So this weekend I was out on a club water near Sandbach Cheshire with a good friend and the water which is only about 2 acres has 10 pegs and it contains a good head of nice carp and cats. We fished two pegs quite close together opposite a treeline on the other side of the lake about 50 yards away.
I arrive with my Baitworks 18mm Royal Marine & Atlantic Heat boilies and my mate Steve rocks up with a plastic grout bucket full of Caperlan 14mm Scopex boilies from Decathlon.
Interesting I thought, I wonder how this will go.....
So we're both fishing towards the treeline opposite and over the course of the Saturday I have to say that the £3.49/kg Decathlon Scopex out fished the Baitworks bait by 3:1. The difference was very noticeable.
15 played 5 at the end of that Saturday and given that we both fished to very similar features at similar ranges the only real difference between us was the bait we were both using.
Just shows you that some of these cheaper bait firms that we don't normally give a second thought about actually produce some very appealing baits, and I have to say that this experience has really made me doubt my own confidence in some of the bigger branded baits.
I arrive with my Baitworks 18mm Royal Marine & Atlantic Heat boilies and my mate Steve rocks up with a plastic grout bucket full of Caperlan 14mm Scopex boilies from Decathlon.
Interesting I thought, I wonder how this will go.....
So we're both fishing towards the treeline opposite and over the course of the Saturday I have to say that the £3.49/kg Decathlon Scopex out fished the Baitworks bait by 3:1. The difference was very noticeable.
15 played 5 at the end of that Saturday and given that we both fished to very similar features at similar ranges the only real difference between us was the bait we were both using.
Just shows you that some of these cheaper bait firms that we don't normally give a second thought about actually produce some very appealing baits, and I have to say that this experience has really made me doubt my own confidence in some of the bigger branded baits.
In reply to Post #1
Do it over a few trips, what his bait mega smelly
Do it over a few trips, what his bait mega smelly
In reply to Post #1
Pretty sure Marco rolls Decathalon's bait. About 1 Euro per kilo delivered cost to them. Just goes to show carp will eat anything they like the look/smell/taste/whatever of.
Pretty sure Marco rolls Decathalon's bait. About 1 Euro per kilo delivered cost to them. Just goes to show carp will eat anything they like the look/smell/taste/whatever of.
Really interesting findings. I wonder if you repeated this at a different venue if you would have the same findings... I think nowadays some of the cheaper companies could be using half decent ingredients.
In reply to Post #2
Come again fella?
Come again fella?
In reply to Post #3
It wasn't just the carp, the cats were munching on it as well. He landed a 20lb & 31.5lb cats in with the carp. I must say, the experience was quite an eye opener (edit/ surreal).
It wasn't just the carp, the cats were munching on it as well. He landed a 20lb & 31.5lb cats in with the carp. I must say, the experience was quite an eye opener (edit/ surreal).
In reply to Post #1
Or some of the bigger bait firms are turning out some crap and charging a fortune for it.
Or some of the bigger bait firms are turning out some crap and charging a fortune for it.
In reply to Post #3
Good old marco. Who is marco, someone we should know?
Good old marco. Who is marco, someone we should know?
In reply to Post #1
Or was he fishing a spot the fish want to feed on as opposed to your spot where they weren't as happy to feed on? Was there someone else's leftover bait on his spot? There's about 100 variables at play.
Or was he fishing a spot the fish want to feed on as opposed to your spot where they weren't as happy to feed on? Was there someone else's leftover bait on his spot? There's about 100 variables at play.
In reply to Post #7
Never ,next your mention the B word
Never ,next your mention the B word
In reply to Post #9
The two pegs were literally 5-6 meters apart, the tree line opposite was the same with similar features and the distance between the spots we were both fishing was not that far apart.
Infact, it was very obvious to us both looking at how we were fishing that the difference was simply down to the different bait, given the circumstances we both agreed on as much.
I actually felt a bit embarrassed, I had 10kg of Baitworks AH at my house for him that I should have brought that he'd already paid me £60 for and I forgot to pack it
I half expected my mate to say keep your bait and refund me the dough.
The two pegs were literally 5-6 meters apart, the tree line opposite was the same with similar features and the distance between the spots we were both fishing was not that far apart.
Infact, it was very obvious to us both looking at how we were fishing that the difference was simply down to the different bait, given the circumstances we both agreed on as much.
I actually felt a bit embarrassed, I had 10kg of Baitworks AH at my house for him that I should have brought that he'd already paid me £60 for and I forgot to pack it
I half expected my mate to say keep your bait and refund me the dough.
In reply to Post #10
Generally speaking, I can't really fault Baitworks for quality, my first session out this year on a different lake and I landed a new PB mirror using Atlantic Heat.
I will probably experiment a bit more this year given the results from that last trip.
Generally speaking, I can't really fault Baitworks for quality, my first session out this year on a different lake and I landed a new PB mirror using Atlantic Heat.
I will probably experiment a bit more this year given the results from that last trip.
In reply to Post #1
Bit like when I tried B5. Out fished it myself with maggots, worms, spam, corn and halibut pellets side by side on the same spot while I couldn't buy a bite on B5 or black snail
This wasn't a runs water either, reckon I could've hair rigged half a turd and caught before the essential baits went.
Bit like when I tried B5. Out fished it myself with maggots, worms, spam, corn and halibut pellets side by side on the same spot while I couldn't buy a bite on B5 or black snail
In reply to Post #8
I think he means botterberg, carpfood and a lot of other subsidiaries. Never been a fan, but lately i too am amazed by the amount of fish you catch with absolute crap. 30 years ago i was calculating the amino's and what have you, religiously, but maybe that too is crap
I think he means botterberg, carpfood and a lot of other subsidiaries. Never been a fan, but lately i too am amazed by the amount of fish you catch with absolute crap. 30 years ago i was calculating the amino's and what have you, religiously, but maybe that too is crap
In reply to Post #11
5-6m is a lot. I had a mate fish two rods on a spot about a foot apart. Only the right hand rod was getting the bites. Same rigs, same baits. If the carp naturally feed somewhere and you put bait on it then you'll catch well. They'll eat anything if it's in the right place.
It could even be down to the direction they are patrolling. If they were coming to his bait first, he'd get the bite whilst they spook and ignore yours. Had that happen to me last year with the guy next door catching and the fish then showing 30m down the bank past where I was. Like I said, so many variables at play.
5-6m is a lot. I had a mate fish two rods on a spot about a foot apart. Only the right hand rod was getting the bites. Same rigs, same baits. If the carp naturally feed somewhere and you put bait on it then you'll catch well. They'll eat anything if it's in the right place.
It could even be down to the direction they are patrolling. If they were coming to his bait first, he'd get the bite whilst they spook and ignore yours. Had that happen to me last year with the guy next door catching and the fish then showing 30m down the bank past where I was. Like I said, so many variables at play.
In reply to Post #14
What he said
What he said
In reply to Post #15
Agreed. The amount of time I have had 3 rods on a spot and only 1 go repeatedly is immense. Even 2 foot is a big difference in a pick up or not.
The only true test would have been for the OP to try his mates bait on 1 rod and that start to produce more than his other...
Agreed. The amount of time I have had 3 rods on a spot and only 1 go repeatedly is immense. Even 2 foot is a big difference in a pick up or not.
The only true test would have been for the OP to try his mates bait on 1 rod and that start to produce more than his other...
