Ive been researching a few diffrent boilie suppliers and it seems most shelflife boilies have a lot less chemical/preservatives, in them than they used to, some dont contain any at all, so does it really make a big difference when compared to frozen, none at all, or is it just down to which you have confidence in?
Also, all ingredients are food grade, so I'm wondereding if fresh boilies of today are as good after they have been frozen?
So which is best Shelf life or Fresh/Frozen?
Also, all ingredients are food grade, so I'm wondereding if fresh boilies of today are as good after they have been frozen?
So which is best Shelf life or Fresh/Frozen?
In reply to Post #1
Personally shelf life's are just as good as frozen these days and are no where near as bad as they used to be, I'm sure your get a few on here that will disagree with me
Personally shelf life's are just as good as frozen these days and are no where near as bad as they used to be, I'm sure your get a few on here that will disagree with me
In reply to Post #1
A lot of manufacturers and people on here say that shelfies nowadays are as good as fresh, so take your pick. I go for fresh personally, but I have a couple of freezers in the garage. Also bear in mind that some waters, shelfies are banned.
Rgds
F
A lot of manufacturers and people on here say that shelfies nowadays are as good as fresh, so take your pick. I go for fresh personally, but I have a couple of freezers in the garage. Also bear in mind that some waters, shelfies are banned.
Rgds
F
In reply to Post #1
When I first moved away from general coarse fishing to carp fishing about 15 years or so ago, there were a lot of things I didn't understand. The different types of rigs, the test curves of rods, all seemed "alien" to me, and baits were just as confusing. I had heard about freezer baits, but thought they were something magical and you had to be an "expert" to use them. I was far from being an expert, and as such wanted to take the easy way out. Keep it simple and avoid confusion I guess. So I bought shelflife boilies. At that time they were horrible things. Chalky, rock hard, I remember thinking to myself "why ever would a fish be attracted to these bloody things???"
As time moved on, and I learnt a bit more, I started buying the odd bag of freezer baits, and realised pretty quickly that these, by their texture and make up, would be much more appealing to a passing fish.
Move on those 15 or so years, and the range and texture of shelf lifes has improved beyond all recognition. To me, they are on a par with their freezer counterparts. Some will always argue that the freezer version is better, but I am not convinced and will quite happily use a shelf life version of a "going bait" if one is available.
They are much easier to store and transport, and if you stuck a bag of shelfies in front of me together with a bag of thawed out frozen version, I could not tell the difference.
When I first moved away from general coarse fishing to carp fishing about 15 years or so ago, there were a lot of things I didn't understand. The different types of rigs, the test curves of rods, all seemed "alien" to me, and baits were just as confusing. I had heard about freezer baits, but thought they were something magical and you had to be an "expert" to use them. I was far from being an expert, and as such wanted to take the easy way out. Keep it simple and avoid confusion I guess. So I bought shelflife boilies. At that time they were horrible things. Chalky, rock hard, I remember thinking to myself "why ever would a fish be attracted to these bloody things???"
As time moved on, and I learnt a bit more, I started buying the odd bag of freezer baits, and realised pretty quickly that these, by their texture and make up, would be much more appealing to a passing fish.
Move on those 15 or so years, and the range and texture of shelf lifes has improved beyond all recognition. To me, they are on a par with their freezer counterparts. Some will always argue that the freezer version is better, but I am not convinced and will quite happily use a shelf life version of a "going bait" if one is available.
They are much easier to store and transport, and if you stuck a bag of shelfies in front of me together with a bag of thawed out frozen version, I could not tell the difference.
In reply to Post #2
Completely agree, all I use if shelf life, as you've mentioned they're just as good as fresh/frozen now.
Completely agree, all I use if shelf life, as you've mentioned they're just as good as fresh/frozen now.
In reply to Post #1
i use cc moore live system shelf life have done for the past 12 yearshave had no complaints.
i use cc moore live system shelf life have done for the past 12 yearshave had no complaints.
I've always used frozen but my bait freezer broke so went over to shelf and whilst everyone is correct shelfies these days are excellent. I have this niggling doubt. So went back to freezer for confidence and my belief that I want to use the best and however amount of preservative all be it small Is still in my eyes settling for second best
In reply to Post #1
As others have said things have moved on. Some shelf life are OK and some are not. You can still buy the crap ones if you try.
