Having to use Shelf life baits this year , so was wondering whose bait to use....
Been looking at
Essential baits - B5 (12/16/20mm)
Nutrabaits- BFM or Trigga (15/20mm)
Quest baits - (10/15/20mm)
Oxford carp baits- (12-24mm)
Cost wise the Essential baits and Nutrabaits are more expensive, but only planning to do short evenings or day trips as & when, so not looking to try and get a bait established.
Just a recognisable food signal that will do the fish some good if eaten...
Any recommendations from the shelf life users on here?
Been looking at
Essential baits - B5 (12/16/20mm)
Nutrabaits- BFM or Trigga (15/20mm)
Quest baits - (10/15/20mm)
Oxford carp baits- (12-24mm)
Cost wise the Essential baits and Nutrabaits are more expensive, but only planning to do short evenings or day trips as & when, so not looking to try and get a bait established.
Just a recognisable food signal that will do the fish some good if eaten...
Any recommendations from the shelf life users on here?
I've been on DNA baits for a long while now and a couple of years ago I moved to their shelfies when they brought them out as it coincided with me losing freezer space. Not noticed any difference at all really to the freezer baits. I now have access to a freezer again but I've decided to stick with the shelfies and just use my freezer for particle
They have a very good range of baits and associated products and are a good price and have bulk deals quite regularly. At the moment they have 10kg for £60 post free
Be worth asking if there is a distributor around your area as my mate is a distributor for DNA and I get the bait at £6 a kilo all year round
They have a very good range of baits and associated products and are a good price and have bulk deals quite regularly. At the moment they have 10kg for £60 post free
Be worth asking if there is a distributor around your area as my mate is a distributor for DNA and I get the bait at £6 a kilo all year round
In reply to Post #1
cc moore live system brilliant
cc moore live system brilliant
In reply to Post #1
DNA mate hands down. Nutrabaits trigger nothing like the orginal. Quest only decent bait is the rajha spice. Never heard of oxford baits. Dynamite source and tigernut decent. But check out DNA. Sticky krill good but pricey.
DNA mate hands down. Nutrabaits trigger nothing like the orginal. Quest only decent bait is the rajha spice. Never heard of oxford baits. Dynamite source and tigernut decent. But check out DNA. Sticky krill good but pricey.
all the baitworks range are good also DNA baits are good never used DNA shelf life but my mates swear by them
DNA And Baitworks both do quality SL baits....... 
In reply to Post #3
Another here for live system- I've used it everywhere at all times of the year with total confidence.
If I blank, I know it's not the bait.
Another here for live system- I've used it everywhere at all times of the year with total confidence.
If I blank, I know it's not the bait.
In reply to Post #1
Person on my CV syndicate used Quest Baits Rajah Spice this year. He didn't have a bite all year, let alone catch anything. Awful texture, bland taste.. Like a load of soggy pasta. I'd avoid at all costs.
And as been just said by others... Live System is an excellent bait.
Person on my CV syndicate used Quest Baits Rajah Spice this year. He didn't have a bite all year, let alone catch anything. Awful texture, bland taste.. Like a load of soggy pasta. I'd avoid at all costs.
And as been just said by others... Live System is an excellent bait.
In reply to Post #1
I'd go with one fish based, one none fish based.
First call would be Jay at the abait.
I'd go with one fish based, one none fish based.
First call would be Jay at the abait.
I'm fortunate to get sticky bait very cheap through a mate. But even so I fancy a bit of a change this spring before I go back on the krill in June and to be honest the shelflife manilla hasn't done much for me this winter.
So I've just received the sample packs of all the shelflife DNA. I was very very impressed. Nothing like the shelfies of old. I wasn't sure before I received them but my minds made up now. I'm 100% going on DNA this winter/spring and if it catches fish then I might even stay on it even though it will substantially increase my bait costs, as I always feel cheeky piggybacking my bait off of someone else even though I'm sure he doesn't mind.
So I've just received the sample packs of all the shelflife DNA. I was very very impressed. Nothing like the shelfies of old. I wasn't sure before I received them but my minds made up now. I'm 100% going on DNA this winter/spring and if it catches fish then I might even stay on it even though it will substantially increase my bait costs, as I always feel cheeky piggybacking my bait off of someone else even though I'm sure he doesn't mind.