As other have said it's likely it was the spot. One crap boilie on the right spot is better than the best boilie on the wrong spot and a matter of inches can make all the difference. I bet if you'd swapped baits your results would have been the same
In reply to Post #17
My friend was fishing in numerous different spots throughout the day. I find it quite hard to believe having a good knowledge of that water that someone else baited up in exactly the same spots where he dropped various rigs. One or two spots maybe but not 6 or 7.
Also there is a very big head of fish in that lake, I can remember seeing the water in spawn a few years back and being quite surprised by it. I am entirely confident that had I fished the same bait as my friend from the start of that session my catch rate would have improved from the 1:3.
I agree there are always numerous variables at play, this is usually the case. But it was so obvious on that occasion what the material difference was (.i.e the bait) that it was as plain as the nose on the end of your face.
However, I'm certainly of the view now that Caperlan Scopex at £3.49/kg is a very effective bait indeed
My friend was fishing in numerous different spots throughout the day. I find it quite hard to believe having a good knowledge of that water that someone else baited up in exactly the same spots where he dropped various rigs. One or two spots maybe but not 6 or 7.
Also there is a very big head of fish in that lake, I can remember seeing the water in spawn a few years back and being quite surprised by it. I am entirely confident that had I fished the same bait as my friend from the start of that session my catch rate would have improved from the 1:3.
I agree there are always numerous variables at play, this is usually the case. But it was so obvious on that occasion what the material difference was (.i.e the bait) that it was as plain as the nose on the end of your face.
However, I'm certainly of the view now that Caperlan Scopex at £3.49/kg is a very effective bait indeed
I stopped caring much about bait when I realised people were catching loads of fish on random bits of foam, which is about as logical as trying to enter a dead dog into Cruffs. I'd imagine these Decathlon boilies are theoretically much better bait than some of the stuff I've caught carp on, even if they are just soya flour and lint from a tumble dryer.
In reply to Post #20
People are catching carp all over europe on decathlon boilies... Must be a lot of lucky anglers out there to chuck it to perfect spots.
People are catching carp all over europe on decathlon boilies... Must be a lot of lucky anglers out there to chuck it to perfect spots.
In reply to Post #1
Why did you think they would not be effective?
Why did you think they would not be effective?
In reply to Post #22
I did think they'd work, what I didn't envisage was that they would outperform what I was using 3 times over.
I did think they'd work, what I didn't envisage was that they would outperform what I was using 3 times over.
It's all subjective and variable..bait is only a small part of carp fishing,I'm talking boilies here..
I gave all my bait making kit to junior,previously I made my own for years and years..and did nicely,one day I bought a bag of this so called super rubbish ,crapo bait ,plum flavour made by Ocean fresh,...'you won't catch on that mate'..I was told
Six months later,every fish in the lake I was aware of came to this crap bait,,so that made me change my mindset ,a lot,whilst a couple of others were on the going baits at the time..and struggling like hell.
I gave all my bait making kit to junior,previously I made my own for years and years..and did nicely,one day I bought a bag of this so called super rubbish ,crapo bait ,plum flavour made by Ocean fresh,...'you won't catch on that mate'..I was told
Six months later,every fish in the lake I was aware of came to this crap bait,,so that made me change my mindset ,a lot,whilst a couple of others were on the going baits at the time..and struggling like hell.
My mate used decathlon white chocolate and Tbf he catches well everywhere on it
In reply to Post #25
Decathlon probably get it by the artic load, none of this faffing around with a pallet load
Decathlon probably get it by the artic load, none of this faffing around with a pallet load
In reply to Post #26
Lets face it, if they were crap and didn't catch fish, no-one would buy them again and they would stop selling them. Not a great business model however cheap they are.
Lets face it, if they were crap and didn't catch fish, no-one would buy them again and they would stop selling them. Not a great business model however cheap they are.
In reply to Post #27
I read the reviews on the Decathlon website, most are European but are giving it 4 out 5 or even 5 out of 5.
I have ordered a 10kg bag for £34.99.
Hopefully out over the Bank Holiday so if it arrives in time I might take it to a difficult water and put it on one rod.
I read the reviews on the Decathlon website, most are European but are giving it 4 out 5 or even 5 out of 5.
I have ordered a 10kg bag for £34.99.
Hopefully out over the Bank Holiday so if it arrives in time I might take it to a difficult water and put it on one rod.
In reply to Post #28
Also, if you think of Marco's economy of scale.........
Also, if you think of Marco's economy of scale.........
In reply to Post #29
Their monster crab and strawberry doesn't look bad either.
I'm committed this year bait wise, but if a bit of experimenting goes well this year then next year it will be cheap and cheerful
Their monster crab and strawberry doesn't look bad either.
I'm committed this year bait wise, but if a bit of experimenting goes well this year then next year it will be cheap and cheerful
May be worth testing one out in a glass/bucket of water and see what the breakdown time is. Or not f it starts to rot, not sure many lake owners would appreciate loads of bait rotting in their lakes if it doesnt get eaten
In reply to Post #31
You should try that with lets say top 10 selling baits in uk... you would be very surprised especially with some "frozen" baits... majority of these cheap baits actually fall apart very easily as they save money on binders... it is actually hard to keep them on hair for a long time... gone are the days of hard golf balls... you will get more of those from "good" baits.
You should try that with lets say top 10 selling baits in uk... you would be very surprised especially with some "frozen" baits... majority of these cheap baits actually fall apart very easily as they save money on binders... it is actually hard to keep them on hair for a long time... gone are the days of hard golf balls... you will get more of those from "good" baits.
Is this the Marco from Boilie design?
I've done the hnv baits and have now come the conclusion that if the carp like the taste then they will eat it, if it does them good then that's a bonus. They see so much bait it's impossible to know which is better nutritionally. As said, my only major concern is the potential for heavily preserved baits sitting on the lake bed if loads of it goes uneaten
In reply to Post #32
I am aware, thats why i mentioned it
When i said cheap bait, i meant cheaply made. We all know a lot of expensive bait it cheaply made, profit comes first
I am aware, thats why i mentioned it
When i said cheap bait, i meant cheaply made. We all know a lot of expensive bait it cheaply made, profit comes first
In reply to Post #33
Yes.
Yes.
In reply to Post #31
The 14mm Scopex is really soft to be fair, I'd be surprised if it lasted 24 hours before breaking down.
If the carp don't fancy Sirloin at my venues any more and they are happy with hot dogs then hot dogs it will be
The 14mm Scopex is really soft to be fair, I'd be surprised if it lasted 24 hours before breaking down.
If the carp don't fancy Sirloin at my venues any more and they are happy with hot dogs then hot dogs it will be
In reply to Post #37
This is from the decathlon website. Means not a lot to me but im sure to the bait buffs among us, they may be able to comment.
Product Composition
Composition: Maize, wheat, soya, vegetable protein extract, seeds Additive: Scopex flavouring (0.3%) Raw protein: 8.3% Crude fat: 3.2% Mineral matter: 2.3% Crude fibre: 1.1% Sodium: 0% Moisture content: 30% CERTIFICATION NUMBER: NL207802
This is from the decathlon website. Means not a lot to me but im sure to the bait buffs among us, they may be able to comment.
Product Composition
Composition: Maize, wheat, soya, vegetable protein extract, seeds Additive: Scopex flavouring (0.3%) Raw protein: 8.3% Crude fat: 3.2% Mineral matter: 2.3% Crude fibre: 1.1% Sodium: 0% Moisture content: 30% CERTIFICATION NUMBER: NL207802
In reply to Post #38
A lot of that is in every day human grade foods we eat Paul. Scopex excluded of course...
