I want to hand roll some bigger baits for my French trip. I've got some paste and was wondering how long I should boil them if they are about 26mm. Also what's the best way to harden them off?
In reply to Post #1
I do my 24mm for 2.5 mins I'd say 3 mins for 26mm. Just leave on a drying rack for 36hours
I do my 24mm for 2.5 mins I'd say 3 mins for 26mm. Just leave on a drying rack for 36hours
In reply to Post #1
I'd say wait until they float and then some. Hardening off, dry as per previous post then how we used to do it was to put them in a pot of sugar covering the boilies, every few days replace the sugar until it's staying dry or you've achieved the hardness you want...can also use rice.
If you want properly hard baits you might have underestimated rolled size and may want to go quite a bit bigger to allow for shrinkage. You might also want to do some test batches, some mixes don't like over drying and will crack all over, then slough badly when rehydrated.
I'd say wait until they float and then some. Hardening off, dry as per previous post then how we used to do it was to put them in a pot of sugar covering the boilies, every few days replace the sugar until it's staying dry or you've achieved the hardness you want...can also use rice.
If you want properly hard baits you might have underestimated rolled size and may want to go quite a bit bigger to allow for shrinkage. You might also want to do some test batches, some mixes don't like over drying and will crack all over, then slough badly when rehydrated.
It's all pretty much the same than smaller boilies just increase boiling times.
I've rolled a lot of 30mm+ baits up and depending on the base mix can take up to 4-5 mins until ready
I've rolled a lot of 30mm+ baits up and depending on the base mix can take up to 4-5 mins until ready
Just a bit of info ABS roll 30mm I've found the fish boilies have a better shape might be worth a look??
In reply to Post #3
As Vossy says, by drying the baits out they will shrink.
My 18mm Trigga boilies after total drying would be 14mm.
A few ways to dry them out totally:
In an air dry bag, or on trays and in a perfectly dry environment like the airing cupboard. Give them a roll or shake frequently to stop them sticking together and going mouldy.
Pour sugar or rice over them in a bucket.
Another way is mix them in with carp or coarse pellets in the same way as the sugar or rice.
Timewise I rarely boiled any baits for longer than 2m 30s. It is the drying out process that makes them hard.
Obviously the longer the drying time until all moisture is gone, the harder the bait.
As Vossy says, by drying the baits out they will shrink.
My 18mm Trigga boilies after total drying would be 14mm.
A few ways to dry them out totally:
In an air dry bag, or on trays and in a perfectly dry environment like the airing cupboard. Give them a roll or shake frequently to stop them sticking together and going mouldy.
Pour sugar or rice over them in a bucket.
Another way is mix them in with carp or coarse pellets in the same way as the sugar or rice.
Timewise I rarely boiled any baits for longer than 2m 30s. It is the drying out process that makes them hard.
Obviously the longer the drying time until all moisture is gone, the harder the bait.
In reply to Post #6
Sorry nick but that's not correct. Boiling for longer will make them harder, though drying procees makes them harder, but as soon as they go into the lake they soften again.
Sorry nick but that's not correct. Boiling for longer will make them harder, though drying procees makes them harder, but as soon as they go into the lake they soften again.
In reply to Post #1
Thinking of using big baits myself. What size hook and type of rig would you be using?
Thinking of using big baits myself. What size hook and type of rig would you be using?
In reply to Post #8
When I'm using 28mm bottom baits, I use a hook size 2, a long hair (2 - 2,5cm between bait and bent of the hook) and a longer rig. This always resulted in proper hookholds.
When I'm using 28mm bottom baits, I use a hook size 2, a long hair (2 - 2,5cm between bait and bent of the hook) and a longer rig. This always resulted in proper hookholds.
In reply to Post #1
i would suggest you make 40mm if you want big baits...
i would suggest you make 40mm if you want big baits...
In reply to Post #7
As does any bait😉
I have watched and played with air dried baits in the margins, in various sizes and they soften faster than frozen in the same size.
For gob stoppers I often drill them after drying and mesh them in tights so as they soften they don't push themselves off the hair. Alternatively you can use the tieing off tag ends to tie onto a rig ring as your hair.
As does any bait😉
I have watched and played with air dried baits in the margins, in various sizes and they soften faster than frozen in the same size.
For gob stoppers I often drill them after drying and mesh them in tights so as they soften they don't push themselves off the hair. Alternatively you can use the tieing off tag ends to tie onto a rig ring as your hair.