Mega Magma!
From single hookbaits to heavily baited traps, Oli Davies has a bait edge to boost your catch-rate
Autumn is the time when the carp feed-up before the cold of winter arrives, and after the abundance of natural food begins to wane they are usually up for a few boilies! Although fishing one straight out of the bag on the Hair will bring success, there are times when you are fishing over a bed of boilies that boosting your hookbait to increase its attractiveness over the freebies is a real edge - one that will bring you more and quicker bites.
Rather than over flavouring the hookbait I prefer to use something with more of a food signal. One hookbait enhancement system that is well worth a go is the two-part Magma Glug from Nash. It consists of a thick, viscous liquid attractant and a second powder element. The idea is that you dip your bait in the liquid, then coat with the powder. As the soluble liquid gradually disperses leaking scent and feeding triggers around the hookbait, the powdered part is also released leaving tiny particles to waft and dissolve. Because the liquid is highly soluble, this is also suitable for use through the colder months, where oil based dips and glugs become far less effective at releasing their attraction.
There are several different combinations available, but for boilie fishing I favour the Squid liquid and Betaine Powder. Squid is a proven fish magnet, and the dark squid liquid has a subtle aroma that screams fish without being overpowering. The accompanying Betaine powder has no aroma, but the betaine within is a powerful feeding stimulant that can provoke a vigorous response from the fish. To maximise the effectiveness of the glug, the process of dipping and rolling can be repeated several times to build-up layers that take longer to dissipate and release more attraction. The food signal given off by the squid liquid in combination with the feeding stimulant properties of the betaine are a potent combination. Try it for single hookbait fishing too…
Dip, roll, catch!
1 Separate the two sections of the tub and coat the hookbait in the Magma liquid first.
2 Place the glugged hookbait straight into the Magma powder and roll it around next.
3 You can repeat several times to boost the attraction but not over-flavour the hookbait.