I have experimented widely with the Sonubaits Pro Expanders and this is what I have found to keep them tough enough to withstand a cast. I use mostly the 8mm ones for carp in a small pond, but I will have 6mm by me and if I fish for roach etc. it will be just 6mm and 4mm. I have some small round airtight food pots that I use. I put in them a layer and a half of pellets, enough for hookbaits for a session, but add more for loose feed if you want. I then give them a good squirt of flavouring, something with glycerine in that help toughen them. Anything will do, Bait Booster by Sonubaits and you don't need much, a tablespoon or so at most. I then cover them with the same amount of water so it's about ¼" or just over above the pellets. Don't drown them, that just weakens the flavouring and ruins them. Then I put the lid on and shake them gently and keep doing that every 10 mins or so. After 2 hours (8mm) I tip the remaining water out, there's not much left, but don't drain them completely, leave a little in there and the pellets will soak the rest up. Leave overnight and in the morning they are perfect and will withstand not only multiple casts, but even false bites from nuisance fish. I say 2 hours for 8mm, but only 1½hours max for the 6mm, and only 1¼hours max for the 4mm. Experiment with the times though and see what suits you. BTW, Mark is a great angler and an old friend! Brilliant advice!
Thanks Mark for another good video. I’ll be experimenting with hemp and tares on the Thames this season starting Sunday. Bought ‘The Rising Antenna’ book on your recommendation - what a good read.
I've done a few videos on hemp and tares fishing. Re The Rising Antenna, it's a super book; now eagerly awaiting Jim's new book about top-and-bottom floats.
I always enjoy your videos. As well as I loved your books (Big Roach 1, 2 and Practical Barbel Fishing). Lots of useful information, no nonsense.... Any chance you could do a video about making a balsa trotter float?
Making a balsa float is easier than a stick float - see my video on this - but instead of a balanced stem just use a 3cm piece of 3mm cane at the base. Use fairly hard balsa as soft balsa is too delicate. Although I used balsa floats (and Pacemakers) a great deal in the 70s and 80s, since the I've generally used Avon type floats or stick floats. Mostly the balsa floats I used were commercially-made floats by Ultra, Dennan and Ivan Marks.
@@MarkWintleFishing Thanks for the reply. I saw the stick float video and will try the method for balsa making. I also used the drennan balsas and liked them. Unfortunately they got discontinued. The only other commercially available balsa float I know of is the premier floats trotter. I have not tried those but the tips on them look a little too thick to me.
The Stour is very low for the time of year, as are many other rivers, and I have yet to get going on my river fishing, just a short trip to wet a line for a few little 'uns. The fishing should improve in July with luck.
I have experimented widely with the Sonubaits Pro Expanders and this is what I have found to keep them tough enough to withstand a cast.
I use mostly the 8mm ones for carp in a small pond, but I will have 6mm by me and if I fish for roach etc. it will be just 6mm and 4mm.
I have some small round airtight food pots that I use. I put in them a layer and a half of pellets, enough for hookbaits for a session, but add more for loose feed if you want. I then give them a good squirt of flavouring, something with glycerine in that help toughen them. Anything will do, Bait Booster by Sonubaits and you don't need much, a tablespoon or so at most.
I then cover them with the same amount of water so it's about ¼" or just over above the pellets. Don't drown them, that just weakens the flavouring and ruins them. Then I put the lid on and shake them gently and keep doing that every 10 mins or so. After 2 hours (8mm) I tip the remaining water out, there's not much left, but don't drain them completely, leave a little in there and the pellets will soak the rest up. Leave overnight and in the morning they are perfect and will withstand not only multiple casts, but even false bites from nuisance fish.
I say 2 hours for 8mm, but only 1½hours max for the 6mm, and only 1¼hours max for the 4mm. Experiment with the times though and see what suits you.
BTW, Mark is a great angler and an old friend! Brilliant advice!
Thanks Mark for another good video. I’ll be experimenting with hemp and tares on the Thames this season starting Sunday. Bought ‘The Rising Antenna’ book on your recommendation - what a good read.
I've done a few videos on hemp and tares fishing. Re The Rising Antenna, it's a super book; now eagerly awaiting Jim's new book about top-and-bottom floats.
I also bought and read rising antenna... Good read. Unsure when the sequel on stick float fushingbis due? Any ideas?
It's currently in the design stage with the publisher; I'm as eager as you!
Another great video, Mark. Much food for thought. I just have to work out how to get the method working in 11 feet of water with a bit of tow!
I always enjoy your videos. As well as I loved your books (Big Roach 1, 2 and Practical Barbel Fishing). Lots of useful information, no nonsense.... Any chance you could do a video about making a balsa trotter float?
Making a balsa float is easier than a stick float - see my video on this - but instead of a balanced stem just use a 3cm piece of 3mm cane at the base. Use fairly hard balsa as soft balsa is too delicate. Although I used balsa floats (and Pacemakers) a great deal in the 70s and 80s, since the I've generally used Avon type floats or stick floats. Mostly the balsa floats I used were commercially-made floats by Ultra, Dennan and Ivan Marks.
@@MarkWintleFishing Thanks for the reply. I saw the stick float video and will try the method for balsa making. I also used the drennan balsas and liked them. Unfortunately they got discontinued. The only other commercially available balsa float I know of is the premier floats trotter. I have not tried those but the tips on them look a little too thick to me.
It's a shame more anglers don't read old fishing books; there's always something to be learned from the best of them.
I checked out Frank Murgett's book. I paid just £4 for my copy but it seems the few on offer are upwards of £60.
are you on the Avon at this time of the year. Sturminster looked look when i drove past there last night
The Stour is very low for the time of year, as are many other rivers, and I have yet to get going on my river fishing, just a short trip to wet a line for a few little 'uns. The fishing should improve in July with luck.
@@MarkWintleFishing I fly fished below Julians Bridge last week. 25 canoeists and paddleboarers whom I could reach out and touch