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.