Catch Reports
Back with a bang!
Posted in Catch Reports on 31st July 2009After a short break from the big carp scene following his capture of the Black Mirror, Essential bait boss Mike Willmott wasted no time getting back into the swing of things by banking his latest target fish in the shape of this immaculate 37lb 3oz mirror (above right) from a very tricky undisclosed venue. Such was the carp’s confidence in the bait, when he went to remove the hook, he found it was lodged over 10” back and had to borrow a pair of 12” pike forceps to remove it!!
A number of other good fish have fallen to Mike and Lee following a pre-baiting campaign at the low stocked water, with the latest being a lovely dark chestnut coloured mirror that Mike believes is one of the best looking carp he’s ever seen!
Unfortunately on a sad note, the otters seem to be catching just as many carp from the venue as they are and having had first hand experience of otters on their own lake as well as Ashlea Pool, Mike believes it’s only a matter of time before these fish are wiped out.
Footnote: Mike has recently started a new mini series of articles in Carpworld for anyone interested and part one appears in the July issue.
Powdered Additives and Extracts
Long time Essential Baits consultant Rick Golder with a stunning '48' from a mega difficult venue. Rick knows the importance of a good food bait combined with the correct ingredients to trigger a feeding response. His results prove this year after year.
The inclusion of powdered additives and extracts within a boilie recipe will undoubtedly make a massive difference in terms of attraction and palatability. Used at the correct inclusion levels, they will trigger a feeding response and lead to prolonged feeding. They can also be hugely beneficial at repelling nasty sediment odours from 'tainting' the bait. The FF6 found within the B5 is a classic example of this and will always make sure your baits smell 'sweet', even when fishing amongst horrible black silt.
Many of these products are used extensively within the aquaculture industry to promote feeding, so it goes to show that these ingredients will play a huge part within the inclusion of a successful bait recipe, both short and long term.
Top tip
Betaine is an excellent ingredient for triggering the carp's receptors. If you want an 'instant' feeding response for short session fishing, just pour 20ml Boilie Glug or Liquid Food over 1 kilo of boilies and sprinkle one level tsp of betaine over the top before shaking vigourously.
