Boosted Baits

Dave Magalhaes reveals his top tips for boosting his hook baits and freebies to maximise his chances on short sessions …

- Dave Magalhaes

A lot of my fishing is short sessions, either a few hours or a 12-hour overnighter if I’m lucky. Like most people, I am eager to make the most of every second on the bank. When you turn up to a lake and find the fish, you want to give yourself the best chance of getting a bite as soon as possible.

Picking your bait is so important; perhaps the most vital part of fishing. No matter how you fish, making sure that your bait has the maximum amount of attraction and pulling power is vital. This is the case for any water too, whether it’s a prolific runs water or a low-stock pit.

All you are trying to do is maximise your chances of a fish picking up your rig. It can be the smallest thing that can make the difference too. I have noticed from watching fish in the edge, how many times they can pass over your hook bait. Groups can glide over the area all day, paying little attention. Then, just the smallest tweak can change it all and within minutes they are gorging on the loose feed.

There are numerous things that you can do, no matter what the situation. I have harped on for years about the effectiveness of white hook baits. They really are great for getting a bite, from small and big fish.

One of the things that I rarely talk about is the way I boost those pop-ups. One of those is steaming the hook bait over the kettle for 10 seconds or so, before rolling it in green-lipped mussel (GLM) powder. The way I see it, when you put your hands in warm water then chop a clove of garlic, your pores open up. This leaves your fingers smelling of garlic for days and this is how I think it latches on to the pop-up. It goes really sticky and the powder sticks to it brilliantly. It allows it to attach itself to the popup all the way down to the lake bed, then releases that attractant over a steady stream.

GLM is so good. I have used it for years and I am absolutely convinced that fish are pulled down to it.