Im relatively new to carp fishing and having very little success using sticky boilies and pop ups. I met someone the other day who said sticky boilies are like the Macdonalds of the carp world. Are sticky and other shelf life boilies really that bad for carp? Can anyone recommend any boilies and pop ups that have been successful over the years?
In reply to Post #1
Sticky has got to be one of the biggest/most popular bait companies about, I have done very well on the Krill in the past and hit and miss with the Manilla but are both high quality baits. Other popular companies which come up on the forum alot and in no particular order are
Baitworks (My current bait this season going from Sticky) - Atlantic Heat, Creamino and Royal Marine
DNA - SLK and S7
Mainline - Cell
Sticky has got to be one of the biggest/most popular bait companies about, I have done very well on the Krill in the past and hit and miss with the Manilla but are both high quality baits. Other popular companies which come up on the forum alot and in no particular order are
Baitworks (My current bait this season going from Sticky) - Atlantic Heat, Creamino and Royal Marine
DNA - SLK and S7
Mainline - Cell
In reply to Post #1
Most reputable ready rolled baits will catch plenty of carp, If they are presented in the right place, at the right time, and the fish are feeding.
So much choice nowadays
ABS/Active Bait Solutions.
Premier baits
Trent baits
Poacher baits
Proper carp baits
CCMoore
Urban Baits
DNA Baits
Baitworks
DT Baits
Most reputable ready rolled baits will catch plenty of carp, If they are presented in the right place, at the right time, and the fish are feeding.
So much choice nowadays
ABS/Active Bait Solutions.
Premier baits
Trent baits
Poacher baits
Proper carp baits
CCMoore
Urban Baits
DNA Baits
Baitworks
DT Baits
Without wanting to sound harsh, although it possibly will, you are using a very good bait in sticky. Yes there are some baits that can work better on certain waters, but Sticky baits tend to be solid. Being truthful, you aren't always going to tear waters apart, it's early in the year and a lot of fish are still not 'in the feed' yet.
A lot of people will blame the bait but the truth is its better to look at other aspects of what you could be doing wrong. Does the rig suit the spot you are fishing? Are you in the right location? Have you felt the lead down and sure it isn't tangled? You say you are new to carp fishing, is there a change you are fishing a venue that's very hard that you aren't quite ready for?
It's easy to blame the company and switch from bait to bait, but truthfully it is rarely an issue with the bait when you are using the bigger brands.
As I say, sorry if it sounds harsh, just trying to help and hope you put more fish on the bank
A lot of people will blame the bait but the truth is its better to look at other aspects of what you could be doing wrong. Does the rig suit the spot you are fishing? Are you in the right location? Have you felt the lead down and sure it isn't tangled? You say you are new to carp fishing, is there a change you are fishing a venue that's very hard that you aren't quite ready for?
It's easy to blame the company and switch from bait to bait, but truthfully it is rarely an issue with the bait when you are using the bigger brands.
As I say, sorry if it sounds harsh, just trying to help and hope you put more fish on the bank
In reply to Post #1
Alex
As Aaron said below, there's nothing wrong with Sticky (or any of the other baits mentioned by the others), so it's probably some other reason why you're not catching. As you're a newcomer, I strongly recommend you go fishing with an experienced carp angler as there's so much to learn. You will learn much more this way, and catch more, and enjoy more.
A little tip, if you keep mentioning that you're a beginner on your posts on here, you may get a kind volunteer forum member from your neck of the woods who will go fishing with you.
Alex
As Aaron said below, there's nothing wrong with Sticky (or any of the other baits mentioned by the others), so it's probably some other reason why you're not catching. As you're a newcomer, I strongly recommend you go fishing with an experienced carp angler as there's so much to learn. You will learn much more this way, and catch more, and enjoy more.
A little tip, if you keep mentioning that you're a beginner on your posts on here, you may get a kind volunteer forum member from your neck of the woods who will go fishing with you.
