It’s no exaggeration to say that PVA is one of the most important tools in the modern angler’s armoury – and rightly so, such is its versatility on the bank. This water-soluble substance comes in many types, each with various properties and benefits, so using them at the right time is imperative.
There are five main forms, all of which are used either to deposit a neat pile of loosefeed around your hookbait, or to help prevent tangles and improve presentation.
PVA IS GREAT FOR BARBEL AS WELL AS CARP, AS WE EXPLAIN HERE...
Foam nuggets
These buoyant chunks are folded over the hook before casting to help protect it from catching on weed or any other detritus. Once in the water, they will hold the hook off the bottom until the nugget dissolves, allowing the rig to gently settle on to the lakebed. Foam nuggets can also be used to stop long hairs fromtangling on the cast. from tangling on the cast.
To attach a nugget, lick one end and fold it over the hook on itself. Don’t squeeze too hard, as this can increase the time it takes to dissolve.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING THE BEST CARP RIGS WITH PVA.
Solid bags
Solid bags can be filled with all manner of dry freebies, boilie crumb, groundbait and pellets being popular choices. Once filled, they can also be injected with PVA-friendly liquids to create a big flavour boost in the water column. Once tied, pierce the bag with a baiting needle before casting it out to release any air trapped inside. Ideally, a solid bag should be as hard as a cricket ball, so that it casts well.
The smaller the items in your mix, the tighter you will be able to compact your parcel. Solid bags are best used whenfishing over weed or debris, or when casting to showing fish where you’re unsure of the lakebed’s make-up. With the rig protected inside the bag you have a perfect tangle-free trap that can be presented over virtually any substrate.
LEARN HOW TO TIE A SOLID PVA BAG WITH THIS HELPFUL GUIDE.
PVA string
A thin cord made from multiple strands of PVA, string is mostly used to create what are known as ‘stringers’, where a number of baits are threaded on to a string attached to your hook. In winter,a three-bait stringer can be deadly. They are also great in summer for fishing bottom baits over large spreads of boilies or for using on the river when targeting barbel and chub.
THE BEST BEDCHAIRS WILL HELP KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE DURING LONGER FISHING SESSIONS.
PVA tape
Similar to string, but with a flat, wide profile, tape can also be used to form stringers or used for tying off the tops of solid PVA bags. Due to its thicker profile, tape holds strung baits in position better, so is best suited to long-range casting.
THE BEST CARP RODS WILL HELP YOU FISH AT DISTANCE WITH EASE.
Mesh bags
Made from woven PVA thread, this stocking-like material revolutionised carp fishing. It comes in long lengths, enabling bags of any size to be quickly made up on the bank with little or no waste. The other advantage of mesh bags is that they are much faster and less fiddly to make than their solid equivalents, as well as having a shorter melt time. Pretty much any bait can be used inside a mesh bag – whole or broken boilies, PVA-friendly particles, groundbait, pellets, casters and maggots are all great and proven options.
There are two main ways to attach a mesh bag, either nicked on or threaded down the hooklink. The latter helps to prevent tangles and also keeps the feed close to the hookbait once the bag melts.
MESH BAGS ARE GREAT FOR BARBEL TOO, TRY CATCHING ONE ON THESE GREAT STRETCHES.
