It is always educational to see an expert in action, and watching Stu Dexter lead the field using The Method in the recent Keith Culley Memorial match at Clattercote was no exception. I also saw Graham in action and picked up more tips.
Stu Dexter grins all the way to the bank after a resounding win at Clattercote
Stu Dexter’s Method
This is the second part of The Method trilogy. Last week Jeff Woodhouse gave a detailed account of the matchman’s approach to this technique. This week I’m going to let the pictures tell most of the story but also pick out some of the many little wrinkles that make the difference. The final part of the trilogy is for Dave Gilling to explain the carpers’ approach to The Method.
So what did I learn about The Method at Clattercote?
Accuracy It was clear throughout the day that those that did well were casting extremely accurately; whether this is improved by clipping up, lots of practice or good technique is debatable – all three must come into play.
Dynamite Method Mix
It is vital that the feeder keeps landing in the same spot. During the match Stu did alter his range to go about fifteen yards further; for some reason the Clattercote carp are prone to moving out, possibly due to the disturbance. It is no coincidence that those used to fishing at long range over many years are easy to spot – Graham, Gary Knowles and Andy Nellist were in this class.
Bait Stu was using Dynamite Bait’s Method mix. It certainly worked on the day. Hookbait on the day was sweetcorn or maggots, both effective Method baits. But the groundbait that was introduced via the feeder was not the only way that bait was put in. At the start of the match Stu put in a load of groundbait using a groundbait catapult, again accuracy was key.
At the start of the match Stu put in a load of groundbait using a groundbait catapult
Casting Not only was Stu accurate but the casting was regular. The Method mix is designed to break up fairly quickly. With a shoal of hungry carp averaging 6lbs (sometimes double that size) plus some tench, it was vital not to leave it too long before recasting. I don’t remember him waiting beyond about five minutes, and the same applied to Graham. Like feeding pellets on the pole feeding must be constant.
Don’t lose that rod!
Set the rod correctly on the rod rest
Stu had his rod rest set so that the rod was about 45 degrees to the line. He stressed that it was important to make sure that one of the rod rings was about two inches short of the rod rest. This means that when the tip goes round there is some security in that if the carp threatens to pull the rod in the ring will jam in the rest. He also holds the rod.
Easy with the strike
Easy does it on the strike
Although the fish were taking the bait at range – close on forty yards at a guess, with the fish moving away there is no need for a substantial strike. Stu’s strike is best described as a steady draw on the rod of about two feet, that’s all; enough to set the hook. He did have to look out for drop-back bites where the fish were running towards him. In this case he strikes with more vigour and often had to wind in some line to make contact with the fish. This type of bite can be tricky in that because initially the fish is coming towards you it is likely to rapidly turn round and go in the opposite direction. Because the fish doesn’t feel that big at first you have a false impression and can get caught out when it does belt off away from you.
Feeders
The Korum Method Feeder
Like several others on the day Stu favoured the Korum feeders that always land the right way up, with the groundbait uppermost, reducing the likelihood of it landing with the hookbait trapped beneath it.
Load the feeder with groundbait and then….
……insert the hookbait and cover with more groundbait
Get the clutch set right With such hefty fish on relatively light gear it is vital that the clutch is set right. That said, towards the end of the match with time running out and one or two fish giving him problems in trying to reach a weed bed to one side and the stanchions of the walkway on the other, Stu really did give the fish some stick; all held on and the fish were in the net quicker. By then the match was truly a one horse race, and Stu could afford to take risks.
Hook links As Jeff mentioned in the previous article these are kept short; just three or four inches of fluorocarbon. Check fishery rules on this, some waters insist on longer hook links.
It takes time Sometimes The Method works instantly but in a match the disturbance unsettles the carp. Then it’s a case of the steady feeding and patience for the carp to find the feed that will pay off. There is no doubt in my mind that if the match had continued another hour that Stu might well have had another 50lbs on top of the 94lbs that he had.
Just in case you’re wondering Yes, the section headings are alphabetic…
Keep concentrating. It’s no good going for a walk; resting the swim won’t necessarily be a good thing – keep that feeder, and feed, going in.
Look out for on-the-drop bites I’m not sure if Stu had any of these but Graham certainly did and they were savage takes that on at least one occasion left him hookless.
Mix that groundbait Stu used a riddle to remove lumps and thoroughly mix his groundbait.
Net them first time With lively 6lb carp, often reluctant to be netted, it is important to get them in the net; easier said than done at times. This comes with practice.
Organised Like most experienced match anglers Stu had his kit well organised so that everything was to hand.
Pressure Let the fish run if it needs to but under pressure to tire it.
Question what you are doing? Around mid match with half a dozen fish in the net but not many further bites Stu saw fish topping beyond the line he was fishing and changed to fishing further out, which brings me onto…
Range Deciding on the range to fish at is not always easy. Experience and knowledge of the water will help. Practice is vital in being able to fish at long range.
Set the tip with slight bend When tightening up set a slight bend in the quivertip. This will give you an indication of drop-backs as well as pulls.
Tie those knots Ensure that all knots are tied carefully, wetted when tightening (especially with fluorocarbon), as the pressures of fighting carp will test them to the limit.
Understand what you are doing Although The Method may seem a mindless form of fishing it needs as much understanding as any other. It is then that the many nuances make all the difference.
Virtually there Not many more tips to go…
Be prepared to give line
Wrap rounds If the tip does wrap round then steel yourself to pick up the rod without striking and be prepared to give line – that carp is moving fast.
Xpander pellets Apart from the groundbait other goodies can be mixed in; sweetcorn, expander pellets, dead maggots…
You’ll need… The right rod and reel for the job; Stu was using a Preston Innovations Carbonactive rod and Shimano reel – top quality kit well up to the rigours of Method fishing.
Zoo Creatures In Clattercote most of the carp were around five to six pounds; but some that were landed were around twelve pounds and twenties are a possibility. These are hefty fish on relatively light gear. When the fish start to get to that size then a heavier approach is need with The Method.
And that is just what Dave Rollin is going to describe next week in the final part of The Method trilogy
Finally a short note of thanks to Stu Dexter for his patience and help that day.
