Does anyone use a boilie only approach with big baits? Is there a situation when anyone would these days?
Or are we all mostly fishing over bits n bobs?
Haven't used a boilie only approach since the early 90s myself, just wondered if some still do and catch well.
Or are we all mostly fishing over bits n bobs?
Haven't used a boilie only approach since the early 90s myself, just wondered if some still do and catch well.
In reply to Post #1
On and off, worked late 70,s for me big hand rolled
Works now, time and place, only difference now I don't freeline them, had a few bite offs back then
On and off, worked late 70,s for me big hand rolled
Works now, time and place, only difference now I don't freeline them, had a few bite offs back then
In reply to Post #1
Often worth a go if the majority of other anglers are using small feed out of a bait boat.
Often worth a go if the majority of other anglers are using small feed out of a bait boat.
In reply to Post #1
I'd give it a go in the Autumn when water temperature is not too high and fish are in a mood to feed hard.
I'd give it a go in the Autumn when water temperature is not too high and fish are in a mood to feed hard.
In reply to Post #1
I use 18mm boilie only atm fishing for hungry 20s and 30s they love it chop some up to but 85% boilie. Just bought some 20mm red halibut pellet to mix with them too will be having one of them on 1 rod for sure.
I use 18mm boilie only atm fishing for hungry 20s and 30s they love it chop some up to but 85% boilie. Just bought some 20mm red halibut pellet to mix with them too will be having one of them on 1 rod for sure.
In reply to Post #1
Of course. last few fish I've had have been on 18mm hard hookers topped with yellow barrels, fished over mixed size freebies
bear in mind to even a small carp 18mm isn't a huge bait, and I find 22mm to be a really good bait size to be "different".
the only disadvantage is you get less to the kilo
Of course. last few fish I've had have been on 18mm hard hookers topped with yellow barrels, fished over mixed size freebies
bear in mind to even a small carp 18mm isn't a huge bait, and I find 22mm to be a really good bait size to be "different".
the only disadvantage is you get less to the kilo
In reply to Post #1
I uses to fish a certain venue with 24mm. It was a good bait and resulted in a proper amount of fish. The moment I put in the same weight of 14mm I caught even more fish.
But I found out it was all about the number of baits you put out. More 24mm's also yielded to more takes but as mozzi said you've got less of them per kg bait. This also means it has its place and time. My experience is that a 24mm approach isn't as succesful as a 12mm approach when the takes are slow.
I uses to fish a certain venue with 24mm. It was a good bait and resulted in a proper amount of fish. The moment I put in the same weight of 14mm I caught even more fish.
But I found out it was all about the number of baits you put out. More 24mm's also yielded to more takes but as mozzi said you've got less of them per kg bait. This also means it has its place and time. My experience is that a 24mm approach isn't as succesful as a 12mm approach when the takes are slow.
In reply to Post #7
A kg of any bait is a kg of bait. It's a fact bigger fish will eat more bait than smaller fish. When they are having it big time. Big baits will probably, not always, deter the smaller fish.
I always use 3 sizes of bait and often 2 different baits. To keep them guessing. Different levels of baiting and different sizes at different times of year. Sometimes more is more. Sometimes less is best. Are you feeding a shoal or catching 1 large fish. Only you can tell.
A kg of any bait is a kg of bait. It's a fact bigger fish will eat more bait than smaller fish. When they are having it big time. Big baits will probably, not always, deter the smaller fish.
I always use 3 sizes of bait and often 2 different baits. To keep them guessing. Different levels of baiting and different sizes at different times of year. Sometimes more is more. Sometimes less is best. Are you feeding a shoal or catching 1 large fish. Only you can tell.
In reply to Post #8
You misunderstand. change the statement a bit.
A kilo of 24mm bait is not the same amount of baits as a kilo of 18mm baits.
I've got the exact figures somewhere but the mass of a 15mm is about 1.7cm3 and an 18mm is over 3 cm3 so nearly double the mass for a 3mm increase is diameter.
its totally dependant on how you want the fish.
the difference is mass and resultant water turbulence to bring them into the carps mouth is the biggest advantage of fishing mixed size baits in my opinion. it results in better hook holds in my experience.
You misunderstand. change the statement a bit.
A kilo of 24mm bait is not the same amount of baits as a kilo of 18mm baits.
I've got the exact figures somewhere but the mass of a 15mm is about 1.7cm3 and an 18mm is over 3 cm3 so nearly double the mass for a 3mm increase is diameter.
its totally dependant on how you want the fish.
the difference is mass and resultant water turbulence to bring them into the carps mouth is the biggest advantage of fishing mixed size baits in my opinion. it results in better hook holds in my experience.
