How to make the perfect PVA bag
There is no better way to accurately feed a carp swim than by using PVA bags filled with bait, and here we show you how to make, tie and create bags of bait.
It's quick, easy and cheap... but much more than that this technique of delivering little parcels of highly attractive baits, additves and goodies right next to your hookbait is by far the most accurate and productive way of fishing for both huge and medium-sized carp.
But it's not just carp that respond to this technique - you could use PVA bags for bream, tench and catfish on stillwaters, and even barbel and chub on rivers.
Once tied securely, the bags are simply clipped onto the hook and cast out into the swim. Once the rig hits the bottom the PVA will begin to dissolve, and after less than a minute the bag will have fully dissolved to leave a small pile of goodies that surrounds your hookbait. Perfect!
How to make the perfect bag
1. Fill your PVA Funnel Web with dry bait like this.
2. Remove filled bag and cut it to leave 4cm of the bag over the bait.
3. Now cut vertically down the centre of the excess Funnel Web to form two tag ends.
4. Finally, tie the two tag ends together like this to create the perfect tight bag.
Boilie web
Top: Tightly tie three boilies in Boilie Funnel Web PVA stocking.
Middle: Gently squeeze top bait in between the other two.
Bottom: Hair rig one one the end boilies, making it your hookbait.
As an alternative to stringers, use Funnel Web to present boilies. Take three hard, air-dried boilies and place them into the boilie Funnel Web tube. Place two baits side by side and the third on top to form a triangle. Tightly tie off the bag. Force the top bait in between the two bottom baits, stretching the PVA bag. Hair rig one of the end baits to your rig and cast into the swim. When the PVA starts to dissolve, the network bag will shrink, causing the middle bait out and throwing the two freebies further apart. This gives a different presentation than a standard stringer and could result in a few more fish.
Wet baits can be used in PVA!
Although wet baits are not normally used with PVA, you can get away with it with a little care. For example, you can add groundbait to particles and nuts (below) to dry them off.
Also, try coating the inside of a solid bag with an oil-based liquid or Hinder’s Tiger Slime before adding the damp bait. Alternatively, thoroughly dry your particles before bagging them up.
Many anglers try ‘doublebagging’ damp baits. This is using two PVA bags, rather than one.
Step 1. Take a couple of handfuls of wet bait and place into a bait box.
Step 2. Add just enough groundbait to dry the particles.
Step 3. The mix should now be dry enough to be PVA friendly.