What does everyone think is better? i was having lots of success on solid bags but then after october last year my catch rate with them dropped and i started catching on stiff hinge rig with a mesh bag golf ball size with some stickmix or boilie crumb. only thing thats changed with my solid bags is the rig. i make up them before hand on short 1ft monofilament leaders. what mixes do you guys use in your solid bags as im looking at giving them another go.
In reply to Post #1
I've always been a personal fan of solid bags and always keep it fairly simple in regards to what I put in it. One thing I noticed last year when watching a fish feeding on my solid bag from a tree was that it was sucking the crumb up from a reasonable distance off the lake bed therefore my 3 inch rig couldn't suck far enough into its mouth and just dropped back onto the deck after she had fed. I made my rig 2 inches longer and watched the same fish try the same but the rig being longer went straight into its mouth and I caught it. I thought that maybe it's just one very wise carp until I seen a post from Scott Lloyd saying he had seen the same thing happen to him. Might be worth changing your rig a bit too see if that makes a difference. Hope this helps.
I've always been a personal fan of solid bags and always keep it fairly simple in regards to what I put in it. One thing I noticed last year when watching a fish feeding on my solid bag from a tree was that it was sucking the crumb up from a reasonable distance off the lake bed therefore my 3 inch rig couldn't suck far enough into its mouth and just dropped back onto the deck after she had fed. I made my rig 2 inches longer and watched the same fish try the same but the rig being longer went straight into its mouth and I caught it. I thought that maybe it's just one very wise carp until I seen a post from Scott Lloyd saying he had seen the same thing happen to him. Might be worth changing your rig a bit too see if that makes a difference. Hope this helps.
In reply to Post #1
Both!
They are interchangeable, I could use either with no problems, in most cases with the same fillings.
The exception are a fairly dry groundbait or liquidised crumb which I will use only in a mesh as it traps air and in a bag possibly make it float, and maggots preferably in a bag.
With the bag I do tend to puncture it, but even so a dry groundbait can be a pain.
Both!
They are interchangeable, I could use either with no problems, in most cases with the same fillings.
The exception are a fairly dry groundbait or liquidised crumb which I will use only in a mesh as it traps air and in a bag possibly make it float, and maggots preferably in a bag.
With the bag I do tend to puncture it, but even so a dry groundbait can be a pain.
Again, both depending on what I want. Mesh for speed, convenience and for maggots or casters. Bags for distance and a more bespoke presentation. Also use sticks for max range or if I want lots of attraction but no food. Usually have something as well as a bait on my end tackle. Horses for courses.
In reply to Post #1
A stiff hinge with a small mesh bag is a very different beast to a solid bag type short/supple rig. I'd say this was the reason you started catching again rather than the type of PVA used.
Solid bags are a method on their own IMO, not just a way to get bait around your hook bait. They are great for fishing in low lying weed, and also better for casting long distance. They're also pretty good dropped in the margins I have found.
Mesh is just a convenient way to add a little bit of bait around your hook, and can be utilised on pretty much any type of rig. Also helps with preventing tangles.
A stiff hinge with a small mesh bag is a very different beast to a solid bag type short/supple rig. I'd say this was the reason you started catching again rather than the type of PVA used.
Solid bags are a method on their own IMO, not just a way to get bait around your hook bait. They are great for fishing in low lying weed, and also better for casting long distance. They're also pretty good dropped in the margins I have found.
Mesh is just a convenient way to add a little bit of bait around your hook, and can be utilised on pretty much any type of rig. Also helps with preventing tangles.
I don't get the point of solid bags and never got into them
you can cast the right groundbait mix absolutely miles on a method feeder (with far less hassle)
In reply to Post #6
I don't get the point of solid bags
It is explained in the post below yours
I don't get the point of solid bags
It is explained in the post below yours
In reply to Post #7
What people mean sometimes when they say they ''don't get it'' is that they disagree with the need for them entirely
If you read my post again you will see a valid argument, which is that method balls are far less hassle than PVA bags
Method balls can be cast absolutely MILES (before anybody brings that up)!
What people mean sometimes when they say they ''don't get it'' is that they disagree with the need for them entirely
If you read my post again you will see a valid argument, which is that method balls are far less hassle than PVA bags
Method balls can be cast absolutely MILES (before anybody brings that up)!
In reply to Post #8
Solid bags can hold baits other than grounbait fella.
Solid bags can hold baits other than grounbait fella.
In reply to Post #9
So can method balls!
You can get loads of ''bits'' such as casters, particle and pellet into a really good strong binding method mix
I used to use it a lot, but like anything it doesn't suit every venue (and that includes solid bags as the mixes are very similar and both are massive roach magnets
So can method balls!
You can get loads of ''bits'' such as casters, particle and pellet into a really good strong binding method mix
I used to use it a lot, but like anything it doesn't suit every venue (and that includes solid bags as the mixes are very similar and both are massive roach magnets
In reply to Post #10
I think you know what I mean.
The method cannot hold anything without the use of graoundbaits or scalded pellets. A solid bag can hold literally anything with a little treatment.
I think you know what I mean.
The method cannot hold anything without the use of graoundbaits or scalded pellets. A solid bag can hold literally anything with a little treatment.
Yeah ok but I don't want to put my sandwiches in a solid bag anyway
They're for me not the carp
Ok Mr. Yonny
I would be quite interested in putting a little pile of mini boilies in a solid bag, or maybe the right liquid mix (or both)
perhaps our little ding dong will serve to open my mind a little bit so - nice one
It's good to have options and there are a few tricks with pva when you take string, mesh AND bags with you and get creative
I have a good one I may be happy to share, it involves mesh stocking only but I have one with string and stocking as well
But people shouldn't ignore the method, you can get really creative with groundbait and on some lakes it is devastating - just look at that young lad walloping Dave Lane in the final in France.. On the method.. CarpWars
I disagree with the method being less hassle than a solid bag, I always found fishing the method a right faff, mixing groundbait and keeping it at the right consistency throughout a session, whereas solid bags are far more versatile and a sinch to tie up even easier if you have some tied up ready on leaders. But each to their own.
