Don't think this has been posted from their Facebook page
*** Important update & announcement ***

I've been having lots of messages recently regarding a post I put on social media several weeks ago regarding the cessation of Essential Baits and my involvement in the company, so I felt I needed to clarify matters.

My plan is still to sell the two fisheries I jointly own, namely The Sanctuary and Springwood Fishery and this will be implemented through the courts via the 'division of assets' process. My solicitor has confirmed valuations and marketing are not likely to take place until later this year by the time everything is processed with potential buyers being targeted in 2024. Until both properties are sold, there will be no change of operation to either site and Sanctuary bookings will still be taken this autumn/winter.

Essential Baits is operated from the Springwood site and I have no intention to continue with the business once the site has been sold. I've been in the bait business for nearly 40 years now and very proud of the products that I've developed during that time and of course the many friendships I've made along that journey, let alone the huge amount of support from so many customers far and wide, of which I will be forever grateful.

But there comes a time when you need to look at the future and I know the time will soon be right to pursue other interests. I may even remain in the industry, but no definite decisions on that have yet been made and talks are on-going with various options being considered.

It will of course be a very sad day when this happens and I will endeavour to give as much notice as possible in advance. I can confirm however that Essential Baits will not continue trading after I have left the company, which judging by the amount of enquiries, has been a major concern for many of you. Please rest assured that I'm currently still at the forefront of the company and this will continue to be the case until such time the decision has been made to finally close the doors for the last time.

Thank you for your time and understanding and I will try to answer as many queries as I can during the coming months.

Mike Willmott

Essential Baits

In reply to Post #1
Just seen it, bad news. Can't see why something cant continue, I know he has sons and daughters involved in the current set up. Get the feeling something very bad has happened in the background, hope everyone involved is OK.

A very sad day if B5 one of the greats disappears.

Agreed B5 is fantastic and I started on GS10 this year which seems equally as good.

It's a real shame to see them disappear.

In reply to Post #1
It's a terrible shame. I corresponded with Mike many many years ago online. He is a lovely man. I sadly lost contact with him when SHB started.

Where are the next Mike Willmotts and Gary Bayes etc coming from? Where will the next great boilies come from when people like them, and Geoff are no longer doing it?

All of the big companies are full of media kids now. Great at taking photos, or posting on socials. Where is the next B5 or Scopex Squid coming from?

If you think that any influencers that have been pedaling Chinese plastic for the past 20 years, are suddenly going to come up with it, you are very sadly mistaken. If they had it in them, it would have happened donkeys years ago.

From reading his message and the replies it's looks like him and his missus are going their seperate ways. Shame as his B5 was a brilliant bait that's lasted the test of time. Maybe when everything is sold someone will continue at the site if they're left the recipes. These days it's too easy just to buy bait from a boat company. Gone are the days of buying different ingredients and seeing what works. It's all too easy. The baits we have now are probably the baits that stay for years to come as not many companies are coming through with too many new baits.

In reply to Post #1
Without doubt it is a shame as Mike is a good bloke and makes quality baits. Clearly a lot of thought has gone into this as you can see how understandably proud he is of what he has created with both Essential and the fisheries so looking to sell up is a huge decision. I am surprised that his kids are not taking over the company as I believe they are both heavily involved, but again I have no doubts all things have been discussed and considered. Whatever comes of it I wish him the best of luck with whatever he chooses to do next (timing is surprising given he has just been writing for Carpology so if anything I was expecting more of a push for the company in the coming months)

Real shame one of the few good bait firms gone, but I can understand Mike wanting a clean break with the past. I wish him good luck for the future.

In reply to Post #4
Essential, Another great bait company fining down, too many have gone or are going, or bait designers are getting older.

Essential, Premier, and Nutrabaits; in Nutrabaits Bill Cottam selling up, and in Essential Mike Wilmott's statement says it all.

Fewer and fewer innovative bait designers and manufacturers, but many cheapy copies, cake mixes, and possibly not enough bait minded anglers.

In reply to Post #8
Problem seems to be the long established trustworthy companies are going, lots of new bait companies starting every day but can we trust the quality of the bait?? doubt it, I am quite happy with DNA, just hope they don't go down the same road

In reply to Post #9
He split with his missus quite a while back. I think what is happening now is all tied in with the divorce. Sad times all around.

