I have recently gone back to using small PVA sticks on my wafter/ronnie rigs as it's something I used to do very well using. I knocked up two separate stick mixes. One of these did involve Sticky Baits Krill active mix which I know has some particles which will travel up the water column. However the other mix was using a standard ground bait/stick mix powder. After tying a few up, I dropped one in my pond, only to find they float for 30-45 seconds. I then dropped the non active mix in only to find the same.

Now, in some senses this does make me think it will help presentation. Once the mesh melts my hookbait will slowly sink over any silt/debris. However, it's going to defeat the object as once it leaves my rig it will potentially drift away from the hookbait until it sinks.

I've used a mixture of Carp Craze and a cheaper ebay PVA. Both with the same results.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on this?

Thanks Lads

In reply to Post #1
What are you using to dampen the mix.
Any oils will lock air into the fluffy parts. A diluted hydro might penetrate better.

I was thinking about this after I wrote the post. I've used Calanus Liquid in one and a mainline stick mix liquid in the other. However, I did add a splash of hemp oil to both! I think that may well be it. Question is now, how do I dilute that to stop them floating? More ground bait and food liquid?

In reply to Post #3
Are you making a bulk batch?
You could use some fish sauce as the main liquid and add some calanus.
Make a new mix, test a bit in a bucket. You can then wet the old stuff and combine them a small bit at a time and test again.
Be sure to dampen down and get it right before adding a small splash of oil.
The oil isnt to wet the mix, but to carry some fragments up in the column.

And this is exactly why I added the oil. I was hoping it would carry some of the mix up into the column. Instead it just made the whole thing float. It is made up in a small-ish Korda bucket and then I make about 40 sticks of each mix at a time to use. There is always plenty leftover to make the next batch up and so on. I did wonder if the pre tied ones had been affected by the fact they had been in the bucket 4-5 weeks, however, I literally tied one and dropped it into the pond within seconds. How long would the fish sauce be ok for in the bucket? I don't want it to go rotten.

In reply to Post #5
I wouldn't think its the kind of approach we're you can pre-make a bundle of sticks in advance.
I like to make my pva bags one at a time, never in advance.
Small mesh bags, I might make up a dozen or so, then keep in a self seal bag in my bucket.
Sticks, its been a while but I'd be doing a few for half the day, and maybe do a few more later so I had a few spare.

I've never had a problem pre making them before. Usually within 10 sessions the pre tied are already used and then I make up more and so on. I think this is the first time that I have noticed them floating. I guess if it isn't broke dont fix it ey?!

I may well add this round of stick mix to a spod mix to use it up and go again without the oil. Could always add a drizzle to the outside of the mesh before casting and lose the worry of it all floating

In reply to Post #1
Just thinking aloud, have you thought of using a heavier stick mix as the oil will probably still take smaller particles to the surface, I'm thinking along the lines of DNA HeavyCrayfish, might not even have to add oil, it's got plenty.

Old school, put a stone in the bag...seriously!

LINKY POO™ https://dnabaits.com/product/crayfish-heavy-bag-and-feeder-mix/

I always used to stick boilie crumb in my stick mixes and also, noticed that if you compacted the mix down too hard, it sometimes helped to force a baiting needle through to create a few holes that also makes it sink quicker.

In reply to Post #9
This is something I will definitely try. I do now think it's the oil content making them float. Will certainly try disturbing a few with a baiting needle and see what that does