In reply to Post #14
Once you have the groundbait right (its easy) you just keep a lid on it
Squeezing a method ball on is FAR easier and quicker than prepping bags up
Once you have the groundbait right (its easy) you just keep a lid on it
Squeezing a method ball on is FAR easier and quicker than prepping bags up
In reply to Post #15
Guess I just never got it right then lol but that's why I find bags easier you don't have to worry about that.
Guess I just never got it right then lol but that's why I find bags easier you don't have to worry about that.
It's honestly really easy to get groundbait right once you get into it mate
It's good fun and there are all manner of things you can use
But it does require thought because an easy error is that it doesn't break down and you reel the whole thing back in - especially in cold water
There's loads of videos about groundbait on the match/commercial scene of you are interested
Don't get too into flash boilie company ingredients, most of my old mix comes from the supermarkets
In reply to Post #17
To be honest it's not really my cup of tea and I've got about 100 bags to use up first lol but I'll have a look see if I can be converted.
To be honest it's not really my cup of tea and I've got about 100 bags to use up first lol but I'll have a look see if I can be converted.
In reply to Post #17
I used to use Method balls moulded around my lead on Ardleigh reservoir, and I know if you google 'Ardleigh reservoir' it will bring up some of my fish. It helps reduce tangles as well, putting the bait into the bottom of the groundbait. I could get 60metres or so with it around a 3oz lead on 2.75lb rods, halfway across Wick Lane damn from aiming from one bank to the other.
The base for it was always Vitalin dog food, added chopped and whole boilies, particles all went into it.
Once the consistency is right the lid would go back on the bucket, and any unused bait would get balled in at the end of the session.
Even now if I fish the Method I don't buy any shop bought groundbait mix, although I may add ground breadcrumb from my own unused crusts, I will add casters, maggots, sweetcorn, pellets, and boilies still.
Something that does work nicely to get a bit of cloud is rolling the Method ball in a bit of ground pellet powder.
It is also possible to mould it around a small lead when float fishing closer in.
As Enzyme has said though, you do need to be able to use other PVA methods, be it bags, mesh or stringers.
I used to use Method balls moulded around my lead on Ardleigh reservoir, and I know if you google 'Ardleigh reservoir' it will bring up some of my fish. It helps reduce tangles as well, putting the bait into the bottom of the groundbait. I could get 60metres or so with it around a 3oz lead on 2.75lb rods, halfway across Wick Lane damn from aiming from one bank to the other.
The base for it was always Vitalin dog food, added chopped and whole boilies, particles all went into it.
Once the consistency is right the lid would go back on the bucket, and any unused bait would get balled in at the end of the session.
Even now if I fish the Method I don't buy any shop bought groundbait mix, although I may add ground breadcrumb from my own unused crusts, I will add casters, maggots, sweetcorn, pellets, and boilies still.
Something that does work nicely to get a bit of cloud is rolling the Method ball in a bit of ground pellet powder.
It is also possible to mould it around a small lead when float fishing closer in.
As Enzyme has said though, you do need to be able to use other PVA methods, be it bags, mesh or stringers.
In reply to Post #19
That's a banging idea mate about putting a bit of groundbait around the lead when float(shh)! fishing
Good post
Cheers
That's a banging idea mate about putting a bit of groundbait around the lead when float(shh)! fishing
Good post
Cheers
In reply to Post #20
👍
On the day ticket and park lakes I occasionally fish just lowering the float, lead and groundbait in produces a lot of fish, more than sat behind the buzzers waiting.
👍
On the day ticket and park lakes I occasionally fish just lowering the float, lead and groundbait in produces a lot of fish, more than sat behind the buzzers waiting.
In reply to Post #1
Both have a place and when used can give you and edge. I like to get solid bags out quickly when I turn up at a new lake or am on a short session, they can get you those quick bites and allow for multiple catches, it also keeps you active rather than leaving a bait for hours. The big advantage for me is presentation of the rig, you know it's going to be spot on with a nice amount of freebies around the hookbait, 12mm with a size 6 or 8 hook and a 3 to 4 inch braided hooklink, with inline lead, if a carp picks it up they are on. Mesh is slightly different and I only ever use the boilie size to get a few freebies out right next to the hookbait.
Both have a place and when used can give you and edge. I like to get solid bags out quickly when I turn up at a new lake or am on a short session, they can get you those quick bites and allow for multiple catches, it also keeps you active rather than leaving a bait for hours. The big advantage for me is presentation of the rig, you know it's going to be spot on with a nice amount of freebies around the hookbait, 12mm with a size 6 or 8 hook and a 3 to 4 inch braided hooklink, with inline lead, if a carp picks it up they are on. Mesh is slightly different and I only ever use the boilie size to get a few freebies out right next to the hookbait.
In reply to Post #22
You can get a lot more creative with any form of bags than just pasting the trend rigs
There is no need whatsoever to use a silly short roach rig of 3 inches if you take the lead out of the equation
You can get a lot more creative with any form of bags than just pasting the trend rigs
There is no need whatsoever to use a silly short roach rig of 3 inches if you take the lead out of the equation
In reply to Post #23
Yeah, thanks for the insightful response. The guy was asking for advice or views that's what I gave him, if it doesn't sit well with you, offer alternatives rather than critic others?
Yeah, thanks for the insightful response. The guy was asking for advice or views that's what I gave him, if it doesn't sit well with you, offer alternatives rather than critic others?
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