In reply to Post #10
Which one or ones are you thinking of using Wayne? I use S7 / SLK and the switch altogether.......3 different colours and 3 very different baits......
Which one or ones are you thinking of using Wayne? I use S7 / SLK and the switch altogether.......3 different colours and 3 very different baits......
I liked the slk when i used it but was frozen
In reply to Post #12
A Baits Plumb Zing or Wasp both quality baits
A Baits Plumb Zing or Wasp both quality baits
Dynamite - The Source
CC Moore - Pacific Tuna
CC Moore - Pacific Tuna
In reply to Post #1
DT baits
N-blend
Or any of the pukka mix boillies
DT baits
N-blend
Or any of the pukka mix boillies
In reply to Post #15
A baits,plumb zing......or enigma 👍
A baits,plumb zing......or enigma 👍
In reply to Post #11
I was thinking mainly for spring using nutta with 12mm switch mixed in, and then perhaps going on to mainly SLK with 12mm S7 mixed in.
Seem a good combo to you?
I was thinking mainly for spring using nutta with 12mm switch mixed in, and then perhaps going on to mainly SLK with 12mm S7 mixed in.
Seem a good combo to you?
In reply to Post #16
Just looked at A Baits ....... Enigma sounds different
Anyone any experience of RG Baits? Seen Big Bill has joined them....the meaty bait Prime sounds good or Formula Crab
Just looked at A Baits ....... Enigma sounds different
Anyone any experience of RG Baits? Seen Big Bill has joined them....the meaty bait Prime sounds good or Formula Crab
In reply to Post #1
Can recommend Baitworks Atlantic Heat shelf life baits, only really started using mainstream baits last spring and after much consideration choose this bait.
As always it's about confidence so took it to the 6 lakes I intended to stalk and the fish gave a great reaction straight away, it's fairly soft straight from the bag, very spicy & low level smell.
Can recommend Baitworks Atlantic Heat shelf life baits, only really started using mainstream baits last spring and after much consideration choose this bait.
As always it's about confidence so took it to the 6 lakes I intended to stalk and the fish gave a great reaction straight away, it's fairly soft straight from the bag, very spicy & low level smell.
Sunday evening. 9.10pm. Just tried to log into the dna site to take advantage of their online show deal which runs out tomorrow and I can't get on their site. Bloody typical.
In reply to Post #20
just got on it no probs m8
just got on it no probs m8
In reply to Post #21
Thank you. Just tried again and it loaded this time. Was running very slow but the orders gone through.
Cheers
Thank you. Just tried again and it loaded this time. Was running very slow but the orders gone through.
Cheers
Well I'm going to be very untrendy. I have used various shelflife/stabilised baits from Nash over the last ten-twelve years. Currently Scopex Squid and Tangerine Dream (sadly discontinued).
I have friends that have used Baitworks, Mainline, DNA, Sticky, Proper Carpbaits and others, they've never consistently out caught me, and I'm nothing special as an angler.
I have friends that have used Baitworks, Mainline, DNA, Sticky, Proper Carpbaits and others, they've never consistently out caught me, and I'm nothing special as an angler.
In reply to Post #1
DNA - S7 & SLK
Blakes - Malarkie
Dynamite - Source & Complex T
Have used over the years and caught well.
DNA - S7 & SLK
Blakes - Malarkie
Dynamite - Source & Complex T
Have used over the years and caught well.
In reply to Post #24
Good Shelf Lifes I have used since I got back into carp fishing are Sticky Baits Krill and Dynamite The Source. However I have seen several smaller brands that me and my boys are really pleased with and using at the moment.
Good Shelf Lifes I have used since I got back into carp fishing are Sticky Baits Krill and Dynamite The Source. However I have seen several smaller brands that me and my boys are really pleased with and using at the moment.
In reply to Post #25
Baitworks royal marine for me I only started using it last spring and I've been doining very well on it over the last 9 months.
Baitworks royal marine for me I only started using it last spring and I've been doining very well on it over the last 9 months.
In reply to Post #26
dna s7 shelf life's are superb 👍
dna s7 shelf life's are superb 👍
In reply to Post #1
Another vote for Baitworks
Started with the freezer baits and switched to the shelfies when freezer space became an issue. Used AH, MR and RM and would be confident with any - oh, and they're doing 20% discount at the moment...
