I can honestly say that apart from fishing by boat, i never fish without some form of pva mesh on the hooklink. Have played around with bags many moons ago, but quickly went back to mesh. Much faster, much easier, way more rig variety possible. But because the 2 weeks to flatten the curve is turning into 2 years, i've been watching quite a bit of carp movies and as far as pva goes it's bags, bags, bags.

Which leads me to the question of why. Sure i see that it casts nice, hooklink hidden and all that, but the same can be achieved with mesh. And also, has anybody, on a runs water i guess, fished bags vs mesh and what were the results.

So, what are your reasons to prefer the one over the other, and have you ever noticed a remarkable difference in results between the two, and why do you think that is?

In reply to Post #1
The only time I would use a bag of any description would be for mega long range and that cannot imo be achieved with mesh.

In reply to Post #1
i do quite a bit of bag fishing, mainly because its easy to get lots of liquid in there

Can't argue against the distance advantage. As far as liquids go i just thread the hooklink through the mesh and dunk the lot into a big tub of goodness and let it saturate, not only adding attraction but also guaranteeing to slow down the dissolving of the pva.

But well, was just curious about why it's all bags, bags, bags, and if they are really that more effective than mesh.

I use PVA bags, mesh and stringers, often in the same session.

Bags can definitely be cast further because they can be made aerodynamic, everything inside the bag, bait, rig and lead.
Mesh can be tied at either end to the hook and swivel/quicklink, or threaded on, and stringers tied either end, hanging or necklace.

All have their positives at various times.

In reply to Post #1
I have fished bags and mesh side by side on my local during my last few trips to compare and can't sort one over the other at close range.

Tx all, much appreciated

For the convenience of being able to pre tie bags i like them. I can make up a number and just loop them onto my main line saving any messing about for those quick sessions.

In reply to Post #8
Hi new user here,I use big pva bags almost as big as palm of my hand I thread them on a Korda boom and use a stiff hinge pop up clipped round curve of bag and drop in the edge.I've had my PB carp of 32lb a common as well from the near side edges using this method.
Obviously use this method only on a canal as they can't be cast they have to be dropped in but ideal from a boat I suppose too.