Shropshire based Black Cat Baits have begun supplying PVA products direct via mail order.
The bags are supplied in resealable bags that are both waterproof and accessible and the range Black Cat Baits provide is fantastic. Sizes from 2inches x 3inches are available up to 9inchs x 4 inches, although Briony and the team will custom make bags to suit your ideas or requirements.
The price is fantastic considering the quality of the bags and you can get them at just £1 for 10. A snip compared to what other companies charge and as post and packaging is included within the price this company really are providing a great service. Even Tim Paisley has praised this product, he caught his biggest ever Birch fish (using the pva bags) at 34lbs 2oz!
Cone bags:
These were produced for ease when casting and were very impressive. The dissolve time was almost perfect and even in freezing water temperatures the bags broke down quickly enough for use in the winter. They are available in 4 sizes from 5 to 8 inch bases, at £1.60-£1.90 for 10. The accuracy obtained when casting make these a firm favourite and we recommend these to those of you who have problems with standard bags. The aerodynamic shape also makes sure these bags sink quickly to the bottom because the surface area is much less. We found that putting the heaviest bait in first and a PVA nugget last made sure these bags torpedoed to the bottom where they explode on impact!
Double Thickness Bags:
Created for when a slower breakdown time is needed, namely at the height of summer. In cold water these took a while to break down but still did not ‘gloop’ any freebies together. In warm water these were especially good and definately lend themselves to summer use. Available in the same sizes as the standard bags the extra thickness gives the thinking angler more options on the bank and at £1.50-£2.30 these are still a bargain.
‘Pocket’ Bags:
"New" pocket bags all sizes come with a 2" high pocket on the side of the bag, for the weight, leaving more room in the bag, it also enables the bag to be pre filled. These were a bit fiddly at first because larger weights were difficult to get into the ‘pocket’ and the sides of the pocket split a few times. After a little time though this problem was overcome and when bags are used at the same length as the hooklength the lay of the line over the bag of bait looked and operated to great effect.
PVA String:
At just £1 for a 10 metre spool or £12 for 150 metres this good-quality string is seriously worth investing in. Unlike some other brands the string does not fray and is extremely strong. It looks and feels just like normal string and its breakdown time is about the same as every other string available. Coming on small cotton spools a case to keep it in would be nice as it may get lost easily, but it did fit into other brands boxes as a replacement spool.
Biodegradable Foam:This vegetable based biodegradable foam can be used straight on the hook, or for best results, in a PVA bag. At £1.20 for 50 pieces this is a good quality PVA nugget for protecting hook ends and when baits need to land softly on silt or over weed. Coming in a resealable bag to aid water protection there are no worries about these products being ruined.
All Black Cat Baits PVA products come with full instructions on how best to use them and the mail order service is helpful to those anglers who sometimes don’t have time to travel to tackle stores and fork out much more than they would pay here. http://www.blackcatbaits.co.uk is a well laid out website and they also sell bait, leads and various other fishing related goods. They can also be contacted at Black Cat Baits, 12 Beaumont Court, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6DT, UK or you can Telephone/Fax them at 44 (0) 1694 724126
Matthew Woods
November 2002
