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Try attaching the PVA bag to the lead, basically moulding it around it, leaving the hooklink outside and nicking the hookpoint through the corner in and out. It stops or slows the lead sinking deeply into silt as well. I do frequently test my PVA after the issue with the Nash PVA bags that didn't dissolve in the washing machine. Brands change suppliers, or I can't get hold of a brand so at least one bag from every batch I buy is tested. I do the same with mesh for the same reason although Gardner mesh is consistent.

Hello, Has anyone had any success using size 2 Korda wide gapes on a Ronnie/Spinner rig? My 14mm pop ups have no issues holding up. It looks deadly to me, is this a bit over the top? Thanks

After reading all the feedback, I think i'll just fish singles if I got to used barbed hooks. Thanks

For what it's worth, pva bags in colder weather probably not a good idea, also the preping them up with anything with oil in them does stop the breakdown. Just an alternative idea for winter, why not try the old idea of pva stringers? I used to do the 3 bait stringer thing many years ago, it actually did work back then but too old now to get on bank before next spring 😂

I've had this before. Absolute nightmare. I tend to avoid PVA completely as we head towards winter.

My summer bags have been in the bucket with spare mix for a couple of months, they are damp from liquids. Still melting after about 30 seconds to a minute, I know this from poor casts obvs. The winter mix for the November ticket is winter pellet and Live System crumb with corn steep liquor. Prob gonna have to make them fresh just to be sure. I've also had the nuggets still on in the morning so they were a bit old but it was December.

That is the reason I nearly always make mine fresh just before casting. I do use a mix of pellets for bagging and meshing; halibut, CSL, bloodworm, koi/coarse and GLM in various sizes. Note, the Crafty Catcher bloodworm and GLM seem to be oversprayed. I managed to leave some Nash bags in my trouser pocket once, I was quite surprised that they were still undissolved after an hours 40⁰ wash. The plastic bag they were in had allowed water in, but the bags themselves were still almost intact.

My funnel webs are pretty round like golf balls and I piece through the sides so I'm not going anywhere near the 2 knots, works well

I've reeled in my rigs in the morning and the funnel web bag was fully intact, complete waste of a nights fishing lol Then it was winter and the bags had absorbed oil from halibut pellets doh 🤦‍♂️

Tnank Thanks for the heads up, i'll give that a try.

I use both PVA bags and meshes of boilies and 'bits', and I hate blobs of PVA on the hook. When I use bags, I push the hookpoint out of the bag in the corner so it doesn't catch on the contents. With mesh I often don't knot the end and use the hookpoint to close it and have noticed I don't get a blob of PVA as it was the knot that took longer to dissolve.

Is it the GLM content then more than the fishmeal?

Bought a camping gas refill cylinder yesterday for cooking my particles - I'm banned from doing it in the kitchen because of the smell and an accident many years ago where the pressure valve on my pressure cooker came adrift and I managed to "paint" the ceiling! I haven't bought one for a few years but thought I paid about £35 last time, this time it was over £45. I put it down to the "Trump tax!" The price of diesel is going to have a massive impact on all prices and they are only going one way.

Thanks for the tip, It probably doesn't matter either way like you said.

Still £337.50 over at Trent Baits.

My bait company has put the price of my fishmeal and GLM bait up from £337.50 per 50k to £412.50, only that bait has gone up in price. Was a bit shocked to say the least 👀 Anyone else seen companies doing this?

I don't think it matters, but it also winds me up. I don't use bags a lot but when I do I protect the hook between a couple of little bits of corn starch packing peanuts (what most people call PVA nuggets). The corn starch is released more easily than PVA, and tends to keep the hook/barb free of debris. It also protects the hook point from penetrating the bait(s) in the bag.

Hi, I'm using small PVA mesh bags of boilie only, (2 x 15mm and 6 x 12mm baits ) with a match the hatch pop up on a Ronnie rig, barbless hook with a supple hook link on a lead clip. When using barbed hooks, does it matter if you have PVA residue on your hook where the barb is? I've tested the rig several times in a pan of water and most times there's a large visible amount of residue stuck on the underside of the barb that rarely completely melts. If I use barbless hooks the residue always slides off past the hook point. I'd rather use barbed if possible. Thanks

No worries mate, I was referring to the syndi on the naturals 👍 Bluebell is just bags of crumb and pellet with halibut pellet wafter hookbaits.

Maggots not allowed at Bluebell mate so keep them hidden if you do 😉

Well I actually went back Tues to Thursday armed with particles including tigers, same swim, not a touch. Could see fish in the swim opposite, two anglers went in and both failed, watching them I figured I was pretty close and went long after them but same result. Was kicking myself for not getting maggots instead of the particle choice as they are clearly on naturals in the areas still containing surface weed or where that had recently cleared. Found 3 fish on the back of the wind on the 2nd afternoon and said to myself I'll move down here if no action for the 2nd night, with one being a good sized common, but the following day no fish in that area so a move turned into a go home early. Social at Bluebell this week but then back to the syndi end of Oct armed with maggots, worms and/or casters. Always disappointing to blank but have to remind myself it's 2 fish per acre at best so never easy.

As said before mate, good luck with the business. However, there are so many well established people offering this sort of thing, and as you are probably aware a few commercial fisheries do it too. Trouble is now there is sooo much stuff on line for 'how to do it', suspect carp fishing is probably the most available now? Additionally, there are very few options for parents who are seeking one-on-one lessons for their children. Actually the Angling Trust has been running this scheme for a long time: https://anglingtrust.net/getfishing/ And many angling clubs have a similar thing for children too. On a serious note, and not my concern and obvioulsy up to the mods on here, but didn't think advertising a commercial company is a good idea on forums? Guessing that is why your post was removed from another forum?

Thank you for the replies, gents. I've been running Next Level Angling for around eighteen months, and there is plenty of demand for angling tuition services; hence why I'm seeking additional tutors to fulfil the demand. The price of our services reflect their bespoke nature - the day, location and targets tailored to the client. We intentionally target more discerning clients who are looking for this kind of service. Additionally, there are very few options for parents who are seeking one-on-one lessons for their children. Thanks, James

Supply and demand guys. If people are willing to pay it, fair play to the chap.

Not being funny, but I don't think that it is worth the effort. Various anglers have been offering this type of guidance for years. As someone who has given talks and tuitions for pike fishing, and taken mates on one-on-one pike trips specifically and for other species, I know how tough it is. That's a joke right? Sorry not many people can afford that, and I would not charge that. One on one myself, my expertise, or my location is worth no more than £150 a day.