The 'not so simple', simple PVA bag rig

Whilst sat by my private pool in Thailand casually flicking through the pages of CARPology, I was forced to inadvertently spit out my cocktail when I came across the words “a PVA bag man is nothing more than a one trick pony and plus, how mind-numbingly boring must that sort of angling be?” I have been an out and out solid bag angler for over 10 years and therefore felt compelled to put pen to paper and submit this piece.

I will change my tactics if required, but I can honestly not find a better way of getting a bite regardless of conditions, all year round. Many think of it as a small fish tactic but I have caught numerous large carp to just under 40lb fishing this way. In fact, of all the fish over 30lb I have caught in the last three seasons all but four have fallen to solid PVA bag tactics. It has served me well in the competitive match fishing I do and by using the method outlined in this piece I made it to last year's BCAC final at RK Leisure’s Wraysbury.

The proof

Fishing with solid PVA bags can involve so much more than a handful of pellet and a pineapple pop-up. The way in which I tie my bags differs greatly from the majority. My changes have come from many years of trial and error, tank testing and most importantly, watching fish close in the edge and how they react.

Tank testing

There are several key reasons why I use solid bags. I like to utilise lots of natural powders and liquids in my fishing and a solid PVA bag is the only way of ensuring they all reach the lakebed in the immediate vicinity of my hookbait. Secondly, the way I tie and fish the bag ensures total rig concealment. The lead, hooklength and hook are totally covered by the bag’s contents.

Finally, as with any solid bag they can be cast virtually anywhere and deliver sufficient presentation. My first ever 30lb carp came from the top of an 8ft weedbed in 12ft of water!

The versatility of the method means they can be fished over heavily baited areas, cast at showing fish, dropped in the edge, the list is endless.

In practice

The effectiveness of this method relies heavily on the mix I use. It focuses on natural ingredients rather than chemical or synthetic flavours and for this reason the majority of the ingredients come from CC Moore. I prefer to fish them over a bit of bait, and again continuing with the natural theme my preference is the Hemp & Snails mix from CarpParticles. This hemp is cooked in rainwater therefore avoiding any chlorides, fluorides etc. that may be in our tap water and has water snail, oyster shell and a few others bits added. This gives the mix a lovely salty, crunchy texture that draws carp down and keeps them rooting around.

Some of the key ingredients which get included in my bag mix

The rig I use is three- to four-inches of supple braid tied to a size 8 long shank hook with a small amount of shrink tube on the eye. The Hair has a small match hook tied to it and is held in place by two pieces of silicone tubing on the shank. I use a small matchman’s punch to create small dumbbells from 12mm pop-ups which are counter-balanced by a No.6 shot on the Hair, my favourite is the white Northern Specials, especially if fishing in the edge or shallow water under 4ft. Finally, a couple of live red maggots are placed onto the small match hook and it is pulled into the top of the hookbait. When the bag dissolves the hook will remain totally covered and flat whilst the hookbait will push through and sit on top of the bag’s contents.

Not such a small fish tactic

The first step, and the most obvious difference to ‘normal’ solid bag fishing is to cut the bag halfway down its length, this will leave two tag ends that will be used to tie off the bag later.

The first inch of bait that goes into the bag is a combination of Fish Frenzy XP Instant Spod Mix and Frozen Water Snails. This Instant Spod Mix includes crushed hemp, salt, crushed pellet and a number of other powders. The snails add a crunch factor as well as a salty taste. Once this is mixed, it receives a heavy glug of bloodworm liquid. This is a highly attractive liquid but also dampens the spod mix and prevents it from floating to the surface once the bag melts. This mix goes in first as it is the most attractive and focuses the fish on the hookbait, it also makes the bag malleable and easier to fold the corners in once complete, ensuring the bag is aerodynamic and casts well.

Bag tied, now to drop it under an overhanging bush

Next is a handful of mixed 2 and 3mm pellet mixed heavily with salmon fry crumb. This is also an essential part of the method. These tiny particles gets into the very bottom you are presenting over. If gravel, it gets between the stones and in silt it works its way into the top layer. This constantly stimulates the carp’s appetite sensors even if the contents of the bag have been dispersed. This means they are continually searching for food with only the hookbait available.

Dropping it into position…

The next step is another of the major differences between my method and that of others. I use a long stick needle to pull the hooklength through the bag and attach it to the lead, exactly like a mesh Stick. This presents the hook slightly differently than placing it inside the bag and has resulted in better hook holds.

Watching and waiting…

Continuing with the natural theme, a pinch of red maggot is added and then a further handful of the pellet/salmon fry crumb. The lead is centralised before the final major difference in my bags. Rather than use PVA tape to seal the bag, I use the two tag ends and tie two Overhand Knots, constantly moulding and shaping the bag to make it as tight as possible. The corners are then folded and stuck back onto the bag to improve its shape. Any excess is cut off but not thrown away. A small amount is placed over the hook on the base of the bag to ensure the Hair remains aligned as I wish and the silicone tube is not moved upon impact with the water. The bag is now complete. It is not pierced as this could cause premature melting in deeper water.

Another brute taken on the method outlined

During today’s session I have been using a small baiting scoop to present the bag under the marginal branches as well as fishing to an open water spot. I have been cupping in a mixture of the same pellet mix as in the bags as well as some additional red maggots followed by a couple of scoops of the Hemp & Snails mix. By staying quiet and keeping back from the edge the takes have been almost instant and I have managed to catch four beautiful carp all over 20lb with the biggest going over 27lb.

PVA bag fishing may be a one trick pony, but that pony has Grand National pedigree!

As you can see, there are several major differences with my solid PVA bag rig that hopefully make them just that little bit more efficient than others. PVA bag fishing may be a one trick pony, but that pony has Grand National pedigree!

How to create Stuart's hookbait presentation

And now how to tie a bag with a difference

1. First off, cut a couple of inches down the centre of your PVA bag like so.

2. The first inch of bait that goes into the bag is a mix of spod mix and snails.

3. Next is a handful of mixed 2 and 3mm pellet, plus some salmon fry crumb.

4. Now take a long Stick needle and pass it directly through the bag like so.

5. Attach your hooklength and pull it through like you do with a mesh Stick.

6. Pull the hook into the bag, making sure you don’t cover the point with anything.

7. Using a quick-link, attach your hooklink to your lead system as Stuart has here.

8. Place the lead into the bag, on the opposite side to where your hookbait is.

9. Continuing with the natural theme, a pinch of red maggot is then added.

10. Along with a further handful of the pellet/salmon fry crumb mix.

11. Rather than use tape, Stuart uses the two tag ends and ties two Overhand Knots.

12. The corners are then folded and stuck back onto the bag to improve its shape.

13. Any excess is cut off but not thrown away – as these can be used for Point 14…

14. A small amount is placed over the hook to ensure the Hair remains aligned.

15. The finished bag: perfectly tied and all placed inside for optimum presentation.