In reply to Post #9
When I use big baits I.e 20mm or bigger I use wafters on the hook. Various sizes keeps them guessing and a wafter hookbait will catch them out. More small baits will keep more fish in the swim for longer but do you want to catch more small fish or a few bigger ones. You can catch big fish on small baits. However it's unlikely if there are loads of small fish to contend with. I'd happily use small baits in cold water if it was a low stocked water.
When I use big baits I.e 20mm or bigger I use wafters on the hook. Various sizes keeps them guessing and a wafter hookbait will catch them out. More small baits will keep more fish in the swim for longer but do you want to catch more small fish or a few bigger ones. You can catch big fish on small baits. However it's unlikely if there are loads of small fish to contend with. I'd happily use small baits in cold water if it was a low stocked water.
In reply to Post #10
I believe you can do much more selective angling by adjusting the attractivity of your bait rather than just size.
I believe you can do much more selective angling by adjusting the attractivity of your bait rather than just size.
In reply to Post #10
That is rubbish sorry. I've seen huge fish landed on tiny hookbaits and feed and cricket bait commons over 10kg of 18/26mm dumbells.
If it fits it fits.
That is rubbish sorry. I've seen huge fish landed on tiny hookbaits and feed and cricket bait commons over 10kg of 18/26mm dumbells.
If it fits it fits.
In reply to Post #11
I do think more subtle bait can trick bigger fish. But then what's more subtle a bait with loads of food liquids of an empty bait with high levels of artificial flavour?
I think there's definitely a balance and I've certainly been to venues where bait has been too attractive
I do think more subtle bait can trick bigger fish. But then what's more subtle a bait with loads of food liquids of an empty bait with high levels of artificial flavour?
I think there's definitely a balance and I've certainly been to venues where bait has been too attractive
In reply to Post #1
About 5 years ago i fished a water that had a huge amount of bream in it, due to this you could only fish 18mm+ baits and it was more of a numbers game to get through to the carp. I found that the larger the bait the less bream you had to deal with, so ended up on 22mm baits which you had to spomb in due to the gulls on a routine rotation of dive bombing your spots.
About 5 years ago i fished a water that had a huge amount of bream in it, due to this you could only fish 18mm+ baits and it was more of a numbers game to get through to the carp. I found that the larger the bait the less bream you had to deal with, so ended up on 22mm baits which you had to spomb in due to the gulls on a routine rotation of dive bombing your spots.
In reply to Post #1
I dont, but a mate of mine only uses 24mm hook baits, he swears by them, and i must admit, the hook holds seem very good. He says its due to the fish having to suck and blow harder to eject.
makes sense i guess
I dont, but a mate of mine only uses 24mm hook baits, he swears by them, and i must admit, the hook holds seem very good. He says its due to the fish having to suck and blow harder to eject.
makes sense i guess
In reply to Post #15
Yes, reason I ask is nearly everybody is spodding hemp, pellet, and various other, (myself incuded). Is it really possible to create an intense feeding situation/keep them grubbing about, with just a boilie only approach. We all used to fish that way though.
Yes, reason I ask is nearly everybody is spodding hemp, pellet, and various other, (myself incuded). Is it really possible to create an intense feeding situation/keep them grubbing about, with just a boilie only approach. We all used to fish that way though.
Maybe I should ask, can 'scatter baiting' with boilies really compete with a baiting situation created with a spod and bits n bobs?
In reply to Post #17
Hi,
I guess it depends on the water. I nearly always use a boilie only approach 20mm preferred and it has served me well on several waters.
I am trying for bigguns rather than numbers of fish.
I heard an analogy a while back that matched my results.
Old fish (bit like old people potentially have a reduced appetite and pick at their food, can be grumpy
) and pobably dont want to get into a scrum of smaller fish feeding on a tight spot.
I either use a spread of boilies (1kg per day) regularly a few days in advance of fishing if possible if I have evidence they are there or to draw fish into an area.
or just fish a dozen or so boilies around the hookbait or leading to the hookbait (along a bar or example). It makes for a very quiet approach which is what I'm after when everyone else is a bit spodtastic
Cheers
Neil.
Hi,
I guess it depends on the water. I nearly always use a boilie only approach 20mm preferred and it has served me well on several waters.
I am trying for bigguns rather than numbers of fish.
I heard an analogy a while back that matched my results.
Old fish (bit like old people potentially have a reduced appetite and pick at their food, can be grumpy
) and pobably dont want to get into a scrum of smaller fish feeding on a tight spot.I either use a spread of boilies (1kg per day) regularly a few days in advance of fishing if possible if I have evidence they are there or to draw fish into an area.
or just fish a dozen or so boilies around the hookbait or leading to the hookbait (along a bar or example). It makes for a very quiet approach which is what I'm after when everyone else is a bit spodtastic
Cheers
Neil.
