Coming to a bit of a cross roads soon. The guy I used to get bait through no longer can get any and has been quoted £8 a kilo so won't be going that route any more. Has anyone ditched boilies in favour of particle and not found it to be detrimental to their results? Thinking along the lines of getting a decent pellet (Coppens Premium) and using that along with maize, maple peas. Got about 40kg of boilie in the freezer but once it's gone that's it. I also make my own bait but wonder if it's worth the hassle. I'm open to suggestions. Been looking at Kenny Gate's baits which I wouldn't mind paying for and bulking out with pellet/particle but I can't afford to be putting in kilos of the stuff. Fish two lakes and they both like their bait. Getting through 10kg in a 48 hour session is fairly normal.
In reply to Post #1
Yes, I did just fine fishing pigeon conditioner & corn with Maize hook baits for a number of seasons, many other particles to use if you have a preference, I still only use a small percentage of boilies now and it's mostly particles but it comes down to the situations you face.
So many boilies out there to choose from and some real good ones, making your own is ideal if you have the time & energy.
Yes, I did just fine fishing pigeon conditioner & corn with Maize hook baits for a number of seasons, many other particles to use if you have a preference, I still only use a small percentage of boilies now and it's mostly particles but it comes down to the situations you face.
So many boilies out there to choose from and some real good ones, making your own is ideal if you have the time & energy.
In reply to Post #1
I was exactly the same when mainline stopped doing the Grange basemix, can remember using particles and getting hammered by tench once I added peanuts and tiger's I never caught another one, unfortunately there's a nut ban on my current water so I'm boilie only these day's 😢
I was exactly the same when mainline stopped doing the Grange basemix, can remember using particles and getting hammered by tench once I added peanuts and tiger's I never caught another one, unfortunately there's a nut ban on my current water so I'm boilie only these day's 😢
Ok, thanks for the advice. I'm thinking along the lines of a decent pellet, a 15% oil one in summer and a lower oil one for winter. Also have some particle to use up so a bit of a mixture to begin with along with a kilo of boilie. Once my boilie is used up think I will be going down the pellet only route.
In reply to Post #1
Unless it's close catapult /spooning range work, you have to factor in if your water likes spombing all that particle out, With a bit of shopping around sourcing the ingredients of a decent fishmeal mix, you should be able to make a pretty decent rolled bait without anything too fancy in it, for £3 - 4 per kilo.
It's Just if you can be bothered, got the time and equipment to roll up 10 kg plus for a session/s.
Unless it's close catapult /spooning range work, you have to factor in if your water likes spombing all that particle out, With a bit of shopping around sourcing the ingredients of a decent fishmeal mix, you should be able to make a pretty decent rolled bait without anything too fancy in it, for £3 - 4 per kilo.
It's Just if you can be bothered, got the time and equipment to roll up 10 kg plus for a session/s.
In reply to Post #1
I used only corn, hemp and pellet for two or three seasons after I stopped getting my bait for free... Couldn't bring myself to pay for it!
I don't feel it affected my catch rate either, but obviously boilies are much more convenient in a number of ways. I'd say give it a try, you might be surprised. 
I used only corn, hemp and pellet for two or three seasons after I stopped getting my bait for free... Couldn't bring myself to pay for it!
I don't feel it affected my catch rate either, but obviously boilies are much more convenient in a number of ways. I'd say give it a try, you might be surprised.
In reply to Post #5
Good points. My waters don't seem to suffer because of spombing, in fact I think they associate it with food. My mate who's top rod on the syndicate lake always puts out most of a bucket as soon as he gets there and often has a fish within hours. Re the making bait, I do enjoy it but with storing all the ingredients, getting all the equipment out and the time of making it and then cleaning down again I do wonder it it's worth it. A 25kg sack of pellet and some ready prepped particle is much less hassle.
Good points. My waters don't seem to suffer because of spombing, in fact I think they associate it with food. My mate who's top rod on the syndicate lake always puts out most of a bucket as soon as he gets there and often has a fish within hours. Re the making bait, I do enjoy it but with storing all the ingredients, getting all the equipment out and the time of making it and then cleaning down again I do wonder it it's worth it. A 25kg sack of pellet and some ready prepped particle is much less hassle.
In reply to Post #6
Lol. Free bait does come in handy! I got the idea of no boilies from a bloke on Youtube who said he ditched boilie about 4 years ago and hasn't noticed any drop off in captures. I can get a good quality pellet for £1.40 a kilo, Even the most basic boilie will cost me double that and probably not be as good nutritionally.
Lol. Free bait does come in handy! I got the idea of no boilies from a bloke on Youtube who said he ditched boilie about 4 years ago and hasn't noticed any drop off in captures. I can get a good quality pellet for £1.40 a kilo, Even the most basic boilie will cost me double that and probably not be as good nutritionally.
In reply to Post #6
What did you use on the hook?
What did you use on the hook?
In reply to Post #9
Glugged krill wafters.
Glugged krill wafters.
Re Pellet which company, type, size is recommended for summer and winter?
In reply to Post #11
Trout pellets for summer, coarse pellets for winter. Skrettings are well respected for pellets.
Trout pellets for summer, coarse pellets for winter. Skrettings are well respected for pellets.
In reply to Post #9
Two or three grains of sweetcorn on the hair, topped with a small artificial grain.
Two or three grains of sweetcorn on the hair, topped with a small artificial grain.