Which alternative hookbait colour?

[elmoputney]

Which colour alternative hookbait is going to save a blank? 

Match the hatch doesn't count. 

[yonny]

Voted pink, but tbh I couldn't choose one. Pink is a great starting point, but white can be lethal over bait. I've also done well on red when the going gets tough. I think, like rigs, it's all about confidence.

[salokcinnodrog]

1 hour ago, elmoputney said:

Which colour alternative hookbait is going to save a blank? 

Match the hatch doesn't count. 

If I had to, I'd say pink. I got my garlic spice made up in pink, and I also have my food bait in natural colour and pink.

 

Strangely the one colour I've rarely done well on is yellow!

 

[elmoputney]

1 hour ago, yonny said:

Voted pink, but tbh I couldn't choose one. Pink is a great starting point, but white can be lethal over bait. I've also done well on red when the going gets tough. I think, like rigs, it's all about confidence.

Yeah definately about confidence, my usual starting point is washed out pink, then white. Then If it's really not going well a yellow tutti lol 

 

[emmcee]

I used predominantly yellow pop ups in probably 75% of all my fishing so if I was going to catch then chances are it would be on a yellow so it maintained my confidence in that colour. I would also change the shade of  yellow throughout the year , always starting with sweetcorn yellow in spring and towards autumn it would be washed out yellow with half the flavour levels . Plus I predominantly fished weedy waters and yellow seemed to be the one on all those waters.

In winter and into early spring I'd often switch to orange , white or match the hatch as the yellows wouldn't be as effective in winter for some reason. My mate seemed to think their eyesight was affected in the colder months and his go to was white so I tried it and caught a few so like anything if catch on something a few times it gives you confidence and that's a big part of fishing.  That and being on the fish in the first place. 

[framey]

Depends on time of the year 

water clarity has to have something to do with it 

if it’s muddy puddle then you could use any colour as they will mainly rely on smell 

even muddy puddles will have a time where the clarity will be good enough for colour to make a difference though

 

Edited September 26, 2024 by framey

[elmoputney]

Looks like white and yellow are. Most popular get your votes in it closes tonight? 

[barry211]

went for pink as it seems to work well where i fish, as others have said though i think season plays a part in that as white does work well in winter for me

[jules007]

cant vote as not caught a carp in 17 years...by eck that was a long blank

[elmoputney]

1 hour ago, jules007 said:

cant vote as not caught a carp in 17 years...by eck that was a long blank

Same colour will probably still work lol 

[elmoputney]

Pink is officially the best alternative colour pop up, as voted by carp.com. 

[salokcinnodrog]

25 minutes ago, elmoputney said:

Pink is officially the best alternative colour pop up, as voted by carp.com. 

Then we'll fish somewhere where it doesn't work...

 

Thinking about it, years ago in winter on Thwaite, the best colour was lime green, Dynamite baits Green Zing, and Nutrabaits Pineapple/N-butyric in yellow, the pink flavours other than Squid and Octopus and my reddish Garlic Spice didn't work. The other colour that worked was a Dynamite orange Monster Crab.

I think flavours had some play in this as well as pink Strawberry Ice Cream was a bust.

The Garlic spice picked up fish for 2 days in a 5day session between Christmas and New Year, then the red Smokey Mackeral food bait started working.

Even on my syndicate now I look on pink as a bonus fish provider as I have had fish on everything in summer, pink, black, purple, brown and yellow (when fishing with sweetcorn in the parti-mix).

The pink has produced occasionally fish in winter and wake-up time in April when other baits haven't.

[emmcee]

1 hour ago, salokcinnodrog said:

Then we'll fish somewhere where it doesn't work...

 

Thinking about it, years ago in winter on Thwaite, the best colour was lime green, Dynamite baits Green Zing, and Nutrabaits Pineapple/N-butyric in yellow, the pink flavours other than Squid and Octopus and my reddish Garlic Spice didn't work. The other colour that worked was a Dynamite orange Monster Crab.

I think flavours had some play in this as well as pink Strawberry Ice Cream was a bust.

The Garlic spice picked up fish for 2 days in a 5day session between Christmas and New Year, then the red Smokey Mackeral food bait started working.

Even on my syndicate now I look on pink as a bonus fish provider as I have had fish on everything in summer, pink, black, purple, brown and yellow (when fishing with sweetcorn in the parti-mix).

The pink has produced occasionally fish in winter and wake-up time in April when other baits haven't.

In my opinion it wouldn't matter what colour the green zing pop ups were that dynamite made, that flavour is one of the best winter flavours ever made in my opinion.  I used to roll my own in orange and caught some good fish on it. Another mate would roll his in white or red and caught. Great flavour. Not sure if it's still available,  it was released several years ago by a couple of companies.  

[elmoputney]

4 hours ago, emmcee said:

In my opinion it wouldn't matter what colour the green zing pop ups were that dynamite made, that flavour is one of the best winter flavours ever made in my opinion.  I used to roll my own in orange and caught some good fish on it. Another mate would roll his in white or red and caught. Great flavour. Not sure if it's still available,  it was released several years ago by a couple of companies.  