Some freezer baits simply cannot be made into a shelf life without killing off the active nature. Look at Mainline freezer baits as an example, they don't make shelf life versions from a reason.
As others have said things have moved on. Some shelf life are OK and some are not. You can still buy the crap ones if you try.
Some freezer baits simply cannot be made into a shelf life without killing off the active nature. Look at Mainline freezer baits as an example, they don't make shelf life versions from a reason.
In reply to Post #1
Due to my situations I have decided to use shelf-life baits, I'm very happy with the quality and performance of the ones I've used.
Given the choice It would be fresh bait every time before it had been frozen.
Due to my situations I have decided to use shelf-life baits, I'm very happy with the quality and performance of the ones I've used.
Given the choice It would be fresh bait every time before it had been frozen.
In reply to Post #9
I used to use Shelfies years ago and found them to be rock hard and switched over to freezer baits. A few years ago in France I was so impressed with my mates baitworks readymades I decided to switch back over and not looked back.
I used to use Shelfies years ago and found them to be rock hard and switched over to freezer baits. A few years ago in France I was so impressed with my mates baitworks readymades I decided to switch back over and not looked back.
In reply to Post #9
I agree, fresh before frozen is excellent, years ago I made a few boilies, even sold a few, we found using boilies straight from the burco or steamer to be devestating, in my opinion thats why hookbaits made on the bank work so well.
I prefer air drying to freezing, then soak in the lake water your fishing to bring them back, it also gave them a washed out look, obviously freezer baits can be treated the same way and also work, but freezing anything changes the structure & taste of most foods, so why not boilies, even though they still work!
What about Hookbaits that come in tubs, they are fresh then air dried and or glugged, depending if bottom baits or not, but they are not frozen first, then what about pop ups?
Maybe Im over thinking (I usually do), but this topic (bait) is very interesting to me.
I was speaking to a very good young angler recently and he dried out his fresh boilies in himalayan salt, he reckons its an excellent edge, I cant argue with his very good results.
I agree, fresh before frozen is excellent, years ago I made a few boilies, even sold a few, we found using boilies straight from the burco or steamer to be devestating, in my opinion thats why hookbaits made on the bank work so well.
I prefer air drying to freezing, then soak in the lake water your fishing to bring them back, it also gave them a washed out look, obviously freezer baits can be treated the same way and also work, but freezing anything changes the structure & taste of most foods, so why not boilies, even though they still work!
What about Hookbaits that come in tubs, they are fresh then air dried and or glugged, depending if bottom baits or not, but they are not frozen first, then what about pop ups?
Maybe Im over thinking (I usually do), but this topic (bait) is very interesting to me.
I was speaking to a very good young angler recently and he dried out his fresh boilies in himalayan salt, he reckons its an excellent edge, I cant argue with his very good results.
I always used to be a fresh/frozen user. I've been on DNA for last 6-7 years always using their frozen baits. Coincidentally I lost use of a freezer for bait at the same time DNA released their shelflife versions so I've been using them ever since. I've had use of a bait freezer now for about a year or so but ive made the conscious decision to keep using the shelfies as I never noticed any difference in catch rates and they are just more convenient for me. My bait freezer is just used for particle now
In reply to Post #1
I just don't have the room in the freezer for lots of bait - I can just about get 5kg of prepared tigers in there, so leaves no room for boilies... so suits me to use shelf life baits.
I'd bet the quality varies between suppliers. I've seen good, bad and bloody horrible.
I've used CC Moore Live System shelf life for a while now - excellent is all I can say. They keep well and aren't hard, like a lot of other brands I could mention. The carp seem to like them anyway.
IMO good quality shelf life are no better and definitely no worse than frozen, but way more practical to use and store.
I just don't have the room in the freezer for lots of bait - I can just about get 5kg of prepared tigers in there, so leaves no room for boilies... so suits me to use shelf life baits.
I'd bet the quality varies between suppliers. I've seen good, bad and bloody horrible.
I've used CC Moore Live System shelf life for a while now - excellent is all I can say. They keep well and aren't hard, like a lot of other brands I could mention. The carp seem to like them anyway.
IMO good quality shelf life are no better and definitely no worse than frozen, but way more practical to use and store.
