In the winter I’m not one for jumping on the germs ( maggots). I prefer to give them something that’ll do them good and help them grow and repair.

This winter it’s been Mainlines Hybrid and Cell boilies. The only difference to the rest of the year is I drop down in the size of the bait I use. I mix 15mm and 10mm baits over my chosen spots. Mixed 50/50 of both the baits.

You will hear a lot using single, high attract baits at this time of year. Yes they can work but I prefer to keep them mooching about searching for food. The longer you can keep them moving, they are burning up energy. In turn they will have to feed. It’s not rocket science to work out that you stand more of a chance of catching if this can be achieved.

  I also like to scatter the bait over and area the size of a snooker table. If you can keep them moving between baits, the hook hold should be better as well as the bite indication.

 I like to crush up a mix of the two boilies and make a stick mix with them and dedicated stick mix. I add some corn oil to the mix. Ram it as tight as you can get it. It should be about the size of a 50p piece when finished. I then squirt a bit of Mainlines syrup onto the bag before casting to my spots. Try a small bag in the margins to see for yourself the attraction given off from one small pva stick.

The rig I like to use is the multi- rig tied with Rigmarole’s Skinful brown with a bore ring on the ‘D’. I prefer to use a hi-vis pop up ( fruitella , milky toffee etc) over the baited area as I think I’m my mind, they home in on the hookbait quicker this way. In fact I’m sure of it.

I’ve baited with 7 kilo of boilie and had a take within the hour.

 Try adding different liquids to the stick mix but don’t forget some won’t work in winter. Hemp oil, corn oil, winterised salmon oil all work.

  This one fell to this tactic and is s great winter edge. Give it a go.