The next step is to tire the fish and bring it within netting range. All the while, I keep the pole low and don’t keep changing the angle of the pole tip as this can make the hook-hold less secure. If you can, try to steer the fish into close enough proximity to have a go at netting it. A key to ‘scooping’ when you still can’t see the fish is to know how much line you have between float and hook.

For example, if you are fishing in a foot and a half of water and your nearest dropper to the hook is eight inches away, if you can see that last dropper just breaking surface as the fish swims towards you, you can have a scoop at it. But it takes practise and if you miss, the carp is going to thunder off on another run.

It’s a question of practise and confidence but you will appreciate that in a match situation, the angler who becomes adept at this will spend more time fishing and increase his chances of victory.

Finally, you will see in this catalogue two new products. One is called a Pulla Bung and the other a Pulla Kit. Both work on the same principle of letting you tighten your elastic after you have unshipped. This is a brilliant idea, especially when you hook a bigger than expected carp. By using the system you can increase the tension on the fish and get it into netting range much more quickly after you have unshipped. But be warned, don’t pull too hard too quickly or you may suffer hook pulls. You need to be sensible but once you get used to the system you’ll soon appreciate why it’s so good.

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