Hello
How long do shelflifes last?
Would you buy in bulk at the beginning of the season to last you all year?
How long do shelflifes last?
Would you buy in bulk at the beginning of the season to last you all year?
In reply to Post #1
Between 6 and 12 months in most cases.
No, You dont know how long they've been sat on their shelf, I'd want them on my shelf for the shortest time possible.
Between 6 and 12 months in most cases.
No, You dont know how long they've been sat on their shelf, I'd want them on my shelf for the shortest time possible.
In reply to Post #1
There are plenty of firms that will make shelf life baits to order. They will last at least 3 months, 6 if stored in the correct conditions. You know it's new when you get it.
There are plenty of firms that will make shelf life baits to order. They will last at least 3 months, 6 if stored in the correct conditions. You know it's new when you get it.
Been considering going back to shelflifes as i dont really have freezer space anymore, probably Sticky Baits.
Are shelflifes as good as frozen nowadays?
Are shelflifes as good as frozen nowadays?
In reply to Post #4
DNA Baits shelflifes are among the best I've seen. They turn around huge quantities of bait and you can order direct from them via their website so I cant imagine they have piles of old bait sitting around. I've used both the S7 and the Bug in the past and been impressed
DNA Baits shelflifes are among the best I've seen. They turn around huge quantities of bait and you can order direct from them via their website so I cant imagine they have piles of old bait sitting around. I've used both the S7 and the Bug in the past and been impressed
In reply to Post #6
I've used Jay Rider's A Bait recently. Shelf life and excellent.
I've used Jay Rider's A Bait recently. Shelf life and excellent.
Abs shelfies any good?
ABS make superb shelf life bait. They also role all of jay's A bait.
They don't recommend Hydra been kept for a long time due to it's active ingredients but anything else is fine. 👍
They don't recommend Hydra been kept for a long time due to it's active ingredients but anything else is fine. 👍
Watched Kevin Ellis interview with Kenny Gates (bait asylum part 2), Kenny is adamant shelflife or stabilised bait that contains active ingredients actually inhibit the active ingredients (bacteria). Just bought 15 kilos of shelf life bug as bait freezer died now it's playing havoc with my confidence!!!
Michael
Michael
In reply to Post #4
No.
No.
In reply to Post #10
And yet others with equal, or possibly better standing in the bait industry, say the complete opposite. The thing is there are different ways to 'shelf-life' a boilie and no two bait companies will use exactly the same method so a blanket statement is pointless.
To say that all preservatives inhibit bacterial activity is not just wrong but complete rubbish. Sorbates have been used as a preservative in baits for many years and they inhibit yeasts and molds but very few bacteria. Acids, such as citric which is generally accepted as a known carp 'attractor' at the right levels, inhibits bacteria.
Another thing that inhibits bait turning is the moisture level and if they are sealed in bags with or without inert gas or air. I have taken quite active baits and dried them a little more and sealed in a vacuum bag, they lasted several months before I used them. I couldn't see any difference in catch rates.
So you can see a blanket statement that stabilised baits can't be active is just not true....it depends on the source of the activity (yeast or bacteria, if so which ones) and how the bait has been stabalised.
If the shelf-life process used takes into account the active process you can have both shelf-life and 'active' IMHO
Do all bait manufactures adjust the process they use for each bait, who knows other than them. Talk to the company that makes the bait you are interested in, gauge the answers and make your own choice. A blanket answer is short sighted.
On a different note but sort of proves the point that each manufacture is different six months ago I started using oat milk in my coffee. When choosing which brand and type to use I compared the ingredients and nutritional profile of several big brands. One thing I found is that several brands offer a 'keep in fridge' and 'keep on the shelf' version with zero difference between the ingredients and nutritional profile of both types. The ONLY difference I can see could be in the process in making or packing them. And yes I did keep a 'keep in the fridge' version on the shelf for a couple of weeks over Christmas accidentally and it went off so there is a difference.
And yet others with equal, or possibly better standing in the bait industry, say the complete opposite. The thing is there are different ways to 'shelf-life' a boilie and no two bait companies will use exactly the same method so a blanket statement is pointless.
To say that all preservatives inhibit bacterial activity is not just wrong but complete rubbish. Sorbates have been used as a preservative in baits for many years and they inhibit yeasts and molds but very few bacteria. Acids, such as citric which is generally accepted as a known carp 'attractor' at the right levels, inhibits bacteria.
Another thing that inhibits bait turning is the moisture level and if they are sealed in bags with or without inert gas or air. I have taken quite active baits and dried them a little more and sealed in a vacuum bag, they lasted several months before I used them. I couldn't see any difference in catch rates.
So you can see a blanket statement that stabilised baits can't be active is just not true....it depends on the source of the activity (yeast or bacteria, if so which ones) and how the bait has been stabalised.
If the shelf-life process used takes into account the active process you can have both shelf-life and 'active' IMHO
Do all bait manufactures adjust the process they use for each bait, who knows other than them. Talk to the company that makes the bait you are interested in, gauge the answers and make your own choice. A blanket answer is short sighted.
