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Brookesy

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  1. NACA Magazines Live on a NEW platform

    in NACA Magazine

    Posted

    After some issues with download speeds and in an attempt to also get more exposure for both NACA and CAG we have moved to a new hosting platform.

    The added benefits are a better reader, social media tools and also the option for individuals to order their own prints of the magazine.

    Please check the links out to the last two editions at:

    http://issuu.com/northamericancarpangler/docs/2014_q3_naca

    http://issuu.com/northamericancarpangler/docs/2015_q1_naca

    Carp Fishing Podcast

    in Pictures, Stories & Video

    Posted

    Here's CC2 with Ali who gives us a great interview.

    https://soundcloud.com/carp-cast/the-carp-cast-ft-ali-hamidi

    I've been browsing this site a bit and I think we need to get a U.S. carper on sooner or later:-)

    Mark, love the new podcasts. I've sent you a PM with some information if you are looking to get US carpers on it the future. It would also be great to get an interview with yourself for our magazine (NACA) highlighting this new format.

  4. NACA - New Features and Content

    in NACA Magazine

    Posted

    Hope everyone liked the most recent NACA. We now have a new segment called "Around the Globe" where we feature articles from different areas of the world and we would love to see this continue. If we have any World wide members please send me articles and pictures detailing the area of the world you are fishing. It was great to have Marcus Tackley detail his trip up to Canada and a really interesting read from Chris Ward over in Australia. Carp fishing really is global so hopefully we'll get some interesting content for future editions.

    I am also adding a section called "Around the USA" which will feature different areas of the country. I'm hoping to highlight Texas fishing in the next issue but again, if anyone has good content please send it across to naca@carpanglersgroup.com

    Personally, I plan on finishing up my Boilie Articles in the next edition and then I am starting a 'Technical' section where I am going to dispel some of the myths lots of us still believe and also put tackle, rigs and bait to the test. First up is a feature on rods. I see lots of threads and videos doing the rounds with all sorts of claims regarding distances people can cast. In this first article I am going to take several rods in the same bracket (12ft 3-3.25lb Test Curve) and put them through 3-4 simple tests to see how they stack up. All tests will be recorded and documented and I'll keep them as simple as possible so they are applicable to the average angler.

    With that said I am attempting to get 6-10 rods together to test. I already have Fox, Saxon and Century covered and I am looking at getting a few other major brands on board as well as a few of our US manufacturers. If you have a rod you want tested or have a test you would like to see performed please let me know.

    Finally, I would love to have US based anglers on the cover of NACA, but it really does depend on you guys sending me quality pictures. Once the water warms up, please get out there, catch some lumps and send the pictures my way.

    Have a great winter.

    Dean

    River Rigs

    in MA

    Posted

    Beef up your tackle. 12 foot rods are a good option as you can keep more of the line out of the water. Strong line (15lb+) although I prefer braid on the Merrimack as there is usually weed and other debris to content with. Leads depend on the water levels and which tide you fish. Sometimes 2oz will be enough, other times 4-5 oz's will be required. Don't worry about the lead moving around a bit as the fish are used to food moving.

    Pick a lead set-up that avoids tangles. I prefer a helicopter set up on the Merrimack as it allows the rig to stay fishing even when bouncing around. I would also look at beefing up your hook links and especially hooks as the carp fight very, very hard. I use beaked pointed hooks as it avoids blunting the point if the hook hits the bottom. Bait wise they eat everything and I've caught them on corn, maize, chick peas and all manner of boilies. Experiment and see what works, usually depends on the section you are fishing. Remember they are shoal fish and if you are in the tidal sections it may be several hours before they come through the swim!! However, once they arrive the action is usually intense. If you need further info. just PM me. Happy to help.

  7. NACA 2015 Q1

    in NACA Magazine

    Posted

    Thanks for the kind comments Hawkeye. I hope to keep the content high and keep on improving the lay-out. If you take a close look at this issue there are only 4 articles from non US anglers and one of them is a CAG member (Marcus). The rest of the content is CAG based news and information (Big 4, ATC, Mid-west regional, FFF, etc) and articles from US anglers, most of who are also CAG members.

    Again, I would love to have an excess of quality material from US anglers and my goal has always been to have at least 75% of the content focused on the US. I would love to see some articles regarding fly fishing and pay-laking and hope to get contributors on board for these. What I will say is that I have lots of irons in the fire and if half of them pan out we will continue to get quality content from US and world contributors alike.

