Boilies for barbel

[Tony1964]

Not a traditional bait I know but how many of you use boilies for barbel? What size and flavour would you use?

[Snape]

Sorry I never use boilies for anything but people do.
I would imagine like carp, once the fish are weaned onto them they will take them readily in all sizes.
I have heard good things about Quest baits Liver B8 for barbel.

[Mark]

I can honestly say I have never touched a boilie Tony.

[Gateleaner]

Tony. Don't take Mark and Snape's puritanical aloof extreme purism to heart.
Barbel love boilies and they come in a bag just like spam comes in a tin.
Not too fussy either. Dynamite Halibut and the Source to name a couple of good Barbel catchers.
Forget hairs. A 15mm nicked onto a wide gaped 8 or 6 and away you go.

[Gurn]

Have to agree with Gateleaner on this one...I've had good success on Source and as a rule meaty or spicey boilies tend to work best for me. I used to make my own from John Bakers Barbel Mix back in the day with his Muskspice flavour, worked well as boilie and paste, not sure it's available anymore though. First choice boilie these days for Barbel is Source (frozen).....I do use a hair though :hide: :o .

[Snape]

I don't want to seem overly puritanical and make it seem like I have never used a boilie, I just don't currently as I tend to use other baits.
I used to roll my own using Kevin Maddock's recipes from carp fever back in the 80s and I think I did take some halibut boilies to Redmire one year.

[Mark]

I’m not imposing my purism on anyone, although the name of the website might just give it away. I personally will never use a boilie, I know they catch plenty of fish and if it works for you and your happy to use it, use it. I just prefer struggling to open my tins. :chuckle:

[The Sweetcorn Kid]

Well I have devised some Barbel Boilies I hope will work well. They are a fishmeal base with frankfurter flavouring, really spicy, and I cut them rather than roll them so they are pillow shaped, perhaps they will hold the bottom better and not roll off downstream?

If anyone would like me to send them a sample pack, PM me your details. :thumb:

[SeanM]

I'd agree with much of what has been posted above. I'm not too particular about flavours, but if I had to make a choice I'd narrow it down to Quest Rahja Spice, which worked instantly whilst I was testing them and the Source.

[RBTraditional]

Boilies???? Yuk!!!!! The next thing we'll be talking about on here are hair rigs!...then bite alarms.... and then....Oh deary deary me. Don't waste your money on bolies a couple of cans of meat balls will more than suffice for a days fishing and cost less than a couple of quid. Two or three free offerings one on a size four....brilliant bait.