I am sure he could sell essential baits for a fair amount of cash considering the reputation they have for quality bait.

Be a shame to lose B5 as it is one of the best baits available IMO.

In reply to Post #11
Trouble is if he sold the company or the recipes he couldn't start again if he changed his mind down the road (current products).

In reply to Post #12
Maybe but if that's the case why would he give it all up in the first place?

Pay someone to run it or pass it on to someone in his family.

In reply to Post #13
If its part of a financial remedy due to a divorce and the parties can't amicably decide then this is why the courts are involved , Mike will have NO option to sell or pass on.

Real shame, mike has a great bait mind, his chapter on bait in his 1st book is still one of the best I've ever read, used the salami cream to great effect for a few years, excellent bait! good luck to him I wish him all the best in the future

In reply to Post #15
Moved to the bait section

What ever the reason for him wrapping up Essential baits. I wish him all the best in what ever he decides to do in the future. Bait brains like Mike's are sadly a thing of the past in today's bait game. To be honest Mike would probably rather wrap the company up than sell it on. Than to watch his beloved buisness go the same way as the likes of Nutrabaits have apparently gone.

copied from faceache -
"Disrespectful to put this post up before running it threw with mum and those that work at essential first who have helped run this business for so long before putting on social media. You would not have got this far on your own and without the input of others. Mum deserves some respect for God's sake."

Puts some perspective on the situation.

In reply to Post #18
Ouch!

In reply to Post #18
Oh dear 😳

In reply to Post #18
Behind the scenes drama ... always 2sides to a coin. Not all bobby dazzler as it seems.
Settle their differences, let go and move on ... new ventures, new beginnings

B5 will always be "the bait that got me started"
Good luck Mike Always 2 legs & a crack involved, when something goes belly up

From his own face ache page

“Just to clarify any rumours please read.

I did try other avenues in an attempt to find a different solution to matters, but unfortunately to no avail. I will of course keep customers and friends posted periodically ... M.”

In reply to Post #22
I really like Mike, and essential was a brand I looked up to and used for a long time.
I hope he can get some clarity on it all and find a better outcome. Looks messy but every breakup is normally.
His book had me captivated

In reply to Post #1
Ah such a shame.

I have never met Mike but he has always responded to my emails over the years of which there have been a few.

In reply to Post #24
Actually reading carp life 2 at the moment. Best passage of carp writing ever his quest for the black mirror.

In reply to Post #25
sad news, will be using b5 till the doors finally close... guess will have to try out abs next

Bottom line is why does it have to be the end of essential baits?

Business is at the end of the day just business, if the parties involved actually cared about the clients ( the buyers of the product ) they would preserve the business and it would go on regardless of their involvement or not.

In reply to Post #27
Even if they continue in name chances are it won't be the same. Just look at what's happened to the likes of Nutrabaits and DT baits and countless others you could name under new ownership. For me essential is synonymous with Mike wilmott. When he goes essential go regardless of if someone buys him out.

In reply to Post #27
I would have thought the parties involved actually cared about their family, and resolving what appears to be a somewhat tricky separation. There is a lot more to life than carp bait.

I thought all the family were working at Essential Baits, so closing the business will put them all out of work?

In reply to Post #30
You are correct there.
But I would think that once everything has been done and dusted legally, the whole of the business and other assets would contribute to each involved family / business member to comfortably start afresh.

Best of Luck to him whatever he ends up doing, forty years in the game I think I'd be looking to retire from it anyway without what he's obviously going through, Carp Life in 2002 was a captivating read and one of a few books by anglers I have picked up and read start to finish without putting it down.

In reply to Post #1
Good luck to Mike and his family, I hope whatever the decision it happens amicably. I used the b5 many years ago and still use a few of Mike's flavours. Will be a shame to see yet another of original bait companies gone, carp fishing ahead changed so much in a short space of time

I'm getting back into fishing after a break and was thinking back on old baits I'd used and was wondering whther they were still around. Sad to find this thread whilst searching. I never knew who was behind it. It was just a bait recommended by the owner of Avon Angling in Ringwood a long time ago after I asked for some advice. Black Snail he said. Freezer bait. First time I'd used frozen boilies. It caught me a lovely Hants Avon barbel that evening and I was so happy