In reply to Post #89
So you're basically saying salt and shake is for the more discerning customer than brannigans and bait makers have crap drying facilities
So you're basically saying salt and shake is for the more discerning customer than brannigans and bait makers have crap drying facilities
In reply to Post #90
It's just been overtaken by newer trends, it'll still work just as not washing them out does!
When you look how many fish are caught each week on so many different baits, rigs, methods etc does it really matter if you've got the basics right which is the one constant? Suppose it doesn't make as much money.
It's just been overtaken by newer trends, it'll still work just as not washing them out does!
When you look how many fish are caught each week on so many different baits, rigs, methods etc does it really matter if you've got the basics right which is the one constant? Suppose it doesn't make as much money.
I always thought lowering the solubility of the bait would allow it to remain intact and retain it's attractors for longer on lower stocked lakes where visits from carp may well be longer.
Also I'd add powder & paste attractors that would stay within the bait over prolonged periods, maybe I'm way off?!
I have used a liquid which did state in the profile that it could cause algae blooms if used in large quantities, not sure on the levels needed but it does make me wonder after a post below regarding this issue?
Also I'd add powder & paste attractors that would stay within the bait over prolonged periods, maybe I'm way off?!
I have used a liquid which did state in the profile that it could cause algae blooms if used in large quantities, not sure on the levels needed but it does make me wonder after a post below regarding this issue?
In reply to Post #93
I don't think you are way off at all. On lower stocked or large lakes where it might be a long time before a carp turns up too many soluble ingredients can mean that your bait has become soft and has been whittled away by small fish long before the carp turn up. I suspect this might be a reason why tigers are often very effective on these types of water, simply because they are still there when the carp turn up.
For most anglers I suspect short (24hrs) sessions are the normal and for these initial/short term attraction is probably the most important aspect for their bait. How you achieve that is very much a matter of individual choice and there are many different options available.
I don't think you are way off at all. On lower stocked or large lakes where it might be a long time before a carp turns up too many soluble ingredients can mean that your bait has become soft and has been whittled away by small fish long before the carp turn up. I suspect this might be a reason why tigers are often very effective on these types of water, simply because they are still there when the carp turn up.
For most anglers I suspect short (24hrs) sessions are the normal and for these initial/short term attraction is probably the most important aspect for their bait. How you achieve that is very much a matter of individual choice and there are many different options available.
I like to look at it as an attractive circle. A standard out the bag bait might have an attractive range of 1-2m. By adding liquids or powders or both may increase the circle by double or more even for a short 2-3 hour window.
Location is always key. Lake I'm fishing I've outfished all the locals by just finding out where the fish will be in the last 2-4 hours of the day and first light. In this instance I'd say I'd likely get a take on 95% of Baits.
Any where else on the lake just hasn't done a fish while I've been on.
Location is always key. Lake I'm fishing I've outfished all the locals by just finding out where the fish will be in the last 2-4 hours of the day and first light. In this instance I'd say I'd likely get a take on 95% of Baits.
Any where else on the lake just hasn't done a fish while I've been on.
In reply to Post #95
Agree re location but it's possible to create a location and the soluble baits help if the venue is close enough to pre bait regularly to the same spot as I'm sure the breakdown leaves particles that still attract them and this can be used to create a spot in weed. Sods law says that once you have done it though someone else will be fishing it.
Agree re location but it's possible to create a location and the soluble baits help if the venue is close enough to pre bait regularly to the same spot as I'm sure the breakdown leaves particles that still attract them and this can be used to create a spot in weed. Sods law says that once you have done it though someone else will be fishing it.
In reply to Post #96
Is that the solubles in the bait doing the work or training the fish ? I remember an old lake I used to fish 20+ years ago. He fed the fish same place every night around tea time. He always used to come and get me half hour before and said fish there lad. Always managed to pick up a fish or 2.
And 100% agree I've baited spots before opposite end of a lake come back and a lad fishing has dropped on the spot. Luckily blanked and I caught after he left.
Is that the solubles in the bait doing the work or training the fish ? I remember an old lake I used to fish 20+ years ago. He fed the fish same place every night around tea time. He always used to come and get me half hour before and said fish there lad. Always managed to pick up a fish or 2.
And 100% agree I've baited spots before opposite end of a lake come back and a lad fishing has dropped on the spot. Luckily blanked and I caught after he left.
In reply to Post #97
Training the fish is a big part of it imo, bait is just a means to achieve it. As already said hydros/solubility will help initially just to speed up the process but at the end of the day a suitable spot baited with virtually risk free food whether that be boilies or chick peas will reap rewards. I've seen so many times guys catching on a high hydro attraction bait with a handful and then piling the same heavily loaded bait in a killing it stone dead. Way to much attraction causing either sensory overload or a danger signal.