Its early in the year. Water temps are still down. Although fish may be starting to move about a bit, they may not be feeding hard or the feeding window may be very short. It's days only at the minute. You aren't gonna catch much if they want to feed for an hour at 3-4am.
If you are using krill and blanking, you can discount it being bait related. Stick with it. It accounts for many many thousands of bites a year.
If you are using krill and blanking, you can discount it being bait related. Stick with it. It accounts for many many thousands of bites a year.
In reply to Post #1
Sticky make great boilies. Their pop ups catch a lot as wafters as well. They certainly arent the Mcdonalds of the boilie world, i think urban baits probably take that prize. Will catch but are full of rubbish
Whilst you are starting out, id stick to mainline, sticky, maybe ccmoore.
Sticky make great boilies. Their pop ups catch a lot as wafters as well. They certainly arent the Mcdonalds of the boilie world, i think urban baits probably take that prize. Will catch but are full of rubbish
Whilst you are starting out, id stick to mainline, sticky, maybe ccmoore.
In reply to Post #1
Adam penning reckons sticky is the best bait he has used. I don't think it's a bad bait. Forgive the pun but stick with it.
Adam penning reckons sticky is the best bait he has used. I don't think it's a bad bait. Forgive the pun but stick with it.
In reply to Post #4
You are absolutely right and that is the mindset I have. I am fishing a particularly hard water and it is not the optimum time. I only started questioning the bait as this guy was fishing virtually the same spot but with a different bait and he was catching quite a few.
You are absolutely right and that is the mindset I have. I am fishing a particularly hard water and it is not the optimum time. I only started questioning the bait as this guy was fishing virtually the same spot but with a different bait and he was catching quite a few.
In reply to Post #9
Could be a number of things buddy. If he has been fishing that water a while, the fish would be used to seeing his bait.
You say 'virtually' the same spot, you would be amazed how much difference maybe 6 to 12ft could make, you could be fishing in silt and the other gent on gravel for example.
It could be a different rig, they may be wary of pop ups etc.
There are so many variants, I would honestly say you don't need to worry about the quality of Sticky baits, try your best to try and narrow down what else he could have been doing differently.
Could be a number of things buddy. If he has been fishing that water a while, the fish would be used to seeing his bait.
You say 'virtually' the same spot, you would be amazed how much difference maybe 6 to 12ft could make, you could be fishing in silt and the other gent on gravel for example.
It could be a different rig, they may be wary of pop ups etc.
There are so many variants, I would honestly say you don't need to worry about the quality of Sticky baits, try your best to try and narrow down what else he could have been doing differently.
In reply to Post #2
Are those all shelf life boilies. The guy recommended using frozen boilies
Are those all shelf life boilies. The guy recommended using frozen boilies
In reply to Post #11
Frozen boilies are definitely better for the fish with less preservatives in them. I wouldn't be 100% convinced that a fish could tell the difference but others may disagree and I would happily be told I'm wrong
Frozen boilies are definitely better for the fish with less preservatives in them. I wouldn't be 100% convinced that a fish could tell the difference but others may disagree and I would happily be told I'm wrong
In reply to Post #1
Sticky baits make good boilies, they have a warehouse full of really good ingredients. The hookbaits often let these brands down (that is the feedback I was getting working in my old shop not personal experience as I have never used any) but the boilies are made very well. I now think that newcomers to angling do not give any baits a long enough trial and if they do not catch straight away they lose confidence for too easily. If a customer tries something new and catches instantly you will have a customer for life. One other thing I like with sticky is you don't see them forever dropping prices, running silly deals, or fighting with other brands because they don't need to,and they know the value of the products. If it doesn't suit your angling then ask some experienced anglers to point you to a firm with good pedigree and then start building confidence on slightly easier venues perhaps. Good luck and keep the faith
Sticky baits make good boilies, they have a warehouse full of really good ingredients. The hookbaits often let these brands down (that is the feedback I was getting working in my old shop not personal experience as I have never used any) but the boilies are made very well. I now think that newcomers to angling do not give any baits a long enough trial and if they do not catch straight away they lose confidence for too easily. If a customer tries something new and catches instantly you will have a customer for life. One other thing I like with sticky is you don't see them forever dropping prices, running silly deals, or fighting with other brands because they don't need to,and they know the value of the products. If it doesn't suit your angling then ask some experienced anglers to point you to a firm with good pedigree and then start building confidence on slightly easier venues perhaps. Good luck and keep the faith
In reply to Post #13
Nothing wrong with Sticky look at some of the names of consultants that use their bait...
