How to Select, Prepare, and Use Boilies Effectively

In this blog post, we delve into the fascinating world of boilies, a favourite among carp anglers. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner looking to improve your carp fishing game, understanding how to select, prepare, and use boilies effectively can significantly enhance your fishing success.

Boilies are a type of fishing bait that have gained immense popularity in the carp fishing community. These round, dough-like baits are typically made from a mix of fishmeal, milk proteins, bird food, soya flour and other ingredients that appeal to carp. What sets boilies apart is their versatility and effectiveness in attracting carp, making them a preferred choice for anglers.

One of the primary reasons boilies are so favoured is their durability. Unlike many other baits, boilies are boiled (hence the name) to harden them, making them less likely to be nibbled away by smaller fish. This durability ensures that your bait remains intact and attractive to larger carp for extended periods.

We will cover everything you need to know about boilies fishing bait. We’ll explore how to select the right boilies, the best practices for preparing them, and effective fishing strategies to maximise your carp fishing success. By the end of this boilies guide, you’ll be well-equipped with the knowledge and techniques to make the most out of your carp fishing boilies.

What Are Boilies?

Boilies are a type of fishing bait that has become a staple for carp anglers due to their effectiveness and durability. These round fishing baits are specifically designed to attract carp and other fish species.

Here’s a brief overview of what boilies are, what they’re made from, and how they’re made.

What Are Boilies Made From?

Boilies are typically made from a combination of the following ingredients:

The Base Mix: This forms the foundation of boilies and usually consists of a mix of flours and meals such as:

Fishmeal: Provides a high protein content and a fishy aroma.
Bird Food: Adds texture and nutritional value.
Soya Flour: Enhances the binding properties and nutritional profile.
Semolina: Commonly used for its binding qualities and to give the bait a smooth texture.

Additives and Attractants: These are used to enhance the scent, taste, and attractiveness of the boilies:

Flavours: Natural or artificial flavours like strawberry, pineapple, fish, or krill.
Sweeteners: Enhances the taste to make the bait more appealing.
Oils: Fish oils or essential oils to add scent and smoothness.
Colours: Natural or synthetic dyes to make the bait more visible in the water – especially useful for murky waters.

Binders and Preservatives: These help maintain the shape and longevity of the boilies:

Eggs: Used as a binder to help hold the ingredients together.
Preservatives: Added to extend shelf life and prevent spoilage.

How Are Boilies Made?

The process of making boilies involves several key steps:

Mixing: Combine the dry ingredients of the base mix in a large bowl. Add any attractants, flavours, and sweeteners as desired.
Binding: Crack and whisk eggs in a separate container. Gradually add the eggs to the dry mix while stirring until a dough forms. The number of eggs needed can vary based on the dry mix composition.
Rolling: Once the dough reaches the right consistency (firm but pliable), it is rolled into small, round balls. The size of these balls can vary, typically ranging from 10mm to 24mm in diameter.
Boiling: The rolled dough balls are then boiled in water for a few minutes. This hardens the exterior while leaving the inside somewhat softer, making the bait durable yet attractive to fish. The boiling time affects the firmness of the boilies—longer boiling results in harder boilies.
Drying: After boiling, the boilies are left to dry for several hours or overnight. This helps to set the shape and improve the bait’s durability in water.
Storage: Once dried, boilies can be stored in airtight containers. Some anglers add additional attractants or liquids before storage to enhance their effectiveness. Or you can soak the boilies in attractant liquids.

As you can see boilies are versatile and can be customised with various fishing ingredients to suit different fishing conditions.

Selecting Boilies: Flavour, Size, and Colour

Choosing the right boilies for your carp fishing adventures involves considering several key factors: flavour, size, and colour. Each of these aspects plays a critical role in attracting carp and other target fish species, especially when taking into account the specific fishing conditions you’ll be facing – clear water or murky water for examples.

Let’s delve into these criteria to help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of a successful catch.

Flavour

1. Natural vs. Artificial Flavours:

Natural Flavours: These include ingredients like fishmeal, shrimp, and crab, which mimic the natural diet of carp. Natural-flavoured boilies are particularly effective in waters where carp are accustomed to feeding on such substances.
Artificial Flavours: These are enhanced with various attractants like strawberry, pineapple, and chocolate. Artificially flavoured boilies can be highly effective in enticing carp, especially in heavily fished waters where natural baits might be less attractive due to overuse.

2. Seasonal Preferences:

Spring and Summer: During the warmer months, sweet and fruity flavours tend to work best. Carp are more active and are drawn to the strong, sweet scents of flavours like strawberry, pineapple, and tutti-frutti.
Autumn and Winter: In colder weather, savoury and spicy flavours such as fishmeal, crab, and garlic are more effective. These flavours provide a strong scent that can attract carp even in slower metabolic conditions.

