New Video - Mugging Crafty Carp
Just in time for the warm weather, Alex Reynolds takes a look at a brilliant summer tactic – Mugging carp off the surface. Alex looks at the tackle and tactics you are going to need to get to grips with this useful tactic that can make the most of those days when the carp are ghosting around just under the surface.
Hit the play button below to watch now, or find the video (and many others) on the Browning YouTube channel.
SLK-P 2/1 Duo Pulla Top Kits
The Browning SLK-P 2/1 Duo Pulla top kits are absolutely brilliant if you are looking to add more set-ups to your pole. These top-two’s are very cost effective and are compatible with the higher-end Browning pole range.
I have to admit that the commercial carp fisheries I fish really do put every piece of my equipment through its paces. Top-kits are probably exposed to more punishment than almost any other item of tackle. This isn’t just the stress of landing big weights of hard-fighting carp, but also continual wear and tear in use. This is where kits made from quality carbon come into their own. Stress points on the ends of the sections are reinforced, helping to reduce wear and chipping.
Fitted with the brilliant Duo Bush system, no cutting back is required with these kits. Use the smaller 4.5mm inner black bush when using fine diameter solid elastics or lighter Microbore. Remove the inner bush and use the larger 5.5mm outer bush when bigger diameter hollow elastics are required.
The SLK-P 2/1 Duo Pulla Top Kits even come with a woven carbon reinforced area for adding a Pulla bush, extending the lifespan of the kit considerably.
These top kits really do give me a great deal of flexibility without breaking the bank. They make a great addition to my Sphere pole.
Length: 2.60m
Closed length: 1.45m
Weight: 49g
Sections: Top two
Duo Bush diameter: 4.5mm/5.5mm
Alex Reynolds
Keep up to date with all our latest match news here.
Find out more about our team of anglers here.
Visit the Browning poles website here.
The SLK-P 2/1 Duo Pulla kits are great value and cover all of my commercial carp fishing.
Using top kits that don’t need cutting back means I can change rigs without worrying about fishing the right line.
The reinforcing around the Pulla Bung area helps reduce wear and prolong the life of the kits.
Top kits have a tough life, but the SLK-P top-two’s are well up to the wear and tear of carp bagging.
Carp King Carp Wand
The first thing I noticed when picking up the Carp King Carp Wand for the first time was that it felt and looked like a rod that should have a much higher price tag, yet this rod as well as all the others in the CK range are classified as Browning’s budget rods, impressive or what?
Just like all the rods in the CK range the Carp King Carp Wand is perfectly balanced, weighs just 157g and is fitted throughout with high quality fittings such as the low-friction rings, special contoured handle, reliable screw fit reel seat, snag-free hook keeper and it’s supplied with two tips, 1oz and 1.5oz.
Being a two piece rod I carry this rod made up to all my matches. Just add a pair of rod protectors or bands to hold the rod pieces together.
When the need arises to cast a small pellet feeder or Method feeder up to 25m it’s the perfect tool for bagging up on commercial carp. Its ultra slim blank and forgiving action almost eliminates hook pulls and its short length, just 8’ not only increases casting accuracy but lands those carp far quicker than longer rods.
If you’re looking for a short versatile rod that talks up very little room that can be grabbed when needed to target those hard fighting commercial carp then look no further.
Alex Reynolds
Keep up to date with all our latest match news here.
Find out more about our team of anglers here.
Visit the Browning poles website here.
The Carp King range covers a wide range of commercial fishing tactics, at a great price.
A quality screw reel seat and split cork / EVA handle are standard on the Carp King rods.
A low-profile hook keeper tube is a neat touch.
Quality rings are fitted throughout.
How to Fish the Method Feeder for Carp
How to Fish the Method Feeder for Carp
The Method-Feeder has dominated match fishing on many venues over the past few years. Today I am fishing the Match Lake at Blind Lane Fisheries in Essex where the huge population of carp really respond to this method.
Conditions are far from perfect so I’ve chosen my swim carefully, one that has plenty of cover on the island, an area I’m sure the carp will head too once the sun gets up. I’m also tackling this venue with a different bait, something you probably haven’t heard of or used before but one that’s bought me great success recently. All will be revealed later.
Tackle for the day consists of one of my favourite rods, the beautifully balance 10’ Sphere Bomb, however as I’m fishing clipped up right next to the snags and can’t give these fish an inch have opted for the slightly more powerful +10% version. This has been complimented with the silky smooth Sphere MgTi 920, the smallest of four in this range, which is loaded with Cenex 0.16mm Feeder Mono. This mainline is a medium-stretch sinking line so bites are registered far quicker than standard monofilaments and the lack of stretch stops fish getting within the unforgiving snags on the far bank. On the business end I’m using a 30g Hydrus Metal Method Feeder which I set up so its semi fixed creating a bolt effect along with a four-inch hooklink made from Cenex 0.16mm Hybrid Power Mono which has a size 16 barbless Sphere Beast tied knotless-knot style with a hair containing a Silicone Pellet Band.
Onto bait, one that’s very versatile, cheap and will catch you loads of fish wherever you take it. What is it, corn pellets? These can be bought in bulk from any animal feed outlet and all I do is place a small piece within the bait band. This bait is really light so a fish can really suck it in easily and it’s something they haven’t seen before and believe me it will catch you loads of fish. For the feeder mix what I do is create a 50/50 mix of finely ground corn pellets and Champion’s Choice Big Fish Groundbait. Together these create a light fluffy mix, great for the method feeder and oozing out a lovely irresistible sweet smelling flavour of corn, almond, vanilla and marzipan!
The Sphere Bomb +10% Power rod is ideal for light Method feeder fishing on commercial fisheries.
Use the line clip on your reel to cast accurately every time. This is especially useful when fishing tight to far bank cover.
Always use a strong, abrasion resistant line when Method Feeder fishing. Cenex Feeder mono is ideal.
"Corn pellets are a versatile and cheap bait that carp love."
Cenex Hybrid Mono is perfect for hookengths, being clear in colour and with a very high strength for its diameter.
The Sphere Beast hooks are the best carp hooks I have ever used. Not only are they very strong for the wire thickness, but they are incredibly sharp too. Be sure to check them out.
Bait Bands make changing the hard pellet hookbait very easy.
The session has gone to plan and as expected the bright conditions have seen many of the carp heading for the shade of the snags. Other anglers around fishing into open water are struggling, yet by continuously casting to the same spot I’ve tempted a nice net of carp and F1’s. The tackle I’ve used is balanced, yet robust and strong enough to stop everyone getting into the snags, so all in all a great mornings fishing showing that if you choose the right swim, use appropriate tackle and a bait they just can’t refuse, even on the toughest days, great sort can be had.
How to fish the method feeder for carp.
Alec Roberts
Alec’s Tackle
Sphere 10’ Bomb Rod +10%
Sphere MgTi 920 Reel
Cenex 0.16mm Feeder Mono
Hydrus 30g Metal Method Feeder
Cenex 016mm Hybrid Power Mono
Sphere size 16 barbless Beast Hook
Silicone Bait Band
Alec’s Bait
Corn Pellets
Champion’s Choice Big Fish Groundbait
Keep up to date with all our latest match news here.
Find out more about our team of anglers here.
Visit the Browning poles website here.
Place your hookbait in the indentation in the centre of the Method mould.
Fill the mould with groundbait, place the Method feeder over the top and push down firmly.
Flex the mould to release the feeder. The loaded feeder should look like this, with the hookbait sat right in the middle.