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 New Posts  Specialized Hook Baits - Catch Reports Jan 2026
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Karlos
Posts: 13756
Karlos
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #1 10 Jan 2026 at 9.11pm  2  Login    Register
In order to keep the SHB thread nice and fast (to load) I'll create a new thread every now and again. All threads (new and old) will link to each other so that no information / photos are lost

Links to past SHB threads...
1 - Specialized Hook Baits - Catch Report and Q+A
2 - Specialized Hook Baits - Catch Reports Jul 2024
3 - Specialized Hook Baits - Catch Reports Oct 2024
4 - Specialized Hook Baits - Catch Reports Feb 2025
5 - Specialized Hook Baits - Catch Reports Oct 2025
6 - Specialized Hook Baits - Catch Reports Jan 2026 (This thread)
TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #71 23 Feb 2026 at 12.04pm  8  Login    Register
Salt.

I see so much terrible information written online about salt. From when to use it being the main one, closely followed by how or why it works. Many will try salt at the complete wrong time of the year & then completely dismiss it out of hand. Like so many things in carp fishing, it’s very time specific. Try it at the right time, you will see it’s real power.

To start with… Most of the year it will hardly have much effect. Often it is said/written that carp look for sodium pre spawning… This is also not true whatsoever. The time to use salt is from the moment that the fish spawn, right through the summer whilst the water is really warm. Sodium helps them massively by repairing them after spawning. It’s not even that attractive to carp I don’t believe in terms of making them feed. But by adding some salt to your free bait & regularly baiting a swim/area… Nothing whatsoever will keep carp welded to your spot like salt will (when they need it). You don’t need a lot. Like most things in carp fishing bait, little & often is by far the best way to apply it. Add it to particles, coat your boiled baits in it. Whatever way you chose to get it onto your spot, from the moment that they spawn nothing will keep carp in an area like sodium will. When I fished on Roach Pit, some of the most famous UK anglers could never understand why the lakes stock would continually show on my chosen area long after I was not there. Days after all the bait was gone (visible from the boat). Salt in the bottom was what was keeping those fish showing like crazy on the spot. They will dig out the bottom to get it when they need it. Putting it in ‘raw’ is simply not the one I always found, even though many favour this way. I like to add it to particles. It leeches out and into the bottom in the surrounding area, and stays there. Salty sweetcorn, salty hemp, salty parti blend, anything. It really does not need to be any fancy salt, any old sodium will do. In a 15kg bucket of drained particle, 500g - 1kg is plenty. Then let it stew for a couple of days. It really helps them, they 100% know it too. You just have to use it at the correct time to get the best from it. Use it wisely and it’s an incredible way of getting the carp to do what you want them to do.
TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #70 23 Feb 2026 at 11.28am  6  Login    Register
A heads up that has not been posted anywhere else online.

FishOn will have Tutti S2, Curry S2 & Fizz S2 tomorrow.
TackleBox will have GPB2-Ming, CF (CarpForum) Whiskey S2 & Tutti S2 tomorrow.
JohnsonRoss will have Fizz S2, Tutti S2 & GPB2 tomorrow.

They will have absolutely loads in both variations/sizes.
TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #69 23 Feb 2026 at 7.15am  3  Login    Register
Jacko from two over night work trips last few days. The top one is one of the most sort after in the lake he only joined in Sep. He's caught it three times now, Twice on Curry S2, once on Fizz S2.

Yesterday he had that lovely scaly underneath. PPPP S2 over Nutcracker this time.







Sam, 37+ Sandhurst GPB1



Forum member Ian, 32+, S2 balanced.

TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #68 20 Feb 2026 at 5.36pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #67
Tony is such a lovely bloke mate.
framey
Posts: 5169
framey
   Old Thread  #67 20 Feb 2026 at 3.31pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #66
I fished his lake a few years ago now before the system changed
I was 1 swim away when his perfect zip linear come out on the lawns.
He came up to see me and said it’s out do you want to see it.

Gutted as I wanted to fish the lawns and because I was staying in one of the lodges could have moved my marker to anywhere free on the lake but I didn’t know lol and he was away fishing.

So near yet so far!!


Top bloke though.
TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #66 20 Feb 2026 at 7.20am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #65
That's Saddleback. That or the DDAP's fish (most likely) will break the British record for real.

Tony has just given his Dinton ticket up last week. Plenty will be happy to move up the list. He only did six nights total in the last few years. Caught some incredible fish though.
framey
Posts: 5169
framey
   Old Thread  #65 19 Feb 2026 at 12.24pm  2  Login    Register
In reply to Post #64
Wow !!
Still a mint fish even if it’s not his own
TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #64 19 Feb 2026 at 12.15pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #62
Quote... Bet the top ones from a place with lodges on it. His own lake

How much would you like to bet?

Top one is one of the most desired carp in the land from Dinton Black Swan. Second one is Triple Row from Dinton White Swan. Third one Woolpack. Forth one Roach Pit.
TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #63 19 Feb 2026 at 12.12pm  4  Login    Register
In reply to Post #61
Quote... Where can I catch the top and bottom ones from please

Top one is Dinton Black Swan. Bottom one is from your area. Same place as this one. Roach Pit. This one is still alive and much bigger (was couple years back). The bottom one in the post you refer to is gone.

framey
Posts: 5169
framey
   Old Thread  #62 19 Feb 2026 at 11.53am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #61
Bet the top ones from a place with lodges on it.
His own lake
0nslow
Posts: 1315
0nslow
   Old Thread  #61 19 Feb 2026 at 10.16am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #60
Where can I catch the top and bottom ones from please
TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #60 19 Feb 2026 at 9.21am  4  Login    Register
Random Thursday shots of a few linear's.







TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #59 18 Feb 2026 at 9.30am  5  Login    Register
Judes dad Carl. First trip of 2026. Biggest of three. ScopexPineapple S2

TCarper
Posts: 4410
   Old Thread  #58 18 Feb 2026 at 7.56am  5  Login    Register
Parky, ounces under 40lb. Alright for Feb. Hacche Moor, og S2.



Dean with a Feb stunner. Fizz S2



Young Jude from Stoke. Well done mate. Tutti S2



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