundbait with a salty additive

5 Natural baits like worms are worth a look in

very wet conditions

12pmWith the sun now out, Andy starts looking at colour alternatives on his hookbait.

Having caught earlier on yellow corn and a white Band'um so far, he thinks the fish might be warier of the brighter colours now there is more light available through the water column.

"I normally like an Expander Pellet, S-Pellet or duller bait for this type of fishing. I'm going to switch to one of the Salted Nut Crush Semi-Buoyant Band'ums. These are clever, as they are like a 'wafter' bait that the big carp boys use. There's definitely something to having a lighter bait that behaves more naturally."

No sooner does Andy make the switch, he's in again! Instant action on the semi-buoyant bait. "Wow, that shows you! In this cold water they must be moving slowly," Andy explains. "Feels a good fish!"

1pmAndy's in again on the semi-buoyant bait. It seems switching to this hookbait has made a definite difference.

1.30pmThe fish keep coming! Andy is watching his tip intently, as the bites are really gentle. "The saltiness of the bait is probably just turning them on more than perhaps they would for another bait," muses Andy, playing the fish in with the rod nice and low. "These gentle bites are typical of fish trying to get away with it. The bait is irresistible!"

this has Been a really enjoyaBle trip and vindication for some of my Beliefs on cold Water fishing. give them a try and see hoW you get on! andy findlay

12pm Power Band Hair Rigs make choosing hooklengths easy

12pm


THE FlAvOur zONE andy findlay

4999frOM

TODAY'SCOMMERCIAL FISHERIES

ADVANCED RODS for

Developed for the styles of fishing commonly used on todays commercial fisheries. Each rod has a short handle for ease and comfort when fishing from a seatbox or chair.

11FT FLOAT, 12FT FLOAT, 13FT FLOAT, 9FT FEEDER 10FT FEEDER, 11FT FEEDER, 12FT FEEDER

2pmThe wind is too intense now and Andy's brolly is about to take off. Time for some quick catch shots of his better sized carp and a nice big smile to round off another successful trip for the Fin. "I don't usually fish outside of a match fishing situation but this has been a really enjoyable trip and vindication for some of my beliefs on cold water fishing. Give them a try and see how you get on!"

pOnswOrMs

chris ponsford

Occupation: PhotographerFavourite venue: River Wye

@KorumFishing

year-round12 TOP TIP'S FOR

1. Be preparedI used to dread having to tie hooklengths. Its a task that not many people enjoy, but being prepared can make a huge difference to your catch rate. I always tied my own hooklengths until Korum released 20 long hooklinks. These longer hooklinks are perfect for all of my river fishing; from chub on small rivers, to hard fighting double figure barbel on powerful rivers. By keeping my Ready-tied Power Mono Hair Rigs in a Maxi Rig Store I can simply unclip the rig, attach a fresh, baited hooklength and cast straight back out. The rig board included has rounded edges to protect long mono hooklinks from kinking or being damaged on sharp edges.

4. go shortI love using short hooklinks. When Im feeder fishing 4 seems to be the best length. When used in conjunction with a Dura Method Feeder or a Grub Feeder it creates a bolt rig effect. As soon as the fish starts to move off with your hookbait the hook catches hold and youre in! Im all for making things easy these 4 Quickstop Hair Rigs make changing hooklinks easy. They also take the hassle out of tying fiddly rigs.

5. fish With freespoolsWhen Im targeting small carp, bream, tench and even roach, I like to use freespool reels. After putting the rod on the rest, and simply pushing the free spool lever down, Im happy that, should the fish charge off on the take, the reel will give line. Without the freespool you spend a lot of time trying to tighten up the reels drag and especially with barbless hooks, fish can come off. My choice for short to medium range fishing is the KMR 4000. This compact little reel looks the business and performs like a reel of twice its price.

