Here in the States and Canada the Method is still a widely used tactic for trying to catch not only numbers of carp but large ones as well. It is hard to find any current articles or videos about using it for catching large carp in the UK and Europe. Why do you think it has fallen out of favor on your side of the pond?
It was a match fishing method. Evolved from a solid lump of ground bait to a soft mix and casting 10 to 15 times an hour. Not sure many carpers would fancy that. Plus small fish mopping up your ground bait. Was it ever a specimen method? I know its caught big carp but original idea was lot's of small to medium fish.
In reply to Post #1
I dont think he's written anything for a while but try to find articles by Martin Gibbinson, he caught a lot of fish v big and small using the method. (Notably essex waters)
I dont think he's written anything for a while but try to find articles by Martin Gibbinson, he caught a lot of fish v big and small using the method. (Notably essex waters)
In reply to Post #1
We have a term widely used over this side of the pond " Carpy " And flinging great big lumps of groundbait moulded round your lead don't really fit into that category. Your bearded wooly jumper wader wearing " Carpy " angler would never be seen dead doing that. If it ain't a shaved tiger fished on a leadcore helicopter set up with a 1.5oz lead on the end. They don't want to know.. Fashion, that's what I'm getting at..
The method is as much a big fish method as a small fish one. Your right criminally under used.
To me it's a solid PVA bag method without the Faff.
If you can find as mentioned any articles by Martin Gibbinson. He's your man for the " Method "
We have a term widely used over this side of the pond " Carpy " And flinging great big lumps of groundbait moulded round your lead don't really fit into that category. Your bearded wooly jumper wader wearing " Carpy " angler would never be seen dead doing that. If it ain't a shaved tiger fished on a leadcore helicopter set up with a 1.5oz lead on the end. They don't want to know.. Fashion, that's what I'm getting at..
The method is as much a big fish method as a small fish one. Your right criminally under used.
To me it's a solid PVA bag method without the Faff.
If you can find as mentioned any articles by Martin Gibbinson. He's your man for the " Method "
I honestly think that a large part of why it isn't used more here is that it is messy, smellly and the mixes get all over your rods. It is also not much fun casting out method balls vs. leads.
Also a big fashion/ attention aspect. People just forget about out of fashion rigs and approaches and have more confidence in what they see working on YouTube.
It works brilliantly and not just for small fish. I have found it to be more resistant to nuisance fish than I would expect (and double 18mm baits to be less resistant than I would expect!).
Carpworld articles from 15 years ago or so by Martin Gibbinson (not Jim) are the best that I read.
https://pocketmags.com/carpworld-magazine
Also a big fashion/ attention aspect. People just forget about out of fashion rigs and approaches and have more confidence in what they see working on YouTube.
It works brilliantly and not just for small fish. I have found it to be more resistant to nuisance fish than I would expect (and double 18mm baits to be less resistant than I would expect!).
Carpworld articles from 15 years ago or so by Martin Gibbinson (not Jim) are the best that I read.
https://pocketmags.com/carpworld-magazine
with pva bags being very good quality,they can be made up in bulk amd kept in a bucket ready to go and the ability to inject alot of liquids into the bag which is in vogue these days makes it so much more convenient than the method ball....that said I used to have some great sessions catching good size carp withba method mix of vitalin, corn and 2 pieces of plastic corn over the on the hook.
In reply to Post #6
I think the method is seen as a good way to fish on lakes where frequent casting is a bonus. On many lakes too much disturbance is the kiss of death. Same goes for spodding. You need to know what is the best way to fish your lake.
I think the method is seen as a good way to fish on lakes where frequent casting is a bonus. On many lakes too much disturbance is the kiss of death. Same goes for spodding. You need to know what is the best way to fish your lake.
In reply to Post #1
PVA bags offer something similar but with more bait options and a little more finesse.
PVA bags offer something similar but with more bait options and a little more finesse.
In reply to Post #8
And much less mess.
And much less mess.
In reply to Post #1
Was something I used around 5-6 years ago on a lake and took it apart in term of fish caught vs others. Used to use the Nash ball maker and scalded pellet with a bright bottom bait in the middle of the balls and then a method feeder with the same. Found you got small and large sized fish rather then predominantly one or the other.
