A true classic Alternative Hookbait that has been a huge favourite of our customers and team members alike. The number of big fish these hookbaits have produced over the years practically defies belief.
These Fluoro Yellow Pop-ups include elevated levels of our Nature Identical Pineapple Flavour along with the ever reliable, the superbly pungent N-Butyric Acid along with amino rich feed stimulants that guarantee the maximum attraction.
Ideal for use as single hook baits, works a treat with any of our range of baits but always been a big favourite to use in combination with our Trigga Pineapple & N-Butyric range of boilies and Trigga pellets.
Testing the Blank Saver Range: A Week of Unexpected Turns
Fishing trips rarely go exactly as planned, and this one was no exception. What started as a straightforward plan to get some quality time on the lake quickly morphed into an adventure full of twists and turns. At one point, I even considered packing up entirely. But then I realized that would be a waste of an opportunity, so I decided to stick with it—and I’m glad I did. It turned into the perfect chance to test the new Nutrabaits Blank Saver range, with results that were both surprising and enlightening.
The Set-Up
I arrived at my club lake around 11:30am, and to my delight, the lake was completely empty. It was the perfect time to get set up, but as always, the first decision was where to fish. Typically, I’m drawn to the dam end, particularly because of the thick lily pads there. However, this time I knew it was important to venture out and try a new swim to better understand the lake. So far, I’d only fished seven of the twenty available swims, and with so many options, it was time to step out of my comfort zone.
The water was surprisingly clear, which posed a challenge. Clear water often brings increased activity from wildlife, particularly swans and mallards, both are a nuisance. I knew that deeper water would be beneficial in keeping the wildlife at bay, and I hoped that the carp would find the bait I put out regardless of the disturbance from the ducks. There were only about ten ducks on the water, and after the weekend anglers, I hoped there would be enough boilies left for the carp.
The Approach
For baiting, I opted for small Castaway PVA mesh bags filled with Nutrabaits pellets soaked in hemp oil. I used a different Blank Saver bait on each of my three rods—perfect for testing. The lake allows three rods, which gave me the ideal setup for this experiment.
Choosing the swim wasn’t easy, but I finally settled on a spot right in the middle of the east bank. The wind was forecasted to blow from that direction, and the area also received the most sunlight throughout the day. The early growth of the new lily pads was another sign that it could be a productive spot. I’d been eyeing this swim for a while—rarely fished and usually undisturbed by other anglers. Despite the lure of the dam wall, I decided to go for it, convinced that the middle area was a hidden gem.
A Sleepless Night
The first night was full of uncertainties. I rebaited my rods at 8:00pm and settled in, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the dam end might actually be the better option. The next morning, after a few restless hours, my middle rod screamed off around 7:50. It was a nice, mid-double common—a solid fish to start the session. The conditions had been a bit challenging: clear skies, moon overhead, and a drop in temperature overnight—but I was still pleased with the result. The question now was whether to stay in this swim or move to the dam end, where I had seen larger carp showing.
The Move
By 12:30, I couldn’t resist the temptation. Seeing those bigger carp in the pads at the dam wall, I packed up and moved. By 1:30, I was set up in the new swim. The change of scenery was exactly what I needed—the swim was quiet, undisturbed, and far from any other anglers. The longer I spent in this spot, the more I realized that I should have started here in the first place. The peace and seclusion made it the perfect place for a successful session.
My first take in the new swim was on the pink Blank Saver, after a wait of about 7 hours, and I was rewarded with a lovely mirror carp. It was the boost I needed. After a quick tea, I sent the bait boat back out with a medium-sized PVA bag filled with chopped 18mm boilies, pellets, and a sprinkling of Himalayan pink salt—a tactic I’ve been using for years with great success, especially at this time of year.
The Carp’s Changing Preferences
Despite the carp activity through the night, I didn’t get any more takes. I suspected that the fish had moved into deeper, open water, which also explained why the water had started to cloud up. The once-crystal-clear lake was now murky under my rod tips, making it harder to gauge the fish’s movements.
The next day, however, things picked up. By noon, my left-hand rod took off, and I landed another solid carp. This made three fish for the trip, and each one had taken a different Blank Saver bait. I continued to mix things up, experimenting with different colors and approaches.