A lot of that is in every day human grade foods we eat Paul. Scopex excluded of course...
In reply to Post #36
Thought so, great machines but bait Hmmm....
Thought so, great machines but bait Hmmm....
In reply to Post #38
I did hear a theory that in summer conditions with low oxygen content in the water carp have trouble processing high levels of protein and carbohydrates are preferred. Maybe why they eat weed and seeds and particles are popular baits in summer maybe a low protein, high carb ,high fibre bait with an attractive flavour label is what is needed in low oxygen conditions.
I did hear a theory that in summer conditions with low oxygen content in the water carp have trouble processing high levels of protein and carbohydrates are preferred. Maybe why they eat weed and seeds and particles are popular baits in summer maybe a low protein, high carb ,high fibre bait with an attractive flavour label is what is needed in low oxygen conditions.
In reply to Post #38
Oh my god that reads like a carp bait
Oh my god that reads like a carp bait
In reply to Post #40
Yeah, I met him via the machines and he has fingers in all sorts of animal feed pies - whatever he does, they seem to eat it. And surely the best bait is the one that catches fish . I know (as in REALLY know) the makeup of a few baits and cant say I'd use any of them as I'm too snobby - yet they do catch, and catch well.
It wouldn't be my 37th bait of choice tho.....
Yeah, I met him via the machines and he has fingers in all sorts of animal feed pies - whatever he does, they seem to eat it. And surely the best bait is the one that catches fish . I know (as in REALLY know) the makeup of a few baits and cant say I'd use any of them as I'm too snobby - yet they do catch, and catch well.
It wouldn't be my 37th bait of choice tho.....
In reply to Post #21
Lot of peoples living standards would change if more people realized what a rip off the bait game is.
Lot of peoples living standards would change if more people realized what a rip off the bait game is.
In reply to Post #44
I must say it was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me that was last weekend. Having spent a small fortune on big brand bait this year, I'm going to push the boat out one final time and pick up some of their Monster Crab and that with the Scopex will play off against the branded stuff. If the cheaper performs better then next year its a straightforward decision for me.
I must say it was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me that was last weekend. Having spent a small fortune on big brand bait this year, I'm going to push the boat out one final time and pick up some of their Monster Crab and that with the Scopex will play off against the branded stuff. If the cheaper performs better then next year its a straightforward decision for me.
In reply to Post #45
On these heavily overstocked little puddles, I very much doubt that bait 'type' makes that much difference as the poor bloody fish have to eat due to the competition for food. If you're fishing those type of venues, then these cheap euro carb type baits will be fine.
If you're campaign fishing on big venues with a lower stock, I'd be very surprised to see the Decathlon out fish a good food bait...
On these heavily overstocked little puddles, I very much doubt that bait 'type' makes that much difference as the poor bloody fish have to eat due to the competition for food. If you're fishing those type of venues, then these cheap euro carb type baits will be fine.
If you're campaign fishing on big venues with a lower stock, I'd be very surprised to see the Decathlon out fish a good food bait...
In reply to Post #46
A bit late to this thread and it's not one I would normally comment on but I have seen a test on these before at a fish farm.
The thing that I noted with baits like this is the amount of carp that pick them up and then spit them out.
Our fish farmer always told me that the carp will pick up anything from stones to sticks and mouth them first. But the real sign of how palatable a boilie is by the amount of baits that get “refused” or ejected.
I also know of tests done by my Swedish carp farmer mate of a very cheap and highly preserved bait that he threw in his test pond in august and he emptied the pond the following spring to find them still there!
When I go fishing I need to know the bait is the best it can be and that the carp will stay in the swim til it's gone!
And I'll pay a bit more for my bait when I have watched them go mad to get at it!
Why risk the final piece of the puzzle?
A bit late to this thread and it's not one I would normally comment on but I have seen a test on these before at a fish farm.
The thing that I noted with baits like this is the amount of carp that pick them up and then spit them out.
Our fish farmer always told me that the carp will pick up anything from stones to sticks and mouth them first. But the real sign of how palatable a boilie is by the amount of baits that get “refused” or ejected.
I also know of tests done by my Swedish carp farmer mate of a very cheap and highly preserved bait that he threw in his test pond in august and he emptied the pond the following spring to find them still there!
When I go fishing I need to know the bait is the best it can be and that the carp will stay in the swim til it's gone!
And I'll pay a bit more for my bait when I have watched them go mad to get at it!
Why risk the final piece of the puzzle?
In reply to Post #47
And I'll pay a bit more for my bait when I have watched them go mad to get at it!
Why risk the final piece of the puzzle?
Because they would rather spend it on looking good, blanking on the bank
And I'll pay a bit more for my bait when I have watched them go mad to get at it!
Why risk the final piece of the puzzle?
Because they would rather spend it on looking good, blanking on the bank
In reply to Post #48
but he didnt blank in this case did he, actually he caught more than someone that payed more... there is a place for every bait, cheap or expensive, in carp fishing as it is place for every rig, tactic etc in different circumstance... saying you need expensive bait to catch everywhere can only come with some agenda... expensive bait doesnt equal quality bait all the time, been in trade long enough to know mark ups on certain products, just because end seller buys it as expensive it doesnt prove it was produced as expensive or quality in mind.
but he didnt blank in this case did he, actually he caught more than someone that payed more... there is a place for every bait, cheap or expensive, in carp fishing as it is place for every rig, tactic etc in different circumstance... saying you need expensive bait to catch everywhere can only come with some agenda... expensive bait doesnt equal quality bait all the time, been in trade long enough to know mark ups on certain products, just because end seller buys it as expensive it doesnt prove it was produced as expensive or quality in mind.
In reply to Post #47
I think the point I'm making is that it was quite frustrating sat there next to a friend less than a stones throw away listening to his buzzers go off all day and seeing the fish choosing the budget bait over the obviously more nutritious premium bait.
I understand that the Decathlon bait might not be the finest ingredients, that said, most of it, albeit I'm certainly no expert, that the Heff posted below doesn't look harmful to me.
I am not querying the quality of the more renowned of the two baits, after all it accounted for a new PB for me on my first session out this year.
But there is something to be said for it (budget bait), if it is constantly performing or, out performing more well known baits.
I'm going to have a little experiment this year to see how the baits play off against each other. Time will tell whether this was a one off or there is something more to it...
I think the point I'm making is that it was quite frustrating sat there next to a friend less than a stones throw away listening to his buzzers go off all day and seeing the fish choosing the budget bait over the obviously more nutritious premium bait.
I understand that the Decathlon bait might not be the finest ingredients, that said, most of it, albeit I'm certainly no expert, that the Heff posted below doesn't look harmful to me.
I am not querying the quality of the more renowned of the two baits, after all it accounted for a new PB for me on my first session out this year.
But there is something to be said for it (budget bait), if it is constantly performing or, out performing more well known baits.
I'm going to have a little experiment this year to see how the baits play off against each other. Time will tell whether this was a one off or there is something more to it...
In reply to Post #43
Met him quite a few times at the Zwolle shows he's certainly a character I organised with him to meet with a Polish friend of mine to order a complete rolling system, he placed an order for 13'000 euros with him that day following plenty of bartering the man likes a deal, didn't he run an advert in Carp World for a shortish time selling his bait at heavily discounted prices I think I can remember a thread or two about it on here.
