Dear Mainline Team

Please could you give me some advice!!

I have recently started using fresh frozen baits, but I am desperate for advice regarding what is best. Do I re-freeze them, as I only fish one 24hr-session per week? Do I air-dry them in a mesh bag? If so, please could you explain the principles of air-drying, how long bait will last, and the process of rehydrating. The last thing I want to do is to harm the carp and upset the carp gods!
Your advice on this matter would be a massive help!!!

Thank you,
Lee Wade, Lancs

Dear Lee

In answer to the question, yes you can re-freeze baits. I regularly do so and have never had a problem. Obviously though, the more times you use and re-freeze them, the greater the likelihood of them showing the old ‘white fur’ on the outside of the boilie skin. However, I have used baits that have reached this stage and have caught really well on them, because as soon as they hit the water the ‘white fur’ usually falls off and there is no adverse effect on the potential of the boilie to attract/catch fish.

Specialist air-dry bags are perfect for prolonging the life of your freezer baits.

If you don’t feel confident with that, however, then air-drying your bait is another option. All you need to do is to put your baits into a sack/sling/bag that has plenty of air flow and hang that in your garage for a few days. You only need to form a hard skin on the boilies and not dry them out fully to the middle; you will find they stay pukka for a good few days. If you only air-dry them for a few days then my advice would be to not to worry about rehydrating; if only the outer skin of the boilie has dried, they will soon take on a bit of water when they are in the lake.

I hope this helps, and be lucky.

Spug