How to use washed-out baits

Washing out your baits is certainly not a new concept – in fact, I can remember first using this simple but ultra-effective bait edge back in the late 1990s. I’ve fished using washed-out baits on a huge variety of day-ticket and syndicate waters both at home and abroad over the past 20 years or more and there’s no doubting how deadly it can be.

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So, what is a washed-out bait? Usually this comes in the form of boilies which have been soaked in water for a period of time before being fished with. This leads to the baits becoming slightly larger, softer and diluted in flavour as they absorb the water and release their attractants. The longer you soak your baits, the more difference you’ll see in all the factors I’ve highlighted when compared with a standard boilie.

Now this may seem strange, especially in the modern-day scene where we’re trying to make our bait as attractive and powerful as possible. But, trust me, it’s incredibly effective for a number of different reasons, and here’s why…

What’s the attraction?

The number of times I’ve been successful fishing over bait on the second morning has been incredible. I think this is the case because the bait has been in the water for 48 hours and so fish treat it with less caution, especially on busy day-ticket waters where they see lots of bait regularly.

Power-packed, attractive, fresh bait can often be initially treated cautiously, whereas after a period of time soaking in the lake it becomes safer for the fish to feed on, as it resembles old bait left over when an angler has finished his session.

I can think of a number of times in France when it’s taken a few days to get the fish on to your baits, as they’ve been feeding on the banquet left from the angler who was fishing the previous week.

By washing out your baits before you come, you can speed up this process and therefore get bites quicker. This is great if you’re on shorter sessions, and is no doubt a real edge on those busy day-ticket complexes.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BEST BOILIES FOR CARP FISHING IN THIS ARTICLE.

Tasty texture

The fact that the bait becomes softer in texture is a huge edge. Carp certainly prefer softer baits, as I’ve observed when fishing washed-out baits and fresh baits as freebies on the same spot in the edge. Fresh boilies are taken and often spat back out, but the softer, washed-out bait seems to be taken more readily and not ejected in the same manner.

The softer texture also allows you to mush the boilies before introducing them, prompting an even greater feeding response.

Lower the tone

You’ve only got to look at the colour of a lot of pop-ups being sold in “washed-out” tones to see that visually a washed-out bait is a huge advantage, especially on clear lakes. In the winter, when the carp’s eyesight is diminished, these paler toned baits are often more visible to them and can get you that all-important bite.

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How to make washed-out boilies

BONUS TIP - Try washing your hookbaits too!

For a cheeky extra edge, why not try (especially in the autumn months on venues where there aren’t nuisance fish or crayfish) washing out your matching hookbaits? Depending on how soft they get, you may need to mesh or wrap your hookbaits, but fishing these over your matching washed-out loosefeed can be deadly, and it’s something that’s not used that often.

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