Another vote for Baitworks
Started with the freezer baits and switched to the shelfies when freezer space became an issue. Used AH, MR and RM and would be confident with any - oh, and they're doing 20% discount at the moment...
In reply to Post #1
Long time B5 user. Good bait that haven't let me down.
Long time B5 user. Good bait that haven't let me down.
In reply to Post #29
Undoubtedly a great bait with a loyal following. But if he came to market today charging what he does he'd fall on his arse pretty quickly.
I liked it but I just couldn't justify having to buy huge amounts of bait to get it down to a price that Everyone else is charging when only buying ten kilos. And the pop ups are ****.
I know it's a show deal but I just got 10kg from DNA for £60 inc postage. How much have you got to buy from essential to get it at £6 a kilo. Something like 100kg would be my bet. I'm not prepared to have to store 100kg of bait to get sensible pricing.
On ten or twenty kilo orders it's gotta be 50% more expensive than most other baits and although I think it's a very good bait. I don't believe it catches 50% more fish than other baits.
Undoubtedly a great bait with a loyal following. But if he came to market today charging what he does he'd fall on his arse pretty quickly.
I liked it but I just couldn't justify having to buy huge amounts of bait to get it down to a price that Everyone else is charging when only buying ten kilos. And the pop ups are ****.
I know it's a show deal but I just got 10kg from DNA for £60 inc postage. How much have you got to buy from essential to get it at £6 a kilo. Something like 100kg would be my bet. I'm not prepared to have to store 100kg of bait to get sensible pricing.
On ten or twenty kilo orders it's gotta be 50% more expensive than most other baits and although I think it's a very good bait. I don't believe it catches 50% more fish than other baits.
In reply to Post #30
I'd go with that statement too , I've used both the B5 and DNA S7 for some time and come to the conclusion that the S7 is just as good in consistently catching as the B5 if not better , and with the price gap I know which one I'll be using as usual
I'd go with that statement too , I've used both the B5 and DNA S7 for some time and come to the conclusion that the S7 is just as good in consistently catching as the B5 if not better , and with the price gap I know which one I'll be using as usual
In reply to Post #17
Any combos of the baits will work as it's good bait, that said I have equal confidence in baitworks AH and RM......only shelflifes I have complete faith in.....
Any combos of the baits will work as it's good bait, that said I have equal confidence in baitworks AH and RM......only shelflifes I have complete faith in.....
Starbaits-Hot Demon, only for hookbaits and pva string,no prebait.
Better in cold water period
Better in cold water period
In reply to Post #33
No prebait because they are balls of flavoured sawdust. You can keep your euro junk cheap rubbish... They should be banned.
No prebait because they are balls of flavoured sawdust. You can keep your euro junk cheap rubbish... They should be banned.
I've said before I'm an ABS user and can't fault theirs. Just a shame Hydra-K can't be shelf lifed but can understand why. 100% confidence. 👍
In reply to Post #35
In reply to Post #34
1. They are not cheap (more than 10£/kg)
2. Many people use them just as hookbaits and belive me they are effective.
1. They are not cheap (more than 10£/kg)
2. Many people use them just as hookbaits and belive me they are effective.
I've used frozen ABS for years and have every faith in their bait so switched over to using their shelf life's 👍
In reply to Post #37
Just because you pay that for them, doesn't mean they aren't cheap to make. Utter junk
Just because you pay that for them, doesn't mean they aren't cheap to make. Utter junk
In reply to Post #39
Just like many others overprized boilies.
Still they catch, they are not junk for me and that is MY opinion. Piece
Just like many others overprized boilies.
Still they catch, they are not junk for me and that is MY opinion. Piece
In reply to Post #40
Yes but if the fish lived on just those then they would soon wither away and die as there is little to no nutritional value to them, making them junk
Yes but if the fish lived on just those then they would soon wither away and die as there is little to no nutritional value to them, making them junk
In reply to Post #1
From your list I've tried the B5 selfies and they were decent Chris. Must admit I'd be inclined to steer clear of Nutrabaits these days after all the changes (and I was a long-term BFM user in the 90s), but that's just personal preference rather than being based on hard fact.
The A bait is definitely worth a look - I tend to use one of Jay's baits alongside a freezer bait as it's dead easy to keep a few kgs in the boot. It's always caught just as well as the freezer baits (I think we know a few of the same people, so it'll probably make sense if I say it performed as well as Rob's mixes).