If it catches just by the nature of a carp investigating it sucking it in blowing it out and getting *****ed then fair enough I think on heavily stocked runs waters a dog turd would have the same result when it comes down to it fish with whatever floats your boat, I would rather invest in a quality product that gives me the confidence that gives something back to their dietary requirements and aids health and recovery.
Met him quite a few times at the Zwolle shows he's certainly a character I organised with him to meet with a Polish friend of mine to order a complete rolling system, he placed an order for 13'000 euros with him that day following plenty of bartering the man likes a deal, didn't he run an advert in Carp World for a shortish time selling his bait at heavily discounted prices I think I can remember a thread or two about it on here.
If it catches just by the nature of a carp investigating it sucking it in blowing it out and getting *****ed then fair enough I think on heavily stocked runs waters a dog turd would have the same result when it comes down to it fish with whatever floats your boat, I would rather invest in a quality product that gives me the confidence that gives something back to their dietary requirements and aids health and recovery.
In reply to Post #1
No-one bats an eyelid when sweetcorn or tigers outfish decent boilies on the day, but when it's a cheap boilie its either scorned or subject to existentiel reflexions.
Why ?
No-one bats an eyelid when sweetcorn or tigers outfish decent boilies on the day, but when it's a cheap boilie its either scorned or subject to existentiel reflexions.
Why ?
In reply to Post #47
We only need the fish to pick it up and spit it out to hook them. They could have zero interest in actually eating it.
We only need the fish to pick it up and spit it out to hook them. They could have zero interest in actually eating it.
In reply to Post #53
I want a carp to actively look for my bait,
I want a carp to actively look for my bait,
In reply to Post #51
Yep, definitely a character!
Like you, I prefer to use a bait that gives something back (as well as catches!) but for a one off trip, nothing wrong with using "carp sweets". Can't hurt on one rod as an "alternative"
Yep, definitely a character!
Like you, I prefer to use a bait that gives something back (as well as catches!) but for a one off trip, nothing wrong with using "carp sweets". Can't hurt on one rod as an "alternative"
In reply to Post #55
If you think of them as big, nuisance fish-resistant particles that will take a flavour and/or liquid attractants rather than "HNV" type baits, then why not?
Just a different mindset and a different "tool".
Obviously providing the texture and preservative level is "acceptable" - but on that they should'nt be any worse than the shelf life versions of commercial HNV type baits so really that's a separate debate.
If you think of them as big, nuisance fish-resistant particles that will take a flavour and/or liquid attractants rather than "HNV" type baits, then why not?
Just a different mindset and a different "tool".
Obviously providing the texture and preservative level is "acceptable" - but on that they should'nt be any worse than the shelf life versions of commercial HNV type baits so really that's a separate debate.
In reply to Post #56
Smells so good I could eat it myself.
Bring on the weekend 👍👌
Smells so good I could eat it myself.
Bring on the weekend 👍👌
In reply to Post #57
Low durability/fast breakdown too.
Looks a bargain!
Low durability/fast breakdown too.
Looks a bargain!
In reply to Post #55
Agree with you. If I'm on one place for a while then the more “complete” a bait is the better. Long term effects and all that. But as you say, the one off trips to different venues you want something instant.
I don't think any bait does both, there's always a compromise to be made, you have 3 types of bait on the market and it's normally very easy to distinguish:
1. Instant attract baits with the lowest nutritional benefit but mega attraction for instant response.
2. Long term “campaign” baits, many won't be flavoured at all, these are a minority of the market.
3. The inbetween baits that offer something in the middle of the two, decent nutrition with a good dose of flavouring to catch the nose. The majority of the market.
Agree with you. If I'm on one place for a while then the more “complete” a bait is the better. Long term effects and all that. But as you say, the one off trips to different venues you want something instant.
I don't think any bait does both, there's always a compromise to be made, you have 3 types of bait on the market and it's normally very easy to distinguish:
1. Instant attract baits with the lowest nutritional benefit but mega attraction for instant response.
2. Long term “campaign” baits, many won't be flavoured at all, these are a minority of the market.
3. The inbetween baits that offer something in the middle of the two, decent nutrition with a good dose of flavouring to catch the nose. The majority of the market.
In reply to Post #57
Out of interest, was your mate using them glugged in the dynamite liquid too?
If so, I would try that on your normal baits
Out of interest, was your mate using them glugged in the dynamite liquid too?
If so, I would try that on your normal baits
In reply to Post #44
Few bad eggs doesn't make everyone rotten.
No one I know would knowingly push a sale into someone who's quality of life was really suffering fiscally. I've given people free bait when they've been in hand to mouth situations we aren't all crooks.
Few bad eggs doesn't make everyone rotten.
No one I know would knowingly push a sale into someone who's quality of life was really suffering fiscally. I've given people free bait when they've been in hand to mouth situations we aren't all crooks.
In reply to Post #38
That's just a load of bulk with a flavour. Think McDonalds rather than fine dining.
That's just a load of bulk with a flavour. Think McDonalds rather than fine dining.
In reply to Post #62
Should be a carp slayer then, more people go to McDonald's than fine dining.
Should be a carp slayer then, more people go to McDonald's than fine dining.
In reply to Post #49
Forget the expense of bait. Do you want to use something that carp will keep spitting out and don't want to keep consuming? Or something they gorge on? I know what I want.
And an expensive/good bait isn't expensive if one kilo lasts 3/4 trips is it. I have said it many many times like many others on here. Just by less of something that's proven rather than a lot of something with a poor track record
Forget the expense of bait. Do you want to use something that carp will keep spitting out and don't want to keep consuming? Or something they gorge on? I know what I want.
And an expensive/good bait isn't expensive if one kilo lasts 3/4 trips is it. I have said it many many times like many others on here. Just by less of something that's proven rather than a lot of something with a poor track record
In reply to Post #60
No he didn't use the scopex liquid but while I was ordering those it seemed rude not to tag on a bottle of the stuff.
Well I managed to get back to the lake this evening so from tomorrow my little experiment will start.
Anyone care for a wager what comes out on top, the Macdonald's Big Mac or the Roast Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad?
No he didn't use the scopex liquid but while I was ordering those it seemed rude not to tag on a bottle of the stuff.
Well I managed to get back to the lake this evening so from tomorrow my little experiment will start.
Anyone care for a wager what comes out on top, the Macdonald's Big Mac or the Roast Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad?
In reply to Post #65
Be close, you'll catch all the obese ones as they devour both because after fine dinning they'll still be hungry so will stop for McDonald's before going to sleep it off.
Be close, you'll catch all the obese ones as they devour both because after fine dinning they'll still be hungry so will stop for McDonald's before going to sleep it off.
In reply to Post #66
Shall I fix a bedchair to the top of that fence so you can sit there and stay undecided?
Shall I fix a bedchair to the top of that fence so you can sit there and stay undecided?
In reply to Post #65
I think your experiment will need to last at least 6 months to be of any validity. If your new bait is still outcatching all others by a significant margin. Then you could say it was proven.
I think your experiment will need to last at least 6 months to be of any validity. If your new bait is still outcatching all others by a significant margin. Then you could say it was proven.
In reply to Post #67
To inconclusive a few days trial isn't enough, try it for a year and on that basis I think the cheap stuff will lose out and results will tail off.
