Meat Balls

[Andrew Thomas]

Got a couple of cans of Campbells in the garage. Last time I tried them I couldn't keep them on the hook. Anyone got any tips? Would microwaving them slightly make them any tougher or is there a particular hook [and size] that would suit?

 

[Richard Drayson]

Andrew, it all depends on what type of fishing you`re doing. Are you ledgering or freelining them for example? I use meatballs for ledgering close-in and for trundling through a swim for chub. They`ll fly off the hook if any effort is put into casting them out. As with all baits, try to match the size of the hook to the size of the bait, I use a size 4 or even a 2 for meatballs and sometimes insert a small blade of grass between the bend of the hook and the meatball before pushing the point of the hook back inside the bait. I haven`t personally tried this but have you thought about mounting them on a hair and using a boily stop?

 

[John Huntley]

Push a baiting needle through and then pull your number four hook through.When the hook comes through on the other side turn it through 90 degrees . They do stay on remarkably well. Best wash off the gravy before use otherwise they can be messy. Tescos ones are effective and cheaper. You can also cut them in half if a smaller bait is required.

 

[Paul Williams]

They can be hair rigged, use a decent stop though, if you do need a beafier cast try the firmer swedish ones from supermarkets.....and Ikea!!.....just don't take the wife coz it will cost you!!!!!

 

[Rob Shallcroft]

Empty the can of meatballs, bin the grunge around the individual balls, throw them in an old frying pan add some powdered flavour and lightly fry for about ten mins. Stir them around a bit and you end up with a slightly tougher bait.

As John says put em on with a baiting needle and size four Drennan Super Specialist, leave the hook point exposed and you're in business.

 

[Dave Johnson]

if you e-mail Graham, he has a jpeg of exactly how to do it, I will see if i have it and will mail privately to you.

 

[Keith Miller]

I make up bait bands from pole elastic, about the diameter of a pound coin, using no.5 elastic (black). I can then either put round the meatball and catch the hook through the band or put the band on a hair and fish hair rigged meatball.

 

[Stephen Hastie]

I do not wash off the gunge as this acts as a good attractor sending down a lovely smell for the fish to home in on. Yes it can be messy but if you take a small towel with you it is not to bad.

what brand are these swedish meat balls come, Paul

 

[Paul Williams]

Stephen,
They are packaged under a few brands, you find them in the chill cabinets along with hotdog sausauges etc.......and my missus thinks i go shopping to help!! ;o)

 

[GrahamM]

The Meatball Rig can be seen here in a new section that this thread has inspired!:

<a href=http://www.fishingmagic.com/news/article.asp?SP=&v=r&UAN=1301>'The Rigs Page'</A>

 

[nicky garbutt]

why don't you give an go one of them partridge double t wire rig.

 

[Dave Burr]

Hi all, long time reader, first time contributer. I used to use the 'Safeways' own brand but
they've just stopped producing them. So I have been to Aldi's and Lidle's.
They sell cheap & cheerful stuff and their 'chicken' meatballs in tomato sauce are
as tough as old boots. They work too, tried them the other day and had a couple
of 8lb barbel on 'em.!

 

[Dave Johnson]

nice one Dave, welcome to the forum proper. Where did you catch then?

 

[Bob Gill]

Some meatballs are softer than others and can fly off easily.
Campbells in Onion Gravy and Princes are very soft and unless you are careful a bit of a waste of time.
Campbells in Tomato Sauce and Bolognaise are OK and toughist - so are Tesco's, Asda (these latter two contain quite a bit of chicken). Wilsons in Tomato Sauce could be the toughest of all.
Hope this helps......

 

[Dave Burr]

Hi Dave, from the Wye.
Another thing I do with my balls (ooer!) is to get rid of all the
sauce/gravy whatever, yes I know thats where the flavour comes from but it
soon washes off in the river, and then put the meatballs in a bit of brown crumb.
This makes them nice and clean to handle and sends all those lovely crumby bits
downstream as an attractor. Works for me.