Not sure if it is the same or any good but it is out there still. 

https://forgottenflavoursofficial.com/en-gb/products/green-zing-flavour-concentrate?srsltid=AfmBOooMCNfVgalm8SMXLAAZndevWWLb3BMpXBvkkNPVUeWHw9U-bla9

Personally I think hookbait colours come down to contrast against the lake bed or surroundings. That's kind of why I like washed out pink or white because I think it stands out against weed and silt. 

I've never used these pop ups BTW but the idea behind them makes a lot of sense to me. 

 

[elmoputney]

What colour pop up is best for big commons? 

 

[crusian]

59 minutes ago, elmoputney said:

What colour pop up is best for big commons? 

 

Are you thinking about your planned  Spring '25 Social , Elmo ? .

🤔

[elmoputney]

16 minutes ago, crusian said:

Are you thinking about your planned  Spring '25 Social , Elmo ? .

🤔

Just wondering if big commons have a colour preference 😂

[emmcee]

20 hours ago, elmoputney said:

Not sure if it is the same or any good but it is out there still. 

https://forgottenflavoursofficial.com/en-gb/products/green-zing-flavour-concentrate?srsltid=AfmBOooMCNfVgalm8SMXLAAZndevWWLb3BMpXBvkkNPVUeWHw9U-bla9

Personally I think hookbait colours come down to contrast against the lake bed or surroundings. That's kind of why I like washed out pink or white because I think it stands out against weed and silt. 

I've never used these pop ups BTW but the idea behind them makes a lot of sense to me. 

 

I see they also sell Geoff kemps pink zing, if I was still carp fishing I'd buy a gallon of that stuff. An absolutely belting flavour and in the right bait you'd need new batteries for your alarms as it's a flier. I used to get a copy of it years ago from a shop in  Belgium and I'd blend it with 2 other flavours to make it last and then  I'd send it to premier to have it rolled in my bait, myself and my mates  caught shed loads on it. Whether it's exactly the same along with the green  zing I'd not be sure as some chemicals are not allowed or used anymore due to EU laws etc or so I was told. Lots of flavours have changed over the years in fact and base mixes for that matter, not that any of the relevant companies would disclose such things. 

Its making me think i might have to dust my carp rods off 🤣.

[crusian]

On 29/09/2024 at 13:07, elmoputney said:

Just wondering if big commons have a colour preference 😂

You big fib .

😁

[Old_Skool_Carper]

On 29/09/2024 at 19:48, emmcee said:

I see they also sell Geoff kemps pink zing, if I was still carp fishing I'd buy a gallon of that stuff. An absolutely belting flavour and in the right bait you'd need new batteries for your alarms as it's a flier. I used to get a copy of it years ago from a shop in  Belgium and I'd blend it with 2 other flavours to make it last and then  I'd send it to premier to have it rolled in my bait, myself and my mates  caught shed loads on it. Whether it's exactly the same along with the green  zing I'd not be sure as some chemicals are not allowed or used anymore due to EU laws etc or so I was told. Lots of flavours have changed over the years in fact and base mixes for that matter, not that any of the relevant companies would disclose such things. 

Its making me think i might have to dust my carp rods off 🤣.

I used Rod Hutchinson's original early 1980's scopex flavour extensively it was simply the BIZNESS !
Caught wherever I went on this SUPERB flavour!

I've smelt/had most of what's been available as 'scopex' since, including the new RH Italian stuff (IMO inferior) NOTHING comes remotely close to original early 1980's scopex! (i still have a small amount for sniffing only lol!)

cos of this thread and the mention of: forgottenflavoursofficial.com

checked them out and here is there offering for scopex:

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

SCOPEX
 

NEW FOR 2024:

Due to now getting access to more and more old school ingredients, our Scopex recipe has slightly changed. It is now a reworked version on the original!

 

Same thing goes for Scopex, does it really need an introduction? Scopex and Monstercrab, perhaps two of the most used flavours in carp fishing to this day. 

However, where a lot of Scopex's of these modern day and age are more like Milky, dairy like flavours, our Scopex is far from that.

Remember that diacetin flavour Hutchy [RIP] had in his Scopex bottles? Well, I believe we have done enough to get as close as possible to the legend's Scopex. I will never say we have copied, or replaced his Scopex, because you just can't say something like that. Here, we honour and respect the oldschool style and brand of what Rod Hutchinson once was. RIP and RESPECT.

All Forgotten Favourites Flavours will be supplied in glass, European made 50ml bottles with a very tight screw cap.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

do you or anyone here had any dealings with this company's flavours ?

tempted to buy ...with shipping its around 20 quid for a small 50ml bottle!...only to throw it out like the others!🤣

Edited February 9 by Old_Skool_Carper

[elmoputney]

12 minutes ago, Old_Skool_Carper said:

I used Rod Hutchinson's original early 1980's scopex flavour extensively it was simply the BIZNESS !
Caught wherever I went on this SUPERB flavour!

