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PVA Bags
One of my favourite methods
of carp fishing is using PVA bags. It can
be an absolutely deadly method of catching
carp, because it presents a bed of pellets
or whatever particle you choose to use,
with your hookbait in amongst them, being
the only one of its type and size. As it
can be cast a long distance when assembles
correctly, this presentation is something
a carp is not used to in that location,
normally only coming across whole single
or beds of boilies.
The method can take a bit of
practise and effort, but believe me it is
worth it. I have seen anglers, especially
my son Jon, put in an hours effort into
preparing bags, particles and other equipment
before they start fishing, so that they
are ready to use the method for the day,
and then bag up while the rest of the lake
sits and blanks. So is it worth the effort?
Of course it is, and this is how to do it.
Types of PVA bags
You will need some good quality
bags. By this I don't mean expensive. Some
of the more expensive stocking bags I have
found to be completely useless, ripping
and laddering as you cast, if not before,
and spraying your hard prepared particles
all around the lake. I prefer the plastic
bags, as they seem to be more reliable,
and if prepared correctly can be very successful.
You will also need some PVA tape or string,
particles, baiting needle, scissors and
of course your rig. Make sure that everything
is completely dry before you start, not
forgetting your hands and rig. Watch out
for water inside your weight and rig tube.
Filling PVA bags
First fill a bag about a third
full with particles. I keep a cut down plastic
shampoo bottle as a funnel to help with
this job. Remember that the particles must
be dry, and for this reason, trout pellets
are the most popular. Help pellets are also
available and a very good choice. I like
to add broken boilie pieces in with mine
so that the carp find them first and then
spot the larger hook bait amongst them.
Place your rig and hookbait in the bag
Next add your rig and hookbait.
Make sure that the rig cannot become tangled
in the bag. I usually place the weight and
bait at opposite ends of the bag to prevent
this from happening. I have seen anglers
leave the hookbait outside of the bag and
hook it to the corner of the bag at the
end, but I find this causes unnecessary
resistance during casting and often results
in tangles. I also prefer slightly stiffer
rig materials such as Snakeskin as they
are less likely to tangle.
Now add more particles so that
they surround the rig and prevent it from
tangling on itself. Fill the bag so that
there is enough room at the top for tying
it down and sealing it. If you have overfilled
it you won't ever be able to seal it properly
and the result will be your hard work spilling
all over the lake when you try to cast it.
Pack them down fairly tightly, not too hard
or you will split the bag but try to eliminate
gaps.
Securing the PVA bag
Now to package it all up. Twist
the top of the bag around as tightly as
you dare, and tie using PVA string or tape.
I prefer tape as I find it less likely to
slip. Now stick down any excess by licking
it and sticking it back to itself. Careful,
too wet and it will melt the bag. You can
always cut excess flaps off with scissors
if you prefer. Finally, make some holes
in the bag with a baiting needle or similar,
so that it sinks as soon as it hits the
water. For a slower sink onto weed beds,
you can omit this step, as the lead will
cause it to sink anyway, but it can take
a while, especially in cold water as PVA
then takes longer to dissolve. If you are
using light leads, it may float for a long
time in cold weather, I have seen anglers
make perfect floating bait dispensers. Maybe
an idea for floater fishing filled with
some mixer, but not for here.
You should now have an aerodynamic
parcel of particles containing your hookbait,
ready to cast. If packaged correctly, it
will cast a long way combined with the right
tackle, and you are ready to place a bed
of bait right where the carp don't expect
it.
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