Around 4:30, my middle rod screamed off again—this time with what felt like the biggest fish of the session. After a tense fight, I finally landed it, but as always, my scales were at home. Typical! Still, I was thrilled with the catch, and the results were stacking up nicely.
The Final Stretch
The night brought more opportunities, but I also lost a couple of fish to hook pulls. That didn’t bother me, though—the Blank Saver baits were clearly working well, and the carp were responding. The next morning, I switched all my rods over to the yellow Blank Saver, which had been producing the most action. I’ve always believed in adapting to the fish’s preferences, and this change seemed like the right move.
By the end of the trip, I’d caught more fish than I expected and learned a lot about how the Blank Saver range performs under varying lake conditions. The final tally was:
3 x White
5 x Yellow
1 x Pink
The Verdict
This trip was all about testing the new Nutrabaits Blank Saver range, and I can confidently say it’s a winner. The baits worked well in the lake’s clear water, and the carp definitely had their preferences. The yellow Blank Saver outperformed the others, but that’s the beauty of these baits—they allow for experimentation, and as conditions change, so do the fish’s responses.
Whether you’re targeting carp in clear, deeper waters or fishing in murkier conditions, the Blank Saver range has proven itself versatile and reliable. As I reflect on this trip, I can’t help but look forward to the next one, ready to test these baits even further.
Until next time, keep experimenting, stay adaptable, and most importantly, keep fishing.
Richard
P.s
I headed back down to the lake, this time sticking solely with the yellow Blank Saver, as it’s clearly the one this water seems to favour. The results spoke for themselves—ten takes, eight fish landed, with the best tipping the scales at 28lb 6oz. There’s no doubt about it: this range has some serious pulling power.
After a good look around the lake earlier in the week, and also backed up by studying my old records, I decided the Double Gravel swim was my best bet. It wasn’t an easy decision, but with no other clear signs of carp activity elsewhere, it stood out as the most logical option. This swim has produced for me in the past, often with a bit of patience, and it’s one I’ve built confidence in over the years.
The first thing I always do when settling into a swim is to get the marker rod out. Even though I know the area well, I like to double-check that everything is still as it should be. Weed shifts about, silt builds up, and there’s nothing worse than assuming a spot is as clean as you remember, only to find it’s changed. The rod whistled out into the wind, clipped at the right distance, and the lead hit down with that firm, reassuring thud of clean gravel. A couple of drags confirmed it. Perfect. The long-range gravel bar was still there, sharp and defined, while the closer line I’ve favoured before was equally inviting.
This time, though, I wanted to tweak things. Normally, I’d fish further out, but my gut told me to bring one rod shorter. It felt like a gamble, but sometimes carp fishing is about breaking habits. The plan was simple: one rod fished closer with solidPVA bags, the other at long range on a proven spot that has a knack for throwing up the bigger carp every so often. That second rod, however, would be fished with single hookbaits only.
The crosswind was already building across the lake, and I knew accuracy would be an issue if I tried spombing at range. Singles would allow me to stay precise without overfeeding. On the closer rod, neat parcels of bait in the form of PVA bags would ensure everything stayed tight and attractive, without the wind scattering free offerings all over the place.
For bait, I stayed with my trusted choice—BFM boilies and solubles. There’s no point complicating things when you’ve got a formula that works. Both areas received a decent helping, enough to draw attention, but not so much that I’d risk overdoing it at this stage.
By the time the light started to fade, the rods were in place, the rigs tied with care, and everything clipped up and set. The lake settled into that familiar evening rhythm—birds skimming the surface, the breeze pushing through the trees, and the faint smell of autumn creeping into the air. It felt like I was in with a chance, even though I knew this wasn’t the sort of swim to expect fireworks on the first night.
First 24 Hours – Wednesday
The night passed quietly, which didn’t come as a surprise. Carp here tend to take their time before drifting into the area, but once they arrive, they often hold in front of you for days. That’s why the Double Gravel swim can be so rewarding if you’ve got the patience.
