Catch Reports

Best bait ever...

Posted in Catch Reports on 19th June 2011

Paul Radford started using the B5 last season and has recently declared "it's the best bait... Read more

B5 blitz in Norfolk!

Posted in Catch Reports on 19th June 2011

We've had another impressive report from a group of lads in Norfolk that have been catching very... Read more

Another lake record!!

Posted in Catch Reports on 09th June 2011

Marcus Howarth wanted to find out what all the hype was about and decided to put the new... Read more

PB common for Shaun

Posted in Catch Reports on 09th June 2011

Team Essential member Shaun Jarvis is no stranger to the big fish scene and also knows a thing or... Read more

Kingsmead success...

Posted in Catch Reports on 16th May 2011

Paul Court's latest long distance journey from Somerset to Berkshire's Kingsmead 1... Read more

Blondes have more fun!

Posted in Catch Reports on 15th May 2011

This month's 'Top Catch' competition winner and Carp-Talk cover star is the lovely Lianne Bullard... Read more

B5 or Black Snail? They're both running riot!!

Posted in Catch Reports on 14th May 2011

We're having so many reports of of outstanding captures on the B5 and the Black Snail... Read more

Stunning Linear!

Posted in Catch Reports on 12th May 2011

Long time Essential Bait user Jamie Robb has been making some long trips down from 'up north' to... Read more

Cracking common!

Posted in Catch Reports on 12th May 2011

Lee Carpenter is another angler who has been using the Black Snail to very good effect... Read more

Hat-trick of thirties!

Posted in Catch Reports on 14th April 2011

Having only been able to get the rods out twice in 5 months I'm trying to make the most of April... Read more


Balanced Dumbells

There are definitely times when standard round hook baits can lose their effectiveness and a switch to a different shape can often produce the goods. These pellet shaped hook baits offer a viable alternative to standard round hook baits and when mounted on a slightly longer hair and fished over a bed of pellets, they can often make the difference between success and failure!

Their shape not only makes them very difficult for the fish to eject, but coupled with their added buoyancy due to the inclusion of cork dust, they are also superb for fishing over the top of silt or weed. They are also very durable and will last for many hours without being nibbled away by nuisance fish, Crayfish or diving birds. Definitely worth considering when the going gets tough!

Top tip

Try mounting the dumbell on the hair long-ways. This will enter the carp's mouth easier, but will spin around on ejection thus making it more difficult for the carp to eject the hook.