FRESHWATER ANGLING: Three Top Dip Combinations for Autumn

WORDS & PHOTOS: The Bank Angler staff & Field contributors Experienced bank anglers know that when it comes to using dips the basic rule is to utilise the different base flavours for different seasons. For example, strong flavours are used in winter and sweet flavours in summer. To take the use of dips to the next level of expertise they can also be used in combinations that often lead to a combination becoming a well respected and successful dip. Here are three such combinations. VICKS AND STINKVOETE This dip combo is really something that prompts a positive reaction from mudfish. Be advised however that this combination is species-specific for mudfish only and does not readily attract other species. VICKS has a strong eucalyptus base flavour; it is liquid and sprayable and although it appears red/orange in the bottle, it turns green in the water. STINKVOETE is a bloodred, thick, sweet syrup prepared with a strong cheese flavour. Be careful with it and always give it a good shake before using it so that the oil and syrup mix well. Application Vicks can easily be sprayed onto the feedball and because of a spray cap on the bottle, with little or no spillage. It is advisable to apply only one spray of this in the morning because it can drive the fish away if you overdo it. Later as the day progresses, and the wind picks up, you can increase it to two to three sprays. Place a dot of the Stinkvoete on top of the Vicks after shaking it well and spread it over the ball. As the day progresses and the wind picks up you can apply more Stinkvoete. TJOP-TJOP AND TRACER This is a great combination for those less-than-pleasant days, particularly in afternoons when the wind is blowing strongly, while on days with thunderstorms and cloudy conditions it can be used from the morning. It is an interesting combination as the colour and flavour spreads at different levels in the water column. It is not a great combination on warm, windless days and in dams where the water is clear or fairly clean. TJOP-TJOP is a fairly strong, sweet pineapple dip that creates a green cloud in the water. It is a very thin liquid so works easily in a spray bottle. TRACER is also a runny dip with a spirits base flavour; it is dark green and produces a bright green cloud in the water. Application Tjop-Tjop can be applied liberally as it penetrates deeply into the feedball, so up to three sprays can be applied. Give it a few seconds to soak in. The Tracer is then applied on top of the Tjop-Tjop moistened feedball. Also remember to start with a little – place just a dot of it on the top of the feedball and rub it in to activate the aroma while the pineapple mixes slightly with it. You can also shake the feedball in custard powder to prevent the dip from evaporating or drying out too quickly. STUTTAFORD AND OXBLOOD WITH SNIPER* There are few – if any! – carp in the southern hemisphere that will not be attracted to this combination! Although it is mainly a combination that carp really like, other species such as grass carp and mudfish also find it attractive and therefore it is always a winning recipe to try at any dam. STUTTAFORD is made from wintergreen oil which has a sweet but strong aroma. It is light yellow in colour, thin and runny and creates a slight greenish tint in the water, however the oil quickly escapes and moves to the surface which causes the entire water column to become filled with this unique dip. OXBLOOD is dark red and runny as the name suggests. It is very sweet and smells amazing! Application Be careful not to apply too much of the Stuttaford, even if the wind is blowing. Because it has an oil base, it is very strong and clings to everything it comes into contact with. One spray is usually sufficient and only when the wind is really blowing can more be applied. In contrast, the Oxblood can be used very liberally and you can't really overdo it. The angler can decide if only a stripe or two is put on the feedball or if the ball is flooded. This dip will certainly not drive fish away. *SNIPER can be added to the Stuttaford and Oxblood combination to make a more dense green cloud in the water.

FRESHWATER ANGLING: Three Top Dip Combinations for Autumn

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