My God I've posted some rubbish on here but this could be my finest hour...
I am not looking for the best nugget, as I have tried them all and all of them lick and stick have failed to varying degrees. I also accept that no body does fishing ones and all are re-purposed packaging.
So what am I looking for is a way to use them without fear of blobs or staying on!
Currently if I really have to use them I make up batches in the small 15mm mesh and loop the mesh not the nugget - but it's a faff and I would really like to go back to always using them, they keep hooks sharper, splay out my rigs better and are a good sight for baiting.
Has anyone found a way or anything better than these?
I have tried hydrating them and drying (huge fail)
Pva string loops (ok fot still occasional residue
Burning the end to crisp up (Christ knows why)
Dipping in various PVA friendly liquids except a small part (in the hope the undipped bit releases under pressure
I have sacked it off for a while and used pop ups with pva tape but nothing shouts food here more than a surface pop up - so the only sure fire way I have is bagging which is OK, but it's January - it's boring tying up hundreds and usually there is someone somewhere that says do X or use Y. If not please let the thread die a quick death rather than telling me the packaging form the Samsung 86 inch telly box works best - mentally And confidence wise I am done with lick and stick, forever
I am not looking for the best nugget, as I have tried them all and all of them lick and stick have failed to varying degrees. I also accept that no body does fishing ones and all are re-purposed packaging.
So what am I looking for is a way to use them without fear of blobs or staying on!
Currently if I really have to use them I make up batches in the small 15mm mesh and loop the mesh not the nugget - but it's a faff and I would really like to go back to always using them, they keep hooks sharper, splay out my rigs better and are a good sight for baiting.
Has anyone found a way or anything better than these?
I have tried hydrating them and drying (huge fail)
Pva string loops (ok fot still occasional residue
Burning the end to crisp up (Christ knows why)
Dipping in various PVA friendly liquids except a small part (in the hope the undipped bit releases under pressure
I have sacked it off for a while and used pop ups with pva tape but nothing shouts food here more than a surface pop up - so the only sure fire way I have is bagging which is OK, but it's January - it's boring tying up hundreds and usually there is someone somewhere that says do X or use Y. If not please let the thread die a quick death rather than telling me the packaging form the Samsung 86 inch telly box works best - mentally And confidence wise I am done with lick and stick, forever
Starch nuggets.. lick and stick is so.hit and miss.. peeps will say. Never had a problem come of every time. I'm not to sure. Sat and watched my rig in the margin one winter sit proudly of the lead. Didn't look like it was coming off this side of the new century. Not rapped stuck two nuggets together since. Very rarely use Starch nuggets these days if I can get away with it. On the rare occasion I have. Its a bit of a phaff mind. Is to stick two nuggets side by side in some PVA mesh and then thread it down the link . (I attach my links with clips) sandwiching the hook between the two. Pops of everytime.
In reply to Post #1
For years I have cut a nugget in to 4 small pieces and put two down a Pva mesh tube and tied them tight. I then find the middle and hook the mesh, twist and push the hook point in through the gap between the nuggets, but without hooking the nuggets. If you tie them tight enough, this is pretty tight hold on the hook.
For years I have cut a nugget in to 4 small pieces and put two down a Pva mesh tube and tied them tight. I then find the middle and hook the mesh, twist and push the hook point in through the gap between the nuggets, but without hooking the nuggets. If you tie them tight enough, this is pretty tight hold on the hook.
Overall I can probably count on one hand the number of times mine don't pop up to the surface very quickly, I always cut them in 2 and stick together. There's a large variety of densities out there and the denser white ones are the ones I had trouble with when starting out.
I was lucky enough to work with pharmaceuticals that came packed in the stuff that was less dense, got bin bags of it. Unfortunately I also added the denser ones as they came with 'things', I tend to pick those out now and only use in warmer water, if at all
I was lucky enough to work with pharmaceuticals that came packed in the stuff that was less dense, got bin bags of it. Unfortunately I also added the denser ones as they came with 'things', I tend to pick those out now and only use in warmer water, if at all
I always thread mine (long ways) down the hook link 👍
In reply to Post #1
I'm afraid PVA mesh is the only solution IMO - boring yes but at least its paranoia free . . . . Personally rarely use meshed nuggets at all these days especially if using stiff booms / wafters as I'm confident the rig is presented especially if its over a hard-ish area . . .anything choddy and I'm usually using a solid bag or a buoyant pop up on a stiff hinged so no need for foam . . . think we can get hung up with how we perceive or want/need rigs to fall most of the time - we don't worry when using a braided hooklink and a nicked on mesh bag with freebies (which inevitably lands in a coiled heap) as it still catches . . .