On a different note but sort of proves the point that each manufacture is different six months ago I started using oat milk in my coffee. When choosing which brand and type to use I compared the ingredients and nutritional profile of several big brands. One thing I found is that several brands offer a 'keep in fridge' and 'keep on the shelf' version with zero difference between the ingredients and nutritional profile of both types. The ONLY difference I can see could be in the process in making or packing them. And yes I did keep a 'keep in the fridge' version on the shelf for a couple of weeks over Christmas accidentally and it went off so there is a difference.
In reply to Post #10
Made the move over to shelf-life / stabilised bait 5 or so years ago, all the baits I have purchased have been great for me, I don't use loads [ 20 - 40kg ] a year so couldn't say whether using big volumes would make a difference but from my observations & results they work very well, the fish have shown a positive reaction from the get go.
Lets be honest when the baits go into the water all manner of things are going on with the lakes own make up etc as well as the bait, I must confess to not worrying about it now such has their success been.
Be confident Michael, I'm sure they will do you proud.
Made the move over to shelf-life / stabilised bait 5 or so years ago, all the baits I have purchased have been great for me, I don't use loads [ 20 - 40kg ] a year so couldn't say whether using big volumes would make a difference but from my observations & results they work very well, the fish have shown a positive reaction from the get go.
Lets be honest when the baits go into the water all manner of things are going on with the lakes own make up etc as well as the bait, I must confess to not worrying about it now such has their success been.
Be confident Michael, I'm sure they will do you proud.
In reply to Post #1
Stick with frozen - buy a bait/chest freezer and be done with it. In addition buy a decent vac sealer - I bag up all my baits in 1kg bags and not only do they take up less space; they also become less susceptible to freezer burn. Usually keep 5kg in the fridge when vac sealing from bulk for quick sessions and these will last a month plus easy without turning. . .also sometimes cure a kg in Himalayan rock salt for hookbaits
I'm sure shelf-lifes have improved but I'm not willing to risk it - remember a lake I was on years ago that was drained and the amount of intact shelf-lifes that littered the bottom was disturbing . . .no thanks
Stick with frozen - buy a bait/chest freezer and be done with it. In addition buy a decent vac sealer - I bag up all my baits in 1kg bags and not only do they take up less space; they also become less susceptible to freezer burn. Usually keep 5kg in the fridge when vac sealing from bulk for quick sessions and these will last a month plus easy without turning. . .also sometimes cure a kg in Himalayan rock salt for hookbaits
I'm sure shelf-lifes have improved but I'm not willing to risk it - remember a lake I was on years ago that was drained and the amount of intact shelf-lifes that littered the bottom was disturbing . . .no thanks
In reply to Post #14
Same here. Been on a few nettings and seen a fair bit of shelf life baits still intact on the bottom. Had some shelf life baits in my stock pond and they were still there when I drained it. Obviously some are better than others.....but fresh is best.
Same here. Been on a few nettings and seen a fair bit of shelf life baits still intact on the bottom. Had some shelf life baits in my stock pond and they were still there when I drained it. Obviously some are better than others.....but fresh is best.
In reply to Post #1
I always buy in bulk these days, I went over to shelflifes after i got rid of my bait freezer.
I think the longest ive had them for is 6 months but i usually go through it pretty quick when im fishing regular. i normaly wait til im down to my last 10k before ordering anymore.
The company i use do offers at certain times of the year, this is when i order them.
If you store it properly it should be fine.
I always buy in bulk these days, I went over to shelflifes after i got rid of my bait freezer.
I think the longest ive had them for is 6 months but i usually go through it pretty quick when im fishing regular. i normaly wait til im down to my last 10k before ordering anymore.
The company i use do offers at certain times of the year, this is when i order them.
If you store it properly it should be fine.
I have a different take on the Shelfie v fresh debate. And that is palatability . Now I've not really used any of the more modern Shelf life , stabilised baits that are out there. But I know you will be hard pressed to tell the difference by looks alone.
But from experience the like of the old Richworth, crafty catcher preserved baits were like bullets. Yes you will catch on them. But long term no. Fish will go for the easiest meal possible and chewing through a load of marbles is not the one long term.
The reason I believe the likes of Mainlines Cell is so effective is it goes to mush after a few hours in the water. Soggy bread like consistency. Whether there's any in the baits make up, who knows. Carp love bread.
Tiger nuts great bait. But not as good as Peanuts. Lot more palatable squash between thumb and forefinger.
Maybe Palatability is a thread on its own. And not for this one. Just my thoughts.
But from experience the like of the old Richworth, crafty catcher preserved baits were like bullets. Yes you will catch on them. But long term no. Fish will go for the easiest meal possible and chewing through a load of marbles is not the one long term.
The reason I believe the likes of Mainlines Cell is so effective is it goes to mush after a few hours in the water. Soggy bread like consistency. Whether there's any in the baits make up, who knows. Carp love bread.
Tiger nuts great bait. But not as good as Peanuts. Lot more palatable squash between thumb and forefinger.
Maybe Palatability is a thread on its own. And not for this one. Just my thoughts.
I've been using Trent's stabilized since it came out and I've seen no difference in quality. Did away with my freezer and just have 25k a time
In reply to Post #17
The stabilised modern shelf life's break down and go soft just as fast.
Well the quality ones do.
The stabilised modern shelf life's break down and go soft just as fast.
Well the quality ones do.
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