Having read the thread on bait types I'm looking at trying DNA. Although a bit unsure what combination to buy and what size.
So when choosing your size of boilies, does it really matter if you go for a 12mm or a 22mm?
And for wafters, would you choose a 12mm over an 18mm if using a size 6 hook with maybe a boilie to counter balance?
What's your preferred choice of size and method of combining to counterbalance?
So when choosing your size of boilies, does it really matter if you go for a 12mm or a 22mm?
And for wafters, would you choose a 12mm over an 18mm if using a size 6 hook with maybe a boilie to counter balance?
What's your preferred choice of size and method of combining to counterbalance?
In reply to Post #1
A couple of things to take into consideration mate.
Nuisance fish - if your water is full of bream/tench etc, then you would be better off fishing bigger baits.
Distance - 12mm's won't go anywhere near as far in a stick or catapult as an 18mm.
Amount - You'll get a lot more 12mmers in a kilo than you will 22's.
You won't need anything to counterbalance a wafter... They should sink slowly under the weight of the hook alone .
A couple of things to take into consideration mate.
Nuisance fish - if your water is full of bream/tench etc, then you would be better off fishing bigger baits.
Distance - 12mm's won't go anywhere near as far in a stick or catapult as an 18mm.
Amount - You'll get a lot more 12mmers in a kilo than you will 22's.
You won't need anything to counterbalance a wafter... They should sink slowly under the weight of the hook alone .
When I can afford it I use several sizes depending on the baiting situation. If you can spomb them out then a mix of 4 different sizes is going to confuse them. It's more difficult if you have to stick them out. I often use 2 different flavours as well. Again you have to have the dough to buy lots of bait and it's only worthwhile if it's a situation which responds to heavy baiting. Rig choice needs to be related to bait size and hooklink strength. That is after the primary consideration of the type of bottom you are fishing on. It's not straightforward and there are many variables to consider. Sometimes it's trial and error. You have an idea and try it. If it doesnt work you try to understand why ,and adapt for next time. If your starting out it's best to get to know one lake at a time for this reason.
In reply to Post #1
It's very simple for me: in a ideal scenario 12mm bait would be my go to bait size. Smaller baits help you to knick a bite in hard periods and can help you catch tricky fish.
But as discussed by my colleagues here, 12mm isn't always feasible. This means I fish most of the times 20mm or 16mm or a mixture thereof.
It's very simple for me: in a ideal scenario 12mm bait would be my go to bait size. Smaller baits help you to knick a bite in hard periods and can help you catch tricky fish.
But as discussed by my colleagues here, 12mm isn't always feasible. This means I fish most of the times 20mm or 16mm or a mixture thereof.
I usually just buy 20 millers if they do them. Can be stick or catapulted a decent distance, or chopped up into smaller pieces in close.
In reply to Post #4
I agree. Ideal choice for me is a small 12mm dumbell wafter, however as my current syndicate is plagued with bream, i'm currently using an 18mm bottom bait topped with a 14mm pop up to make a snowman. Although some bream still manage to get this down them!
I agree. Ideal choice for me is a small 12mm dumbell wafter, however as my current syndicate is plagued with bream, i'm currently using an 18mm bottom bait topped with a 14mm pop up to make a snowman. Although some bream still manage to get this down them!
In reply to Post #1
I tend to fish bigger baits, to avoid bream and silvers, 18mm boilies on the hair, either 2x 18mm bottom baits, an 18mm and a 15mm pop-up or a 20mm (homemade) pop-up on its own.
If other species are not a problem then I would go to smaller baits as you get more to the pound.
As a rough idea, for the same weight you get twice as many 15mm boilies as you do 18mm.
As Hyperloop has said, bigger baits tend to fly further from the throwing stick. You can put 18mm boilies further than 15mm boilies.
With smaller boilies you have to spod or Spomb them to your spot if you are fishing any distance.