Training the fish is a big part of it imo, bait is just a means to achieve it. As already said hydros/solubility will help initially just to speed up the process but at the end of the day a suitable spot baited with virtually risk free food whether that be boilies or chick peas will reap rewards. I've seen so many times guys catching on a high hydro attraction bait with a handful and then piling the same heavily loaded bait in a killing it stone dead. Way to much attraction causing either sensory overload or a danger signal.
In reply to Post #98
then piling the same heavily loaded bait in a killing it stone dead.
Walk into a chip shop blindfolded, and try and find the wagu steak on the floor.....
then piling the same heavily loaded bait in a killing it stone dead.
Walk into a chip shop blindfolded, and try and find the wagu steak on the floor.....
In reply to Post #93
You aren't softening a bait by dosing it with some hydros for a few hours really, treat it like the chilli sauce on a kebab.
Regarding washing baits out just with water to soften I never do this, just add water little by little, about 40 ml at a time per kilo, shake bucket, close lid. In a day or two you saturate tge baits but not at the cost of the in built attractors.
You aren't softening a bait by dosing it with some hydros for a few hours really, treat it like the chilli sauce on a kebab.
Regarding washing baits out just with water to soften I never do this, just add water little by little, about 40 ml at a time per kilo, shake bucket, close lid. In a day or two you saturate tge baits but not at the cost of the in built attractors.
In reply to Post #91
Not really crap, a started ventilated crate and a 30 grand hand crafted silted platter will both collect hydro remnants lol
Not really crap, a started ventilated crate and a 30 grand hand crafted silted platter will both collect hydro remnants lol
In reply to Post #91
Plus you can't charge according because people know very little and think you're ripping them off if your bait isn't dirt cheap. Filing how everyone assumes inflation and energy prices don't effect bait makers 😂
Plus you can't charge according because people know very little and think you're ripping them off if your bait isn't dirt cheap. Filing how everyone assumes inflation and energy prices don't effect bait makers 😂
In reply to Post #103
Raw materials for virtually everything are going up, add that to the rise in energy costs and an increase in price is inevitable. Personally I hope companies don't cut quality to maintain prices. It can take years to gain a reputation for quality but it doesn't take long to loose it.
Raw materials for virtually everything are going up, add that to the rise in energy costs and an increase in price is inevitable. Personally I hope companies don't cut quality to maintain prices. It can take years to gain a reputation for quality but it doesn't take long to loose it.
In reply to Post #96
My club does not allow prebaiting, not that I get to go often enough to make it worthwhile. I just try to find some fish and get as close to them as available swims will allow. Unless I am doing a long session and I know a weather change is coming and likely to push the fish into a certain area. So I guess a bait with slightly higher attraction would suit me better?
My club does not allow prebaiting, not that I get to go often enough to make it worthwhile. I just try to find some fish and get as close to them as available swims will allow. Unless I am doing a long session and I know a weather change is coming and likely to push the fish into a certain area. So I guess a bait with slightly higher attraction would suit me better?
In reply to Post #104
When I started my base cost 4.77 to make, and the cheapest I sold was 7.50, after energy and labour and utilities, eggs, hydros, bags etc my margin was very low, that "officially" started in 2014, its now 2022 and my bait at its cheapest is 8.00 / 8.50 but the margin is less, to maintain the margin it should be 9 + but people gawk, its why I get a bit despondent at some of the crap out there going for 12 quid a kilo by people who don't even understand how to make a reasonable bait.
Im fortunate that I can buy multiple sacks of one ingredient at its tonne price as well, so its not like buying in twenty tonnes of different ingredients at a time is going to make much of a difference in the future, its really been increasing capacity and trying to stream line processes, take advantage of offers etc ( I usually buy bags by the thousand but got ten thousand as it was cheaper to do so on an offer ), small things like that add up and help.
I don't want to put prices up because its meant to be a a working class hobby, and peoples wages certainly havent gone up with cost that much.
Literally the only option I see open to me is doing what I already do, making hay whilst the sun shines and in quieter spells doing jobs on the side.
When I started my base cost 4.77 to make, and the cheapest I sold was 7.50, after energy and labour and utilities, eggs, hydros, bags etc my margin was very low, that "officially" started in 2014, its now 2022 and my bait at its cheapest is 8.00 / 8.50 but the margin is less, to maintain the margin it should be 9 + but people gawk, its why I get a bit despondent at some of the crap out there going for 12 quid a kilo by people who don't even understand how to make a reasonable bait.
Im fortunate that I can buy multiple sacks of one ingredient at its tonne price as well, so its not like buying in twenty tonnes of different ingredients at a time is going to make much of a difference in the future, its really been increasing capacity and trying to stream line processes, take advantage of offers etc ( I usually buy bags by the thousand but got ten thousand as it was cheaper to do so on an offer ), small things like that add up and help.
I don't want to put prices up because its meant to be a a working class hobby, and peoples wages certainly havent gone up with cost that much.
Literally the only option I see open to me is doing what I already do, making hay whilst the sun shines and in quieter spells doing jobs on the side.