Should give people an idea their krill active is on another level
Nothing wrong with Sticky look at some of the names of consultants that use their bait...
Should give people an idea their krill active is on another level
In reply to Post #9
Don't you think he could be just putting you off the bait or just area he's fishing
Don't you think he could be just putting you off the bait or just area he's fishing
In reply to Post #11
All those companies do shelf life and frozen including sticky, other than mainline cell which is only available frozen.
I personally use both, have 15kg of frozen for planned trips so I can prepare in advance and couple kilos of shelf life for those spontaneous sessions. Have confidence in the bait and try tweaking other areas of the game like location, rigs etc. Even bait prep maybe experiment with adding liquids and powders to your free offerings/hookbaits. I know sticky's calanus liquid is a great addition to the Krill
All those companies do shelf life and frozen including sticky, other than mainline cell which is only available frozen.
I personally use both, have 15kg of frozen for planned trips so I can prepare in advance and couple kilos of shelf life for those spontaneous sessions. Have confidence in the bait and try tweaking other areas of the game like location, rigs etc. Even bait prep maybe experiment with adding liquids and powders to your free offerings/hookbaits. I know sticky's calanus liquid is a great addition to the Krill
In reply to Post #14
i woudnt take a blind bit of notice of that one mate
i woudnt take a blind bit of notice of that one mate
In reply to Post #1
Sticky baits are one of hundreds of bait companies.
To pinch a quote from earlier in the thread, there is "So much choice nowadays"
Companies below I would quite happily use their baits, knowing if I put my bait in the right place it will catch carp.
Sticky
ABS/Active Bait Solutions.
Premier baits
CCMoore
DT Baits
Dynamite
Rod Hutchinson
Solar
I can honestly say from personal use that Solar Tunamino, Rod Hutchinson KMG and original Premier baits base mixes have produced a lot of carp from me.
I still use KMG, it is my first choice bait (well it would be for various reasons😉
In my bait bag I also have a bag of Monster Crab, and both matching pop-ups, in both fluorescent and 'natural' colours.
I know find the carp, get the bait in front of them carefully so they don't do a runner, and I will catch.
Some decent fish and not all from easy waters.
I know shelf life baits got a bad reputation for years, many were just a ball of flavoured junk, but now many shelf life boilies are as good as the same bait in freezer version. In fact some companies do produce just a shelf life version of a food bait.
Sticky baits are one of hundreds of bait companies.
To pinch a quote from earlier in the thread, there is "So much choice nowadays"
Companies below I would quite happily use their baits, knowing if I put my bait in the right place it will catch carp.
Sticky
ABS/Active Bait Solutions.
Premier baits
CCMoore
DT Baits
Dynamite
Rod Hutchinson
Solar
I can honestly say from personal use that Solar Tunamino, Rod Hutchinson KMG and original Premier baits base mixes have produced a lot of carp from me.
I still use KMG, it is my first choice bait (well it would be for various reasons😉
In my bait bag I also have a bag of Monster Crab, and both matching pop-ups, in both fluorescent and 'natural' colours.
I know find the carp, get the bait in front of them carefully so they don't do a runner, and I will catch.
Some decent fish and not all from easy waters.