I'm afraid PVA mesh is the only solution IMO - boring yes but at least its paranoia free . . . . Personally rarely use meshed nuggets at all these days especially if using stiff booms / wafters as I'm confident the rig is presented especially if its over a hard-ish area . . .anything choddy and I'm usually using a solid bag or a buoyant pop up on a stiff hinged so no need for foam . . . think we can get hung up with how we perceive or want/need rigs to fall most of the time - we don't worry when using a braided hooklink and a nicked on mesh bag with freebies (which inevitably lands in a coiled heap) as it still catches . . .
In reply to Post #6
Agree...re paranoia...I think insecurities are bred into Carp anglers nowadays, if your bothered about a bit of soggy pva on your hook preventing hook ups, how does trundling a hook buried in luncheon meat ever work for Barbel/other species...let alone if you leave the hook sticking out the side while doing so, re blunting
Maybe the starch in the nugget is a attractor so not necessarily a bad thing. How many times in summer do you see fish taking the floating remnants of nuggets, I do a lot?
If it makes you happy fair enough address it, but I wouldn't worry too much about it, fishing is meant to be enjoyable.
Agree...re paranoia...I think insecurities are bred into Carp anglers nowadays, if your bothered about a bit of soggy pva on your hook preventing hook ups, how does trundling a hook buried in luncheon meat ever work for Barbel/other species...let alone if you leave the hook sticking out the side while doing so, re blunting
Maybe the starch in the nugget is a attractor so not necessarily a bad thing. How many times in summer do you see fish taking the floating remnants of nuggets, I do a lot?
If it makes you happy fair enough address it, but I wouldn't worry too much about it, fishing is meant to be enjoyable.
In reply to Post #1
totally with you
lost confidence in them years ago I spent a morning feeding a margin spot with hemp & magots getting a couple of very nice fish feeding hard along with a shoal of big bream.
decided on the exact spot I wanted my hookbait where the bream weren't feeding & boated over a single tigert nut with a fresh maize nugget attached (as I had always done before). lined the boat up with the spot, dropped the bait & watched as the rig settled. hooklink was straight up off the lead with the foam as expected. then only part of the foam came away from the hook & floated up to the surface, leaving a much smaller bit attached that was still enough to keep the hooklink vertical. If I was watching from the bank I would have been sure that it was the whole nugget. I sat & watched expecting it to come off for over 45 minutes as the fish came back in & fed on the deck all around it completely ignoring the bait up above their heads & missed my chance. when I reeled the bait in, there wasn't a trace on the hook. If I hadn't sat & watched it all I would have been convinced that everything was ok.
I really liked them for preventing tangles - would use a PVA stick but slip d / multi rigs don't stay in place for longer casts. tried pva pop ups but still get the odd with longer rigs tangle. another part of the puzzle....
totally with you
lost confidence in them years ago I spent a morning feeding a margin spot with hemp & magots getting a couple of very nice fish feeding hard along with a shoal of big bream.
decided on the exact spot I wanted my hookbait where the bream weren't feeding & boated over a single tigert nut with a fresh maize nugget attached (as I had always done before). lined the boat up with the spot, dropped the bait & watched as the rig settled. hooklink was straight up off the lead with the foam as expected. then only part of the foam came away from the hook & floated up to the surface, leaving a much smaller bit attached that was still enough to keep the hooklink vertical. If I was watching from the bank I would have been sure that it was the whole nugget. I sat & watched expecting it to come off for over 45 minutes as the fish came back in & fed on the deck all around it completely ignoring the bait up above their heads & missed my chance. when I reeled the bait in, there wasn't a trace on the hook. If I hadn't sat & watched it all I would have been convinced that everything was ok.
I really liked them for preventing tangles - would use a PVA stick but slip d / multi rigs don't stay in place for longer casts. tried pva pop ups but still get the odd with longer rigs tangle. another part of the puzzle....
Phew not just me overthinking. So after this post last night I started to think about how ease and confidence could be gained as I really like them, especially protecting hook points.
So I fannied about for a couple of hours, and think I am close(er).
I put a hole in the bottom of the PVA larger than the hook BUT small enough so it won't fall off on cast (although very untested as in the kitchen ;0)).
I tried various things and the lick and stick lasted (ice water) for over 40 mins and was not moving.
The first in the below RED is making a hole as close to the bottom as possible I used a small drill bit that was dipped in hot water and pushed through. I wanted to 'seal' the hole to stop residue being left. It worked well the hook was super clean and it took over 8 mins (done 3 times. With a bait mounted on hook I think it would be a lot quicker as no downward force.
