Bait

Winter bait is very important. With fishmeal-based boilies often containing high levels of fish oil, bird-food-based baits are much more digestible and during the winter months the carp will still eat plenty of a good-quality bait. The Berkley Gulp! range of boilie offers many flavours for all times of year but our particular favourite, the Coco and Banana, would make an excellent winter bait. Made from natural ingredients, the sweet coconut aroma mixed with the banana flavour is sure to catch plenty of carp.

I’ve been impressed with these super-buoyant hook baits because they’re well rolled, stay popped-up for ages and smell fabulous. The white colour remains for long periods – a colour that I’ve always thought works well. I’ve had a few fish on them already, including a couple from the river, so I am well sold on these baits so far. RRP: £7.

Prepared, extra-long-life particles infused with chilli and garlic sausage or coconut flavouringCotswold Bait Creations Shelf-Life Particle Spod MixRRP: 1kg £4. 99 to 3kg £11. 99Contact: 01666 575330 or www. cotswoldbaits.

High-leakage hook baits in two sizes, both round and barrel. Includes free tub of matching Pot Shot flavourSolar Tackle Top Banana Pop-UpsRRP: £7. 50 per tubContact: 01322 277345 or www. solartackle.

Super-oily crushed hemp, a fabulous natural attractor that makes a great addition to any bait mixDynamite Baits Pure Crushed HempseedRRP: £3. 35Contact: 0330 333 4888 or www. dynamitebaits. com.

Boilies high in ground crustacean, including crayfish and crab. Also contains a hint of spiceRRP: £9. 99 per kiloContact: 01527 405410 or www. gulpcarp.

Boilies containing the great fish attractor, green-lipped mussel with a green appearance that looks more like natural food sourcesRRP: £10. 80Contact: 01159 894050 or www. dynamitebaits. co.