Try The Monkey Ade Kiddell is an expert barbel angler and over the years has perfected a new style of feeder fishing that’s totally transformed his results. Here’s how to create the ultimate Monkey mix… If there is one flavour that has caught me more barbel than any other it has to be Spicy Sausage. When my supplies of the flavour dried up a couple of years ago, I along with many other barbel anglers searched high and low to find a replacement flavour that had the same effectiveness. Along with the baits gurus at Sonubaits, I tried and tested several samples but none matched that original flavour. Eventually, we came up with something that matched the original flavour both in the aroma and more importantly its effectiveness. Early results were incredible, not just for barbel but also for chub, and especially carp. The challenge now was to include the flavour in a range of easy to use baits, simply a hookable pellet, a paste and a liquid bait enhancer. The end result is the Barbel and Carp range that not only includes the Hemp & Spicy Sausage flavour but also the reliable and effective Hemp & Halibut and another all time favourite, Hemp & Cheesy Garlic. To compliment the range the four sizes of elliptical shaped pellet make a welcome and effective change from normal pellets. I have found all three flavours work well. The Halibut has the edge in the summer but when there’s any colour in the water then the Cheesy Garlic comes into its own, whilst the Spicy Sausage is an autumn and winter classic.
To get the best from the baits I use an open ended feeder filled with a mixture of different sized pellets that have been softened and enhanced with the liquid flavour to match the hookbait I will be using. I call this mix The Monkey.
■■ The Hemp and Spicy Sausage hookbaits are Ade’s favourites for barbel fishing.
I mix equal measures of 4mm and 8mm Elliptical Feed with double the measure in 6mms. Using the same size measure I add some river water and a good squirt of flavour, before giving the whole lot a good shake up. Make sure all the pellets are coated and for the next 10 minutes give them a good mix every couple of minutes. After 10 minutes, pour off any excess liquid. The resulting pellet mixture should now be left for a further 10 minutes to become sticky. Fishing The Monkey is easy. Cram an open ended feeder with the mix and if you’re on the river, fish a long hooklength, around 4 feet or so. If targeting carp with this mix, try much shorter hooklengths. Hair rig your chosen hook bait and away you go. Because the Hookbait Pellets are also laced with flavour, you end up with a combination that’s just too good for any fish to resist, which is why I always favour The Monkey. Give it a try, I’m sure it will improve your fishing.
l eAdelKiddell d d i A.K
Specimen Angler
38
INGENIOUS, IRRESISTIBLE