Occasionally still do the same tactic but now just use solid bags.
Little and often was the way.
Was something I used around 5-6 years ago on a lake and took it apart in term of fish caught vs others. Used to use the Nash ball maker and scalded pellet with a bright bottom bait in the middle of the balls and then a method feeder with the same. Found you got small and large sized fish rather then predominantly one or the other.
Occasionally still do the same tactic but now just use solid bags.
Little and often was the way.
Had a mate who went to France a month ago and decided to just fish the method. Caught over 30 fish including lots of 30's 7 x 40's and a 53. Top rod for the week..so it's well worth while and highly successful and it was doubtful they had ever seen it before.
Everyone saying its one of the best methods I used. Not just a small fish method.. but still very few people use it.. 
As for the peeps saying its messy. I'd say it's no less messy than some of the spod concoction every one uses..
Come on admit it.. you just don't want everyone peering round the sides of there bivvy or giving you a disgruntled look everytime you put a method ball out..
Think we need Danny fairbrass to give it the Korda seel of approval for everyone to see how effective a method it is..
As for the peeps saying its messy. I'd say it's no less messy than some of the spod concoction every one uses..
Come on admit it.. you just don't want everyone peering round the sides of there bivvy or giving you a disgruntled look everytime you put a method ball out..
Think we need Danny fairbrass to give it the Korda seel of approval for everyone to see how effective a method it is..
In reply to Post #12
Although they dont push it.. i think they have always had and still do sell method feeders.
Bloody good ones as well tbh
Although they dont push it.. i think they have always had and still do sell method feeders.
Bloody good ones as well tbh
In reply to Post #13
I use the method fishing with my Son - the little guru method feedes and molds....and just mold damp pellet to shape and fish pellet on the hair. The guru gear for this is great, so easy that a 10yr old manages it pretty well.
We don't fish for big carp but catch plenty of singles and occasional doubles. A great technique for packed small fish waters where they get fed loads of pellet.
I use the method fishing with my Son - the little guru method feedes and molds....and just mold damp pellet to shape and fish pellet on the hair. The guru gear for this is great, so easy that a 10yr old manages it pretty well.
We don't fish for big carp but catch plenty of singles and occasional doubles. A great technique for packed small fish waters where they get fed loads of pellet.
The method seems to based around having your hookbait sat on (or within a couple of centimeters) of the feeder and the groundbait/pellet mix moulded to it.
By the nature of the beast, that mix on the feeder is gone in 10-15 mins tops. So lots of recasting if you are going to truly adhere to the method.
It would suit more an environment where you expect to catch a fish a cast (such as a well stocked commercial water).
I have had some great fish on the method (bream to 11lb, tench to 10, carp to 17); but it is not really adapted to large carp fishing where there are probably;only a limited few in the water.
By the nature of the beast, that mix on the feeder is gone in 10-15 mins tops. So lots of recasting if you are going to truly adhere to the method.
It would suit more an environment where you expect to catch a fish a cast (such as a well stocked commercial water).
I have had some great fish on the method (bream to 11lb, tench to 10, carp to 17); but it is not really adapted to large carp fishing where there are probably;only a limited few in the water.
In reply to Post #1
The method is good in moving water for barbel / carp where constant recasting and a stream of bait (due to the flow) is required . . . PVA bags a better presentation on lakes where theres no flow and recasting can be the kiss of death . . .a method balls 'release' rate can be controlled by the mix - looser and it dissipates quickly / stickier and it stays intact for longer
The method is good in moving water for barbel / carp where constant recasting and a stream of bait (due to the flow) is required . . . PVA bags a better presentation on lakes where theres no flow and recasting can be the kiss of death . . .a method balls 'release' rate can be controlled by the mix - looser and it dissipates quickly / stickier and it stays intact for longer
I can well remember Frank Warrick doing a video,on big carp fishing using the method down the edge ,it seemed very successful for him..
I use big marble sized paste wrapped around the hookbait ,and a few freebies ,even into the colder months it does well for me ..not many users of this now I reckon..
