Fluoro pop-ups have been around a long time now and remain one of the most important baits in the carp anglers’ armoury with a multitude of uses from zig rigs and floating baits through to critical balancing, snowman rigs and, of course, single attract hookbaits – the tactic that can be so devastating during the colder months.
The new Bait-Tech versions are claimed to be super bright and super buoyant – but many are and yet after a few hours in the water their colours are beginning to fade and they can no longer support the weight of the hook – and you find yourself fishing a slightly washed out bottom bait, we’ve all been there!
First test for these, then, was to rig them an drop them in the water to see how they performed and as I write I’m looking at the little rig tank I have on my desk where four different sizes (8, 10, 15 and 18mm) of Bait-Tech pop-ups are still holding up size 12 to 6 hooks respectively after the best part of a week! The colours have faded a tad but not enough that you would really notice but, perhaps most importantly, when you lift one out the flavour is still clearly discernible. Sure a tank is not directly comparable to a lake environment but it’s clear enough that during the time you will be fishing your bait won’t lose buoyancy, colour or attraction.
As far as attraction goes the colours are ‘in yer face’ yellow, orange, pink and (my favourite) white with variants in sweet coconut and pineapple and squid flavours. The flavours are as intense as the colours and are certainly designed to get noticed, whether fished on their own or in combination with another bait.
The pop-ups are well-formed, of a uniform consistency, easily penetrated with a standard baiting needle and are available in pots of mixed sizes of: 8 and 10mm, 10 and 15mm and 15 and 18mm. As a fan of smaller baits it was nice to see 8 and 10mm sizes in the range and these will be very useful for tench and bream as well as for carp fishing and with the match lads geared up to fishing boilies as much as specialist anglers these days they will be perfect for commercial carping too.
Available from all Bait-Tech stockists expect to pay around £4.99 per pot.
