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Backing up what Ian said: I used a custom recipe from Premier for years based on Aminos base mix and caught on it from the off, I also made the same bait but forgot the flavours and caught well from the off - better actually. Now I use their standard recipes, because guess what they know what they are doing and I don't - and again catching from the off - never any doubts - now using Matrix Plus as well as Aminos T&G, both banging! There are also lots of other companies that I would trust, just choose a decent company and then stick with it - no worries.

I totally agree with you tbh, st Ives in hindsight was far too big for me to get my head around this year, on the Club lake I caught well on any bait I tried, and when I got it right on Vermuyden it went OK too, this year isn't such a steep learning curve for me, it's more a natural progression from where I left off, all those years ago but with the added bonus of this year's learning, I hope I fried my brain enough last year to make this year work out better, there are positives to be taken, I just think I needed to work through the phooey to get to a place I am confident in what I do, my rigs work when I apply the thinking correctly, a couple of bites will give me the confidence in the bait, it's now down to me and my application of it tbh I can still remember a few spots I caught off so I am not going in blind as it were It's going to be fine this year can't wait to get cracking 👍 Cheers again

You're completely over-thinking it mate. Bait is rarely the difference between catching and not imo. Premier has been catching since the dawn of time. You don't need a unique bait - especially in your situation where you're struggling for confidence. Just buy a load of Matrix or Aminos w. Peach and BP and know that if you put it in the right place you'll catch carp.

Dont get to preoccupied with bait ,choose a recognised quality bait and go with it , If your happy with your rigs and choice of swim, then as I have said on here before ,the only reason I dont catch is if the fish are not their or they are not feeding , I use Hybrid no better no worse than any I have used in the past , I just get it for a good price.

I'm taking notice and going with a fishmeal,😁 but i do like the sound of Shropshire gold tbh,and there is the option of a winterised version it's a natural food bait, natural in colour and apparently it works quite quickly and will appear washed out due to its colour and with no added flavour, some of those factors may help me get the fish feeding quicker which suits my shorter sessions, it suits the bank balance a bit better too free postage and a little cheaper, it does seem to catch fish from the reports I read, apparently it smells like fish food, I haven't read anything negative about retro baits and I have trawled the web looking for it, and I know a couple of people on here have used it and given positive reviews about them so hopefully it's the one for me, I would like to put this chapter to bed tbh, I want to move on from worrying about these things and just knowing I can reach into the freezer and pull out a bag of bait that works is all I need, Thanks all for your input and thanks for getting me back on track 🙏🙏👍

Personally, I’d stick with a Fishmeal based bait as others have recommended. Premier, ABS, Rollinbaits, Trent baits, DNA etc will all catch you loads👍 I think we’re all guilty of overthinking it at times-paralysis by analysis. Trouble at this time of year is that results can be patchy at best and confidence comes from getting action. Don’t beat yourself up before you start.

Good on you, stick with it and I'm sure the results will come for you. As harsh as it may sound but if you're not catching, then look at what you're doing before thinking it's the bait. Tight lines

I've been dealing with tony for about 20yrs now. In those 20yrs I used the matrix RR with matrix flavour for 5 yrs ( only changed because a few anglers found out what I was on) having brilliant results. I've dabbled with his other baits , mainly when fishing on different waters throughout the close season etc and always caught on them. Though one season I used the pro fruit and was top rod for that year on my lake. . I've done really well on his randoms, all his bait is good so I was confident using a mixed bag. Then for 12- 15yrs myself and a few mates have been on the same bait, a custom rolled bait on the superaminos base mix. Sticking to a bait is paramount and I'm afraid as yonny has said it's not the bait that isn't catching but the angler. I've been there, blaming my bait for not catching until someone said its not the bait but me. That person was right, went back to basics and not overthinking and bang started catching again. If you don't want catfish etc then a fishmeal may not be the best bait, but his pro fruit is very good as is his winter blend. I've used both to very good affect.

Yes. A proven one. The Prem has been catching carp for literally 30 years mate. Just grab some Matrix or Aminos and be done with it!

fishmeal fishmeal fishmeal , did I say fishmeal LOL , I'm biased as I use retro but plenty of good fishmeal baits out there .

If you want to achieve consistent results then stick to boilies. If you wish to clear spots in weed etc then yes go for pellets and particles, but for targeting carp then boilies is the way. I read in one of your replies here that you're buying a cover all permit. If you enjoy going from lake to lake etc catching anything (carp, tench, bream) then the approach you mentioned will work. Though if you are after carp and want consistency then stick to one lake and apply a bait, this is the long term will give you the best results. I once had a ticket which covered me for 4 lakes, fried my head as I kept flitting between two of them, never really getting anything going. But at the end of the day if you enjoy tinkering with one rod etc, moving from lake to lake then go and enjoy and good luck.

I've been on a different water the last 3 weeks and nothing has been coming out , but up untill 3 weeks ago I was doing well on Shropshire gold soaked in Hydro squid using a scent from hell pop up . Not bothered with the winterised one . The Retro shelf life are good just a little firmer I always try and keep some shelfies in my bag or car just in case I forget me bait (what wally would do that :)). Nick (retro) is doing the snail pop ups in 14mm now as well you just need to ask him .

Rigs are sorted now I think as for hooks I've decided trig hammers for most types I need only the HSR needs a chod type hook but I think i can use a few and they will all work, main point being as long as they are sharp, they will work, I just think I need to commit to a bait now and some killer hookbaits and I am pretty sorted, 😁

Defo over thinking it ,strip back go through your gear get rid of all the hooks and other bit s you keep buying , make half a dozen rigs then make them as you need them on the bank . Keep things basic and get out there on a regular basis . Pick one good fishmeal and stick with it , there is no magic bait or liquid attractant . Remember its only carp .

No mate. Straight into the willow. Luckily no rig, just the lead. I was hitting one of the lodges with my throwing stick though.

3 times, as he done it with both rods, then rewrapped one again before he twigged I think!! 😂

A mate I fish with counts his wraps back & forth is 1 wrap , we always have to check which one we are talking about when chatting about spots lol . Nige , years ago on a c.com social moved Andy's sticks a bit wider ..... very puzzled look as his sent his rig into the island 😂 Did you hit a caravan muft ? 👀

Just before Xmas I went up to my dads caravan at carlton meres. Got talking to his mate who fishes the lake regularly and he told me there was a nice spot a couple of rod lengths off the big willow on the far magin. 14.5 wraps he said. I had a proper blond moment and somehow told myself that back and forth was one wrap. You can imagine what happened when I cast out 😮

eBay do sheets of Carp, Slogans,...etc quite cheap too