3. essential indicationPerch, pike and eels hate resistance in rigs. If they think something is wrong they will drop your bait. Thats why I use drop-off indicators. The Korum XL Bite Indicator Head makes the Perfect drop-off indicator when used with the cord and Bankstick Clip supplied in the Bite Indicator Kit. The line clip has a small rubber O ring to make the tension adjustable. As soon as the line is pulled out of the clip it is free to peel off the spool resistance free!

2. helpful heli-rigsEvery anglers worst nightmare is reeling in a rig that is tangled and twisted, leaving it useless in the water, and you having sat behind motionless rods wondering where the fish are. After starting using Ready Heli Kits, my tangled rigs stopped, I felt more confident about my fishing and the bites have kept coming. The rigs come on a wire, making it easy to slide them straight onto your main line. With three different types, youll find the perfect one to suit your fishing.


YEAr rOuND SuccESS chris ponsford

pOnswOrMs

successWITH CHRIS PONSFORD

7. BloB-tasticKorum Blob Floats have been a firm favourite of mine for a long time. Their simple design allows them to be slid onto the line with ease by using the wires that they come on. They have a tough, brightly coloured outer that is great for using when fishing shallow for roach and rudd, or as a sight when surface fishing for carp. They are extremely line friendly and can be moved up and down the line at your will. Ive always got a couple of packets of Blob floats with me when I go fishing.

6. pre-Baiting paysWhen I arrive at a lake I always take a walk around the lake with a bag of pellets, or bucket of hemp in my hand. This way I can pre-bait a few spots, in the hope of returning later on in the day or session. By doing this you open up your chances of catching, especially if the fish are sat at the other end of the lake to where you first start fishing. Remember to take a pair of Korum Polarised Glasses when you go for a walk around the lake. They can reveal all sorts of clues as to where the fish are, that you may not have spotted without them!


korum.co.uk


chris ponsford YEAr rOuND SuccESS

8. sleeper successUsing a sleeper rod has saved me from blanking on more than one occasion. I like to use a bigger bait on my Sleeper Rod to try and catch a bonus fish should one venture into my swim. My rod will sit along the side of my chair, on a Korum Bite Alarm and Indicator. Should I get lucky the alarm will sound and Ill be in. This is a tip that can get you out of jail on harder days.

11. stealthy stalKingSummer stalking is one of the most exciting ways of fishing. By slowly creeping around the lake, looking for fish that could take a bait and dropping your hookbait on their nose can often lead to explosive action. A soft rod, like an Xpert 1.5lb and a Size 6 Xpert Specialist hook and lump of white fluffy bread is virtually irresistible to a hungry carp. This is the sort of fish that you can do after work or even in your lunch break! Make sure you remember polarised glasses to find the fish.

9.spin for snappersWhen the weather starts to cool down I like to start doing a little bit of pike fishing. Armed with a small rucksack, net, mat and a short Snapper Spin Rod I can walk around a lake searching out where the pike are hiding. Its a great way of fishing as you can cover a lot of water. The 8ft Spin rod is my favourite all-round rod. Perfect for use with Korum Drones.

10.gruBBing aroundMaggots are one of a few baits that will catch in any conditions. If its freezing cold or boiling hot you can rely on maggots. The Korum Grub feeder is the best tactic for me when using maggots. They take the hassle out of maggot feeder fishing, and even couple as an awesome bolt rig when using short hooklinks. A short braid or mono hair rig with three hair-rigged artificial maggots is my number 1 maggot feeder rig.

12.Wriggling WormsI tailor my hook choice to the bait Im using. When targeting Bream or Perch my first choice of bait is Worms and Casters that when fished together are an incredible combo. By using CS Series Worm/Caster hooks to nylon I know that my patter of hoof is matched perfectly to the bait that Im using. By chopping some worms up into small section and adding some whole casters you can create an extremely smelly carpet of feed on the bottom of the lake. Over the top of this I will fish with half a dendrobena worm, held on the hook with a Korum Artificial Maggot to stop it wriggling off!


