Profile icon for

If you don't yet have an account, why not sign up now for free? It only takes a minute

Create new account
×

Mainline Articles

FREEZER BAIT ENHANCEMENT!
Tutorials

FREEZER BAIT ENHANCEMENT! Posted by

HAVING PROBLEMS KEEPING YOUR BOILIES IN TOP CONDITION ON THE BANK? WELL DAVE LANE HAS THE PERFECT ANSWER!

For most of my fishing, particularly in the warmer months, I like to air dry all my bait before use. This not only extends the life of the bait on the bank, but it firms up nicely for use in throwing sticks. Once dried correctly and then treated with the matching Activator liquid, the bait will last for weeks on the bank or, just as easily, can be frozen and will last for weeks once thawed out but as soon as it goes into the water it will become 'active' and start to break down in the same way as a fresh bait would.

In simple terms, if you look after your bait it will look after you!
In simple terms, if you look after your bait it will look after you!
I like to air-dry my bait before use -  spreading the bait out in single layers on mesh or in cardboard boxes works well!
I like to air-dry my bait before use - spreading the bait out in single layers on mesh or in cardboard boxes works well!

You will need a large flat surface to dry a good quantity of bait as you need them to be a single layer, rather than stacked up and trapping moisture between the baits.

In the past I have used the bed of a trampoline, a quantity of carboard boxes or, more simply the gravel driveway and an old net curtain or similar net mesh. The net mesh can be covered in a layer of bait and the remainder folded over to prevent the birds from stealing your precious boilies - my chickens love a bit of Mainline! I usually like to give a bait at least two days out in the sun and wind, bringing it in at night to prevent moisture.

The Dedicated Activators are the liquid blends used to make the boilies, so it makes sense to use these liquids to rehydrate and enhance the baits
The Dedicated Activators are the liquid blends used to make the boilies, so it makes sense to use these liquids to rehydrate and enhance the baits
Once air-dried, rehydrated and dried again the boilies can stay in a bucket ready for use.
Once air-dried, rehydrated and dried again the boilies can stay in a bucket ready for use.

Once the baits have dried out I simply put a couple of kilos at a time in a large bucket, pour over a healthy glug of the Activator liquid that matches the bait and then, with the lid firmly on, I shake the bucket about to coat the baits equally. I then re-dry them for a few hours to allow the liquid to penetrate the baits. You are now ready to either re-freeze or just store the baits in a bucket ready for use - perfect!

ENHANCE YOUR BOILIES LIKE LANEY!

01 Tip your boilies out into single layers in cardboard boxes or mesh. Never let them defrost in the bag.

Image © Mainline Baits

02 Once the boilies have air-dried over a couple of days put them into a bucket and add some Activator.

Image © Mainline Baits

03 Start with just a little liquid and give the bucket a good shake to give all the baits an even coating.

Image © Mainline Baits

04 Dry the baits again for a couple of hours then either refreeze or leave in the bucket ready to use!

Image © Mainline Baits

DIP YOUR DUMBELLS!

For hookbaits I am a great fan of the new Balanced Wafter range, either in a dedicated match for my main bait or a brightly coloured attractor over the top. I vary between these round baits and the Dumbell Hookers depending on where I am fishing, I find the Dumbell Hookers are great for tricky fish on day ticket waters etc. Once again, I will boost the attraction and harden the baits by either dunking them in an a Dedicated Hookbait Enhancement System or Activator or, more often than not, I add a small amount to the pot and soak them this way.

Image © Mainline Baits
Image © Mainline Baits

Share this article

0 Cart icon