How to keep your bait fresh
Here are a few simple tips to keep everything in pristine condition
STAGE 1
The first key point to keeping boilies in tiptop condition is a good cool bag or box. The best cool bag we’ve used is the Nash Tackle’s Cool Bag but if you’d prefer a box, go for one produced by Coleman which are available in various sizes.
STAGE 2
The next job is to keep the bag or box and its contents cold. Instead of using small ice blocks, simply fill up large 2lt bottles with water (or orange juice so you have a nice drink when it’s melted!) and freeze.
STAGE 3
When you pack your bait, keep everything as tight as possible, with the bait itself packed into one-pound bags and ensure you get all the air out. It’s also worth putting a piece of foam at the base of your bag/box, then the bait, then the frozen water bottles. When you take a bag of bait out, make sure you keep the lid closed.
STAGE 4
Instead of taking out large quantities, remove just enough and hang it in a good air-dry bag such as those sold by Gardner or Nash, keeping the rest in the bag/box in the shade.
STAGE 5
One other thing you can do, predominantly with fishmeal-based boilies, is to give them a good covering in fish protein extract (Sticky Baits L030 is a good option). This keeps them fresh, makes them highly attractive, hardens the baits over time, and is a good edge, unless it’s been hammered on your lake.
- To ensure your bait stays frozen and fresh for as long as possible, use old 2lt drinking bottles. Once they’ve thawed, you can then drink the liquid inside!
- When packing your bait, keep everything as tight as possible, with the bait itself packed into one-pound bags as this ensures there’s less air between the baits.
- To ensure your bait bag/cooler box remains cold for the duration of your stay on the bank, put down a base layer of foam. This will help retain the cold temperature.
