CarpForum - Fishing Forum
   [Log-In] or [Register]
BarrowPro
Advertise to thousands of anglers a day!  Click HERE to see how
      Home            Search       Help / FAQs   Rules / Usage 
Who's Online Member List      Articles           Gallery           Weather     
  New Posts: 0
 New Posts  surface fishing
 [Log-In]  [Register]
vossy1
Posts: 8525
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #8 9 May 2026 at 3.12pm  0  Login    Register
I bought a bag of the Parker Baits monster crab flat spot floating pellet, crikey do they pong !
Not used them in earnest yet, but was loose feeding them at 6' to a known 30lb mirror, seemed to float well and it liked them, fingers crossed they'll be good!
Baitman
Posts: 4993
Baitman
   Old Thread  #7 9 May 2026 at 2.13pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #6
I used to do similar, but chum mixers changed many years back.
They would absorb a bit of water and barely float, and almost crumble apart.
Karlos
Posts: 13841
Karlos
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #6 9 May 2026 at 1.53pm  0  Login    Register
About 40 years ago all I ever done was surface fish for Carp. I used to soak my chum mixers the night before, roughly 10 mixers to a 5ml teaspoon (yes, I had time on my hands for counting!)

Into the plastic bag would go the supercook colouring/flavouring (almond was always a winner). Twist bag, shake to evenly spread out water.

Next morning they were all plumped up and ready to go. They do come off the hook easily, but, if you prepared them slighly further in advance you could let them start to dry out a bit.

They then used to go a bit rubbery.

It may be that Vossy's suggestion of a pellet pump would speed that up a bit, never used one.
vossy1
Posts: 8525
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #5 7 May 2026 at 9.09pm  1  Login    Register
Have a look at the match fishing world, Baitech, Dynamite etc make soft floating hookers among others.
Another alternative, buy a pellet pump and experiment making your own.
Another, use something like a mix of bottom and top baits, in my case DNA Crayfish mini hooker with a stick topper of whatever flavour, other bait firms are available.
kells
Posts: 5874
kells
   Old Thread  #4 7 May 2026 at 8.03pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
Baker small meaty chunks are hookable. If your allowed to use them.

But them carp know the difference between a hookbait and a freebie. Dont kn9w how but they do. I've freelined dog biscuits up close and personal for very nieve carp in over stocked mud puddles. But that hookbait is still treated with caution..crazy..
Beyonce
Posts: 1664
   Old Thread  #3 7 May 2026 at 9.11am  0  Login    Register
The crafty catcher floater hookbaits are soft enough to side hook. Seem to be available.
vossy1
Posts: 8525
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #2 7 May 2026 at 7.59am  0  Login    Register
Moved to bait section
badger_1
Posts: 305
badger_1
   Old Thread  #1 7 May 2026 at 3.34am  0  Login    Register
Are any of you still gluing your hookbaits onto a hook or is this a thing of the past now?

Had a really frustrating day yesterday where the fish were in front of me and I just could'nt get one to take my hook bait.

No one seems to have any soft hookable baits in stock anymore and pop ups just seem too buoyant and the fish wont take them. Tried all the imitation dog biscuits going with little success.

Advice would be very much appreciated.
Reading ALL pages
   Proven, Quality Carp Baits from DNA Baits  
Carp Syndicates Croxley Hall Fisheries  
Lake Exclusive France Redwood Lake  

Consent Preferences   Advertising disclosure  
  © Copyright 2002-2026  -  www.CarpForum.co.uk contact : webmaster@carpforum.co.uk