Bait protection from the rain

[Fugley-fisher]

With winter fast approaching my normal set up preston large side tray with a drennan baitwaiter next to it does not protect my bait from rain, options are a eva bait system on the side tray and leave the baitwaiter in the bag or a box style like the nufish aqulock. I do not want a brolly, only fish with rods so a brolly just gets in the way. Apart from the costs pros and cons of each method of protecting your bait.

 

[Cobweb]

I dropped the brolly option as it kept getting in my way though I still have it stored away. I have Preston's Venta lite slim tray attached to my OnBox (or Korum chair) to store my bait and bits on and I use that black and orange bait umbrella which works for me and does not interfere with my casting. That bait umbrella can either be free standing or gripped in a box accessory. I did look at a hood setup accessory but decided against that as it would be (for my fishing) too cumbersome and not cost effective. I keep my bait in tubs or (in the case of groundbait/feeder mix) in a Drennan specialist groundbait holder which has a zip cover, an internal waterproof seal, and is collapsible

 

[Ken the Pacman]

I use the original Matrix lidded rigid side tray mostly, pain to carry but holds everything I need.
Stood in the river my bait apron has a flap over the pouch which works great.

 

[Neil ofthe nene]

I don't use a brolly. On commercials the baits are largely unaffected by rain - pellets, corn, meat, dead reds.

With live baits like maggot & pinkie I just keep the boxes under my seat and only get a few out at a time. Towel or second box over the exposed bait keeps most of the rain off.

Bread on the canal is largely unaffected also.

 

[lp1886]

With winter fast approaching my normal set up preston large side tray with a drennan baitwaiter next to it does not protect my bait from rain, options are a eva bait system on the side tray and leave the baitwaiter in the bag or a box style like the nufish aqulock. I do not want a brolly, only fish with rods so a brolly just gets in the way. Apart from the costs pros and cons of each method of protecting your bait.

A normal over the head brolley gets in the way, but a bait brolley is fine.

 

[Simon R]

Nufish Aqualock
Had one since 2017 and not only does it keep bait dry it also keeps things on the side tray rather than spilt underneath it due to being a clumsy sod (like me)



The side support arm isn't really needed - I've used it both with and without it and can't really tell the difference.
Holds six standard size Drennan bait boxes and it's deep enough to stack them two high if required.
Mines the early model so doesn't have the pockets under the lid which apparently are useful for holding phones, disgorgers, hook-tiers etc.

They just fit in the side pocket of the large Drennan carry-all or if you get a Nufish stink bag they come with a side pocket especially sized for the side tray - the bag being reviewed in the 'New Gear' section of this months Match Fishing magazine despite being released about two years ago.

Simon

 

[Fugley-fisher]

I think birthday and crimbo cash may come in handy looks like it's the box style for me. Cheers for the input.

 

[feldri]

Nufish Aqualock
Had one since 2017 and not only does it keep bait dry it also keeps things on the side tray rather than spilt underneath it due to being a clumsy sod (like me)



The side support arm isn't really needed - I've used it both with and without it and can't really tell the difference.
Holds six standard size Drennan bait boxes and it's deep enough to stack them two high if required.
Mines the early model so doesn't have the pockets under the lid which apparently are useful for holding phones, disgorgers, hook-tiers etc.

They just fit in the side pocket of the large Drennan carry-all or if you get a Nufish stink bag they come with a side pocket especially sized for the side tray - the bag being reviewed in the 'New Gear' section of this months Match Fishing magazine despite being released about two years ago.

Simon

Got both the Nufish Aqualock and the Nufish Stink bag, both brilliant. The lid on the box will sit at any angle so to keep sun or rain off the bait, plus I can get 4 Drennan bait boxes, a tub that holds 2 kilo of groundbait and still enough room for my mug of coffee and my car keys in it.

 

[Maesknoll]

I have switched from a bait brolly to one of these.

Preston Venta-Lite Hooded Side Tray

Preston Venta-Lite Hooded Side Tray in stock & Delivery, The Venta-lite Hoodie is the ideal side tray when you are expecting changeable weather conditions throughout the day. You can comfortably fish with the hood

www.bobcotackle.co.uk

Much better, easier to fold out of the way and you can remove the altogether if required.

 

[nejohn]

A cheap simple way is to put your bait boxes in carrier bags with the Open end towards you,

 

[piscatorial]

I have switched from a bait brolly to one of these.

Preston Venta-Lite Hooded Side Tray

Preston Venta-Lite Hooded Side Tray in stock & Delivery, The Venta-lite Hoodie is the ideal side tray when you are expecting changeable weather conditions throughout the day. You can comfortably fish with the hood

www.bobcotackle.co.uk

Much better, easier to fold out of the way and you can remove the altogether if required.

Does the hood keep the bait dry?
I'm tempted to purchase one, but not actually able to see one, looking at the picture it looks like the hood is a mesh material

 

[NoCarpPlease]

Towel or second box over the exposed bait keeps most of the rain off.
Bread on the canal is largely unaffected also.

What Neil says .... no umbrella, I use a large side tray (AS1 box) and have a selection of small and large tubs in the carryall.
Any live maggot baits go in smaller tubs and are covered by a larger tub which is then lifted off to take a pinch of feed.
This is also proof against driving rain coming from a nasty direction.

bread goes in an Image punch box.

The fibreglass side tray is >30 years old so has "drainage holes"

 

[Maesknoll]

Does the hood keep the bait dry?
I'm tempted to purchase one, but not actually able to see one, looking at the picture it looks like the hood is a mesh material

It does keep the bait dry, metal base is mesh, the hood is waterproof and the sides have a tight mesh, that I haven’t had rain come through yet - about 12 months use.

 

[The Landlord]

Nufish Aqualock
Had one since 2017 and not only does it keep bait dry it also keeps things on the side tray rather than spilt underneath it due to being a clumsy sod (like me)



The side support arm isn't really needed - I've used it both with and without it and can't really tell the difference.
Holds six standard size Drennan bait boxes and it's deep enough to stack them two high if required.
Mines the early model so doesn't have the pockets under the lid which apparently are useful for holding phones, disgorgers, hook-tiers etc.

They just fit in the side pocket of the large Drennan carry-all or if you get a Nufish stink bag they come with a side pocket especially sized for the side tray - the bag being reviewed in the 'New Gear' section of this months Match Fishing magazine despite being released about two years ago.

Simon

Nice bit of kit that. Expensive like but good that it collapses down & can be put in the carryall

 

[piscatorial]

It does keep the bait dry, metal base is mesh, the hood is waterproof and the sides have a tight mesh, that I haven’t had rain come through yet - about 12 months use.

Thanks for the pics, much clearer now.
I have got a Vent a Lite tray, which is pre-drilled to take the hood, though not seen them for sale separately.
Other option I thought of was a using a EVA Bait Tray. Problem is though they come with a selection of bait containers but they don't have lids on them, which to me is a design error.