The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Its that time of year now where fishing off the top is at its best.
Hiding a hook in a crust is fine, but when it comes to a dog biscuit the presentation is more of an art to get right.

For years I have drilled two chum mixers and placed on a hair with a 10-6 hook depending on the situation.

Problem is, put this rig in a glass of water and the hook is very noticeable (hangs down) when looking from below. Also I am convinced the carp in the particular spot I fish like a single mixer.

So I have tried a band which looks better but the hook still hangs down, in a ideal world I want the mixer to sit in the water with the hook at the top?

How do you chaps present floating baits? And how to you hide the hook for those wary carps?

Break one in half and superglue back together with the hook point protruding. I use leader sink to sink the line between mixer and controller- Edam wax. It's worked best for me that way.

Edam or Babybel wax is excellent as a controller.
I know someone who fashioned a mixer from a wine bottle cork and then embedded a shot on the opposite side to the where the hook protrudes and it flips over.

JAA wrote:I presoak my mixer hookbaits overnight and then completely hide the hook in them, either one for a size 12 or 2-3 for a size 6 or 8 hook. I've been known to put four on a size 4.

Don't they just fall apart?

A tiny piece of elder pith, close to the eye, can make a hook float...

Snape wrote:

JAA wrote:I presoak my mixer hookbaits overnight and then completely hide the hook in them, either one for a size 12 or 2-3 for a size 6 or 8 hook. I've been known to put four on a size 4.

Don't they just fall apart?

Depends how long you soak them for.

Snape wrote:Edam or Babybel wax is excellent as a controller.
I know someone who fashioned a mixer from a wine bottle cork and then embedded a shot on the opposite side to the where the hook protrudes and it flips over.

I've tried this but getting balance is quite hard to achieve?

No need for superglue and no need to hair rig in my opinion.
I put a handful of chum mixers in a bread bag, add lake water to cover the mixers and drain straight away.
Tie bag and leave in sun whilst you introduce freebies to coerce your quarry into feeding and obtaining their trust.
After 20 minutes, your bagged mixers will have absorbed and sweated moisture and become spongy and hookable.
No need for bigger than a size 12 or 14, can use a controller but prefer to freeline if possible. With minimal tackle (a packet of hooks) you are free to stalk, where permitted. Have used this method for quite a few years with varying success but endless fun and enjoyment.

4ngler wrote:No need for superglue and no need to hair rig in my opinion.
I put a handful of chum mixers in a bread bag, add lake water to cover the mixers and drain straight away.
Tie bag and leave in sun whilst you introduce freebies to coerce your quarry into feeding and obtaining their trust.
After 20 minutes, your bagged mixers will have absorbed and sweated moisture and become spongy and hookable.
No need for bigger than a size 12 or 14, can use a controller but prefer to freeline if possible. With minimal tackle (a packet of hooks) you are free to stalk, where permitted. Have used this method for quite a few years with varying success but endless fun and enjoyment.

Spot on, size 12 all the way for me recently. Although as a change of hook-bait I am using Sonubaits Oily Floaters in 11mil, really good and worth getting a bag.

The Sweetcorn Kid wrote:

4ngler wrote:No need for superglue and no need to hair rig in my opinion.
I put a handful of chum mixers in a bread bag, add lake water to cover the mixers and drain straight away.
Tie bag and leave in sun whilst you introduce freebies to coerce your quarry into feeding and obtaining their trust.
After 20 minutes, your bagged mixers will have absorbed and sweated moisture and become spongy and hookable.
No need for bigger than a size 12 or 14, can use a controller but prefer to freeline if possible. With minimal tackle (a packet of hooks) you are free to stalk, where permitted. Have used this method for quite a few years with varying success but endless fun and enjoyment.

Spot on, size 12 all the way for me recently. Although as a change of hook-bait I am using Sonubaits Oily Floaters in 11mil, really good and worth getting a bag.

They are really good, but expensive! Morrisons own bran mixers(4kilo, 2 quid), soaked in sugar and glm, sometimes with an oxo cube too.