Current Issue

Merry Christmas!

It’s time for a break off work and hopefully, the odd day on the bank. I may even manage to get out myself and if I do, I can slip back into the abyss of blanking without having to tell too many people as this issue is my last with Total Carp…

I have been editor for the best part of 18 months, met some amazing people, fished some great venues and enjoyed every minute of it. To have my name on the board feels like a bit of a legacy and one I’ll forever be proud of, but all good things must come to an end – I hope you have enjoyed my time behind the wheel as much as I have.

You’re in safe hands, as the new editor is none other than Joseph Earl-Wright, editor of CARPology. As you may be aware, we’ve been a part of Kelsey for most of the year, and me moving on to pastures new means that Joe will take the reins as well as continuing in his role at CARPology. Best of luck to him and the team!

In this issue, we take a look back at some of Ian Russell’s finest moments as he prepares to step down from his monthly feature after 30-plus years of service – we bid him farewell and say a huge thank you for sharing his expertise and knowledge, I’m sure he’s taught us all a thing or two!

Our urban cover is courtesy of Tom Maker where he talks all about keeping the bites coming. Elsewhere, Oli Davies doesn’t care about the cold because he’s still having them out the edge and we have winter tips from Dan Burke and CC Moore angler Dave Jones. Tom Loraine returns with an autumn reflection piece which saw him catch some cool commons and I built my ultimate carp fishing van with help from the guys over at Yoke Vans…

Alongside that we have all the usual suspects – new product reviews, Carp Scene, Talking Point, Q&As and everything else in between.

It's been a blast, see you out on the bank.

Be lucky

Jake

ON THE COVER

Keep The Bites Coming

Tom Maker joins us again with this super-cool, urban common! In this piece he alludes to what he thinks are the best tactics to keep the bites coming all year round.

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Turning Back Time

Ian Russell departs from his long-standing feature and we take a look back at a few of his finest moments, breaking it down into the one crucial thing that has kept Ian consistently catching!

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Inside The Mind

Last month Matt Eaton delved into leader materials, this month he’s moved on to hook links, when to use them, and which variants suit certain situations the best.

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Every Second Counts

Oli Davies shares a series of late-autumn edge sessions that reveal how stealth, subtle baiting and sharp observation can keep putting carp on the mat, even in the coldest conditions.

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Rinse & Repeat

Carrying on his summer momentum into autumn with a carefully prepped, rinse-and-repeat approach, Tom Loraine keeps the bites coming as the weed drops and the autumn rolls in.

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