I use big marble sized paste wrapped around the hookbait ,and a few freebies ,even into the colder months it does well for me ..not many users of this now I reckon..
In reply to Post #3
It's mentioned in the Kevin Ellis video interviewing Kenny g
It's mentioned in the Kevin Ellis video interviewing Kenny g
Is there any benefit to using the method over a pva bag for carp fishing? The only advantage it has as far as I can tell is that it's slightly quicker. This lends itself to match style fishing etc but in carp fishing terms I don't see a place for it
Watch Frank Warwick's podcast on Nash TV. He talks about using the method on Acton Burnell where he absolutely ripped it apart catching far more than everybody else on conventional tactics. It was a tactic they had never seen before and Acton is by no means a small fish water. Makes you wonder how many waters it would work on if they have not seen it before? Personally my issue with it is getting the consistency right. Too solid and it stays in the bottom for hours, too loose and it never gets to the bottom. But I'm sure with like most things it would come with practice!
In reply to Post #20
Check his book every bit of blue - it is a fantastic read and has a whole chapter on the method for big carp. He calls one of his setups the canon ball - and it is clear to see why.
Check his book every bit of blue - it is a fantastic read and has a whole chapter on the method for big carp. He calls one of his setups the canon ball - and it is clear to see why.
Myself and the old man were shown the scalded pellet method style in 1991. He still uses it. It's only a small fish method if the fish in the lake are small, we've had a couple of 40s, dozens of 30s and hundred of 20s on it .
Another Warwick / method link is the bow and arrow cast. Casting that way puts a method feeder into places that you couldn't get to otherwise.
In reply to Post #20
Vitalin Original is superb on method feeder and takes on flavours very well
Vitalin Original is superb on method feeder and takes on flavours very well
In reply to Post #24
So expensive now.. It's gone up about 400%..
Greedy buggers
So expensive now.. It's gone up about 400%..
Greedy buggers
In reply to Post #25
I believe its been discontinued which is a shame.
I believe its been discontinued which is a shame.
In reply to Post #26
I saw some 2 weeks ago.
I saw some 2 weeks ago.
Remember Martin Gibbinson back in the day perfected the Vitalin/method tactic, ripped waters apart on it!
Could be one of those tactics that comes back into vogue at some point.
Could be one of those tactics that comes back into vogue at some point.
In reply to Post #27
It's definitely discontinued. The brand ‘vitalin' make other animal feeds but it's not the same stuff.
It's definitely discontinued. The brand ‘vitalin' make other animal feeds but it's not the same stuff.
In reply to Post #1
It's called 'pack bait' over there from recollection. Method was popular over here but not as of the last 10-15 years in Carping (for no good reason other than trend imo), though still a very popular match method. I used to use it a lot mid 90's - mid 0's but after taking a break from fishing in 07 when I came back to it I found scoulded pellets didn't work the way I wanted them too anymore (didn't bind well enough for me, maybe it was lower oil content, who knows but something changed).
I've used method almost exclusively for the last decade or so, here and abroad, but I use a very stiff coarse paste rather than normal pellet type. I want my bait to stick like s**t t a blanket, not to come off at the slightest nudge from a Roach or Bream as it may be out there for some time. In summer I tend to use oil in the mix, in winter I switch to hydros, as that's what I like to do, simples.
There is a vitalin alternative, it's been discussed on the forum before, I can't rem at the mo. There's also a good article on the Haiths website re a mix and it defo works well, or it did for me.
There was a bloke on a syndicate I was on, Wigan Phil iirc, he used to do really well on vitalin and fake corn hook bait on there. The owner used to say to him when are you going to stop using that s**t and use proper bait for my fish
It's called 'pack bait' over there from recollection. Method was popular over here but not as of the last 10-15 years in Carping (for no good reason other than trend imo), though still a very popular match method. I used to use it a lot mid 90's - mid 0's but after taking a break from fishing in 07 when I came back to it I found scoulded pellets didn't work the way I wanted them too anymore (didn't bind well enough for me, maybe it was lower oil content, who knows but something changed).
