Took an hour or three down at my local ponds today. More to get rid of some bait that I'd found luking at the bottom of the freezer, and have a fish spotting day, than anything serious.
Anyway the place looked well, and I was hoping for an odd fish, as Lee, another rather experienced local Carpist, had been turning the place over, despite it being so early in the season. He was already parked in the other main swim just down from mine, so we had the two producing areas covered between us.
I believe we are on exactly the same bait, the only difference was his was fresh, having just been rolled, and mine was old.
Closer than that I can not say, as thanks to the non reglation of the Carp bait industry, there is no compulsion to stamp the date of manufacture, sell by, or use by, on any product.
Until this year there had been no problem, but what with a few health issues, and duff weather, I hadnt gone through the bait I had as quickly as normal.
Not a problem I thought, its been in the freezer, it should be ok.
But after a few completely uneventfull hours, (not even a peck from a Bream), a few doubts began to filter through the pudding I call a brain. I mean how long had the dealer had it in his freezer before I bought it? For that matter, how long had the manufacturer had it in his before sending it out?
You understand this is a tried and tested recipe, that is still catching. So why change a good thing?
Anyway I started to do some arithmatic, and it works out that its possible that, thanks to the deals offered at certain times in the season to dealers, some of the product I was using could have been nearly 2 years old, and that is after it was made. God knows how old the ingredients were!
After a few uneventfull hours I duly packed up, headed off home, and dumped every last bit of old bait in the bin. Resolving that if I didnt know the date of manufacture on a bait, it was my fault for not rolling my own, (I am now retired, and have the time spare), and not marking the date on the bags.




So thats my way round it, but what about the poor sucker that can not, or does not have the time to make his own?
I think they deserve a better deal.
At between £8 and £10 per kilo bait is dear enough, and should be perfect. Couldn't all the bait manufacturers, at least put the date of manufacture on their bags? Its not rocket science, just looking after their customers interests, surely.

I will find out just how many of those bleeps turned into Carp for Lee (aka Golden B******s) next time I am down. :rolleyes:

BOF ;)

I totally agree with the sell by date issue, it is merely just a way of cutting down wastage for all except the consumer who is the person who pays the price.
No way would i go back to buying bait when i can make it at a third of the cost and be confident it is a perfect duplication of the last successful batch.
:fish:

Us pike men don't have the same probs. The pike are not as fussy about dinner as the carp.

Sorry you wasted your money and fishing day BOF - morral of the story - BUY YOUR BOILIES FRESH FROM JOHN - my carping buddies swear by em and won't use anything else ! :blink:

Mass production :o -no way i enjoy doing it but not that much :blink:

I guess you have to find a bait dealer you can trust, or make your own, which is fine if you have the time and big forearms....

On the idea of fresher ingredients, I went into Tesco's this morning and picked this little gem up:-



£3.49 per 500ml bottle, best before date Feb 2009!

BOF ;)