In reply to Post #41
While I've never done any research to substantiate this, I would beg to differ that cork has less attraction than plastic in its natural state. Check out it's chemical make up..
While I've never done any research to substantiate this, I would beg to differ that cork has less attraction than plastic in its natural state. Check out it's chemical make up..
In reply to Post #45
Natural untreated cork will absorb 3% of its own weight in 24 hours, it does take on water. It will take on even far more than that if this is done under pressure...Take some bone dry cork balls and soak them in water. When you start they will be a very light colour as they are dry. After soaking they will turn dark, you should know this from using cork balls yourself. The reason they have turned a dark colour, is because they have taken on the liquid and are now wet. Now weigh them. They will weigh more than they did when they were dry. A lot of the blurb you will read on Google is related to cork products within the construction industry, thus trying to sell it as a product for certain applications. As far as I know, everything produced by nature is totally biodegradable... Otherwise the trees etc, would live forever. They do not. When the tree dies the cork breaks down (without being submerged). Plastic takes 1000 years +.
It's a natural product, plastic is not. It's like comparing plastic and wood and saying they are the same thing.
Plastic is attractive to carp for some strange reason, cork is not.
Natural untreated cork will absorb 3% of its own weight in 24 hours, it does take on water. It will take on even far more than that if this is done under pressure...Take some bone dry cork balls and soak them in water. When you start they will be a very light colour as they are dry. After soaking they will turn dark, you should know this from using cork balls yourself. The reason they have turned a dark colour, is because they have taken on the liquid and are now wet. Now weigh them. They will weigh more than they did when they were dry. A lot of the blurb you will read on Google is related to cork products within the construction industry, thus trying to sell it as a product for certain applications. As far as I know, everything produced by nature is totally biodegradable... Otherwise the trees etc, would live forever. They do not. When the tree dies the cork breaks down (without being submerged). Plastic takes 1000 years +.
It's a natural product, plastic is not. It's like comparing plastic and wood and saying they are the same thing.
Plastic is attractive to carp for some strange reason, cork is not.
In reply to Post #47
The cork *balls* will take on water, as the water will fill the air pockets between the cork itself. The cork balls soaked in water will weigh more than dry as where there was previously air, there is now water.
In order for the cork to break down effectively in the water the water not only needs to fill these air pockets but also pass through the cell walls of the cork. The natural suberin in the cork prevents this.
I obviously agree that cork will biodegrade. The point I raise is that in or out of water this process will take a significant amount of time. Much longer than a fresh bait and in this sense they become comparable to an artificial bait.
I'm not sure what being a natural product has to do with it. So is potassium but I wouldn't want that anywhere near my hook in it's natural form!
Anyway, that's it on cork for me...I just thought it was an interesting debate when people have such strong opinions on artificial baits.
The cork *balls* will take on water, as the water will fill the air pockets between the cork itself. The cork balls soaked in water will weigh more than dry as where there was previously air, there is now water.
In order for the cork to break down effectively in the water the water not only needs to fill these air pockets but also pass through the cell walls of the cork. The natural suberin in the cork prevents this.
I obviously agree that cork will biodegrade. The point I raise is that in or out of water this process will take a significant amount of time. Much longer than a fresh bait and in this sense they become comparable to an artificial bait.
I'm not sure what being a natural product has to do with it. So is potassium but I wouldn't want that anywhere near my hook in it's natural form!
Anyway, that's it on cork for me...I just thought it was an interesting debate when people have such strong opinions on artificial baits.
In reply to Post #44
Nope, not crays on one particular venue I'm fishing. Though perhaps I should clarify. I'm not talking about a fresh corkball out of the packet that has never touched paste or liquids. I'm talking about a corkball that the paste has come off from that may have residual smell still present. Titanium dioxide for example, binds really well to cork and is a mare to scrape off, so those tiny amounts may still hold some 'attraction' for want of a better word.
There are things though that will 'stay' with the cork, some essential oils and particularly oleoresins. If in doubt, 'marinade' some cork balls in ginger oleoresin for a few days, then attach to a rig and stick it in a bucket for a week....then have a sniff....
But an interesting discussion, all
Nope, not crays on one particular venue I'm fishing. Though perhaps I should clarify. I'm not talking about a fresh corkball out of the packet that has never touched paste or liquids. I'm talking about a corkball that the paste has come off from that may have residual smell still present. Titanium dioxide for example, binds really well to cork and is a mare to scrape off, so those tiny amounts may still hold some 'attraction' for want of a better word.
There are things though that will 'stay' with the cork, some essential oils and particularly oleoresins. If in doubt, 'marinade' some cork balls in ginger oleoresin for a few days, then attach to a rig and stick it in a bucket for a week....then have a sniff....
But an interesting discussion, all
In reply to Post #49
I understood you meant a corkball pop-up and not just a plain cork ball, if it's not Crays though what do you think is causing it or are you suggesting it's pharyngeal teeth?
I understood you meant a corkball pop-up and not just a plain cork ball, if it's not Crays though what do you think is causing it or are you suggesting it's pharyngeal teeth?
In reply to Post #47
Also zigs are live too if you're using the much used zig foam
Carp don't need to smell attractant in cork, they pick things up out of curiosity, drop a piece of cork in the margin on a rig and it looks like a boilie, and carp pick up boilies all the time
Also zigs are live too if you're using the much used zig foam
Carp don't need to smell attractant in cork, they pick things up out of curiosity, drop a piece of cork in the margin on a rig and it looks like a boilie, and carp pick up boilies all the time
In reply to Post #51
I have intentionally caught carp on plain cork balls after running out of pop ups on a trip!
I have intentionally caught carp on plain cork balls after running out of pop ups on a trip!