3. Water Type and Clarity:

Clear Water: Subtle flavours work well in clear water as carp rely more on their visual and olfactory senses. Natural or slightly sweet flavours like vanilla or nut can be effective.
Murky Water: Strong, pungent flavours are necessary to cut through the reduced visibility and attract carp. Flavours like garlic, squid, and krill can be particularly effective in these conditions.

Size

1. Target Species and Size:

Small to Medium Carp: For smaller carp, boilies ranging from 10mm to 15mm are ideal. These sizes are easier for smaller carp to ingest and are less likely to deter them.
Large Carp: For targeting larger specimens, opt for boilies in the 18mm to 24mm range. Bigger baits help to deter smaller fish and ensure that your bait attracts the larger carp.

2. Fishing Conditions:

High-Pressure Areas: In heavily fished waters where carp are cautious, smaller boilies (10mm to 15mm) can be more effective as they appear less intimidating and more natural.
Low-Pressure Areas: In less fished waters, larger boilies (18mm to 24mm) can be advantageous, providing a substantial meal that’s worth the effort for bigger carp.

3. Feeding Habits:

Active Feeding: When carp are actively feeding, larger boilies can capitalise on their aggressive feeding behaviour.
Cautious Feeding: During times of cautious feeding, smaller boilies may seem less suspicious and more appealing.

Colour

1. Water Clarity:

Clear Water: In clear water, natural or subdued colours like brown, green, and yellow blend in well with the environment and look more like natural food sources.
Murky Water: Brightly coloured boilies such as fluorescent yellow, orange, and pink stand out in low visibility conditions, making them easier for carp to locate.

2. Light Conditions:

Bright Days: On sunny days, more natural colours that match the surroundings tend to be more effective.
Overcast or Low Light: On cloudy days or in low light conditions, bright colours can attract the attention of carp.

3. Fishing Pressure:

High-Pressure Waters: In waters where fish are frequently targeted, carp can become wary of brightly coloured baits. In such cases, more natural and muted colours can yield better results.
Low-Pressure Waters: In less pressured waters, bright colours can be very effective as carp are less likely to associate them with danger.

By considering these criteria—flavour, size, and colour—you can select boilies that are perfectly suited to your target species and fishing conditions.

Soaking and Glugging Techniques for Boilies

Soaking and glugging boilies are advanced preparation techniques that can significantly enhance the attractiveness of your bait. These methods infuse the boilies with additional scents and flavours, making them irresistible to carp.

Here’s a detailed look at how to effectively soak and glug your boilies.

Soaking Boilies

Soaking involves immersing your boilies in a liquid attractant for an extended period, allowing them to absorb the flavours and scents fully.

Step-by-Step Guide to Soaking Boilies:

1. Choose Your Soaking Liquid:

Liquid Attractants: These can include commercial bait soaks, fish oils, liquid foods, or homemade mixtures of flavours and scents.
Popular Choices: Sweet liquids like molasses, fruit syrups, or even diluted fruit juices are excellent for warmer months, while fish oils and savoury liquids are better for colder conditions.

2. Preparation:

Select a Container: Use an airtight container or Ziplock bags that can be sealed to prevent leakage and contamination.
Add Boilies: Place the desired number of boilies into the container.

3. Soak:

Pour Liquid: Pour the chosen soaking liquid over the boilies, ensuring they are fully submerged.
Seal and Shake: Seal the container and shake it gently to ensure all boilies are evenly coated.
Soak Time: Let the boilies soak for at least a few hours, but overnight soaking is often preferred for maximum absorption.

4. Drain and Use:

Drain Excess Liquid: After soaking, drain any excess liquid. The boilies should now be ready to use, having absorbed the enhanced flavours and scents.

Glugging Boilies

1. Choose Your Glug:

Commercial Glugs: Available in tackle shops, these are formulated to be highly attractive and sticky, ensuring they adhere well to the boilies.
Homemade Glugs: You can create your own using ingredients like fish oils, syrups, and thick liquid foods.

2. Preparation:

Select a Container: A shallow bowl or container works best for glugging as it allows for better coverage.
Add Boilies: Place the boilies into the container.

3. Apply the Glug:

Pour Glug: Pour a generous amount of glug over the boilies.
Mix: Stir the boilies gently to ensure they are evenly coated. You can use a spoon or simply shake the container (if it has a lid).

4. Drying Time:

Set Aside: Allow the glugged boilies to sit for a while so that the liquid can adhere properly. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the thickness of the glug.
Repeat if Necessary: For an even stronger attraction, you can repeat the glugging process, allowing each layer to dry slightly before adding the next.

Benefits of Soaking and Glugging

Enhanced Attraction: Both techniques infuse boilies with potent scents and flavours that carp find irresistible.

Extended Release: Soaked and glugged boilies release their attractants slowly over time, drawing in fish from a distance.

Adaptability: You can tailor the soaking and glugging liquids to suit the season, water conditions, and target species, making these techniques highly versatile.