I have tried complicated base mixes and simple one some frozen and some shelf, can't say I could see any difference in my catch rate, for the past 8 or more years I have added CC Moores liquid preserver at the recommended rate, its a simple cheap base mix but it works, I am getting ready to make some more, now, if I make the boilies and air dry without any preserve how long should I dry them for and will they last for a good length of time.
reply #11
Trevor, with this himalayan salt did you get any more info, quantity, time and method, I just don't want to waste any bait with experiments, thanks.
reply #11
Trevor, with this himalayan salt did you get any more info, quantity, time and method, I just don't want to waste any bait with experiments, thanks.
In reply to Post #14
I leave them in string bags for at least a couple of weeks or until they are rock hard, then store them in airtight buckets and they last until I need them, Ive had some for a few months and they are still perfect.
I keep sum in small tubs as hookbaits that I glug in a home made flavour of choice, these will last for years.
Im not sure about the himalayan rock salt method, the young fella who uses it was on leave but now returned to the army.
I expect someone on here will know. or, if you go to "Articles" on this forum there is a very good piece written by James Pullen(wraith) titled "Cured Salt Baits", its very informative.
1. How long can a bag of shelflifes be stored for and still be as good as when first bought?
2. How long can freezer baits be kept in freezer and still be as good as when first bought?.
I leave them in string bags for at least a couple of weeks or until they are rock hard, then store them in airtight buckets and they last until I need them, Ive had some for a few months and they are still perfect.
I keep sum in small tubs as hookbaits that I glug in a home made flavour of choice, these will last for years.
Im not sure about the himalayan rock salt method, the young fella who uses it was on leave but now returned to the army.
I expect someone on here will know. or, if you go to "Articles" on this forum there is a very good piece written by James Pullen(wraith) titled "Cured Salt Baits", its very informative.
1. How long can a bag of shelflifes be stored for and still be as good as when first bought?
2. How long can freezer baits be kept in freezer and still be as good as when first bought?.
In reply to Post #15
Think the shelf-life baits from the 2 companies I've used had a 9 month best before date, I like to use them within 6 months.
With regards freezer baits then personally I always used mine within 3 months.
Think the shelf-life baits from the 2 companies I've used had a 9 month best before date, I like to use them within 6 months.
With regards freezer baits then personally I always used mine within 3 months.
In reply to Post #15
What's the longest you should keep freezer baits for? I've got some that I haven't been able to use because of covid will be a year old before I get the chance to go again. Should I bin them?
What's the longest you should keep freezer baits for? I've got some that I haven't been able to use because of covid will be a year old before I get the chance to go again. Should I bin them?
In reply to Post #17
They may have a bit of freezer burn but they'll be fine. Definitely don't bin them
They may have a bit of freezer burn but they'll be fine. Definitely don't bin them
In reply to Post #17
This year my nephew has been using some baits I put in my parents chest freezer and forgot about. They were left over from a French trip in 2017...he has had a few fish on them this year from the local club lake. Not sure I would use them now on a more difficult water but fine for what he has been doing.
This year my nephew has been using some baits I put in my parents chest freezer and forgot about. They were left over from a French trip in 2017...he has had a few fish on them this year from the local club lake. Not sure I would use them now on a more difficult water but fine for what he has been doing.
In reply to Post #18
Ok thanks for that.
Ok thanks for that.
When I spoke to Jason at DNA he said think of modern Shelfies as being short shelf rather than what we were used to way back when, ie, everlasting baits 
I get the feeling most reputable bait companies will be the same.
I get the feeling most reputable bait companies will be the same.
In reply to Post #15
sorry for late reply, thank you for your help, I'll look for the article you mentioned
sorry for late reply, thank you for your help, I'll look for the article you mentioned
In reply to Post #21
I use either sticky krill or dna s7 all year round I agree with this every year I buy 3 lots of bait January, may and start of September I buy 30kg of boilie and store it in my hallway under the stairs it all last fine for that, I messaged dna and they said the shelf life's would last upto roughly a year in the right conditions which would be fine mine ever get left that long before I use it
I use either sticky krill or dna s7 all year round I agree with this every year I buy 3 lots of bait January, may and start of September I buy 30kg of boilie and store it in my hallway under the stairs it all last fine for that, I messaged dna and they said the shelf life's would last upto roughly a year in the right conditions which would be fine mine ever get left that long before I use it
In reply to Post #23
All down to personal choice and storage space.
Personally, ive used fresh for years, with good results, so for me, theres no need to swap and change
All down to personal choice and storage space.
Personally, ive used fresh for years, with good results, so for me, theres no need to swap and change
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