YEAr rOuND SuccESS chris ponsford

folloW these simple tips and you'll soon have a net of fish liKe this! chris ponsford

1000m spools Stated breaking strains are based on the achievable strength with a Blood knot much higher strengths can be achieved with a Grinner, Palomar or Figure of Eight Loop knot Dull green colour Kink-resistant structure Fast sinking

Available in 5, 7, 9, 11 & 14lb

Reel Line

Kink-resistant structure Super strong Straightens easily High abrasion resistance Fast sinking Comes on tackle box compatible spool holder

Available in 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 & 15lb

Power Mono Super strong formula High abrasion resistance Fast sinking fibres Soft feel Supple materials Comes on tackle box compatible spool holder

Available in green and brown in 10 & 15lb

Power Braid

The

connectionDEMAND MORE. PAY LESS.

Xpert Power, Xpert Specimen and Xpert Specialist patterns available Based on some of the most successful specimen hooks of all time Chemically sharpened hooks Superb non-glare finish Ultra-reliable Super strong

Available in barbed and barbless, size 6-16

Hooks

125

799

299

The Ultimate Worm RigPushing a Quickstop through a worm has been a big secret until now! Its an incredible setup for

almost every species that swims heres how to tie it!

Available in 4 & 15 in sizes 10-16

quickstop hair rigmesh feederFilled with groundbait and

chopped worms Available in small, medium & large

between 30-150g


The UlTimaTe Worm rig setting up the perfect rig

how to Set up a Quickstop Worm Rig

1 Slide a Korum Feedabead followed by a Korum Dura Bead onto your reel line 2 Tie on the metal clip using your favourite knot 3 Attach your hooklink and pull the Dura Bead over the metal clip

4 Push a Quickstop Needle into the base of a Quickstop 5 Push the Quickstop through the centre of a worm 6 The worm hookbait is now ready to fish

All the benefits of a Quick Change Bead with the added security of a metal clip

dura bead

feedabeadContains a quick change clip for fast

changing of feedersAlso available in 6, 10, 12 & 15lb

8lb Xpert reel line


korum.co.uk


setting up the perfect rig The UlTimaTe Worm rig

intelligent tackle management

itm compatible bags:

1 Rucksack 2 Roving Rucksack 3 ITM Daysack 4 Fold All Bag

5 ITM Tabletop Carryall 6 ITM Tackle & Bait Bag 7 SS Rucksack 8 Rig & Accessory Bag


inTelligenT Tackle managemenT design and function

design is not just about form. its about function. How things work in the real world. Its no use designing a flight bag that looks magnificent, but doesnt fit into the overhead cabin. Just in the same way you wouldnt buy shoes that dont fit, we dont design luggage that doesnt help the angler improve their fishing.

Whether its making the angler more organised, or simply providing something the right size for modern angling techniques, for us, its about making your angling experience about catching fish, not worrying about whether your bag is going to let you down, or spending the whole time rooting around in the bottom of a bag looking for something important.

Our whole ITM concept stems from our range of tackle boxes. The size of these boxes, and multiples of that size, are what all our luggage is designed around. Side pockets, internal compartments the shape, width, depth and height is all determined by the ITM sequence of measurements.

Embracing the Korum ITM philosophy, using our tackle boxes and luggage, WILL make you a more organised angler. The solution is here and has been selling in the thousands for over a decade for a very good reason. Come on board, and turn yourself into an Intelligent Tackle Manager.


korum.co.uk


design and function inTelligenT Tackle managemenT

Intelligent Tackle Management. Those are the three words around which the entire Korum luggage and tackle box principle is based. Those who have embraced the ITM way of life tell us they are more organised. More efficient. Dare we say, better anglers, purely as a consequence of changing to ITM products.

Previously, tackle boxes have been large, cumbersome affairs, custom built to suit one manufacturers products and few others. ITM, meanwhile, is totally modular, portable and functional.