I've used the plum zing and wasp from his current range and they're great. They definitely like the wasp in the Weaver.
I'm going to be ordering some of his new one, so if you want a look at it first hand just give me a PM mate
From your list I've tried the B5 selfies and they were decent Chris. Must admit I'd be inclined to steer clear of Nutrabaits these days after all the changes (and I was a long-term BFM user in the 90s), but that's just personal preference rather than being based on hard fact.
The A bait is definitely worth a look - I tend to use one of Jay's baits alongside a freezer bait as it's dead easy to keep a few kgs in the boot. It's always caught just as well as the freezer baits (I think we know a few of the same people, so it'll probably make sense if I say it performed as well as Rob's mixes).
I've used the plum zing and wasp from his current range and they're great. They definitely like the wasp in the Weaver.
I'm going to be ordering some of his new one, so if you want a look at it first hand just give me a PM mate
In reply to Post #41
I think that is 50/50 based boilie with some interesting smelling (spicy) and that is all about!
For me, I always use tham just like hookbaits,no freebies.
For example, RH spicy tigernut boilie is 50/50 base mix boilie, nothing special about it and I cought many fish during hot summer time. There is no some fishmeal and something special about feeding benefits.
I use Hot demon like pop ups, only one bait on the hook and that is all about. That boilie I always have in my pocket,like some Jocker card when my homemade boilie stop working I put one of these two boilie
P.S. this autumn and winter I tasted citruz boilie and hot demon,hookbaits only,no feeding before and Starbaits made much better results in that condition.
I think that is 50/50 based boilie with some interesting smelling (spicy) and that is all about!
For me, I always use tham just like hookbaits,no freebies.
For example, RH spicy tigernut boilie is 50/50 base mix boilie, nothing special about it and I cought many fish during hot summer time. There is no some fishmeal and something special about feeding benefits.
I use Hot demon like pop ups, only one bait on the hook and that is all about. That boilie I always have in my pocket,like some Jocker card when my homemade boilie stop working I put one of these two boilie
P.S. this autumn and winter I tasted citruz boilie and hot demon,hookbaits only,no feeding before and Starbaits made much better results in that condition.
In reply to Post #43
Yes I'm aware they are 50% sawdust and 50%floor sweepings....
Yes I'm aware they are 50% sawdust and 50%floor sweepings....
In reply to Post #44
But they sometimes catch fish and that is only important for me. In 90% of my fishing I use my homemde boilies as hookbaits. For feeding/spod mix, I only use my homemade freezer baits, not any of boilie from the market. I can make that kind of boilie under 3quid per kilo.
In my opinion, if you have time to make your own boilies and make some test with them on water, it will be better result than most of boilies in the market and because of that I use them like jocker from the pocket and sometimes it work.
But they sometimes catch fish and that is only important for me. In 90% of my fishing I use my homemde boilies as hookbaits. For feeding/spod mix, I only use my homemade freezer baits, not any of boilie from the market. I can make that kind of boilie under 3quid per kilo.
In my opinion, if you have time to make your own boilies and make some test with them on water, it will be better result than most of boilies in the market and because of that I use them like jocker from the pocket and sometimes it work.
In reply to Post #45
I do make my own boilies chap, have for 30 years on and off, that's why I make good nutritional content baits, as they will out score basic 50/50 stuff every time in the long run.
I do make my own boilies chap, have for 30 years on and off, that's why I make good nutritional content baits, as they will out score basic 50/50 stuff every time in the long run.
In reply to Post #46
In long term use they will, but in SHORT sessions not every time.
You can make some 50/50 base mix with a lot amino liquid suplements and flavour and catch a lot fish.
But in long term usage that kind of boilie will lose because carp is not stupid animal and he will discover what is the best for him.
In my conclusion, in most of my fishing trips the best approach is to use boilies with some nutrition value ("feeding boilies") and put on them some high atract bait (homemade or some simple but atractive bait from market)
My hookbaits are in some cases 50/50mix with a lot of atractive liquids and is other scenarios high attract bait with predigest,LT,squid and liver powder,glm....and they catch both
In long term use they will, but in SHORT sessions not every time.
You can make some 50/50 base mix with a lot amino liquid suplements and flavour and catch a lot fish.