    The better the magazine looks the easier it is to get contributors and sponsors and move towards making NACA self supporting. Keep the comments coming, good or bad as this is YOUR magazine and I welcome input.

  8. NACA 2015 Q1

    in NACA Magazine

    Posted

    Diggs has a point though. As to the struggle for content, quality content does not come in by mail. A post on the forum is also fairly unproductive. Content has to be proactively chased. A phonecall or a pm works wonders... ;)

    Other than that, well done! Lovely pictures inside by the way...

    Mario, I am not struggling for content and if the last 2 editions do not show you that I am pro-active and chase down good contributors than I unsure what else I need to do!! I have lots more content coming, some from outstanding writers but I have made it clear on several occasions that I would love to have more contributions from CAG members.

    I'm not sure why there is an issue about the cover shot(s) as NACA has had European anglers on the cover before as well as anglers from other parts of the world other than the USA. My goal is for quality and if I get quality pictures from US anglers I will most definitely use them.

  9. NACA 2015 Q1

    in NACA Magazine

    Posted

    The magazine is great and I'm sure everyone can attest to that, The content is well rounded and it does look to be improving with every issue. I am not denouncing that for a second and everyone involved is doing a fantastic job. My "simple" question was answered by you stating " The simple fact of the matter is that the two cover shots were the best shots available to me and ones I thought would give the magazine the most exposure". So in essence, the USA anglers need to step up there photography skills to have a shot at displaying an "American" fish? Does the pic have to be a recent fish? I'm sure with the thousands of anglers over the years there are plenty of nice pics of fish or something "carpy" that is worthy of American representation from the CAG archives?

    I don't think I slammed anything whatsoever. I questioned the cover, that was it. Please don't blow out of context. I appreciate your response. Thank you

    While the shot does not have to be recent it is much better if it is current and in line with whatever the content of the article inside is going to be. The quality refers to a couple of areas 1) The framing of the shot and the actual digital quality of the shot 2) The subject in question, ie. the fish or the scenic qualities

    Any anglers who want to submit pictures and articles can do so at:

    naca@carpanglersgroup.com

  10. NACA 2015 Q1

    in NACA Magazine

    Posted

    Many of you do not personally know me, but I just wanted to throw a thought out there about the NACA magazine. First I want to state, this is by no means a "slam" of sorts, but was more curious than anything about a particular issue. The last two covers were of "non-USA" based anglers on the covers of our beloved magazine. I have the up most respect for both of them as anglers and have learned a lot from them, but am I the only one that feels the "North American" magazine should at least have an "American" fish on the cover? Our country is obviously still in its carping infancy stage, but isn't this the place to show what our country has as far as specimen carp go, especially on the cover? Is this slightly hypocritical to have a UK angler with a UK fish on the cover? I'm not trying to stir any pots and get people all crazy, just asking some simple questions. I appreciate any respectful responses to my inquiries.

    You may not mean to slam the issue or stir the pot, but that's what you are doing. Please take a close look at both magazines and you will see that over 90% of the content is regarding US anglers and CAG Clubs news and events. If the magazine was only available to members then it would only feature members, however one of the remit's of NACA is to capture new members, get more eyes on CAG and also encourage new sponsors to join and support the club.

    As Editor in Chief I have no bias towards any nationalities or countries. The simple fact of the matter is that the two cover shots were the best shots available to me and ones I thought would give the magazine the most exposure. Simply put no American anglers submitted a picture or pictures up to the standard required of a cover shot.

    To follow-up on this point, I have asked several times for member contributions, but it is usually the same people who get involved. If someone sends me a shot of high enough quality or captures a note worthy fish it will go on the cover. I go with the best shot available whether US or European. Whether you think I am biased to the UK anglers or not (yes I am originally from the UK, but been in the US for 15 years) is your opinion, but I am only interested in quality and improving the content of the magazine which I hope I am doing.

    Please, please, please send in catch pictures and articles if you are a CAG member. I would love to have more contributors sending in quality material which will save me having to source my own content and contributors.

