Spod Mix and Freebies
Let’s be real—spod mix isn’t rocket science
You’ve got three options: buy it pre-made, mix your own, or repurpose leftovers. I’m firmly in the "whatever works" camp—usually a mash-up of old boilies (crushed up), a scoop of groundbait, and whatever glug I’ve got lying around. If I’m feeling organised, I’ll pre-mix a batch for big sessions, but most of the time? Leftovers do the job just fine.
Natural Mix
Let’s talk about the king of particle baits—properly prepared tiger nuts. When cooked just right, they transform into these sweet, almost caramel-like treats. But here’s the catch: mess up the prep, and you’re risking harm to the fish. Undercooked = digestive nightmare for carp. Same goes for hemp, corn, and seeds—if you’re going natural, you’ve got to put in the care.
The Rules:
- Soak 24+ hours (no shortcuts)
- Boil until soft (bite-test like pasta)
- Store wet – They’ll ferment slightly, adding extra appeal
Boilie Mix
When it comes to boilie spod mixes, I don’t overcomplicate things. Crushed boilies are my base – cheap shelf-life ones for economy, or leftover bottom baits if I’ve got them. The key is getting the texture right – not too fine, not too chunky – so it creates a steady stream of attraction without just dissolving into mush.
I’ll often boost it with a few whole 10mm boilies as freebies to give the carp something proper to home in on. A good glug of matching liquid helps bind the dust and sends out those extra scent trails too.
The fish don’t care if it’s some fancy boutique mix – they just want food that smells and tastes right. As long as you’re getting a consistent spread and not overfeeding, it’ll do the job.
Pellet
pellets are the unsung heroes of spodding. Cheap, easy, and they just work. I keep it simple: a mix of small micro pellets for that instant cloudy attraction and bigger coarse pellets to give the fish something proper to munch on. Toss in a glug of liquid attractor, and you’ve got a spod mix that pulls fish in fast without breaking the bank.
Pellets are perfect for when you need to get a spot going quickly – winter sessions, short trips, or deeper swims where you want bait that actually sinks properly. Just don’t go overboard; a few well-placed spods beat dumping half a bucket in one go.