I've smelt/had most of what's been available as 'scopex' since, including the new RH Italian stuff (IMO inferior) NOTHING comes remotely close to original early 1980's scopex! (i still have a small amount for sniffing only lol!)

cos of this thread and the mention of: forgottenflavoursofficial.com

checked them out and here is there offering for scopex:

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

SCOPEX
 

NEW FOR 2024:

Due to now getting access to more and more old school ingredients, our Scopex recipe has slightly changed. It is now a reworked version on the original!

 

Same thing goes for Scopex, does it really need an introduction? Scopex and Monstercrab, perhaps two of the most used flavours in carp fishing to this day. 

However, where a lot of Scopex's of these modern day and age are more like Milky, dairy like flavours, our Scopex is far from that.

Remember that diacetin flavour Hutchy [RIP] had in his Scopex bottles? Well, I believe we have done enough to get as close as possible to the legend's Scopex. I will never say we have copied, or replaced his Scopex, because you just can't say something like that. Here, we honour and respect the oldschool style and brand of what Rod Hutchinson once was. RIP and RESPECT.

All Forgotten Favourites Flavours will be supplied in glass, European made 50ml bottles with a very tight screw cap.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

do you or anyone here had any dealings with this company's flavours ?

tempted to buy ...with shipping its around 20 quid for a small 50ml bottle!...only to throw it out like the others!🤣

Johnson Ross sell some forgotten flavours, I did have a sniff of some pop ups at the Essex show. Green zing smelt nice, but didn't buy any. 

[elmoputney]

12 minutes ago, elmoputney said:

Johnson Ross sell some forgotten flavours, I did have a sniff of some pop ups at the Essex show. Green zing smelt nice, but didn't buy any. 

Naturally Scopex is the flavour that is out of stock. But they do have all the others 😳

[emmcee]

45 minutes ago, Old_Skool_Carper said:

I used Rod Hutchinson's original early 1980's scopex flavour extensively it was simply the BIZNESS !
Caught wherever I went on this SUPERB flavour!

I've smelt/had most of what's been available as 'scopex' since, including the new RH Italian stuff (IMO inferior) NOTHING comes remotely close to original early 1980's scopex! (i still have a small amount for sniffing only lol!)

cos of this thread and the mention of: forgottenflavoursofficial.com

checked them out and here is there offering for scopex:

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

SCOPEX
 

NEW FOR 2024:

Due to now getting access to more and more old school ingredients, our Scopex recipe has slightly changed. It is now a reworked version on the original!

 

Same thing goes for Scopex, does it really need an introduction? Scopex and Monstercrab, perhaps two of the most used flavours in carp fishing to this day. 

However, where a lot of Scopex's of these modern day and age are more like Milky, dairy like flavours, our Scopex is far from that.

Remember that diacetin flavour Hutchy [RIP] had in his Scopex bottles? Well, I believe we have done enough to get as close as possible to the legend's Scopex. I will never say we have copied, or replaced his Scopex, because you just can't say something like that. Here, we honour and respect the oldschool style and brand of what Rod Hutchinson once was. RIP and RESPECT.

All Forgotten Favourites Flavours will be supplied in glass, European made 50ml bottles with a very tight screw cap.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

do you or anyone here had any dealings with this company's flavours ?

tempted to buy ...with shipping its around 20 quid for a small 50ml bottle!...only to throw it out like the others!🤣

The only Scopex I ever user was nashy's scopex no.1, only because mates of mine who'd been carping a lot longer than me told me that it was the better one in their opinion.  The only hutchy stuff I used was his Nouville fizz, secret agent and his R.S.A. , both belters. 

As Elmoputney says, Johnson Ross do some of the flavours so I guess keep an eye on their stock. 

Might also be worth a check on a Facebook page called "biological bait". The bloke has untold amounts of flavours of every kind and I mean boxes upon boxes of the stuff and copies some if them so might have what you want. 

[salokcinnodrog]

5 hours ago, emmcee said:

The only Scopex I ever user was nashy's scopex no.1, only because mates of mine who'd been carping a lot longer than me told me that it was the better one in their opinion.  The only hutchy stuff I used was his Nouville fizz, secret agent and his R.S.A. , both belters. 

I think you will find Nash got his Scopex flavour from Hutchy, they then used the same supplier when Nash took over Hutchys original bait company and changed it to Nash Bait.

The original Ultraspice and Megaspice flavours were also good, and the base for my Garlic Spice hookbaits.

 

5 hours ago, elmoputney said:

Green zing smelt nice, but didn't buy any. 

Green Zing was one of the best winter flavours on lime green pop-ups.

 

One of the big things about changes in flavours was not just legislation, it was the cost of the base solvent; Diacetin, Triacetin, then the various laws around alcohol bases.

If I remember rightly it is that Diacetin and Triacetin are glycerine based, but not how they are synthesised. I think Diacetin is glycerine and acetic acid