    Power Pro Microfilament Braid

    in Beginning Carping

    Posted

    Brian,

    There must have been something wrong with the line as unless you are pulling in a straight line it's almost impossible to break 15b Big Game line. It may be a bad batch. If you test it yourself with a rod and line tied to a set of scales there's no way you will pull the scales round to 15lb of pressure! Maybe tie a section to a immovable object and the other end to the scales and walk back until it breaks to see exactly how much pressure is needed. Most likely the line has touched something or is weakened due to another reason.

    I have caught numerous 30 and 40lb river carp that fight ridiculously hard and have never had a line breakage. You may also want to check the setting on your reel drag so that the fish can pull off line when it makes a sudden run. Braid is a much more unforgiving material especially at close range. I generally use braid when I am fishing at range to increase indication, aid casting and also reduce line twist but all things being equal I prefer mono.

    At the end of the day use what you are confident in, but I'm sure many, many other anglers will attest to the qualities of big game.

    Rods

    in Beginning Carping

    Posted

    The Saxon is more than enough unless you are planning to throw big method balls. The Merrimack is tidal unless you fish below the Lawrence Dam but even in the Haverhill and Amesbury area you will usually be okay with 2-3oz's of lead. The heavier rods are only required for longer range casting or for casting bigger weights.

    The one thing I would definitely encourage you to do if fishing the Merrimack is to beef up your tackle. 15lb mono or 30lb braid and a decent leader of some description (I use leadcore in 40lb but 25-30lb mono also works). I also use heavier wire hooks in 4's and 6's as the fish are 1) Very powerful compared to lake fish 2) They know where every snag is 3) There can be lots of crap coming through on the tides.

    You will love fishing the Merrimack as the carp are hard fighting and average a decent size. If you need any help with areas to fish just send me a PM or ask Jerome and Iain as they both have fished the river extensively.

    Good luck and welcome to the Carp Obsession.

    A Common Obsession

    in Pictures, Stories & Video

    Posted

    Thanks for all the kind comments. Jerome, I've been trying to up my odds of a big common by fishing every full moon I can (as the common belief is they are easier to catch on these occasions!). I'm also experimenting with some different baits as I really do believe big commons are more natural feeders and can also be predatory at times. If my baiting approach works I'll share it with everyone......well, once I've caught all of the big commons, so could be a decade or two :)

    Bolt Rig Effect?

    in Beginning Carping

    Posted

    3oz's is absolutely not required for a 'bolt effect'. If you are fishing with a fixed or semi-fixed lead (bolt rig) then 1.5 to 2oz is more than enough. In fact I regularly use 1oz leads where possible and have no problem with losing fish or having them not bolt. I have caught carp to over 40lb's on 1oz to 2 oz leads. Generally, the only reason you need to increase the lead size is either due to current or if you want to cast further with heavier rods.

    Good luck.

  20. NACA Q4 - Member Contributions

    in NACA Magazine

    Posted

    Just a quick update on Q4. I have some excellent content and several articles from CAG Members but hardly any catch reports or scenic shots.

    With that in mind, please forward me any 'Winter Shots', scenic or otherwise you would like to have considered for the magazine. I'd like to keep NACA member orientated and highlight some of your own pictures.

    All submissions can be emailed to naca@carpanglersgroup.com

    I will be collating all materials in the next 2 weeks so please send them before December 23rd to be included. Q4 is scheduled to come out in January, just in time for some winter reading!

    Thanks in advance for any contributions.

    Leftus from Gloucester

    in MA Meet, Greet & Questions

    Posted

    yeah no big secret there. That spot slowed down quite a bit. Been baiting it the last couple days gonna give it one more shot Sunday am. If you bait it I will come!!

    It's a good lake if you can get on the fish, just a shame there's so much private property!! The fish are fairly unique as they have big heads and tend to be fairly short and stocky. Nice looking fish as well :)

    Barbless hooks

    in Beginning Carping

    Posted

    I'm trying to figure out how a barbless hook causes more damage than a barbed hook. I'm not using barbless hooks but regular hooks with the barb mashed down for trout flies. Believe it or not, barbless fly hooks cost more than barbed!

    A barbless hook penetrates much quicker, especially if sharpened correctly, but they do have a tendency to move around more, especially in certain patterns. I use them when float fishing with smaller hooks as I am not playing the fish for any length of time and thus there is no damage. However, when playing fish for longer periods a barbed hook will generally stay in place and not move around, more so when you increase the size of the hook. Personally, I rarely use a smaller hook that size 5's and most of the time I am using 2's and 4's.

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