May seem a bit of a newbie question, and naturally bait companies will always advise pop ups "go off".... so just wondering what the general consensus is. I haven't wet a line properly in 2 years and have a array of pop ups ready to use this season, some of which are probably 4-5 years old - some have been boosted/glugged, some have not.
Is there a general rule here on lifespan of pop ups and their effectivess as they get older? especially if they have been liquid boosted at the outset?
Is there a general rule here on lifespan of pop ups and their effectivess as they get older? especially if they have been liquid boosted at the outset?
In reply to Post #1
Depends on the bait or liquids Some go off
Smell them if they smell ok then use them
Depends on the bait or liquids Some go off
Smell them if they smell ok then use them
Sling ‘em out, be fine...
In reply to Post #3
Bin the lot,take doubt out the equation....simples
Bin the lot,take doubt out the equation....simples
In reply to Post #1
Most of the shelf pops are just inert balls of flavour. With very little or no real food value. There be good to go as long as there kept dry. If your topping up with flavour over time they might start to loose a bit of buoyancy. But that's about it.
Most of the shelf pops are just inert balls of flavour. With very little or no real food value. There be good to go as long as there kept dry. If your topping up with flavour over time they might start to loose a bit of buoyancy. But that's about it.
In reply to Post #1
If your worried just blitz 'em all up in a blender and hey presto - you have a unique 'fizz' mix for sticks / solid bags . . .(unless they are ancient cork in which case either use them or bin them)
If your worried just blitz 'em all up in a blender and hey presto - you have a unique 'fizz' mix for sticks / solid bags . . .(unless they are ancient cork in which case either use them or bin them)
In reply to Post #6
Ian Russell shared a tip a few years ago about bringing old pop ups back to life. Add a drop or two of sunflower oil to the pot and shake well (do not saturate). Let it sit for a day and they're as good as new.
Ian Russell shared a tip a few years ago about bringing old pop ups back to life. Add a drop or two of sunflower oil to the pot and shake well (do not saturate). Let it sit for a day and they're as good as new.
In reply to Post #5
+1, most are just high attract hook baits.
I had some Nash white choc, must have been 20 years old...still caught.
If I'm not likely to use them as pop ups I keep them to use as floater hook baits.
And if 2 years worries you...most of my glugged baits are older than that.
But, if it might impare your confidence, get rid, only you can answer that...lingering doubts are not fun!
+1, most are just high attract hook baits.
I had some Nash white choc, must have been 20 years old...still caught.
If I'm not likely to use them as pop ups I keep them to use as floater hook baits.
And if 2 years worries you...most of my glugged baits are older than that.
But, if it might impare your confidence, get rid, only you can answer that...lingering doubts are not fun!
In reply to Post #6
This is what I did last year with some old boxes and also more frequently with my own hookbaits that don't make the grade - get the blender out and made a nice combined stick/zig mix ingredient.
An old pot of Vision Baits Ocean protein (that was an old forum favourite from a long time ago!) seemed to overpower everything else in the bag when there were all sorts going in there.
This is what I did last year with some old boxes and also more frequently with my own hookbaits that don't make the grade - get the blender out and made a nice combined stick/zig mix ingredient.
An old pot of Vision Baits Ocean protein (that was an old forum favourite from a long time ago!) seemed to overpower everything else in the bag when there were all sorts going in there.
In reply to Post #9
I did pretty well on the Ocean protein! The citrus fizz were decent hookbaits too
I did pretty well on the Ocean protein! The citrus fizz were decent hookbaits too
In reply to Post #10
Is it not a problem blending these baits up to make stick mix if they have glass balls in them?
Is it not a problem blending these baits up to make stick mix if they have glass balls in them?
if you're going to smash them up, add some liquid attractor to them after you've blitzed them.
they will soak it up making them more dense & sink. after a while in the water as the liquid is released, they density decreases & they will eventually float up - it means you end up with an attractive column above your baits for hours as opposed to minutes.
Edit - I loved that Ocean Protien (monster Crab) bait - Daz Conway & Mark Holmes were the guys behind it - definitely knew their stuff
they will soak it up making them more dense & sink. after a while in the water as the liquid is released, they density decreases & they will eventually float up - it means you end up with an attractive column above your baits for hours as opposed to minutes.
Edit - I loved that Ocean Protien (monster Crab) bait - Daz Conway & Mark Holmes were the guys behind it - definitely knew their stuff
Guess it depends on the popups. Remember carp don't smell like we do so bland ones to our noses once submerged might be absolutely fine.
I've just found some in my shed glugged that are about 5 years old from COVID...they look prime and marinated nicely, and shall be getting wanged out for sure 😍
I've just found some in my shed glugged that are about 5 years old from COVID...they look prime and marinated nicely, and shall be getting wanged out for sure 😍