But in long term usage that kind of boilie will lose because carp is not stupid animal and he will discover what is the best for him.
In my conclusion, in most of my fishing trips the best approach is to use boilies with some nutrition value ("feeding boilies") and put on them some high atract bait (homemade or some simple but atractive bait from market)
My hookbaits are in some cases 50/50mix with a lot of atractive liquids and is other scenarios high attract bait with predigest,LT,squid and liver powder,glm....and they catch both
In reply to Post #1
I'd trust any of the Crafty Carper shelfies, especially King Prawn, they are the same recipe as the freezer bait.
Myself I've been using Rod Hutchinson KMG on Alton Water for some decent fish past season.
I'd trust any of the Crafty Carper shelfies, especially King Prawn, they are the same recipe as the freezer bait.
Myself I've been using Rod Hutchinson KMG on Alton Water for some decent fish past season.
How come no one has mentioned Cherry? 
In reply to Post #49
Or bait ology.....
Or bait ology.....
In reply to Post #48
Yes...Forgot to mention them (it's an age thing) . I'll go with that.KP is an excellent shelfie, as are the pop-ups.
I can recall when the early Carp Society committee cam down to fish College. They were using a plum flavoured CC and did amazingly well.
Yes...Forgot to mention them (it's an age thing) . I'll go with that.KP is an excellent shelfie, as are the pop-ups.
I can recall when the early Carp Society committee cam down to fish College. They were using a plum flavoured CC and did amazingly well.
In reply to Post #51
DNA had the show offer last weekend with the freezer already full I had a split order 50% shelfies , to try..., was expecting something resembling the texture of wooden balls, nope... honestly cant tell between the ones in the freezer....very impressed
s7 btw....
DNA had the show offer last weekend with the freezer already full I had a split order 50% shelfies , to try..., was expecting something resembling the texture of wooden balls, nope... honestly cant tell between the ones in the freezer....very impressed
s7 btw....
In reply to Post #52
I recently received a free 1kg bag of the new Outlaw readymades, more out of curiosity than anything else. The offer seemed too good to be true, i.e. send us your address and we'll send you a free kg of bait, but that's exactly what they did. I got the seafood ones and they look pretty decent, the smell is reminiscent of a very well know Mainline bait of old...
They seem to be doing offers and free postage so I may give them a bash for a large well stocked water where using a lot of bait helps...
I recently received a free 1kg bag of the new Outlaw readymades, more out of curiosity than anything else. The offer seemed too good to be true, i.e. send us your address and we'll send you a free kg of bait, but that's exactly what they did. I got the seafood ones and they look pretty decent, the smell is reminiscent of a very well know Mainline bait of old...
They seem to be doing offers and free postage so I may give them a bash for a large well stocked water where using a lot of bait helps...
In reply to Post #53
My son was given a free kilo whilst fishing up in Oxfordshire recently so I thought I would take a look as giving away free bait seems an odd thing to do. The bag was sweaty and horrible and the baits resembled damp putty. My son was told it's rolled by active baits and also some connection to urban baits but to be honest it won't matter as it's in the bin. Not impressed at all but at least it was free.
My son was given a free kilo whilst fishing up in Oxfordshire recently so I thought I would take a look as giving away free bait seems an odd thing to do. The bag was sweaty and horrible and the baits resembled damp putty. My son was told it's rolled by active baits and also some connection to urban baits but to be honest it won't matter as it's in the bin. Not impressed at all but at least it was free.
In reply to Post #54
Strange, the bait I received was in top conditions and very well packaged...and I'm very fussy with my bait. Maybe he was given 'used' bait?
Strange, the bait I received was in top conditions and very well packaged...and I'm very fussy with my bait. Maybe he was given 'used' bait?
My go to bait for shelf-life is Dynamite baits range. Never have I had faults with their shelf-life baits.
In reply to Post #56
Blakes baits do good shelfies I've been using snowberry for last couple of winters and doing well on it.
Blakes baits do good shelfies I've been using snowberry for last couple of winters and doing well on it.
In reply to Post #14
Thanks Ken....was looking at Source too, lots of positive posts in other threads on this shelflife....stood the test of time too
Thanks Ken....was looking at Source too, lots of positive posts in other threads on this shelflife....stood the test of time too
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