I've used method almost exclusively for the last decade or so, here and abroad, but I use a very stiff coarse paste rather than normal pellet type. I want my bait to stick like s**t t a blanket, not to come off at the slightest nudge from a Roach or Bream as it may be out there for some time. In summer I tend to use oil in the mix, in winter I switch to hydros, as that's what I like to do, simples.
There is a vitalin alternative, it's been discussed on the forum before, I can't rem at the mo. There's also a good article on the Haiths website re a mix and it defo works well, or it did for me.
There was a bloke on a syndicate I was on, Wigan Phil iirc, he used to do really well on vitalin and fake corn hook bait on there. The owner used to say to him when are you going to stop using that s**t and use proper bait for my fish
In reply to Post #30
Couldn't agree more with the fact that modern pellets just don't work as well as they did in the early 90s. Then friends and I took waters appart on the method and scalded pellet. It seemed to work everywhere, especially on gravel pits where we would cast directly into the weed !
I remember my first trip out with it to a local lake I caught two 20s and several smaller fish , I'd only ever caught one 20 prior to that ! Back then it truly was a game changer !
Couldn't agree more with the fact that modern pellets just don't work as well as they did in the early 90s. Then friends and I took waters appart on the method and scalded pellet. It seemed to work everywhere, especially on gravel pits where we would cast directly into the weed !
I remember my first trip out with it to a local lake I caught two 20s and several smaller fish , I'd only ever caught one 20 prior to that ! Back then it truly was a game changer !
In reply to Post #31
How have pellets changed since those earlier days, is it less oil, higher ash content ? Can that be alleviated through additives ?
How have pellets changed since those earlier days, is it less oil, higher ash content ? Can that be alleviated through additives ?
In reply to Post #32
I'd imagine all the fish meals used have changed for one reason or another, be it types simply not being available anymore or more heavily processing of those that are, ie, removing more of the individual constituents from them. Iirc oil levels were reduced too.
It's hard to describe but in the early days the scoulding of pellet created a slough paste that really bound the pellets well. You could add more hot water to create more of that paste which created a relatively solid method with few if any gaps. More modern pellets (as was back then) create the paste but it didn't bind anywhere near as well. Maybe it's changed again, I wouldn't know, haven't tried for a long time, but still use the like of Dynamite Halibut for loose feed every now and then, might try it.
I did experiment with commercial match binders and things like adding clo, albumin etc, as I rolled my own bait back then on and off, but eventually gave up (coinciding with using inline leads and stringers a bit more again).
I'd imagine all the fish meals used have changed for one reason or another, be it types simply not being available anymore or more heavily processing of those that are, ie, removing more of the individual constituents from them. Iirc oil levels were reduced too.
It's hard to describe but in the early days the scoulding of pellet created a slough paste that really bound the pellets well. You could add more hot water to create more of that paste which created a relatively solid method with few if any gaps. More modern pellets (as was back then) create the paste but it didn't bind anywhere near as well. Maybe it's changed again, I wouldn't know, haven't tried for a long time, but still use the like of Dynamite Halibut for loose feed every now and then, might try it.
I did experiment with commercial match binders and things like adding clo, albumin etc, as I rolled my own bait back then on and off, but eventually gave up (coinciding with using inline leads and stringers a bit more again).
This can be used & adapted to fish for big carp like most things, bit odd how some feel it's just a small fish tactic.
In reply to Post #33
I agree, a year or two ago I even tried pellets that were described by the website as old school oily pellets ! They didn't work either,
I've added fish oil too to try and mimic those old type of pellets but it's more than that ?
The succes I had back in the day was phenomenal and easily equals the current worm trend !
Back then I only came up with the method as magazines were talking about PVA bags and trout pellets! I couldn't afford PVA bags which were expensive back then so I tried scalded pellets which initially I dismissed as the mix just fell apart, but leaving it overnight was the key.
I started by moulding it around an inline lead then went onto making my own method feeders using a 2 oz bomb and a match anglers groundbait cage !
It was very cheap fishing too , trout pellets and a pot of pup ups !
As for size of carp on this method, we caught everything, back then a 20 was a big fish , I had numerous 20s using it and my friend who took it to the Cotswold water park had several 30s !
