Quote:
Originally Posted by Flipper boy
When preparing Paste - do you add the Groundbait to water or visa versa? When you read the monthly mags the top boys seem to differ on the preparation! Which is the best way? Thanks
|
Put the groundbait into a mixing bowl and add water whilst swirling the bowl around. You want the paste to have a similar consistency to thick porridge.
Now leave it to stand for 20 minutes while you set up, plumb the depth etc and when you come back to it, it will have firmed up quite a lot. Take the lump of paste out of the bowl and knead it, it should be quite smooth in texture.
While fishing, have three bait boxes on your side tray: one with the paste in; one with water for cleaning your hands, adding tiny amounts to loosen the paste up again or lowering your hookbait into to allow it to go in and kick off a cloud instantly (one of those 'top angler secrets'); the final bait box should have some dry groundbait in, same as you made the paste from, you can use this to slightly stiffen the paste if needed, or dip your hookbait in so it has a different texture (another of those 'top angler secrets').
The paste should be cupped into the swim. If you can drop the ball into the water and it stays on the hook, it is probably too stiff.
Alternatively, you can fish a slightly stiffer mix, but then you should only use a piece that just covers the hook. A piece the size of your little finger nail would go on a size 12 for instance.
With softer paste, you can use big lumps without any problems.