I often see advice to dry out hook baits to make them firmer. Now in my mind that's great while they're in your hook bait tub but as soon as they hit the water they'll take on water even quicker, because they're so dry and be just as soft as they would have been... Thoughts

In reply to Post #1
That's exactly what happens, so drying doesn't make any difference. They need to be boiled longer, and/or hardening ingredients added to the mix

In reply to Post #2
Exactly my thoughts mate, but it seems to be the go to way to harden hook baits

In reply to Post #3
I thought it was to dip the baits in a fish protein based glug and dry off?

In reply to Post #4
Not a lot of good if you are using a nut bait for instance and didn't want to turn it fishy..

I've had plenty of out the bag baits fishmeal and nut, I've glugged in certain liquids, some for over a year, that definitely makes a massive difference and keeps them harder for a lot longer

In reply to Post #6
Yep definitely some liquids that will harden them off

In reply to Post #4
Anything with a high salt or sugar content should work.

In reply to Post #1
I air dry for a week and then glug in a mixture of flavour and glycerin which hardens them nicely.

In reply to Post #1
Air dried baits do take water in faster than frozen. If you want to use them as hookbaits, it is worth meshing them to hold them together on the hair.