Successful Fishing Strategies with Boilies

Using boilies effectively requires more than just choosing the right bait and preparing it well; it also involves employing the right fishing strategies. Here are some proven tips on rigging and baiting with boilies to maximise your success in carp fishing.

Rigging Tips for Boilies

1. Hair Rig:

What It Is: The hair rig is a popular method for presenting boilies. It involves a short piece of line (the “hair”) that extends from the hook, allowing the boilie to sit just outside the hook itself.
How to Set Up: Thread the boilie onto a bait needle and pull it onto the hair. Secure it with a boilie stop. This setup allows the carp to suck in the bait without feeling the hook immediately, increasing your chances of a solid hook-up.

2. Blowback Rig:

What It Is: A variation of the hair rig, the blowback rig includes a small ring on the shank of the hook, which the hair passes through. This rig helps to ensure better hook penetration.
How to Set Up: After threading the boilie onto the hair and securing it, pass the hair through a small ring on the hook shank. This allows the bait to move independently from the hook, making it harder for carp to eject it.

3. Chod Rig:

What It Is: Ideal for fishing over weed or debris, the chod rig allows the boilie to sit above the bottom, making it more visible and accessible to carp.
How to Set Up: Use a stiff hooklink material and attach a buoyant boilie. The rig should be set up so that the bait sits just off the lakebed, typically using a lead system that allows the rig to slide up and down.

4. Pop-Up Rig:

What It Is: This rig uses buoyant boilies, known as pop-ups, which float above the hook. It’s effective in situations where you want the bait to be highly visible and separate from the lakebed.
How to Set Up: Attach the pop-up boilie to a hair rig and use a weight or putty to balance the rig so the boilie sits just off the bottom.

Baiting Tips for Boilies

1. Spodding:

What It Is: Spodding involves using a specialised bait delivery device, known as a spod or spomb, to cast a mix of free baits and groundbait into your fishing area.
How to Use: Fill the spod with a mix of boilies, particles, and groundbait, then cast it to your desired spot. This creates a concentrated feeding area, attracting carp to your baited hook.

2. PVA Bags:

What It Is: PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) bags dissolve in water, allowing you to present a small parcel of bait right next to your hook bait.
How to Use: Fill a PVA bag with small boilies, pellets, and groundbait. Attach the bag to your hook or hooklink and cast it out. The bag will dissolve, releasing the bait around your hook.

3. Stringers:

What It Is: A stringer involves threading a few boilies onto a piece of PVA string and attaching it to your hook.
How to Use: Thread 3-5 boilies onto the PVA string, tie it off, and hook it through the hair rig or the bend of the hook. When cast out, the string dissolves, leaving a small pile of bait near your hook.

4. Bait Boats:

What It Is: A bait boat is a remote-controlled device used to deliver bait and rigs precisely to your desired fishing spot.
How to Use: Load the bait boat with your rig and a generous amount of boilies. Use the remote control to navigate to your fishing spot and release the bait and rig accurately.

Effective Use of Boilies

1. Match the Hatch:

What It Means: Use boilies that mimic the size, colour, and flavour of the natural food sources in the lake.
Why It Works: Carp are more likely to take bait that resembles their usual diet, making your presentation more attractive.

2. Bait and Wait:

What It Means: Introduce a substantial amount of bait into your fishing area and allow time for the carp to start feeding confidently before casting your hook bait.
Why It Works: This technique builds the carp’s confidence, reducing their wariness and increasing the likelihood of a take.

3. Small Boilie Approach:

What It Means: Use smaller boilies (10mm to 15mm) to create a more natural feeding scenario, especially in pressured waters.
Why It Works: Smaller boilies can attract carp more quickly and reduce suspicion in heavily fished areas.

4. Regular Feeding:

What It Means: Regularly top up your swim with small amounts of boilies to keep carp interested and actively feeding.
Why It Works: This keeps the carp in your area longer, increasing your chances of a bite.

The Boilies Fishing Bait

Boilies are an indispensable tool in the arsenal of any serious carp angler. From understanding the basics of what boilies are and how they are made, to mastering the art of selecting, preparing, and using them effectively, this guide has provided a comprehensive overview to help you enhance your fishing success. By choosing the right flavour, size, and colour of boilies tailored to specific conditions and utilising advanced techniques such as soaking, glugging, and strategic rigging, you can significantly increase your chances of landing those coveted carp.

Whether you’re a novice angler just getting started or an experienced fisherman looking to refine your approach, the right boilies can make all the difference. Implementing the strategies discussed—such as spodding, using PVA bags, and employing bait boats—will help you present your boilies in the most attractive manner possible, ensuring that you attract and hook more fish.

Ready to put these tips into practice and elevate your carp fishing game? Explore our wide range of boilies, meticulously crafted to meet the diverse needs of anglers up and down the country. Whether you’re looking for fruity, sweet flavours for summer fishing or savoury, pungent options for winter, our collection has something for every season and condition.

Don’t settle for less—equip yourself with the best boilies on the market. Shop online now!