Why not argue via PM so the people that are genuinely interested in the topic can converse?
In reply to Post #91
Totally agree
Totally agree
In reply to Post #91
Because what fun would that be?
Because what fun would that be?
In reply to Post #91
Are you saying you want preferential treatment by not having to read all this?
Are you saying you want preferential treatment by not having to read all this?
In reply to Post #94
I do.
I do.
Here's my point of view for what it's worth. I fish lakes with loads of “named” anglers. They don't get any special treatment. They have to fish the same as all us mere mortals. They catch more than their fair share. Trust me. Good anglers are just good anglers, regardless of what logo is stitched on to their beany hat. I think it's important to separate what these guys do for a job and what they do for their own personal fishing. They are often very removed from each other.
Now on to bait. It's important to not confuse test baits with sale baits. I can use mainline cos I've seen it with my own eyes. For a few years essential Opel was tested on one of my waters. It was a completely different colour to what ended up being sold to the general public. But I'd expect that cos it was on test and stuff changes. The other side of the coin is that on that same water, those same anglers would get a transit full of bait direct from the factory and as far as I can tell it was exactly the same as you'd buy from a shop. Same guys, same manufacturer, not special treatment from what I could see.
One thing I would say is that I know of at least two baits, not mainline, that when released were substantially different to the test versions. Were they “better” or “special”. Who knows? Who cares. But you can see if how someone was to catch when using these baits, that someone else might put 2 and 2 together and make 5.
Obviously named anglers get preferential treatment in some circumstances, free tackle, tickets paid for, free bait etc. but I can't honestly see a bait manufacturer poncing around making bespoke batches of bait for a handful of guys. Just washing up the machines to run a small batch of specials would be more aggro than it's worth.
I'd have said it's far more likely that a named angler would publicise a fish being caught on xyz bait, when in actual fact it was caught on someone else's hookbait altogether or tigers or maggots etc. I'm sure that goes on. So I'd always take any of the advertisement videos with a pinch of salt.
Now on to bait. It's important to not confuse test baits with sale baits. I can use mainline cos I've seen it with my own eyes. For a few years essential Opel was tested on one of my waters. It was a completely different colour to what ended up being sold to the general public. But I'd expect that cos it was on test and stuff changes. The other side of the coin is that on that same water, those same anglers would get a transit full of bait direct from the factory and as far as I can tell it was exactly the same as you'd buy from a shop. Same guys, same manufacturer, not special treatment from what I could see.
One thing I would say is that I know of at least two baits, not mainline, that when released were substantially different to the test versions. Were they “better” or “special”. Who knows? Who cares. But you can see if how someone was to catch when using these baits, that someone else might put 2 and 2 together and make 5.
Obviously named anglers get preferential treatment in some circumstances, free tackle, tickets paid for, free bait etc. but I can't honestly see a bait manufacturer poncing around making bespoke batches of bait for a handful of guys. Just washing up the machines to run a small batch of specials would be more aggro than it's worth.
I'd have said it's far more likely that a named angler would publicise a fish being caught on xyz bait, when in actual fact it was caught on someone else's hookbait altogether or tigers or maggots etc. I'm sure that goes on. So I'd always take any of the advertisement videos with a pinch of salt.
In reply to Post #25
It's 100% not the same bait off the shelf
It's 100% not the same bait off the shelf
I have never used mainline, not because I don't think it's a very good bait, but because personally the waters I have fished have been dominated by it and given my limited time it just seems a bit futile doing the same as everyone else who has more time and resources. It may sound stupid and rarely works but in my head I like to change the odds - it sometimes works and often fails but I prefer catching rather than taking my turn in the going swim on the going bait.
Regards quality, I would say that all standard baits are the best they can be at £2 a kilo (ish).they are absolutely fish catching good baits, could they be 50% better in my opinion yes but nobody is paying £30 a kilo at shop prices.
It leaves the original post question at a few answers (my opinion)
Make the very best bait you can, you don't need a science degree and you probably don't need half as much quality bait as you think you do.
Buy a decent bait like cell it catches, everywhere and you will always be confident - pimp it if you want some personalisation or edge.
Buy cheap and go for the they are just fish attitude and try and prove that quantity makes up for quality.
I am sure all have their place alongside particles, naturals etc. it I was doing a week abroad, I go decent bait firm good bait, for my fishing at home I would get the very best and use smaller quantities but that suits my style and fishing hours, I simply don't have or want to fish for 3 days with 10 kilo of bait on a dance floor hoping for a 3 on the spot tactic to suddenly give me the bait deal of my dreams.
Regards quality, I would say that all standard baits are the best they can be at £2 a kilo (ish).they are absolutely fish catching good baits, could they be 50% better in my opinion yes but nobody is paying £30 a kilo at shop prices.
It leaves the original post question at a few answers (my opinion)
Make the very best bait you can, you don't need a science degree and you probably don't need half as much quality bait as you think you do.
Buy a decent bait like cell it catches, everywhere and you will always be confident - pimp it if you want some personalisation or edge.
Buy cheap and go for the they are just fish attitude and try and prove that quantity makes up for quality.
I am sure all have their place alongside particles, naturals etc. it I was doing a week abroad, I go decent bait firm good bait, for my fishing at home I would get the very best and use smaller quantities but that suits my style and fishing hours, I simply don't have or want to fish for 3 days with 10 kilo of bait on a dance floor hoping for a 3 on the spot tactic to suddenly give me the bait deal of my dreams.