The whole emphasis of 'Tactical Carp Fishing' is to show you how to catch carp when time is limited. Forget two or three day sessions, night fishing or even dedicating an entire day by the waterside, these videos are about getting results from short sessions. Having said that, the techniques and baits discussed will be of benefit to all carp andglers, whether doing short-session work or settling down for a longer spell.

Not only does Matt Hayes have a cheerful, friendly and informative presentation style, but he can also catch fish. In fact, if you can't get chance to go fishing yourself then sit back and let your imagination run riot as you and he hook into some decent double figure carp from several different locations.

You can also chuck away some of those hi-tech rigs and gizmos. These tapes are about catching fish with the simplest of tackle through to more modern rigs.

Tape One outlines the problem. Average anglers, he says, enjoy average results. If you fish like everyone else, at best you might do slightly better and at worse you may do slightly worse. Anglers are not just competing against the carp any more, they are competing against each other.

By using techniques adopted from match angling, general and river fishing, the aimiable Mr Hayes applies lateral thinking to doing the right thing at the right time. He looks at bolt rigs and baits; using rig foam to add buoyancy; particle and smaller baits; what you need for effective floater fishing; alternatives to traditional Chum baits; float fishing for carp; and how to deal with wary fish and fishing areas full of snags and weeds.

Finally he outlines his freelining set-ups for stalking fish near the margins and explains how to cast heavy line long distances with the minimum of tackle.

Tape Two looks in depth at swimfeeder fishing, including block-end feeders and The Method, and concludes with using PVA stocking pags to get your bait and feed right where you want it. Matt Hayes' Method Mix is a treat to behold - it looks good enough to eat and is packed full of free offerings including a bag and a half of groundbait mix, a pint of casters, a good wedge of Tutti Frutti mini boilies, half a tin of flavoured red sweetcorn, a generous helping of 10mm Tutti Frutti boilies, quarter of a big bag of carp pellets and a wholesome scattering of hempseed. With such a high nutrient content it's not surprising it works!.

When looking at Block End Feeder rigs you come away in no doubt about one thing - Carp Love Maggots. The video shows in detail how to make up the various rigs described and spends time looking carefully at PVA stocking bags, how to make up the rigs and what to fill 'em with.

You certainly don't have to be a reclusive dye in the wool specimen huntin' carp angler to learn from these videos and pull out several ideas that make you think you'll give them a try. If you end up being as successful at catching big carp as Matt Hayes is, you'll also consider the £30 price tag for the pair to be money well spent.

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