Morning Lads

I've decided to fish the winter properly for the first time on my local club waters and have decided to try PVA Solid bags. I have little to no experience with these but can see why they would be successful

Firstly I would like to ask advice on your go-to hookbaits for inside the bag? Currently looking at a dumbell wafter or small critically balanced bait using half a bottom bait and half a pop up, would this be effective?

Also having spoke to limited people, most suggest, I should drop the lead. I have to be honest, normally I would ignore this as my waters have no weed and I feel it is unnecessary. I do however understand that with the hooklink only being 3-4 inches, it means the fish could use the lead to shake the hook. What are peoples thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance,
Scotty

In reply to Post #1
Anything inside the bag as a hookbait is good other than a popuo imo, I like the bait on the contents of the bag and not waving about above it. As for dropping the lead. No way. It's littering. If fish using the lead to shake the hook is a concern then fish running leads for overcome that maybe?

In reply to Post #2
The worlds your oyster on solid bags.... wafter are the main hookbait I use, but have used small pop ups (10/12mm) to very good effect as well.

I would only drop the lead if you have to..... ie if you are fishing in heavy weed..... if you are worried about the fish using the lead then as below, set it up as running. As soon as they pull swivel from lead they cant use the lead then.... just push swivel into the stem very lightly

No specialist on bags , but about dropping the lead always, come on now.

PB has a nice system for that, inline hit and run system it is called, swivel stays in until the shaking starts, then it pops out, the insert stays in the lead so no lost leads. All in all, it's an extra safe version of the shocker rig, well done by pb, although i wish the swivel to fit just a bit more tightly, but with bags that won't give any problems (it does with sticks).

If using inInes which is the goto for solid bags, unless there is still heavy weed then you really dont need to drop the lead.

As for hookbaits I prefer small dumbbell wafters, try different colours as they can make a difference

Seems as I thought that dropping the lead is unnecessary. I've never been a fan of this, unless it can cause damage to the fish obviously! I've bought some 1.5oz square pear inlines. I'm guessing that with that added content of the bag, it probably makes casting weight of around 3oz in total. (Dependent on choice of bag size) Max Distance of 80 yards really. Does this sound ok?

Would I be right in saying that the reason for the hookbait having some bouyancy, is so that it makes its way to the top of the free feed and makes it one of the first things to enter the carps mouth? Are bottom baits as effective inside a bag?

Thanks for all the advice already

In reply to Post #6
You might struggle to get 80 yards with a 1.5 oz lead
I use 3oz flat pear or square pear inlines. so yes with a total weight of around 4.5oz you need rods that will cast that sort of weight.

When fishing at that sort of range you will need to load the bag with the lead going in first, otherwise they don't cast very well and wobble in flight,
When fishing closer you can load the rig in first.

A bottom bait would certainly work but for the reason you mentioned a balanced bait is preferable.
A solid bag presentation is designed as a mouthful, so you are aiming for the fish to take in the whole contents in one go.
If that does not happen the rig will still be fishing, providing it resets effectively, but has lost the added attraction the bag gives.

Another big advantage of solid bags is if you use a 3-3.5 oz flat pear in line with 3 to 4 ins of soft uncoated braid with a balanced bait you have the best self hooking rig there is imho and you can be confident it is presented.

The vast majority of my fishing is done at around 40 yards so I'm hoping that 1.5oz will be plenty once the bag is loaded. Obviously I'm open to changing this should that distance need to be increased. 80 yards would be absolute maximum to be fair.

What are peoples thoughts on liquids inside of the bag? All year round thing? If so, what liquids?

Sorry for all the questions lads

Knowledge is power right?!

In reply to Post #9
Anything you like - L030, liver, salmon oil, mainlines liquid (if you use their bait), tiger gloop - the worlds your oyster

In reply to Post #10
The worlds your oyster sauce

In reply to Post #9
This time of year i like lower oil, food based liquids. In the summer, hemp oil, salmon oil etc. Just don't add the oil/liqiids if you make bags up in advance

You lot are genuinely helpful. Thanks Lads

What is everyone's go-to solid bag hookbait?

In reply to Post #13
A bit of maize or a tiger nut

In reply to Post #13
Small dumbell wafter(sticky Krill)