In reply to Post #17
Definitely, fish moving from one bait to the next I feel are more likely to hook themselves than if the are sucking and blowing from a pile of feed.
Definitely, fish moving from one bait to the next I feel are more likely to hook themselves than if the are sucking and blowing from a pile of feed.
In reply to Post #18
You touched on baiting lines, brilliant way of fishing
Even on hard waters if I can get away with it I'll put out 2 boillies every 15 minutes maybe, with the stick it don't make a noise
Should just say the boilies are skimmed over the water
You touched on baiting lines, brilliant way of fishing
Even on hard waters if I can get away with it I'll put out 2 boillies every 15 minutes maybe, with the stick it don't make a noise
Should just say the boilies are skimmed over the water
In reply to Post #16
This is definitely possible. Scattering bait keeps them moving.
1 or 1/2 kg of large bait sticked out is just a good starting point.
As mentioned by others, carp picking up one bait to the other are more likely to get hooked.
This is definitely possible. Scattering bait keeps them moving.
1 or 1/2 kg of large bait sticked out is just a good starting point.
As mentioned by others, carp picking up one bait to the other are more likely to get hooked.
Many years ago i was fishing a private syndi and doing well on 16mm baits but due to smaller carp, silvers and eels I decided to change my approach to pre baiting with only 20mm hard boilies and fishing the same when I returned.
The bigger carp were definitely ready for it and the smallest carp I caught was a low double.
No wafters, no pop ups, no toppers, just fish eating the feed and wanting more.
The bigger carp were definitely ready for it and the smallest carp I caught was a low double.
No wafters, no pop ups, no toppers, just fish eating the feed and wanting more.
In reply to Post #22
Nice , I like to think half the work is done before I get my gear out
Nice , I like to think half the work is done before I get my gear out
In reply to Post #1
When I first started fishing Brackens on Nazeing Meads I baited up with 30 bait stringers of 18mm boilies. Half an hour of casting stringers in and fishing over the top of them.
It was a very successful tactic as because of the 'no baits to be thrown, catapulted, spodded or sticked in' rule it was definitely a very good edge.
When I first started fishing Brackens on Nazeing Meads I baited up with 30 bait stringers of 18mm boilies. Half an hour of casting stringers in and fishing over the top of them.
It was a very successful tactic as because of the 'no baits to be thrown, catapulted, spodded or sticked in' rule it was definitely a very good edge.
I had a fish Saturday night on a 24mm hookbait over a scattering of the same. I pretty much always use a boilie only approach.
In reply to Post #25
A few years back I had a free night so went on a club water. It has a good stock so can be a bit of a runs water but they can be riggy. I needed a good sleep so my plan was to have a wide scatter of 20mm baits with two rods in the tennis court sized area, and 24mm bottom baits on the rigs with 3 bait stringers of 24mm boilies
I ended up with 10 fish, smallest was low double and the best was almost 20, but a better amount of 15+ than normal.
Too many people fishing baits that are too small.
A few years back I had a free night so went on a club water. It has a good stock so can be a bit of a runs water but they can be riggy. I needed a good sleep so my plan was to have a wide scatter of 20mm baits with two rods in the tennis court sized area, and 24mm bottom baits on the rigs with 3 bait stringers of 24mm boilies
I ended up with 10 fish, smallest was low double and the best was almost 20, but a better amount of 15+ than normal.
Too many people fishing baits that are too small.
In reply to Post #1
Depends on the water, but if there are a lot of silver fish around then a 20mm bait helps pick out the carp.
Depends on the water, but if there are a lot of silver fish around then a 20mm bait helps pick out the carp.
Is an 18 or 20 a big bait? I just think nowadays people tend to fish more with 12mm pop ups on a Ronnie. Back when I was younger I fished a lake with a lot of bream and small carp so I ended up using 26 millers. That's a big bait 
If I can I will always go down the 24mm route quite often with double 24mm bottom baits on the hair. It's done me proud on quite a few busy waters. I joined a water a few years ago where everything was small 12mm baits, I was rubbing my hands together thinking the bigger baits would sort them out. It resulted in months of blanking until I fished smaller baits. But that has been the only exception in recent years
In reply to Post #29
Yes when everyone goes to smaller and smaller baits in order to get a bite it's the law of diminishing returns . where do you end up fishing hemp on the hair? Overfishing is what causes this. No close season does not help. Pressured fish end up changing their natural habits so they just don't respond to their environment in a natural way.
Yes when everyone goes to smaller and smaller baits in order to get a bite it's the law of diminishing returns . where do you end up fishing hemp on the hair? Overfishing is what causes this. No close season does not help. Pressured fish end up changing their natural habits so they just don't respond to their environment in a natural way.
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