To inconclusive a few days trial isn't enough, try it for a year and on that basis I think the cheap stuff will lose out and results will tail off.
Why didn't you ask to borrow some of the Decathlon baits last trip out? If you were fishing so close that could have swung it in the direction of the bait being the factor.
I would have to say that I believe that 5-6m off a spot makes enough of a difference for fish to feed hard or not feed at all. I'm a firm believer in location and spot being more important than a magic bait as carp will eat any old tat in the right place. You can watch the crafty buggers in the edge completely ignoring perfectly good bait in the mucky stuff feet away from where they will suck stones for crumbs of the same bait on a spot they like.
Interested to hear how you get on and possibly be proven wrong though!
I would have to say that I believe that 5-6m off a spot makes enough of a difference for fish to feed hard or not feed at all. I'm a firm believer in location and spot being more important than a magic bait as carp will eat any old tat in the right place. You can watch the crafty buggers in the edge completely ignoring perfectly good bait in the mucky stuff feet away from where they will suck stones for crumbs of the same bait on a spot they like.
Interested to hear how you get on and possibly be proven wrong though!
In reply to Post #70
Many years ago my friend and I fished a double swim. August bank holiday weekend. We were heavily baiting with maize and both using it on the hook. We both used two rods. I was on the left him on the right. All the rods were within 10 mts of each other.i had 5 carp he had 11 Tench. I put it down to me being on the carp patrol route. He wasn't. Bait placement is very important.
Many years ago my friend and I fished a double swim. August bank holiday weekend. We were heavily baiting with maize and both using it on the hook. We both used two rods. I was on the left him on the right. All the rods were within 10 mts of each other.i had 5 carp he had 11 Tench. I put it down to me being on the carp patrol route. He wasn't. Bait placement is very important.
In reply to Post #64
Track record? Spitting out? Dont want to eat? Did you have your tea with mozzie? Remember when nashy came out with a new super bait and was telling people you only need a handfull, kilo will last for ages... If 1 kilo lasts 4 trips they only have/can to take it in mouths once just like cheap one you say they spit out... 250g over 2,3 rods only gives you that, there aint gonna be much gorging. P. S- why selling different hookbaits if carp gorge on your bait? Doesnt make any sense at all. Majority of anglers will use "better" baits. Personally would use decathlon boilies in 1 out of 250 scenarios but will still admit that they catch fish.
Track record? Spitting out? Dont want to eat? Did you have your tea with mozzie? Remember when nashy came out with a new super bait and was telling people you only need a handfull, kilo will last for ages... If 1 kilo lasts 4 trips they only have/can to take it in mouths once just like cheap one you say they spit out... 250g over 2,3 rods only gives you that, there aint gonna be much gorging. P. S- why selling different hookbaits if carp gorge on your bait? Doesnt make any sense at all. Majority of anglers will use "better" baits. Personally would use decathlon boilies in 1 out of 250 scenarios but will still admit that they catch fish.
In reply to Post #67
Hope u have it of
Hope u have it of
Everyone that's saying “the spot made all the difference, they'll eat anything if it's where they want to feed” - doesn't that mean we could all save a fortune on bait if we just put it in the right place?
In reply to Post #65
I guess the ultimate test is to fish the swim your mate was in, food baits on the spot that was producing and the scopex on the other
I guess the ultimate test is to fish the swim your mate was in, food baits on the spot that was producing and the scopex on the other
The truth is that it shows the unpredictability of nature, which is a term I use loosely for a farmed fish in a man made hole. Every bait has its day for whatever reason a scientific paper tells you but the reality is if you're not there with that bait, on that day and in the right spot then it's all just scientific theory.
I get the good food source argument but I spend enough feeding my kids and they don't earn me a bean.. if commercial fishery owners want their fish eating ‘fillet steak' then buy it yourself imo.
*obviously not relevant to a proper syndicate or private fishery, where the anglers themselves technically own the fish. But I can think of about half a dozen people on here that probably applies to. Everybody pays
I get the good food source argument but I spend enough feeding my kids and they don't earn me a bean.. if commercial fishery owners want their fish eating ‘fillet steak' then buy it yourself imo.
*obviously not relevant to a proper syndicate or private fishery, where the anglers themselves technically own the fish. But I can think of about half a dozen people on here that probably applies to. Everybody pays
In reply to Post #74
In many cases I would say yes, less bait on the right part of the spot would be more successful than more bait spread over the spot.
But then I guess the other thing is that you can make the spot with lots of bait!
Who knows!
In many cases I would say yes, less bait on the right part of the spot would be more successful than more bait spread over the spot.
But then I guess the other thing is that you can make the spot with lots of bait!
Who knows!
In reply to Post #77
No, i mean i could put 50p's worth of cheap bait on a spot rather than a tenners worth of proper bait.
I could then afford the camo fluffy groundsheet I've been after 😍
No, i mean i could put 50p's worth of cheap bait on a spot rather than a tenners worth of proper bait.
I could then afford the camo fluffy groundsheet I've been after 😍
In reply to Post #64
So sweetcorn and tigers they spit out and don't want to keep eating ?
So sweetcorn and tigers they spit out and don't want to keep eating ?
In reply to Post #74
Absolutely!
If you were able to know exactly THE spot on the day and place your rig there every time you could have a very succesful season using just three bits of plastic corn (or even one, one rod should do it !)
But its not that simple is it, thankfully!
Absolutely!
If you were able to know exactly THE spot on the day and place your rig there every time you could have a very succesful season using just three bits of plastic corn (or even one, one rod should do it !)
But its not that simple is it, thankfully!
In reply to Post #79
Thay blow out all food items, to some extent sometimes
and to taste, I guess this is where the angler needs
To manipulate the situation to get the best response at eny time,
Be that fish confidence in bait eg baiting, tigers and corn are great baits, but there are no wonder baits
Thay blow out all food items, to some extent sometimes
and to taste, I guess this is where the angler needs
To manipulate the situation to get the best response at eny time,
Be that fish confidence in bait eg baiting, tigers and corn are great baits, but there are no wonder baits
In reply to Post #81
I agree 100%. But :
"tigers and corn are great baits, but there are no wonder baits"
So why should "cheap" boilies be any different?
No-one seems to treat them as an alternative to particles rather than an alternative to "good" boilies, except perhaps european anglers on rivers for example. As said earlier in the thread they seem to have good reviews in europe, but then people like cheap stuff so it only has to work OK to get good reviews i suppose!
When you talk about basic boilies you get slated, but what do fishery owners use to top up feeding and optimise growth rates on overstocked (relative to natural food availability) lakes ? For the most part "cheap" pellets and/or cereals. Then again I suppose anglers are happy to pay for the good stuff!
I agree 100%. But :
"tigers and corn are great baits, but there are no wonder baits"
So why should "cheap" boilies be any different?
No-one seems to treat them as an alternative to particles rather than an alternative to "good" boilies, except perhaps european anglers on rivers for example. As said earlier in the thread they seem to have good reviews in europe, but then people like cheap stuff so it only has to work OK to get good reviews i suppose!
When you talk about basic boilies you get slated, but what do fishery owners use to top up feeding and optimise growth rates on overstocked (relative to natural food availability) lakes ? For the most part "cheap" pellets and/or cereals. Then again I suppose anglers are happy to pay for the good stuff!