I know shelf life baits got a bad reputation for years, many were just a ball of flavoured junk, but now many shelf life boilies are as good as the same bait in freezer version. In fact some companies do produce just a shelf life version of a food bait.
In reply to Post #1
Try and find a local supplier who makes baits primarily for himself but sells them to cover his own costs / bait usage. . .they generally only do one or two different mixes.
1 - They're usually made with greater care and in smaller batches so are either fresh or haven't been frozen for an age
2 - Ingredients generally better with less fillers and other unnecessary crap - they will tell you exactly what's in them and in what quants
3 - Way cheaper per kg because there's no marketing bill to cover / muppet consultants to keep happy . . .
4 - Based on the above you can be confident in using more bait (when applicable)
5 - If they're very local you can simply collect, and when buying in relative bulk save even more £ . . .with which to spend on more bait
Win win . . .
Stopped using mainstream 'branded' boilies a long time ago - the only ones I will buy are either specialist hook baits or high attract pop-ups . . .
Try and find a local supplier who makes baits primarily for himself but sells them to cover his own costs / bait usage. . .they generally only do one or two different mixes.
1 - They're usually made with greater care and in smaller batches so are either fresh or haven't been frozen for an age
2 - Ingredients generally better with less fillers and other unnecessary crap - they will tell you exactly what's in them and in what quants
3 - Way cheaper per kg because there's no marketing bill to cover / muppet consultants to keep happy . . .
4 - Based on the above you can be confident in using more bait (when applicable)
5 - If they're very local you can simply collect, and when buying in relative bulk save even more £ . . .with which to spend on more bait
Win win . . .
Stopped using mainstream 'branded' boilies a long time ago - the only ones I will buy are either specialist hook baits or high attract pop-ups . . .
In reply to Post #1
Best boilies for you to use are ones you catch on and have confidence in.
Back in the day Richworth 50/50 mix caught uncountable carp. Tutti frutti and the like.
What bait to use will do your head in if you let it, just enjoy your fishing.
Best boilies for you to use are ones you catch on and have confidence in.
Back in the day Richworth 50/50 mix caught uncountable carp. Tutti frutti and the like.
What bait to use will do your head in if you let it, just enjoy your fishing.
In reply to Post #21
Do you have any homemade boile companies to recommend?
Do you have any homemade boile companies to recommend?
The best bait is one you have caught on and have full confidence in, for me that is either sticky krill or a dna s7/slk 50/50 mix, i don't use any other baits they are my go to baits all year round.
As for hookbaits either krill wafters, krill 12mm white pop ups, northern specials 12mm pop ups or wafters (in either yellow, white or pink) I don't use any others, I used to have stupid amount but narrowed them all done to just a few that would cover all situations
As for hookbaits either krill wafters, krill 12mm white pop ups, northern specials 12mm pop ups or wafters (in either yellow, white or pink) I don't use any others, I used to have stupid amount but narrowed them all done to just a few that would cover all situations
In reply to Post #23
That actually dont make sense mate
That actually dont make sense mate
In reply to Post #23
Bait asylum
Bait asylum
In reply to Post #23
Give Spencer a call at Aqua Bait, hot shrimp or his Squid are quality baits 👍
Give Spencer a call at Aqua Bait, hot shrimp or his Squid are quality baits 👍
In reply to Post #27
Hot Shrimp is a quality bait, loved using it in the past. Once I have more freezer space again it will definitely be my go to wjen not having to use shelf life!
Hot Shrimp is a quality bait, loved using it in the past. Once I have more freezer space again it will definitely be my go to wjen not having to use shelf life!
In reply to Post #28
I've just taken a delivery of dna slk so looking forward to getting our end of month to try it out as I'm off on the canal for a week must say as well great service too
I've just taken a delivery of dna slk so looking forward to getting our end of month to try it out as I'm off on the canal for a week must say as well great service too
In reply to Post #26
Big yes
Big yes
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