By 1130 hrs Wednesday, I felt the need to top up the spots. Four spombs went onto each area, pushed out against the crosswind, just enough to keep some bait trickling in. It was a bit of a battle keeping things accurate, but I felt confident the effort would pay off.
It wasn’t long before it did. At 1406 hrs, the left-hand rod suddenly burst into life. The fish kited hard, spending much of the fight on the surface, just like a couple I’d had the week before. The battle was tense but controlled, and eventually I guided a lovely 17lb 4oz common into the net. A cracking fish, not the biggest by any stretch, but very welcome all the same.
That one bite did wonders for my confidence. I’d been slightly worried I’d made the wrong decision in moving here, but catching from this swim before gave me belief, and once again it delivered.
Second Night & Thursday
Despite the good start, the following night played out exactly as the one before—quiet. By 0730 Thursday morning, I hadn’t had a single bleep. I’d neither seen nor heard anything through the dark hours, and the only other swim I might have fancied moving into was already occupied. In truth, I wasn’t ready to abandon the plan anyway. Two nights and one full day aren’t enough to judge an area like this. In the past, this swim has come good for me with persistence, and I reminded myself to trust the process.
By 1430 Thursday, I decided on a small change. I moved my right-hand rod into open water with a solid bag, as Ian was due to arrive at lunch time. This was partly to give Ian and me a bit more space between our lines, but also to test whether the fish were holding off in slightly different water.
That decision produced a result, though not quite the one I was after. At 1730 Thursday, the rod signalled a drop-back. I lifted into it and soon realised it wasn’t a carp but a tench. Not the prize I wanted, but at least it told me something was happening out there. It also gave me a chance to refresh both rods with new hookbaits and get things reset perfectly for the night ahead.
Final Night & Friday Morning
The hours ticked by, and at 0045 Friday morning, the right-hand rod finally gave me the sort of take I’d been waiting for—a steady, plodding run that screamed carp. The fight felt heavy, purposeful, and I was certain it was a better fish. But then, disaster. The line went slack. The hook had pinged out.
Losing carp is part of the game, but it doesn’t get any easier, especially when you know it felt like a good one. It’s been happening a lot lately, and it leaves you replaying everything in your head, wondering if you could’ve done anything differently. I quickly got another solid bag back out, but the sting of losing that fish sat heavily in the bivvy with me. After last week’s frustration with lost fish, this was the last thing I wanted to repeat.
The rest of the night stayed quiet, and by 0800 Friday morning, I was still brooding on that lost carp. It’s not just the missed opportunity—it’s the knowledge that these bigger fish don’t give themselves up easily, and every lost one feels like a setback.
Closing Thoughts
Despite the ups and downs, it was a session worth doing. The 17lb 4oz common gave me confidence in the swim, and while the tench and the lost fish brought their frustrations, they also reinforced that I was in the right area. Sometimes that’s half the battle—knowing you’ve put yourself where the carp are, even if luck doesn’t always play along.
Looking ahead, I can’t help but feel optimistic. The weather is due to turn more autumnal next week, with a change in wind direction and a drop in temperature. That shift often sparks more activity and encourages the carp to feed harder. If I can time it right, it could be the trigger for something special.
For now, though, I’ll chalk this session up as another step in the process. Carp fishing is rarely about instant results; it’s about piecing together the puzzle, session by session, until it all comes good.
Very rarely a bait lives up to the marketing, but one look at the catch reports will show that this bait is more than a little special.
Living up to its name in style with a long list of big carp already with carp to 88lb+ reported along with numerous other 80lb+ carp, several lake records and long list of personal bests falling to the range.
Our Big Fish Mix base mix has stood the test of time as one of the most consistent catches of big carp ever produced. Premium quality fish meals, pre-digested fish meals, milk and whey proteins, Sluis CLO, vitamins and minerals along Haith’s Robin Red which give a fantastic base mix giving big carp everything they ever need in a bait.
Add to this our Salmon Hydrolysate, nature identical Salmon Flavour, our UTCS Caviar flavour and to finish off with our Black Pepper essential oil that gives you the ultimate carp food.
Faced with nuisance species or simply wanting to leave your baits out for several days, then we’ve got it covered with our hard hook bait ranges which are available across all our bait ranges 🎣🎣
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 