Do you guys like to fish match the hatch as your free offerings or a completely different hook bait over the top
In reply to Post #1
If I'm using a wide mixture of free bait, boilies, pellets and particle I don't think it matters much.
But over my homemade boilies I generally use match the hatch. I don't skimp on my own baits and so I would expect the fish to prefer them to anything else so why would I use an alternative hookbait, in fact if I started catching more on an alternative I would look to make changes to my bait.
If I'm using a wide mixture of free bait, boilies, pellets and particle I don't think it matters much.
But over my homemade boilies I generally use match the hatch. I don't skimp on my own baits and so I would expect the fish to prefer them to anything else so why would I use an alternative hookbait, in fact if I started catching more on an alternative I would look to make changes to my bait.
In reply to Post #1
I use different hookbaits to my free offerings, can't remember the last time I used match the hatch. Usually use 2 different boilies as freebies, and hookbaits from the likes of UB Baits (still got loads after he stopped trading). Works for me, but I'd say go with whatever you're confident in.
I use different hookbaits to my free offerings, can't remember the last time I used match the hatch. Usually use 2 different boilies as freebies, and hookbaits from the likes of UB Baits (still got loads after he stopped trading). Works for me, but I'd say go with whatever you're confident in.
In reply to Post #2
What he says.
What he says.
i think like many my 'match the hatch' consists of one from the bag with a 'tipper' and had some made as edible hair stops. I like the change in buoyancy to wafter / pop up and the fact they are just that bit different.
I use different wafters and pop ups for session fishing as if I am putting out over 1-2kg bait, the last thing I want is the random selection of my 'tethered' bait when there are another 1000 to choose from. In this instance I put my faith into hard hookers / wafters or popups. it's what makes me confident, and I know plenty of others who don't deviate from 'one out the bag'
Small mesh bag fishing, opportunist type is probably the only time I go out the bag as my baits are fairly soft and I wouldn't want to sit behind them 5-6 hours in.
I use different wafters and pop ups for session fishing as if I am putting out over 1-2kg bait, the last thing I want is the random selection of my 'tethered' bait when there are another 1000 to choose from. In this instance I put my faith into hard hookers / wafters or popups. it's what makes me confident, and I know plenty of others who don't deviate from 'one out the bag'
Small mesh bag fishing, opportunist type is probably the only time I go out the bag as my baits are fairly soft and I wouldn't want to sit behind them 5-6 hours in.
In reply to Post #5
Hi there, I am looking for a particularly soft boilie - breaking down quicker than most. Any suggestions?
Many thanks in advance.
Hi there, I am looking for a particularly soft boilie - breaking down quicker than most. Any suggestions?
Many thanks in advance.
I use different coloured hook baits depending on where I am if I'm fishing the canal over loads of bait I go for bright hook baits as I want to stop them in their tracks,if I'm fishing at my local public lake it's fairly shallow and bird life can be a pain as they can spot a bright hook bait.
I'm on lake for 3 days first time I've fished it since they put some bigger carp in and took out the smaller ones and the water is like a sandy colour so I use smelly baits and big bags with liquids in and oils and paste round my hook bait and bright hook baits on my other rod.
I've lost one and caught one at minute only a small one (double) but all good fun in the only one on the lake
I'm on lake for 3 days first time I've fished it since they put some bigger carp in and took out the smaller ones and the water is like a sandy colour so I use smelly baits and big bags with liquids in and oils and paste round my hook bait and bright hook baits on my other rod.
I've lost one and caught one at minute only a small one (double) but all good fun in the only one on the lake
In reply to Post #6
I use a nut based bait, that is crumble able have also played about with Jason Riders stabilised baits or kenny gates stuff. I do think ‘mass rolling' at the big companies means the baits are a lot denser. I go as far as not having my baits boiled in winter, just the drying time and then frozen. Last thing I want is the bottom littered with uneaten baits. If you know a roller the. Cutting down boiling times can be done, but I would recommend reducing synthetic flavours as less boiling means normal levels can be overpowering
I use a nut based bait, that is crumble able have also played about with Jason Riders stabilised baits or kenny gates stuff. I do think ‘mass rolling' at the big companies means the baits are a lot denser. I go as far as not having my baits boiled in winter, just the drying time and then frozen. Last thing I want is the bottom littered with uneaten baits. If you know a roller the. Cutting down boiling times can be done, but I would recommend reducing synthetic flavours as less boiling means normal levels can be overpowering
In reply to Post #1
I'll use whatever catches. I used to use only match the hatch when boile fishing, didn't really see any reason not to. The last decade or so I've used method feeder and though it has aspects of the boilie I use in it's make up, liquid food, some base, I've found myself fishing more and more alternative baits to the main boilie, be them artificial skins with pellet or paste in, dumbells in whatever flavour (mainly cray). Part of the fun is experimentation for me, I don't fish tricky waters so it's of little concequence.
I'll use whatever catches. I used to use only match the hatch when boile fishing, didn't really see any reason not to. The last decade or so I've used method feeder and though it has aspects of the boilie I use in it's make up, liquid food, some base, I've found myself fishing more and more alternative baits to the main boilie, be them artificial skins with pellet or paste in, dumbells in whatever flavour (mainly cray). Part of the fun is experimentation for me, I don't fish tricky waters so it's of little concequence.
