Tweeking your Hookbaits
Ken Beech31 Oct 11, 09:15 AM
Whilst manning the Richworth stand at the northern fishing show, I spoke to lots of carp anglers many of which asked me whether or not I make my own hookbaits or use them straight out of the bag, I have put together a few quick tips on how I tweek my hookbaits in order to make them as attractive as possible.
Lead Shed Mucky coated lead with XLR8 spray added
I am either too impatient or just don't seem to have the time to spend rolling hookbaits and pop ups, The times I have tried the results have either been too dry a mix which then cracked or egg shaped baits and lots of washing up to be done.
I use the shelf life baits as hookbaits which you can buy in small packs to match your chosen freezer bait, just add a small amount of the matching boilie dip to a selection of shelf life hookbaits and keep giving the tub a shake, similarly with the pop ups it gives them an extra kick of attraction.
The shelf life's tend to be a little firmer with a tougher outer skin which gives me the confidence to leave my hookbaits in for long periods of time especially if there are other species of fish in your chosen venue which maybe whittling your hookbait down over a period of time.
Steve Lilly (15)
Steve Lilly26 Oct 11, 12:59 PM
Monday 10th Oct With the never ending strong westerly winds forecast I wanted to be on the Road Bank with the wind on my back. When I arrived at the lake 6 cars were in the car park with 5 swims on the Road Bank. Guess where I was going to be on the wrong bank! The Christmas Tree was my chosen swim for the next couple of days. On setting up I had visions of my bivvy going snap but with most of my stuff going walking down the bank any form of shelter would help. It was no surprise while putting up the home that one of the frames on the Ultralite went snap! A quick plan was devised and I would now be facing the path for my session at least I was angling. I cast all 3 rods at 65 yards 2 rods with Pineapple Hawaiian pop ups and 1 with a White Chocolate pop up. I put out a kilo of mixed size Multiplex bollies out in the spod between 50 and 60 yards and then decided to give up due to the wind! During the night I had no action but at first light there were a few shows close in.
26.04 on a Pinapple Hawaiian.
Tuesday 11th Oct
On seeing the showing fish both of my rods with the Pineapple Hawaiians were cast at fish and then at 10.30am I finally got a take. The wind was still blowing strongly in my face and playing the fish was not easy. Then the fish went solid NO it was weeded in 17 foot of water. Mike Kav had just turned up and we went through various master plans but all to no avail. The boat it would have to be.
2 rows forward and 5 rows back but after appox 30 mins I finally landed the fish and a 26.04 mirror had kissed the spreader block. A 100 more boilies were put out with the spod. I was confidant of another bite during the night but I had no more action and was pleased to go home with one.
Steve Lilly 13
Richworth5 Oct 11, 11:27 AM
Monday 19th September Having the brat pack with me this week cut down on my choice of swims. I really fancied the Road Bank with the wind on my back. No it was Rocky Bank with a weather warning for the wind blowing straight in my face! The bonus was Perry was not out to play this week so Christmas Tree was vacant. The wind being a massive problem I worked on the technical plan of getting my bait out. Casting out as far as I could with the spod, hitting the clip a couple of times and then walking out my rigs. 5 minutes later 3 rigs were cast out 2 with Multiplex bottom baits tipped with a piece of plastic and 1 with a Pineapple Hawaiian pop up with a cork insert. 2kgs of Multiplex mixed sizes 18mm and 14mm were put out with the spod and half a tin of sweet corn was added. Last year I found I caught really well this time of the year with the corn added so why change. I do not think that many other people are using corn so it is something a bit different. The Christmas Tree is a swim that only normally produces at night so when I got a take at 4.30am it was on bite time. An excellent battle was had with the wind and the fish 20 minutes later a stunning 35lb Mirror was being weighed.
A Stunning 35lb Fully Scaled on a Pineapple Hawaiin Pop Up
Tuesday 20th September
With the success of yesterday the same feeding process was followed. I did change one of the rigs over to a pop up as that was what produced the bite. I was really confidant of another bite during the night but caught nothing else.
My terminal tackle was a size 5 Nash Fang X, Missing Link 25lb in Silt fished Multi Rig style. I did add 2cm of Nash Camo Shrink Tubing to keep the hook in place and to add extra stiffness.