6 improvements to make your December one to remember
Try these simple tricks to increase your catch-rate this month
Use black
Try tipping your baits with a colour that is less conventional, like black. This works very well, especially when using a small black PVA Stick bag. Try a trimmed Avid Carp Black Barrel ZIG-LITE or a piece of black imitation sweetcorn.
Keep your points sharp
Sharp hooks are vitally important. Coating the tip with Vaseline before casting out will shield the sticky sharp point and prevent blunting from gravel, abrasive weed and corrosive attack. As an added bonus, tank tests have shown that carp find Vaseline extremely attractive!
Give it a soak
Before re-spooling your reels with new line, always soak the new line in water overnight and then wind the line onto the reels whilst the bulk spool is still submerged in the water. Nylon monofilament is hydroscopic (absorbs water) so soaking overnight really softens it and helps it bed down nice and smoothly onto the reel spool.
Don't waste it
When you soak and boil your particles, save the liquid that’s left – and for long-term storage, freeze it in a coke bottle. When it comes to fishing, 24hrs before you set off, pour your boiled hemp or particle liquid all over your boilies and allow them to soak.
Soak your leadcore
Before casting, leave your leadcore leader resting in the margins for five minutes. This ensures that the water penetrates all of the fibres and removes any air pockets in the material before it goes on your spot.
Made up in advanced
Most anglers make their PVA Stick bags up on the bank to order, but the trouble with this is that if you are using natural products they can go off so you end up wasting a lot of bait. It’s easier and more economical to make a batch of various sizes ‘Sticks’ up and then freeze them, taking out enough for a session. Both ESP and Korda meshes are fine for this method.