In reply to Post #82
Good point about feeding by farmers , a few winters ago I fished cheep nash boilies , small amounts dotted around and caught loads, l honestly believe at the time I could not have done better than with a better bait, time and place for everything, carp want different things at different times, that's the problem, but like I say
Just got to stack the odds ,
Good point about feeding by farmers , a few winters ago I fished cheep nash boilies , small amounts dotted around and caught loads, l honestly believe at the time I could not have done better than with a better bait, time and place for everything, carp want different things at different times, that's the problem, but like I say
Just got to stack the odds ,
In reply to Post #83
Fortunate to fish a few quite waters and the nash instant action has been my bait of choice and it has worked for the off. Had a look at these, 3 basic key ingredients, I'm guessing some good vitamins and minerals in a quick release package
Fortunate to fish a few quite waters and the nash instant action has been my bait of choice and it has worked for the off. Had a look at these, 3 basic key ingredients, I'm guessing some good vitamins and minerals in a quick release package
In reply to Post #84
Yes the bait was tailor made imo for what I was trying to achieve
At that time, but usually fish a more nutrition bait and a long campaign, reap rewards, I believe in big fish baits, carp can know and source what's good for them if you get it right,
Cat amongst the pigeons lol
Yes the bait was tailor made imo for what I was trying to achieve
At that time, but usually fish a more nutrition bait and a long campaign, reap rewards, I believe in big fish baits, carp can know and source what's good for them if you get it right,
Cat amongst the pigeons lol
In reply to Post #85
Quality bait has been my choice, not got the knackers to sit behind cheap stuff on experienced fish, could be madness I suppose
Quality bait has been my choice, not got the knackers to sit behind cheap stuff on experienced fish, could be madness I suppose
In reply to Post #86
People are happy to chuck out overflavoured balls of fluff when fishing popups*......
*Yes, I know some are proper baits, not sure that applies to all of them!
People are happy to chuck out overflavoured balls of fluff when fishing popups*......
*Yes, I know some are proper baits, not sure that applies to all of them!
In reply to Post #86
Same here although it's took me a while to settle on a bait company I'm really happy with
Same here although it's took me a while to settle on a bait company I'm really happy with
In reply to Post #87
It's fishing, ain't no rules, it choices. You can either do the pub chuck with a fluro or stick the odds in your favour, feed them, get them eating it and catch fish, not just hope that something comes along and picks it up. Choices, I know where mine are
It's fishing, ain't no rules, it choices. You can either do the pub chuck with a fluro or stick the odds in your favour, feed them, get them eating it and catch fish, not just hope that something comes along and picks it up. Choices, I know where mine are
In reply to Post #72
You have an axe to grind for some reason.
Do a season on the cheap baits, tell us how you get on! If it's that good you will haul.
One bait is better than another that's a fact. So use what you are confident with or what you watch them going mad for.....and why do I sell different hookbaits? Dead simple, there are times when they don't want to eat and I can still trick them into picking one up! And it's a very effective method too.
I'm sure you will carry on grinding anyway so goodnight and tight lines.
You have an axe to grind for some reason.
Do a season on the cheap baits, tell us how you get on! If it's that good you will haul.
One bait is better than another that's a fact. So use what you are confident with or what you watch them going mad for.....and why do I sell different hookbaits? Dead simple, there are times when they don't want to eat and I can still trick them into picking one up! And it's a very effective method too.
I'm sure you will carry on grinding anyway so goodnight and tight lines.
In reply to Post #67
By way of a little update.
Fished both baits until 10am this morning and the Decathlon bait got off to a good start, 3 fish including a 20lb cat. So switched both rods on to that and enjoyed a bit of fun throughout the day, 7 carp, 3 cats, 2 cats lost. No big carp but a 36lb cat gave a good account of itself.
The Decathlon baits breakdown fast. Within 2 hours they are about the size of a tigernut, after 3 hours there's nothing left on the hair.
The fella on the peg next door to me popped over to see what I was using as he had caught 1 carp in nearly ten hours. He was surprised to put it mildly when I told him what I was using.
Anyway, knowing they don't last long in the water, I put out the roast bone marrow about an hour ago at sunset and that's just screamed off with an 18lb lovely scaled common on the end.
Cracking day and a lot to be said for the Decathlon bait. It might not be something I've used much of in the past but it will be in the future.
I'll take it to a trickier water next and see how it gets on, but I genuinely cannot fault it.
Final day tomorrow 👌👍
By way of a little update.
Fished both baits until 10am this morning and the Decathlon bait got off to a good start, 3 fish including a 20lb cat. So switched both rods on to that and enjoyed a bit of fun throughout the day, 7 carp, 3 cats, 2 cats lost. No big carp but a 36lb cat gave a good account of itself.
The Decathlon baits breakdown fast. Within 2 hours they are about the size of a tigernut, after 3 hours there's nothing left on the hair.
The fella on the peg next door to me popped over to see what I was using as he had caught 1 carp in nearly ten hours. He was surprised to put it mildly when I told him what I was using.
Anyway, knowing they don't last long in the water, I put out the roast bone marrow about an hour ago at sunset and that's just screamed off with an 18lb lovely scaled common on the end.
Cracking day and a lot to be said for the Decathlon bait. It might not be something I've used much of in the past but it will be in the future.
I'll take it to a trickier water next and see how it gets on, but I genuinely cannot fault it.
Final day tomorrow 👌👍
In reply to Post #91
Only lasting 3 hours on the hair would be a major drawback on a water where you need to leave a bait out for a long time. For various reasons it's necessary on many waters. As with most things."Horses for courses".
Only lasting 3 hours on the hair would be a major drawback on a water where you need to leave a bait out for a long time. For various reasons it's necessary on many waters. As with most things."Horses for courses".
In reply to Post #92
I agree with that although it didn't really matter for me today as the rods weren't in the water that long between bites.
Now I know the breakdown time I can manage that through the day but you couldn't use them overnight not a chance.
Still I cannot fault the attractiveness of the Decathlon baits one bit for £3.49/kg.
I agree with that although it didn't really matter for me today as the rods weren't in the water that long between bites.
Now I know the breakdown time I can manage that through the day but you couldn't use them overnight not a chance.
Still I cannot fault the attractiveness of the Decathlon baits one bit for £3.49/kg.
In reply to Post #90
Gav, don't feel the need to justify what you sell, believe you me certain trolls on here would argue against your point if you were telling them you need internal organs to live.
The answer is simple, you run a business, the baits sell well, anglers demand variety, and you're trying to accommodate that service in what is in your mind the best way that sits inline with your personal beliefs.
Gav, don't feel the need to justify what you sell, believe you me certain trolls on here would argue against your point if you were telling them you need internal organs to live.
The answer is simple, you run a business, the baits sell well, anglers demand variety, and you're trying to accommodate that service in what is in your mind the best way that sits inline with your personal beliefs.
In reply to Post #72
Carp use more than just the one sense to feed and explore their environment. and lots of anglers feel brand loyalty and like to stick with one or two companies for all their bait needs. ( obviously not all before a certain person goes on about using x, y and z from a, b and c ). plus anglers all like to fish in different ways.
Now if you run a business and want to maximise your appeal to the widest variety of anglers, it seems very very obvious that you accommodate different strokes for different folks.
