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Diary Of A
Matchman Part 12
by
Giles Cochrane.
Docklow, Match lake peg 30.
I think it is safe to say that I have had a consistent season so far in terms of winning money and although I have been consistent by drawing the same few pegs over the past few weeks, nobody else has framed near me. The method I have been using has taken a long time to perfect and I now feel confident that this is the best way to target carp during the winter. As yet I have not had the opportunity to see how it compares to the pole in the summer but that is only a matter of time. People are beginning to talk about the method and Simon who runs the tackle shop at Docklow, is claiming record sales of Arsley bombs this year. For those who have read the diaries, the method is hair rigging meat or corn but with a difference because the set up is not like you would use for skimmers and roach. That said, perhaps we may need to rethink that approach judging by the sheer numbers of roach and skimmers I catch on this set up.
On the morning I drew peg 30, which has some form because of the island, and I had won the previous match from peg 29 chucking to open water but on the day the carp were scarce to say the least. The were showing at the bottom end of the pool again and my travelling partner was into a few from the off. Big 'uns too! It was evident that he was going to frame because he had landed eight or nine, which meant that he, was looking at about 45lb plus. I was chucking to the island and feeding in open water, in the hope that one or two carp would show up later but all I could catch was chub. I had caught steady throughout the match and although I never had any real proper chub, I thought I had about 30lb. Andy Perkins weighed 53lb and was walking the match as there were a couple of 40lb weights made up of carp and chub.
The Farmer Jack Lake had returns of 30lb or so but when I put the fish on the scales I was shocked when they went 47 lb. Not enough to win but enough for second and more coin. It seems that this method is the dogs wotsits even if everyone is fishing the lead at the moment- nobody has twigged how it works and when you see anglers using paternosters you know they are not going to be a threat. I am more than happy to put people right if they ask and I know that some anglers have gone out and practiced the method afterwards with some impressive results. The rumours going around at the moment are that I am using additives but I think meat is a better bait than corn because it is something different. It is the hair rigs that is the important thing here because I am hooking every bite while anglers around me are striking at liners and foul hooking fish. We will see what happens over the next few matches because I am confident that this method, fished properly will out fish any other approach on a level playing field. You do have to have fish in the area but that is a basic requirement of match fishing no matter how people are at what they do. The draw plays a part at this time of year but not as much as some would have you believe. Docklow has a lot of good pegs and areas where anyone can win from. The important thing to remember is that it is where the carp settle and not where you draw that matters. I have seen matches won in the last hour by anglers who have not had a bite for the first few hours. The straight lead approach is well suited to this type of fishing because you do not need as many bites to win the match as other anglers fishing the pole or waggler.
Giles.
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