Our compartment boxes are built to fit inside our tackle boxes neatly, and then our luggage is built to fit our tackle boxes and accessory boxes. Its simple, really, but with everything based around

the same set of dimensions and shapes, its easy to pack your gear away, and even easier to get fishing in the first place.

New for 2014 is arguably our best tackle box system yet - the Fully Loaded Maxi Rig Manager. It comes complete with the all-new Korum rig tools, disgorgers, along with a Maxi Rig Board and compartment boxes. All you need to get started, leaving you room to develop and personalise your tackle box exactly the way you want it.

The new compartments built into the lid are better for larger tackle items like our Anti Tangle Kit sleeves, Leaders and even leads. However you fish, you cant fail to get more organised by using this tackle box.

Get

Compatible with the new

tool range!

the korum itm principle stands for intelligent tackle management.

itll change the way you fish.heres why...


geT organised intellegent tackle management

Take a look at the full rangea superb selection of gear, enabling true intelligent tackle management for you, the angler.

1 Maxi Rig Manager Fully Loaded 2 Tackle Manager 3 Maxi Rig Store 4 Multi Accessory Box 5 Rig Board 6 ITM Rig Tool Kit 7 ITM Rig Track 8 8 Compartment Box 9Spool Box q 4 Compartment Box

Tackle not included with items 2-5 & 7-10


korum.co.uk


intellegent tackle management geT organised

Carry Onthe korum ruckbag revolutionised how anglers thought about moving their tackle around. The Ruckbag was the first ever bag to allow you to carry your chair on your back with the bag, as one. No more lugging your chair around in your hands and getting a dead arm, just simply clip it to the Ruckbag and carry it to your swim across your back like a rucksack.

Heres a quick guide on how to attach your chair to the Ruckbag. The bag has been designed to make this process really simple, easy and fast. This enables you to pack away and move swims easier than every before perfect for mobile anglers, or anglers in a hurry.

The following Korum chairs are compatible with the Ruckbag, making life so much easier out on the bank: Korum Accessory Chair, Korum Supa-Lite Chair, Korum EZ Chair.

1 Place your Korum Chair onto the top of the

Ruckbag. Make sure the legs and frame are

nearest the chair for maximum comfort.

2 Clip the bag to the chair by attaching the

large black clips to the chairs frame.

3 Repeat this on the other side of the bag.

4 Unhook the Ruckbags straps from the

bottom of the bag on both sides.

5 Place both straps over the top of the chair

and bag.

6 Re-attach the straps to the base of

the Ruckbag.

7 Heres how the Ruckbag and chair should

look when attached.

8 Once on your back, clip the chest strap

together for added support.

9 Adjust the shoulder straps so that the bag is

well supported, if needed further adjust the

chest strap.

The finished article, grab your rods and

get fishing!q

View the

Tutorial


carry on attaching your chair to the ruckbag

deluxe ruckBag Featuring a dirt resistant

EVA base, two external ITM compatible

pockets, internal ITM zipped pockets and an outer mesh pocket, this chair

offers all the benefits of the Ruckbag, with that extra bit of much needed space.

ruckBagThis bag features internal ITM zipped pockets and an outer mesh pocket along with an ergonomic harness with a chair attachment system. Top loading for instant access.

eZ accessory chairThis chair provides four vertical points for accessories, these points are fixed, giving you stability and functionality. Compatible with all Korum Chair Accessories and OffBox items, this offers the comfort and easy storage needed.

iTM TaBleTop ruckBagLarger side pockets with mesh outers and a bank stick quiver design on the side that enables you to carry made-up bank sticks on the side. There are floating D-ring clips for attaching spoon nets (caribener clips supplied.)

supa-liTe chairArguably the

korum fishing made easy consumer guide 2014

Documents

big year

flowade kiddell

feeder fishingsurface

method feeder

favourite captures

years korum publication

year round success56

favourite carp capture08