I never wanted to release a "nut bait" as I've always believed and still do that in 90% of boilie fishing scenarios a well crafted all season HNV fishmeal reigns supreme, however 4/5 years ago it was massively obvious the trend of nut baits wasn't going to fade out, if one bait commercially could of killed off the trend it would of been the krill every man and his dog was using, but it didn't. so I set about incorporating certain things like CPSP90, GLM and very high liver levels into a refined nut and milk protein mix, to create a compromise I was happy with. 3 years of testing and as soon as it was released I had loads more new customers buying the fishmeal - because they knew I had a nut bait if they fancied a switch. bizarre buying habits but it is what it is.
But suffice to say don't chastise the mans business decisions for not aligning perfectly with every given example, it is NOT just us our baits have to accommodate. that would be a stupid way to run a business.
Carp use more than just the one sense to feed and explore their environment. and lots of anglers feel brand loyalty and like to stick with one or two companies for all their bait needs. ( obviously not all before a certain person goes on about using x, y and z from a, b and c ). plus anglers all like to fish in different ways.
Now if you run a business and want to maximise your appeal to the widest variety of anglers, it seems very very obvious that you accommodate different strokes for different folks.
I never wanted to release a "nut bait" as I've always believed and still do that in 90% of boilie fishing scenarios a well crafted all season HNV fishmeal reigns supreme, however 4/5 years ago it was massively obvious the trend of nut baits wasn't going to fade out, if one bait commercially could of killed off the trend it would of been the krill every man and his dog was using, but it didn't. so I set about incorporating certain things like CPSP90, GLM and very high liver levels into a refined nut and milk protein mix, to create a compromise I was happy with. 3 years of testing and as soon as it was released I had loads more new customers buying the fishmeal - because they knew I had a nut bait if they fancied a switch. bizarre buying habits but it is what it is.
But suffice to say don't chastise the mans business decisions for not aligning perfectly with every given example, it is NOT just us our baits have to accommodate. that would be a stupid way to run a business.
In reply to Post #90
Absolutely no axe to grind... If I would live in UK I would already make many orders from you. I like your work and dedication. Was only talking about thread subject, aplication and different aproaches to different scenarios and turning your logic around. As we see author was again lucky to chuck it in just the right spot many times and fish as you say were either gorging on that cheap bait or were spitting it out so much that he caught many... We will never know... He had a great day and that is all that matters...
Absolutely no axe to grind... If I would live in UK I would already make many orders from you. I like your work and dedication. Was only talking about thread subject, aplication and different aproaches to different scenarios and turning your logic around. As we see author was again lucky to chuck it in just the right spot many times and fish as you say were either gorging on that cheap bait or were spitting it out so much that he caught many... We will never know... He had a great day and that is all that matters...
In reply to Post #91
Sounds like the sort of water and.old.rubbish will do tbh
Sounds like the sort of water and.old.rubbish will do tbh
In reply to Post #97
Hmmmm dont think the guy opposite me for ten hours yesterday would agree with you.
Hmmmm dont think the guy opposite me for ten hours yesterday would agree with you.
In reply to Post #98
But he was a nod
like me
But he was a nod
In reply to Post #98
my first thought when i read your original post was the fish were probably moving along the far bank from one end to the other and they just hit your mate first?.
having said that, i have a mate who swears by decathlon white chocolate boilies, he's had some very decent fish on them over the years
my first thought when i read your original post was the fish were probably moving along the far bank from one end to the other and they just hit your mate first?.
having said that, i have a mate who swears by decathlon white chocolate boilies, he's had some very decent fish on them over the years
In reply to Post #100
I had probably, in terms of volume over the jubilee bank holiday between weds night and friday night one of the best sessions I've ever had on that water. It normally fishes really slowly in warm conditions but the bites kept coming.
The baits though broke down rapidly and shortly after a couple of hours there wasn't much left on the hair.
I used about 7kg with sticking freebies out aswell which I'm convinced pulled fish into my spots.
Will take it to a different water to see how it performs at the end of the month but I have to say that I was hugely impressed with it.
I had probably, in terms of volume over the jubilee bank holiday between weds night and friday night one of the best sessions I've ever had on that water. It normally fishes really slowly in warm conditions but the bites kept coming.
The baits though broke down rapidly and shortly after a couple of hours there wasn't much left on the hair.
I used about 7kg with sticking freebies out aswell which I'm convinced pulled fish into my spots.
Will take it to a different water to see how it performs at the end of the month but I have to say that I was hugely impressed with it.
In reply to Post #101
i'd be interested to hear how you get on because it's cheaper than the nash version i'm using
i'd be interested to hear how you get on because it's cheaper than the nash version i'm using
In reply to Post #98
Sorry but if your getting 12 runs in a day it's not exactly a tricky water is it?! It's one thing when a bait works at somewhere like that where the fish rely on bait to survive. It's a whole different ballgame when you take it somewhere that they don't need bait to survive
Sorry but if your getting 12 runs in a day it's not exactly a tricky water is it?! It's one thing when a bait works at somewhere like that where the fish rely on bait to survive. It's a whole different ballgame when you take it somewhere that they don't need bait to survive
In reply to Post #103
still saved a lot of money...
still saved a lot of money...
In reply to Post #104
How much is a 5kilo bag of the boilies then,I'm thinking of trying it on the canal just as a prebait for a week and then giving it a go,I'd class a canal that's got 12/14 mile between locks as fairly hard because you've got to find the fish as well
How much is a 5kilo bag of the boilies then,I'm thinking of trying it on the canal just as a prebait for a week and then giving it a go,I'd class a canal that's got 12/14 mile between locks as fairly hard because you've got to find the fish as well
In reply to Post #104
Maybe but have you seen his pod? Doesn't exactly scream poverty lol
Maybe but have you seen his pod? Doesn't exactly scream poverty lol
Was looking at the decathlon holland site (out of curiosity), and saw the 20 kg bags 20 mm scopex being sold out
By the way, they go for €2,49/kg
By the way, they go for €2,49/kg
In reply to Post #103
That is something I will try next on another water, but to suggest that water is easy is a bit misguided. Yes there is a good stock in the lake, particularly cats where they now see boilies as natural food source since so many go in, but I can assure you, that I have struggled there in the past and plenty of other anglers don't class it as an easy runs water.
The chap next to me was fishing on a branded bait and he managed one fish in ten hours.
I spend a lot on bait so its certainly not about saving money.
That is something I will try next on another water, but to suggest that water is easy is a bit misguided. Yes there is a good stock in the lake, particularly cats where they now see boilies as natural food source since so many go in, but I can assure you, that I have struggled there in the past and plenty of other anglers don't class it as an easy runs water.
The chap next to me was fishing on a branded bait and he managed one fish in ten hours.
I spend a lot on bait so its certainly not about saving money.
I think that sometimes they just want a carp sweet and other times they don't. I think we definitely credit them with too much intelligence some times.
I'm just contemplating the irony of using a gpb2 pop up over a spread of £3.50 a kilo scopex....
In reply to Post #108
I know what you mean mate when I lived in Southampton I fished a lake that was less than an acre had fish upto nearly 30lb had history to it ie: few famous people fished it in the past and it allegedly done a 12lb tench in late 90's as well as carp to over 30lb,I've had times on there where I've blanked when expected to catch but then I've had a good run where I caught nearly every visit so swing and roundabouts really.
I know what you mean mate when I lived in Southampton I fished a lake that was less than an acre had fish upto nearly 30lb had history to it ie: few famous people fished it in the past and it allegedly done a 12lb tench in late 90's as well as carp to over 30lb,I've had times on there where I've blanked when expected to catch but then I've had a good run where I caught nearly every visit so swing and roundabouts really.
