Why I Use PVA Bags Every Time I Go Carp Fishing | Jordan Laflin
PVA Bags have become a fundamental part of modern carp fishing. They offer the angler the ultimate accuracy when it comes to feeding around your Hookbait and are incredibly simple to use. In this short article, OMC Sponsored Angler Jordan Laflin, explains why he now uses PVA Bags almost everywhere he goes...
It might seem a little one dimensional to some, but I must confess, I use Solid PVA Bags on almost every session, wherever I go. I find that Solid Bags are a great tactic to use when you’re trying to learn a new lake - as you know when you cast your Rods out, you can be confident that you're presented and have a small portion of bait around your Hookbait every time. There are plenty of other positives too, let's highlight some...
Positives of PVA Bags
Presentation - With a Solid PVA Bag you can be confident your Rig is well presented and not tangled. So you know, you don't need to recast unless you think you've been done by a fish or want to move spot.
100% Accuracy - No other method delivers bait as accurately as a PVA Bag. You get a neat parcel of feed right on top of your Hookbait. The perfect mouthful a carp can suck in all at once.
Super Versatile - You can use Solid PVA Bags over any lakebed. Weed, silt, gravel, they are all no issue for a Solid Bag - it sits on top of anything.
Go Big or Small - A PVA Bag can be tiny or massive, depending on how far want to cast it. This means it can also cause big disturbance or hardly any at all, so can be used in ANY situation.
Hookbait Variety - Different types of Hookbaits can be used with PVA Bags, Boilies, Pop-ups, Wafters, Particles, Naturals, you name it!
Keep Mobile - For moving Rods about and casting at showing fish, the Solid PVA Bag is right up there at the top with the Chod Rig.
Fish on Spots - PVA Bags can be used either as singles or when fishing over heavily baited spots. Over bait they bring quicker attention to your Hookbait.
How I Tie My Solid PVA Bags
I won't run through the entire Solid Bag tying process, but here are a few tips that I find help me...
Use Small Baits - I like to use the smallest Pellets I can find. This way you can get the PVA Bags nice and compact, with the small particles filling every air pocket.
Tap and Twist - Getting air out of the bag is essential. Make sure you really tap and twist the PVA to make it as compact as possible.
Use the Right Rigs - My favourite Rig to use in Solid Bags are Slip-D Rigs. I always find this Rig gives great hookholds and is very quick and easy to change Hooks over should they go blunt for any reason.
Don't Forget Mesh
Mesh PVA Bags are also a great alternative and easier to tie than Solids - perfect for beginners. I use these most in the winter, when you want to keep disturbance down but still have a small patch of bait by the Hook.
You can use any Rig with Mesh PVA Bags, but I find them particularly effective when nicked on to the incredible Lock Hook Spinner Rig. That combination catches so many fish.
Pellets are a great bait choice for Mesh Bags too, but if you want to be a little different, check out the ChopStix PVA System, which allows you to cut Boilies directly into the mesh for a different and interesting presentation.
My OMC PVA Essentials
Like the sound of PVA Bag Fishing? Here's the bits and pieces I'd be looking to grab from the OMC Range to improve your experience...
- Fade Solid Bags - Strong and sturdy. Supplied in packs of 25 in different sizes.
- ChopStix PVA Mesh System - Innovative and reliable. Strong Mesh Refills are also available.
- Fade PVA Tape - Great for tying off the tops of the bags to keep them tight, especially if you don't like licking them.
- Ammo Braid - The perfect Hooklink for my Solid Bag Rigs. Strong and supple.
- Dazzler Curves - Provide a wicked hooking angle to the Slip-D Rig.
- Colne-V or Lock Hooks - Simply the best.
Article author Jordan Laflin is one of the younger stars of the OMC Sponsored Angler Team. His short session, quick-hit style angling sees him visiting both syndicate and day-ticket venues in search of big carp.
