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TEAM MAINLINE BAIT FAVOURITES – JOHN KNEEBONE Posted by John Kneebone

Our Team Mainline anglers reveal their favourite, go to baits...

HOOKBAIT

Hmm, it's a split decision for me between a Pineapple Juice and a Milky Toffee pop-up, but in the end a Milky Toffee edges it. Just because I've caught so many carp on a white hookbait, which perhaps seems washed out and safe despite still being visually attractive.

With most lakes containing weed of some sorts these days, pop-ups rigs are a must with my preference being a Hinge Rig. These hookbaits work perfectly with this presentation, as well as complement the Cell or Link boilies I'm often fishing over very well.

BOILIE

Well, I'll have to cheat a little here and say there is a fishmeal boilie we've been testing for a while now that's something very special, but… otherwise I'd have to say Cell. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it's a common answer for any Mainline angler, but how can it not be! The Cell is just an absolute winner, wherever you use it, pretty much in any situation and at all times of year - you can't ask for more!

I'd probably class myself as a ‘boilie angler' by preference, as initially I like to fish various areas of swim where possible and if features lend themselves to my approach. A little trap down the margin with a light spread of chopped Cell a couple of spots further out baited at different levels to start is ideal for me. Especially if I can spread the boilies a little so fish are moving between baits, which really helps when it comes to rigs with fish being confident to pick them up and engage a bolt effect with some movement for a strong hookhold. Again the high confidence the fish have in Cell aids this approach - brilliant on both new waters and venues fished over time.

LIQUID

I've always felt guilty of not using liquids enough, despite knowing how much they can help - I'm not sure why? But the Smart Liquids has changed all that, as I know make an effort to include these in my presentation or approach whatever it might be. From the very start of testing and using them I've seen what a massive difference they make. Adding food source attraction in a way that really helps when you're not sure how much bait to use, which can be a lot of the time. So, you can always start by baiting on the light side. With the added Smart Liquid attraction impregnating the lakebed to create a larger food signal than that created by your freebies alone. Pulling fish in, as well as keeping them coming back while you build an understanding of how to feed.

It's so easy to use Smart Liquids, coating freebies is simple; add a little squirt, roll the bait around, and repeat if necessary, until everything has a light coating. Adding Smart Liquid to solid PVA bags is another favourite method; either cut/sharpen the bottle nozzle to insert into made bags or simply coat the outside. I guess I've probably used the Fruit flavour the most, but the new Squid version is getting the most use at present.

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