...::: Jungle Fever – Extreme Stalking :::...

Over the last five years it has become apparent that on a lot of established waters across the country, Where carp have seen it all, and it has become increasingly difficult to predict and outwit our fishy friends.

The most exciting fishing, which is universally loved by all carp anglers is stalking. Luckily for us carp are spending increasing amounts of time in "safe" areas and require stalking tactics to get them out, Result!

Spending more time hunting down the fish in their "safe" areas will increase your take and catch rate. In this article I outline a few tactics that have worked for me in the past and will gurantee to increase yours! Read on to uncover the secrets from master stalkers……….

Tactic 1 – Heavy tactics at snag central

It is common to relate stalking with surface baits and tactics, I have found that using bottom tactics on the hoof to be most rewarding. A situation occurred many times on a local snaggy gravel pit, where I fished underneath margin tree snags in shallow water.

I was getting takes, but was loosing too many fish due to the long dense margin shrubbery. I would get a run, strike, and loose the fish because the fish had managed to move the light back lead and allow the line to rise in the water and get tangled in the margin roots.

Using a heavy 3oz back lead proved to be the solution allowing the fish to run underneath the snags, and allowing me time to sink the rod tip in time to prevent the line getting caught up in the trees. The lead also helps during the fight to keep the line low in the water.

A simple solution, but one which still seems to surprise people!

additionally I usually use 8 lb monofillament dotted with magma, or even dust shot, for my shallow water rigs. I have found nervous fish to react less to the invisible line than the more visible braid......other people have told me the opposite, so you''ll have to make your own observations and decide for yourself!

Tactic 2 – Zig Rig (introduced to me by Kev Robinson!)

A tactic which has be used extensively by the "southern Bouz", which can be used effectively on the move or statically, is the Zig Rig. We have just returned from Bowmans lake near london, where over 40 fish were caught and 60% of them were caught in a short time using this method.

The first step is to gauge the depth of water you are going to fish the rig in. either using a depth finder when statically using it, or by sight when stalking margins on the move. A Lead of over 2oz is fixed and a hook length of monofillament, approx 8lb depending on the situation, (snags, weed, etc). The bait, which could be bread, dog biscuits or pop up boille, can be fixed to the hook using a BaitBand™, hair rig, or straight on to the hook.

The result is a rig, which presents a bait in an unusual position; the natural inquisitiveness of carp will take over and fool the carp into taking the bait.

Using a running lead will result in twitchy takes, while the fixed lead has consistently resulted in screaming runs, probably due to the angle of pressure on the mouth of the carp.

Although not in a stalking situation this tactic approaches the same "safe" areas in a static scenario. Two rods and required and a lot of work. Imagine you have a large snag to the side of you and cant cast to where you need it, see below.

The way to attack this situation is to take the first rod (No1), with just a heavy 4oz lead attached, and walk round the lake and cast across to the position where you want the bait to be, underneath the snag. Before doing this you should cast your baited rod to the bank where you are going to stand to attack the snags.

With rod No1 in Position, a line clip is atached to the line, and the PVA loop on the baited rod is clipped in place. N.B. this method works best using a PVA bag approach.

The bag is then let go and the PVA bag follows the line into the snagged area. With the bait in position the No1 rod can be carefull removed.

Viola….a perfectly positioned bait in an otherwise inaccessible area.N.B A heavy back lead should be used to avoid snags (see tactic 1).

One thing we are all responsible for, and should never forget, are the safety of the fish. The tactics outlined above have all been subject to lengthy discussions and testing and I would never devise or use a tactic that would potentially damage or put the fish under unnecessary stress.

Catching a carp using, face to face, stalking tactics is one of the most satisfying experiences you can have…....but at a price…..I don’t think so.

Tightlines and wet sacks!................................

Johnboy