In reply to Post #111
Decathlon are pretty much sold out of scopex now online so I'm going to have to wait until they are restocked before ordering more.
I do have 10kg of their monster crab which I will try and maybe soak in scopex liquid but I will say that I'm massively impressed by it, and I won't discount it in future just because it's cheap.
Decathlon are pretty much sold out of scopex now online so I'm going to have to wait until they are restocked before ordering more.
I do have 10kg of their monster crab which I will try and maybe soak in scopex liquid but I will say that I'm massively impressed by it, and I won't discount it in future just because it's cheap.
In reply to Post #112
See what you've done,
See what you've done,
Everyone: it's going to sit on the lake bed uneaten, I need something that leaves no trace.
It breaks down in hours..
Everyone: that's no good for fishing overnight it's far too quick. It was luck anyway it won't happen again.
It happens again..
Everyone: you're fishing noddy puddles mate
What it needs is tank testing
It breaks down in hours..
Everyone: that's no good for fishing overnight it's far too quick. It was luck anyway it won't happen again.
It happens again..
Everyone: you're fishing noddy puddles mate
What it needs is tank testing
In reply to Post #110
They'd wolf the scopex and leave your pop up
They'd wolf the scopex and leave your pop up
In reply to Post #115
I bloody hope not 😂, got a lodge and hot tub this weekend and that's exactly what I'm going to do, was needing some boilies and thought sod it, delivered in less than 36 hours too.
I bloody hope not 😂, got a lodge and hot tub this weekend and that's exactly what I'm going to do, was needing some boilies and thought sod it, delivered in less than 36 hours too.
In reply to Post #114
It's a bit like wearing snide watches and clobber, from a distance no one knows. Nash and Mainline look good on the bank but the street market copies Nosh and Mingline appear to look just as good even up close.
It's a bit like wearing snide watches and clobber, from a distance no one knows. Nash and Mainline look good on the bank but the street market copies Nosh and Mingline appear to look just as good even up close.
In reply to Post #117
Oh dear
Oh dear
In reply to Post #116
Let us know how you get on with it.
Let us know how you get on with it.
In reply to Post #119
Probably blank and spend all weekend in the hot tub
Probably blank and spend all weekend in the hot tub
In reply to Post #120
I was planning to get out this weekend and give the monster crab a good bash, but now I've been conscripted into my birds sisters birthday party. Not happy. You'll be in and out of that hot tub before the speedos get wet 🤣🤣👍
I was planning to get out this weekend and give the monster crab a good bash, but now I've been conscripted into my birds sisters birthday party. Not happy. You'll be in and out of that hot tub before the speedos get wet 🤣🤣👍
In reply to Post #121
I can assure you they'll be no banana hammocks on show from me.
I can assure you they'll be no banana hammocks on show from me.
In reply to Post #121
Might not be a total loss mate, same thing happened to me in 88, after a bit of pre baiting on the night i got to have a crack at the sister two weeks later.
Might not be a total loss mate, same thing happened to me in 88, after a bit of pre baiting on the night i got to have a crack at the sister two weeks later.
In reply to Post #123
I'd rather carry on pre-baiting mate 🤣
I'd rather carry on pre-baiting mate 🤣
In reply to Post #123
If you had ta crack at 2 sister which one did you go for first 😂😂😂
If you had ta crack at 2 sister which one did you go for first 😂😂😂
In reply to Post #125
The youngest.
The youngest.
In reply to Post #126
😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂
In reply to Post #120
Have you wet those Banana Hammocks yet, mores to the point, hows the bait doing?
Have you wet those Banana Hammocks yet, mores to the point, hows the bait doing?
In reply to Post #128
The hot tub has taken a bashing, my fishing has been slow across the board, had a couple over the top of a spread of scopex. Four people on the lake, two blanking, I've had a couple and mate is smashing it using a boat with a pop over a little pile of pellet.
Moved away from lodges today to get better angle on the going area, if yesterday is anything to go by from dinner time onwards is the one.
The hot tub has taken a bashing, my fishing has been slow across the board, had a couple over the top of a spread of scopex. Four people on the lake, two blanking, I've had a couple and mate is smashing it using a boat with a pop over a little pile of pellet.
Moved away from lodges today to get better angle on the going area, if yesterday is anything to go by from dinner time onwards is the one.
In reply to Post #129
Good luck Alex, it sounds like you are doing ok.
Good luck Alex, it sounds like you are doing ok.
In reply to Post #130
Had a lovely 23lb common over the bait. Been a good laugh.
Had a lovely 23lb common over the bait. Been a good laugh.
These baits will work and have done since the beginning, surprised anglers think that they shouldn't, strangely we seem to have become more conditioned than the carp with regards many aspects of our hobby, myself included as given the choice I'd plump for a well thought out fishmeal over most others!
In reply to Post #131
Good to hear, I'm taking it out for 4 days at the end of next week.
Did you only use it as feed or did you put some on the hook?
Good to hear, I'm taking it out for 4 days at the end of next week.
Did you only use it as feed or did you put some on the hook?
In reply to Post #133
Had one on for a few hours but that rod just wasn't on fish at the time. The proper one came after one rolled over the bait and an opportune cast back to the area after I was splashing about chasing other rollers
I've rebooked for September 23. Going to be prepared next time.
Will have a bash with the scopex somewhere else this weekend. No where seems to be fishing well at the moment for me.
Had one on for a few hours but that rod just wasn't on fish at the time. The proper one came after one rolled over the bait and an opportune cast back to the area after I was splashing about chasing other rollers
I've rebooked for September 23. Going to be prepared next time.
Will have a bash with the scopex somewhere else this weekend. No where seems to be fishing well at the moment for me.
In reply to Post #1
Just restarting this thread a few months on did anyone stay on the decathlon bait?
Just restarting this thread a few months on did anyone stay on the decathlon bait?
I've used Decathlon boilies extensively for the last 8 years or so because of the price and fast attraction. The ratio is purely unbeatable.
I can say that on certain venues, Monster Crab aroma performed so good and was so intensively used by anglers that it got banned, being considered a low nutrition boilie. Or it was ruining other local boilies companies sales. Who knows...
I've caught everything on it, from 10lbs to 30lbs fish. I've also encountered situations in which people fishing 20feet apart from each other with high quality fishmeals got destroyed by these during short sessions. It still mesmerizes us what the hell is in it tbh that drives the carp crazy. That's what it is, a fast attraction bait but with a flaw. It doesn't perform well on long sessions (longer than 2-3days). It's like the fish lose interest after a while, or literally realize is not that nutritious. Still, it's the most effective "cheap" boilies i have ever used and i recommend it for any type of water, even rivers.
Hope it helps,
M.
I can say that on certain venues, Monster Crab aroma performed so good and was so intensively used by anglers that it got banned, being considered a low nutrition boilie. Or it was ruining other local boilies companies sales. Who knows...
I've caught everything on it, from 10lbs to 30lbs fish. I've also encountered situations in which people fishing 20feet apart from each other with high quality fishmeals got destroyed by these during short sessions. It still mesmerizes us what the hell is in it tbh that drives the carp crazy. That's what it is, a fast attraction bait but with a flaw. It doesn't perform well on long sessions (longer than 2-3days). It's like the fish lose interest after a while, or literally realize is not that nutritious. Still, it's the most effective "cheap" boilies i have ever used and i recommend it for any type of water, even rivers.
Hope it helps,
M.
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