When I joined (rejoined) Nutrabaits in December 2025, one of the questions I was asked most on social media (and in person) was "What bait / baits are you going to use?". It had been more than a decade since I'd used Nutrabaits but, having fished with Brian Skoyles and visited the factory, it was easy; Trigga Ice. The last bait I used from Nutrabaits in 2012 was going to be my main bait in 2026, albeit the new version felt much improved from what I left a decade plus ago. Whilst there are anglers who flip flop baits throughout the year, I must admit I'm not that kind of angler. If I'm targeting one / maybe two waters a year, then I see no point in changing baits throughout MOST of the year. Carp fishing is a series of equations, and why change part of what I know works? Sure, if I'm fishing a multitude of waters MAYBE, but with something as good as Trigga Ice I never need to worry that the feed bait is the issue. So for me it's Trigga Ice from the spring onwards until the first really hard frosts. And when I mean frosts, it's when the water consistently stays below 10 degrees. Then it will be the CO-DE, but more about that later in the year. So if I'm on Trigga Ice for the foreseeable future, are there any changes worth detailing that might be a help for you as the season progresses?
When I kicked off my campaign on my two syndicate waters, it was still cold above and below the surface and, as I'm more opportunist than long stay as an angler, I knew it would be foolhardy to pile it in, be it 12mm, 15mm baits or bigger. Plenty of round boilies went into the Ridgemonkey Boily Crusha machine and a lot of Trigga Ice crumb created. When I was fishing tight to reeds, snags etc, it was Bushwhackered Trigga Ice crumb and single Hi-Viz wafters / pop ups over it. In open water I like a moderate spread of Trigga Ice Solubles (coated in the matching Activator liquid) and a matching or Hi-Viz wafter and golf ball sized mesh bag of Trigga Ice crumb and matching Boily Bites (90:10 ratio). As I write this in mid April, although it's wet and a little miserable, that water temperature is consistently over 11 degrees and their ability to digest and to seek feed is almost there. My advice is really three fold if you fish as I do (odd days and nights but no long stays)
a) Whatever your bait choice is (Trigga Ice / BFM / Energize etc), stick with it. Now is not the time to be indecisive, and all those will definitely see you proud from May through summer and autumn.
b) Play it by ear and use your common sense. If carp are active (either visually or through yours or other anglers' captures), then it's time to fish over bait. It can be hit and miss between spring and spawning, so be aware of what IS happening rather than what SHOULD be happening. Better to be a little conservative than **** or bust!
c) If you are going to put bait in (unless you're a long session angler), ala prebaiting style, I find putting it in when I leave rather than when I'm there is best. If it's local and not overly busy, a day or two before fishing is best. On local syndicates this is possible, but not everywhere of course. At the end of the session, providing it does not compromise other anglers' fishing, I do like to trickle some in likely areas.
So although it may feel like it's 'Fill ya boots' time, take a breath, use your common sense and your choice of bait from Nutrabaits will do the rest.
Julian Cundiff
