Baits for PVA

When it comes to what baits you can use with PVA there are only really two limitations – water and you’re imagination! Obviously, wet baits are a no-no as they will melt the PVA before you have a chance to attach it to a rig and cast out. That said, some wet baits such as particles, nuts and sweetcorn, can still be used with a little cunning. Add groundbait or base mix to the bait in order to dry it off. Another magical way of presenting wet baits is to add salt. For some reason, brine doesn’t melt PVA, but once cast into freshwater, the PVA will melt as normal. Several companies also produce PVA-friendly particles and liquids. Other than that, with the various PVA

products available you can use pretty much any bait you can think of. Pellets are by far the most common PVA bag filler and countless carp have fallen victim to this trap particularly when used in conjunction with a bright pop-up hookbait. On pressured waters, however, carp that see this presentation day in and day out may well wise up to it and treat it with increased caution. If everyone on the lake is fishing small mesh bags of pellets, try a larger solid PVA bag filled with boilie crumb or a mixture of different sized pellets. This will look different on the lakebed and be treated with less caution. PVA stringers with four or five boilies are also massively underused nowadays and are perfect for nicking a quick bite when cast towards showing fish.

PVA bags are ideal for casting around a swim when searching for fish