I tend to make my food up in advance, freeze it in single portions and then get them as I need them. However, on several occasions I have been short of grub and have used these instead. They’re surprisingly good quality and pretty tasty – much better, in fact, than most ready meals. The Chicken Tikka Masala is a particular favourite, and the meat actually tastes like chicken too! My only gripe would be that the portions are a bit on the small side, but they’re probably perfect for people with average appetites, unlike me.
An assortment of nutritional pellets in different sizes, shapes, flavours and colours. RRP: 3kg £7; 10kg £21. 99Contact: 01202 487922 or www. kentparticles.
Martin Locke’s Solar Tackle has been producing top-quality bait for many years. In fact, the company celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2012 and its most notable products are undoubtedly the hook baits. There have been some absolute classics through the years, including Winter Secret, Club Mix, Bunspice & Aniseed and many more. In recent years, the Jacko Pops, Dairy Cream & Fresh Pineapple, Top Banana and Quench have proven hugely successful and, even more recently, some newer varieties have entered the range.
A blend of high-protein pulses and seeds that still contain a lot of their natural oils. RRP: £7. 90 for 2kgContact: 01920 43833 Website: www. baitfeedonline.
Visual, high-leakage, slow-sinking hook baits. Available as dumbbells or round in various sizes and flavoursRRP: £5. 99Contact: 01430 448322 Website: www. stickybaits.
The original Tutti Frutti boilies have arguably accounted for as many carp captures as any other bait, ever. Praise doesn’t come any higher than that. However, the entire range has been given a tweak that should make it more effective than ever. Introducing the new Dark Tutti.
A bulk mix of assorted-quality boilies in numerous shapes, flavours and sizes, perfect for baiting up. RRP: £32 for 10kgContact: 01202 487922 Website: www. kentparticles. co.
A sweet, bird-food based, year-round food bait with a fruity and creamy flavour. Available in 12mm to 20mm. RRP: £7. 99 per kiloContact: 01925 444797 Website: www.
Prepared mix of mini corn, hemp and wheat, which is preserved for use trip after trip. RRP: £10. 99 for three kilosContact: 01666 575330 Website: www. cotswoldbaits.
Dark-red pop-ups with a fruity and fishy aroma. Available in 10mm with pop-up mix or bigger sizes in cork balls. Blakes Baits Crab & Cranberry Pop-UpsRRP: £3. 75Contact: 01491 834911 Website: www.
I’ve long been a fan of the ball-pellet-type Soluballs and these disc-like versions are very interesting. Available in all of the Nash recipes, they’re designed to use threaded down the hook link instead of a PVA stick. I use them slightly differently, and thread just one onto the hair before threading my hook bait on. This breaks down and boosts the attraction around my bait and I’ve used the Amber Strawberry ones this winter to great success.
Fishmeal boilies with a high bloodworm content. Available in 10mm, 14mm and 18mm. Chapel Baits Bloodworm BoiliesRRP: £9. 99 per kiloContact: 01205 360032 Website: www.