Hi all, I'm fairly new too bait boats but I'm wondering if I should shorten my hook link length when using one as the the length of the hopper is quite small, and does it matter if the hook link coils up on its self as I'd put foam nuggets on the hook so my thinking is this would straighten its self out once dropped from the hopper.
I also have the option to use the independent hook clip at the rear of the boat But I like to use the pva nuggets on the hook so doesn't bomb down to the surface and bury my hook bait and this wouldn't be possible using the clip as the foam would get wet whilst taking the boat out and possibly come off before I've reached my spot.
Thoughts on this please?
I also have the option to use the independent hook clip at the rear of the boat But I like to use the pva nuggets on the hook so doesn't bomb down to the surface and bury my hook bait and this wouldn't be possible using the clip as the foam would get wet whilst taking the boat out and possibly come off before I've reached my spot.
Thoughts on this please?
In reply to Post #1
With foam on all good m8 👍🏻
With foam on all good m8 👍🏻
In reply to Post #2
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
In reply to Post #1
Unless you are using stainless steel balls as bait I really doubt your hookbait will 'bomb' down
Get a deep bucket at home and fill it to the brim with water. Take a rig with a lead clip and lead but no mainline, add your bait and drop it in the bucket. The lead will hit the bottom hard and fast...your hook bait will then just drift down on its own, if you use a wafter then it will drift down even slower...if you use a longer hooklength it will also drift down slower.
PVA nuggets have a use, such as marking where your rig is after a cast so you can bait up a minute later more accurately. However they also carry the risk of sticking to your rig (see last weeks Monster Carp), I have seen people bring a rod in after a few hours and the nugget is still on the hook
If you are dropping on a clear spot from a bait boat then I would question if you really need PVA nuggets.
Can't answer your original question without know what rig you are using i.e. braid will be fine folded back on itself (it will straighten out on the drop) but not so with any form of stiff rig that might end up folded over on the bottom.
Unless you are using stainless steel balls as bait I really doubt your hookbait will 'bomb' down
Get a deep bucket at home and fill it to the brim with water. Take a rig with a lead clip and lead but no mainline, add your bait and drop it in the bucket. The lead will hit the bottom hard and fast...your hook bait will then just drift down on its own, if you use a wafter then it will drift down even slower...if you use a longer hooklength it will also drift down slower.
PVA nuggets have a use, such as marking where your rig is after a cast so you can bait up a minute later more accurately. However they also carry the risk of sticking to your rig (see last weeks Monster Carp), I have seen people bring a rod in after a few hours and the nugget is still on the hook
If you are dropping on a clear spot from a bait boat then I would question if you really need PVA nuggets.
Can't answer your original question without know what rig you are using i.e. braid will be fine folded back on itself (it will straighten out on the drop) but not so with any form of stiff rig that might end up folded over on the bottom.
In reply to Post #1
Oily or glugged stick depending on time of year.
Oily or glugged stick depending on time of year.
In reply to Post #4
I always use nuggets, only ever had problems with folded ones not coming off, cut them in half putting each half either side of the hook, don't nick it in the foam, don't crush the nugget It comes off more easily like this, often within seconds, if I didn't see it come up I'd be wary!
I always use nuggets, only ever had problems with folded ones not coming off, cut them in half putting each half either side of the hook, don't nick it in the foam, don't crush the nugget It comes off more easily like this, often within seconds, if I didn't see it come up I'd be wary!
In reply to Post #4
I always put a nugget inside some pva mesh and thread this on the hook.
comes off every time 100%
I always put a nugget inside some pva mesh and thread this on the hook.
comes off every time 100%
In reply to Post #6
Don't get me wrong, I've seen them used like that and that worked fine but I have still seen them 'stuck' on a reeled in rod. I have a bag in the bottom of my tackle bag with some in. I will use them if I have a need (fishing over light (as in light weight not light covering) weed with a standard bottom bait or helping with anti-tangle of soft braid hook lengths) but my current lakes have zero weed and clay/silt bottoms so I can see nothing to be gained IMHO
However, as zig rigs generally prove, maybe a fish will still pick up a 'stuck' nugget out of curiosity
Don't get me wrong, I've seen them used like that and that worked fine but I have still seen them 'stuck' on a reeled in rod. I have a bag in the bottom of my tackle bag with some in. I will use them if I have a need (fishing over light (as in light weight not light covering) weed with a standard bottom bait or helping with anti-tangle of soft braid hook lengths) but my current lakes have zero weed and clay/silt bottoms so I can see nothing to be gained IMHO
However, as zig rigs generally prove, maybe a fish will still pick up a 'stuck' nugget out of curiosity