Another friend took it to Horseshoe and was the first person to have two 30s in 24 hours, which made the magazines, but got his name wrong 🤣
I agree, a year or two ago I even tried pellets that were described by the website as old school oily pellets ! They didn't work either,
I've added fish oil too to try and mimic those old type of pellets but it's more than that ?
The succes I had back in the day was phenomenal and easily equals the current worm trend !
Back then I only came up with the method as magazines were talking about PVA bags and trout pellets! I couldn't afford PVA bags which were expensive back then so I tried scalded pellets which initially I dismissed as the mix just fell apart, but leaving it overnight was the key.
I started by moulding it around an inline lead then went onto making my own method feeders using a 2 oz bomb and a match anglers groundbait cage !
It was very cheap fishing too , trout pellets and a pot of pup ups !
As for size of carp on this method, we caught everything, back then a 20 was a big fish , I had numerous 20s using it and my friend who took it to the Cotswold water park had several 30s !
Another friend took it to Horseshoe and was the first person to have two 30s in 24 hours, which made the magazines, but got his name wrong 🤣
In reply to Post #1
It's a self fulfilling prophecy.
People will look at Parco and use that as evidence. However if everyone is using it, everyone is catching on it, and it's a main food source for a fish, then of course it'll catch big carp.
It's a self fulfilling prophecy.
People will look at Parco and use that as evidence. However if everyone is using it, everyone is catching on it, and it's a main food source for a fish, then of course it'll catch big carp.
In reply to Post #35
I did the same and empti3d Colnbrook west on it multiple recaptures of 30s and my mate even had some of them on same spot and same.method I balled up 20 balls in morning and 20 at night, then a bucket each time I left it was a fish frenzy 24/7
I did the same and empti3d Colnbrook west on it multiple recaptures of 30s and my mate even had some of them on same spot and same.method I balled up 20 balls in morning and 20 at night, then a bucket each time I left it was a fish frenzy 24/7
In reply to Post #35
You're spot on re leaving overnight to get the best out of them and it prompted a memory, the newer pellets had a almost gritty texture to the paste, that was defo different.
I was in the same boat when pva came out, far too expensive for me at that time, though I did fork out for the string (loved & still use stringers, even when using method). Some of the 1st method feeders I bought, or was aware of, were the tri vane variety where the vanes were cable tied to the lead (I still have 1 or 2).
My 1st 20 was on method and my biggest fish were both caught on it, from pressurised French waters in the last 10 years, and those fish see it all.
It's not a favoured method (pardon the pun) anymore, but it's no less effective, as long as it's put in the right place with something they want.
Tackle companies won't push it, not enough rig components required, not to mention no dumping of the lead to ensure you keep buying, and I hope it stays like that.
I bet your friend was miffed Getting in a mag back then wasn't that easy (until Carptalk did pages of them). I wasn't likely to do that (cost of a extra pic being the reason) but for some reason, and I can't remember why (probably annoyance), I once did and it got in. Naturally I cut it out, to this day I can't ruddy find it, that'll teach me
You're spot on re leaving overnight to get the best out of them and it prompted a memory, the newer pellets had a almost gritty texture to the paste, that was defo different.
I was in the same boat when pva came out, far too expensive for me at that time, though I did fork out for the string (loved & still use stringers, even when using method). Some of the 1st method feeders I bought, or was aware of, were the tri vane variety where the vanes were cable tied to the lead (I still have 1 or 2).
My 1st 20 was on method and my biggest fish were both caught on it, from pressurised French waters in the last 10 years, and those fish see it all.
It's not a favoured method (pardon the pun) anymore, but it's no less effective, as long as it's put in the right place with something they want.
Tackle companies won't push it, not enough rig components required, not to mention no dumping of the lead to ensure you keep buying, and I hope it stays like that.
I bet your friend was miffed
Getting in a mag back then wasn't that easy (until Carptalk did pages of them). I wasn't likely to do that (cost of a extra pic being the reason) but for some reason, and I can't remember why (probably annoyance), I once did and it got in. Naturally I cut it out, to this day I can't ruddy find it, that'll teach me
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