In reply to Post #1
I use a match the hatch on one and bright on another (only 2 rods allowed) and the amount of times I get the same amount of runs on both rods. But if one rod out fishes the other won't take long to swap them to the same bait
I use a match the hatch on one and bright on another (only 2 rods allowed) and the amount of times I get the same amount of runs on both rods. But if one rod out fishes the other won't take long to swap them to the same bait
Winter. Single bright hook bait. Probably pop up.
Early spring. Boilie only fishing so one bright one. One match the hatch.
Late spring/summer/autum. Boilie and particle. So probably x2 match hatch and one on a tiger.
I never use a bait that doesn't contain actual food items, even my pop ups. I don't want to rely on just flavour and colour even in winter. In spring/summer/autumn I'd use food pop ups, wafters or matching cork balls.
Early spring. Boilie only fishing so one bright one. One match the hatch.
Late spring/summer/autum. Boilie and particle. So probably x2 match hatch and one on a tiger.
I never use a bait that doesn't contain actual food items, even my pop ups. I don't want to rely on just flavour and colour even in winter. In spring/summer/autumn I'd use food pop ups, wafters or matching cork balls.
In reply to Post #8
Thank you for this mate, this is really useful! I too think that some baits can be so solid for far too long.
Thank you for this mate, this is really useful! I too think that some baits can be so solid for far too long.
In reply to Post #1
I used to take great care making cork balled pop ups with my seived base mix. It was alot of graft but they caught well.
Then many years ago at horseshoe a guy turns up in the next peg and spods out half a bucket of hemp, he chucks in and half an hour later lands a chunky 26lber. Hanging out of its mouth is a purple mistral pop up...
He's put no boilies in at all... so much for match the hatch!
After that I bought the original Richworth fishmeal (natural colour) pop up mix and it was a revelation.
Never worried about what I'm fishing over. I will fish bright baits sometimes, and also happy to fish darker, more natural coloured baits when fishing an area that's baited.
I used to take great care making cork balled pop ups with my seived base mix. It was alot of graft but they caught well.
Then many years ago at horseshoe a guy turns up in the next peg and spods out half a bucket of hemp, he chucks in and half an hour later lands a chunky 26lber. Hanging out of its mouth is a purple mistral pop up...
He's put no boilies in at all... so much for match the hatch!
After that I bought the original Richworth fishmeal (natural colour) pop up mix and it was a revelation.
Never worried about what I'm fishing over. I will fish bright baits sometimes, and also happy to fish darker, more natural coloured baits when fishing an area that's baited.
I generally always fish a different hookbait to feed. The amount of times I've had a fish very soon after putting in a lot of bait, 10k or more boilie on one spot, it has to have been the very first bait they picked up.
I do think sometimes they avoid that bait and sometimes it's the ones they go for. Just have to play the odds.
I do think sometimes they avoid that bait and sometimes it's the ones they go for. Just have to play the odds.
Depends on the time of year but i feel colour plays the biggest part in hookbaits and when they get eaten! Most bait companys will tell you they have wonder hookbaits but it ain't true!
Thats why i pick hookbaits based on colour first and then the smell to my nose which is not relevant but gives ME confidence to put it on and chuck it into the lake.
This time of year i will always try to use a bottom bait straight out the bag and with a topper of various colours on my other two rods and go from there.........
Thats why i pick hookbaits based on colour first and then the smell to my nose which is not relevant but gives ME confidence to put it on and chuck it into the lake.
This time of year i will always try to use a bottom bait straight out the bag and with a topper of various colours on my other two rods and go from there.........
In reply to Post #6
Have a word with ABS.
Have a word with ABS.
In reply to Post #16
ABS K2 or Hydra K with a Specialised Hookbait ( they are all decent ) over the top - works for me
ABS K2 or Hydra K with a Specialised Hookbait ( they are all decent ) over the top - works for me
In reply to Post #15
This is one of the things I love about carp fishing. Two anglers can have a completely different opinion on something and there's no right or wrong answer. For me the last thing I care about is the colour. For me it's all about what's in the hookbait. I want food and decent liquids and whatever colour that makes them then I'm not that bothered. With the exception of clear lakes with a lot of bird life. Then I'd favour a darker bait.
This is one of the things I love about carp fishing. Two anglers can have a completely different opinion on something and there's no right or wrong answer. For me the last thing I care about is the colour. For me it's all about what's in the hookbait. I want food and decent liquids and whatever colour that makes them then I'm not that bothered. With the exception of clear lakes with a lot of bird life. Then I'd favour a darker bait.
In reply to Post #18
I agree, I want the hookbait to be a food bait quality bait in its own right and not just a bright ball of chemical.
I needed a wafter to sit on a patchy weedy bottom when my solid bag opened so improvised with a trimmed boosted barrel bottom bait and half of some crap pop up just to make it sit up.
I agree, I want the hookbait to be a food bait quality bait in its own right and not just a bright ball of chemical.
I needed a wafter to sit on a patchy weedy bottom when my solid bag opened so improvised with a trimmed boosted barrel bottom bait and half of some crap pop up just to make it sit up.
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