Bags and Mesh
PVA Bags
I’ll be honest—PVA bags and I have never quite clicked. Sure, I always carry them, but actually filling and sealing them into something resembling a neat, aerodynamic package? Forget it. Mine usually end up overstuffed, lopsided, and more likely to scatter bait like a grenade than land neatly on the lakebed. And don’t even get me started on trying to trust that the lead and hookbait will sit perfectly every time. I know there are all these fancy wrap gadgets out there designed to make it foolproof, but honestly? I just can’t be bothered.
That said, 2024 me has slightly evolved. These days, if I’m going the PVA route, it’s stiff hinge rigs or solid bags—no messing around. The Nash solid bag tool is a game-changer, but I’ve learned my lesson: I pre-make at least six before I even leave the house. That way, I’m not wasting precious fishing time fumbling with pellets and PVA mesh on the bank. Progress? Maybe. But I’m still not fully converted—some habits (and grudges) die hard.
PVA Mesh
I’m a mesh fan through and through. No fuss, no mess, just quick and easy baiting. You can actually see how much you’re loading in, and attaching it is a breeze—either pull the hookbait right through or just nick the edge of the mesh. No wrestling with wonky parcels or overstuffed disasters.
I fill it the same way I would a PVA bag (minus the dust, since mesh doesn’t hold the fine stuff), and for my style of fishing—where I’m not trying to launch bait into the next county—it’s perfect. Sure, casting distance takes a hit, but since I’m usually working within 100 yards, that’s not a dealbreaker.
2024 Update: Mesh is still in my rotation, but with one big if—only on lakes where spodding isn’t allowed. When I’ve got free rein to spod, I’ll go that route for better accuracy and range. But for quiet, close-range work? Mesh stays winning.
Stringers
When I'm running a straight boilie approach, stringers are my secret weapon. I keep it stupidly simple: 4-8 boilies threaded into thin PVA mesh, knotted at both ends, and attached right to the hook. Why? Because it guarantees my hookbait isn't sitting alone - there's always a tight little cluster of freebies right where I want them.
Sometimes I'll bulk it up with more boilies and loop the stringer instead - that way when it hits the deck, my hookbait sits perfectly centered in a little ring of temptation. It's like putting a bullseye around your presentation.
These days I'm using this approach more strategically - perfect for smaller waters or margin fishing where precision matters. When I need to keep a tight bait spread in a specific spot (especially with bottom baits), nothing beats a well-placed stringer.
Pro Tip: Soak your stringer boilies in matching liquid - turns a good presentation into an irresistible one.