by Carl Bullock

TIP 1 – FOAM INSERTS

Try using a small cork or foam insert in your hookbait so that it sinks slowly, then lengthen the hooklink by 3-4 inches. This allows the hookbait to fly further back into the fish’s mouth giving the hook more of a chance to catch hold. This also helps if you are having trouble losing fish through hook pulls.

An excellent method when fishing over light weed or chod, as well as tricking some of the older wiser carp.

TIP 2 – MINI STICK

Try placing a tiny stick mix over the hook to avoid tangles when using braid. Ensure that there are no large lumps like boillie chops that might mask the hook point. Not only does it have the added bonus of hiding the hook, it can also draw the fish into the hookbait too.

TIP 3 – TIP WITH CORN

Tipping a large bait with plastic corn can work wonders on waters that are also used by match anglers or waters where corn is used a lot. Not only does it make it more visible, they are used to eating it. And by using a large bait the nuisance fish tend to leave it alone (well most of the time anyway!)

 TIP 4 – SMALL HOOKBAIT

Try using small hookbaits like one or two 10mm baits amongst some large freebies on tricky waters that are used to seeing lots of large baits. They are less likely to treat smaller baits with caution.

TIP 6 – BACK TO BACK

When fishing over chops and crumb break a bait in half and fish it back to back on the hair – it will look more like the freebies that they are feeding on. And by using a slightly longer hair it will behave more like a freebie on the bottom.

TIP 7 – SKINNING THE BAIT

Trimming the sides of your hookbait will allow better flavour leak off, an excellent advantage in the winter months or when fishing single hookbaits. It will also give the bait an unusual shape which can trick wary carp.

TIP 8 – YEAST DIP

If your struggling for a bite in the warmer months dipping your hookbait in yeast extract will give off an excellent attraction in the water, carp just love it. I’ve often had takes within minutes of a re-cast after doing this turning a potential blank into good day.

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