Other things to consider, you may want smaller boilies when fishing over particles, or you may need bigger baits if your particles are attracting smaller fish. On some waters carp may be happy picking up bigger boilies as they will eat large natural foods, big snails or swan mussels, yet on others you will find smaller baits better if they feed on bloodworm or smaller snails.
I tend to fish snowman baits a fair bit, an 18mm bottom bait is usually balanced nicely by a 15mm pop-up.
It is actually very rare for me to fish a wafter, I use pop-ups and counter balance it by (match anglers) olivettes and putty, even a big 20mm pop-up.
Whatever size bait I'm using I normally use a size 4 or 6 hook.
There is no one size fits all, and simply by being different may get you more fish.
I tend to fish bigger baits, to avoid bream and silvers, 18mm boilies on the hair, either 2x 18mm bottom baits, an 18mm and a 15mm pop-up or a 20mm (homemade) pop-up on its own.
If other species are not a problem then I would go to smaller baits as you get more to the pound.
As a rough idea, for the same weight you get twice as many 15mm boilies as you do 18mm.
As Hyperloop has said, bigger baits tend to fly further from the throwing stick. You can put 18mm boilies further than 15mm boilies.
With smaller boilies you have to spod or Spomb them to your spot if you are fishing any distance.
Other things to consider, you may want smaller boilies when fishing over particles, or you may need bigger baits if your particles are attracting smaller fish. On some waters carp may be happy picking up bigger boilies as they will eat large natural foods, big snails or swan mussels, yet on others you will find smaller baits better if they feed on bloodworm or smaller snails.
I tend to fish snowman baits a fair bit, an 18mm bottom bait is usually balanced nicely by a 15mm pop-up.
It is actually very rare for me to fish a wafter, I use pop-ups and counter balance it by (match anglers) olivettes and putty, even a big 20mm pop-up.
Whatever size bait I'm using I normally use a size 4 or 6 hook.
There is no one size fits all, and simply by being different may get you more fish.
In reply to Post #3
Great advice and response Mark. Thanks!
I'm fishing a lake at the weekend that is known to be very silty. I've ordered 18mm DNA s7 and 15mm pop-ups. Plan on having one rod on a chod rig and the other on a blow back/PVA bag. Of course, will use a trial and error approach and adapt if needed.
I'm not too concerned if I blank as most waters are over fished at the moment.
As it's a silt bottom, is it best to sit of the bottom an inch? How would others approach this type of bottom?
The stock is apparently around 220 simmo fish which I believe are quality stock so would be nice to bank one.
Great advice and response Mark. Thanks!
I'm fishing a lake at the weekend that is known to be very silty. I've ordered 18mm DNA s7 and 15mm pop-ups. Plan on having one rod on a chod rig and the other on a blow back/PVA bag. Of course, will use a trial and error approach and adapt if needed.
I'm not too concerned if I blank as most waters are over fished at the moment.
As it's a silt bottom, is it best to sit of the bottom an inch? How would others approach this type of bottom?
The stock is apparently around 220 simmo fish which I believe are quality stock so would be nice to bank one.
In reply to Post #8
Raker lakes?
Raker lakes?
In reply to Post #8
Fish a helicopter rig with the bead adjusted to the depth of the silt.
Fish a helicopter rig with the bead adjusted to the depth of the silt.
In reply to Post #10
Rarely get out now but i deliberately bought 20mm sticky krill just to be a bit different from the majority.
Rarely get out now but i deliberately bought 20mm sticky krill just to be a bit different from the majority.
In reply to Post #8
I'd hold off on your rig choice until you get there and decide where you're fishing mate.
I'd also only bother with a chod if you actually need it in low lying weed. Imo, fish have always been hammered by this time of the Summer, none more so than this year... fishing bottom baits or at least something close to the deck is often more productive. You can present most anything in silt, it's very forgiving.
I'd hold off on your rig choice until you get there and decide where you're fishing mate.
I'd also only bother with a chod if you actually need it in low lying weed. Imo, fish have always been hammered by this time of the Summer, none more so than this year... fishing bottom baits or at least something close to the deck is often more productive. You can present most anything in silt, it's very forgiving.