The second set of pictures I dipped the drill in gin (all I had!) to try and protect the hole and keep the gunk spread away from the hook, Christ knows why but it takes about half the time (again i think it would improved with bait on) and the hook was spotless. Also test 3 times and times stayed pretty much the same.
So it may start some people thinking, it may prove what a lunatic I am, but what it also made me realise is at this time of year you 'may' have to watch the spot for up to 10 mins for it to release.
As others have said and I have done previously mesh bag nuggest will still win (but I can't be arsed)...
So I fannied about for a couple of hours, and think I am close(er).
I put a hole in the bottom of the PVA larger than the hook BUT small enough so it won't fall off on cast (although very untested as in the kitchen ;0)).
I tried various things and the lick and stick lasted (ice water) for over 40 mins and was not moving.
The first in the below RED is making a hole as close to the bottom as possible I used a small drill bit that was dipped in hot water and pushed through. I wanted to 'seal' the hole to stop residue being left. It worked well the hook was super clean and it took over 8 mins (done 3 times. With a bait mounted on hook I think it would be a lot quicker as no downward force.
The second set of pictures I dipped the drill in gin (all I had!) to try and protect the hole and keep the gunk spread away from the hook, Christ knows why but it takes about half the time (again i think it would improved with bait on) and the hook was spotless. Also test 3 times and times stayed pretty much the same.
So it may start some people thinking, it may prove what a lunatic I am, but what it also made me realise is at this time of year you 'may' have to watch the spot for up to 10 mins for it to release.
As others have said and I have done previously mesh bag nuggest will still win (but I can't be arsed)...
In reply to Post #9
Very Scientific. Can just picture you standing there with your lab coat and eye protection.
Excuse my ignorance Prof. But why the need for an alcohol dipped drill bit to make a hole to stick the hook through. Sorry wasn't paying attention at the back..
Very Scientific. Can just picture you standing there with your lab coat and eye protection.
Excuse my ignorance Prof. But why the need for an alcohol dipped drill bit to make a hole to stick the hook through. Sorry wasn't paying attention at the back..
In reply to Post #10
All of my thinking may be crap so bear that in mind ;0)
I think that the hole with alcohol is protected from water so the gunk stays clear of the hook, barb and point, the hole near the bottom means the melt strain (I am making this up!) means only 2 or 3 mm needs to melt to release the nugget. Lick and stick is a larger area that the water is trying to get.
All of my thinking may be crap so bear that in mind ;0)
I think that the hole with alcohol is protected from water so the gunk stays clear of the hook, barb and point, the hole near the bottom means the melt strain (I am making this up!) means only 2 or 3 mm needs to melt to release the nugget. Lick and stick is a larger area that the water is trying to get.
In reply to Post #11
Melt strain makes sense 👍
Could you test the exact same style but by just pushing the hook through and leaving the point slightly exposed? Like how most hook on meat cubes?
Or would that compromise the barb and point more than you'd like?
Might be worth a test 🤞😋
Melt strain makes sense 👍
Could you test the exact same style but by just pushing the hook through and leaving the point slightly exposed? Like how most hook on meat cubes?
Or would that compromise the barb and point more than you'd like?
Might be worth a test 🤞😋
You can tell it's winter and lakes are flooded or frozen. 
In reply to Post #11
How does casting out & hookbait passing throughwater affect this?
please can you try & cast into your glass from the end of your garden & let us know
(interesting observations btw - fair play to you for testing it out - learning by doing instead of taking what others have said for granted #hatdoffed)
How does casting out & hookbait passing throughwater affect this?
please can you try & cast into your glass from the end of your garden & let us know
(interesting observations btw - fair play to you for testing it out - learning by doing instead of taking what others have said for granted #hatdoffed)
In reply to Post #9
What about simply using a small stick (slid on the hooklink to protect the hookpoint) and use 'ye olde pull back method' to separate the lead from the hook end and remove any slop in the hooklink . . . . I used to do this frequently back in the day (on known clear areas) and it never seemed to make much difference in terms of pick ups. Its only recent perceived wisdom that has ditched this method although you see the Korda boys do it loads when the rig is on camera . . . .
What about simply using a small stick (slid on the hooklink to protect the hookpoint) and use 'ye olde pull back method' to separate the lead from the hook end and remove any slop in the hooklink . . . . I used to do this frequently back in the day (on known clear areas) and it never seemed to make much difference in terms of pick ups. Its only recent perceived wisdom that has ditched this method although you see the Korda boys do it loads when the rig is on camera . . . .