NEW DROP SHOTTING MATCHES... FOR CARP!

Events to trial predator-fishing tactic

DROP shotting has spread into the carp world with a brand new series of tailor-made events in the UK.

They are the brainchild of Carp Team England assistant manager Graham Mabey, who’s calling for participants in ‘trial’ events focused around the tactic that incorporates lures on a single hook suspended above a small weight.

Graham, who works at the For Life Experiences (FLE) complex in Hampshire, has arranged four matches that will take place at the fishery. He’s out to prove that drop shotting is not just effective for catching perch and pike, but other species too.

“Lots of anglers have gravitated towards this type of lure fishing for predators in the winter, and drop shotting is getting them to think outside the box,” he said. “At this time of the year carp aren’t herding fry, which they might do in summer, so what you’re trying to do is imitate winter match tactics.

“I’ve used little imitation ‘blobs’ to look like sweetcorn, bread and worms.”

Graham told Angling Times that the series of four matches that end on March 18 will be a trial run, but he’ll consider moving an event to the site’s Carp Lake, which contains fish to 20lb, next winter.

When asked about fish safety and the issue of foul-hooking, he said: “We’re not spinner fishing, so spinners and trebles won’t be whipped through the water.

“Drop shotting is a finesse technique where movements are much slower. There’s more chance of commercial carp being foul-hooked by match anglers lifting and dropping on the long pole to the far margins.”