I am fishing for wild, unpressured carp and roll my own boilies, which I have settled on 18mm for the past 20 years. I have occasionally rolled 24 and 30mm baits in the past but have not done so in 8-10 years. I have been thinking about rolling bigger baits again but can only justify doing it for baiting at range with a stick. Do any of you guys who have fished the big Euro bodies of waters (lake, river, reservoirs, etc) have any thoughts on why bigger baits would be beneficial on wild waters? I don't have to deal with nuisance other than catfish which have as big, if not bigger mouths than the carp. Just want to make sure I'm not overlooking a good reason to have 24mm+ boilies on hand. Thanks guys.
In reply to Post #1
I fish a 300 acre reservoir where the nuisance species (bream, roach and hybrids) ARE an absolute nightmare. For that reason, the smallest baits I use are 20mm. I also use 24mm quite a bit at certain times when they are being particularly troublesome. My hookbaits are either 20mm bottom baits, 20mm wafters, snowmen with 20mm+16mm, double 20's, single or double 24's, or snowmen with 24mm+18. At times though, you will still catch 6oz roach on double 24's, but there's nothing you can do about it.
If it wasn't for the nuisance fish, I'd just use straight 20mm. To me they're the perfect balance between number of food items per kilo and maximum range useable with a throwing stick. 18mm just don't seem to go anywhere near as far with a throwing stick for me.
In your position with no nuisance fish except catfish, I'd just use 20mm exclusively.
I fish a 300 acre reservoir where the nuisance species (bream, roach and hybrids) ARE an absolute nightmare. For that reason, the smallest baits I use are 20mm. I also use 24mm quite a bit at certain times when they are being particularly troublesome. My hookbaits are either 20mm bottom baits, 20mm wafters, snowmen with 20mm+16mm, double 20's, single or double 24's, or snowmen with 24mm+18. At times though, you will still catch 6oz roach on double 24's, but there's nothing you can do about it.
If it wasn't for the nuisance fish, I'd just use straight 20mm. To me they're the perfect balance between number of food items per kilo and maximum range useable with a throwing stick. 18mm just don't seem to go anywhere near as far with a throwing stick for me.
In your position with no nuisance fish except catfish, I'd just use 20mm exclusively.
In reply to Post #1
I think bigger baits are harder for the fish to reject when they feel a hook, so use them even when there aren't any small fish or anything to try to avoid. I've definitely found I er the years that bigger baits get me better hookholds
I think bigger baits are harder for the fish to reject when they feel a hook, so use them even when there aren't any small fish or anything to try to avoid. I've definitely found I er the years that bigger baits get me better hookholds
In reply to Post #1
If nuisance fish aren't part of the equation I would fish 10mm instead of 24mm.
My experience is that smaller baits returns more bites 🙃
If nuisance fish aren't part of the equation I would fish 10mm instead of 24mm.
My experience is that smaller baits returns more bites 🙃
In reply to Post #4
I really wish that was an option but with the number of small carp in the waters I fish I need to go with larger baits in an effort to keep the rods in the water long enough to get through to the larger fish in the shoals or the loners hanging around the edge of them. Don't get me wrong it's fun catching any size fish but there are times I want a nice lump in the net.
I really wish that was an option but with the number of small carp in the waters I fish I need to go with larger baits in an effort to keep the rods in the water long enough to get through to the larger fish in the shoals or the loners hanging around the edge of them. Don't get me wrong it's fun catching any size fish but there are times I want a nice lump in the net.
In reply to Post #3
I think exactly the same Ian. Last winter I was using double 16mm hookbaits and the hookholds were superb, sometimes 3in back.
I'll risk fewer pickups if more of those pickups are converted to fish on the bank.
I think exactly the same Ian. Last winter I was using double 16mm hookbaits and the hookholds were superb, sometimes 3in back.
I'll risk fewer pickups if more of those pickups are converted to fish on the bank.
In reply to Post #5
Hold on ! In your first post you state that there are no nuisance fish, other than catfish. Now you have loads of small carp to contend with. Make your mind up Lol. I had this issue when the lake I was on was unfortunately stocked with hundreds of small carp. Using 20 and 24 mm boilies did help to avoid catching them, but obviously not entirely. One too many 7 lb ers at 4 AM and that was me gone.
Hold on ! In your first post you state that there are no nuisance fish, other than catfish. Now you have loads of small carp to contend with. Make your mind up Lol. I had this issue when the lake I was on was unfortunately stocked with hundreds of small carp. Using 20 and 24 mm boilies did help to avoid catching them, but obviously not entirely. One too many 7 lb ers at 4 AM and that was me gone.
In reply to Post #6
A good few years ago I had a few months on a club water, nothing bigger than mid 20s. I used double 22mm baits and absolutely clubbed them, out fishing by a long way. Being different definitely gets you more bites
A good few years ago I had a few months on a club water, nothing bigger than mid 20s. I used double 22mm baits and absolutely clubbed them, out fishing by a long way. Being different definitely gets you more bites
Have to say I also agree with the bigger hook bait getting better hook holds, seems a bit at odds even when I've used them with small hooks [ size 8 super specialists ] but definitely works.
In reply to Post #7
Kinda feel bad calling small carp nuisance fish lol.
Kinda feel bad calling small carp nuisance fish lol.
Moved to bait thread 
In reply to Post #5
Baiting up strategy and spot selection will be as important as bait size.
There are many tactics to single out bigger fish.
For example:
1) bait up 5 - 10kg on a spot and fish 20m next to it.
2) select a spot that delivers less bites, if it goes it might be a bigg'un.
3) create 2 baited area's and fish a single bait in between.
4) fish a bait which isn't loaded with solubles and attractors. Plane bait can be more selective
Baiting up strategy and spot selection will be as important as bait size.
There are many tactics to single out bigger fish.
For example:
1) bait up 5 - 10kg on a spot and fish 20m next to it.
2) select a spot that delivers less bites, if it goes it might be a bigg'un.
3) create 2 baited area's and fish a single bait in between.
4) fish a bait which isn't loaded with solubles and attractors. Plane bait can be more selective
Cats will absolutely devour the bigger baits in particular.
Yet here (Germany) most people fish prebaited spots with big baits 24mm minimum, more often 28, 30 or even 35mm to avoid smaller fish as good as possible.
It will result in a better average weight of fish on the bank (12-13kg plus on average) but its expensive and a lot of work. And will also attract the cats. Something to consider prebaiting with big baits in cat infested waters.
Yet here (Germany) most people fish prebaited spots with big baits 24mm minimum, more often 28, 30 or even 35mm to avoid smaller fish as good as possible.
It will result in a better average weight of fish on the bank (12-13kg plus on average) but its expensive and a lot of work. And will also attract the cats. Something to consider prebaiting with big baits in cat infested waters.
In reply to Post #1
Have you tried tiger nuts?
Have you tried tiger nuts?
In reply to Post #14
Yes, tigers help avoid the cats but does not deter the smaller carp. May try bunching 5-6 tigers on a hair and see it gets through to the larger carp.
Yes, tigers help avoid the cats but does not deter the smaller carp. May try bunching 5-6 tigers on a hair and see it gets through to the larger carp.