How to use your baitboat to get results

Getting started

Before leaving home ensure that all your batteries are fully charged for both the boat and the handset. Ensure that the engines, steering, lights and release mechanism are all working as they should.

Setting up your baitboat and loading it with bait

When you have chosen your swim and had a fish around with your marker float cast your rod out to the marker float and either clip or mark your line when its in the right position. Put your baitboat onto your unhooking mat to avoid getting any scratches from stones etc.

Pull your hook link into the hopper area and keep the maximum distance between your lead and hook as possible. Use short hook links when using a baitboat as this will help avoid any snags or tangles. Once you have closed the hopper door put the lead into the bottom leaving your hook dangling out to one side. Once you have filled your baitboat with the required amount of bait place your hook on top of the bait pile and attach your PVA if required. Note that if its raining and your baitboat doesn’t have a hopper lid then you might want to try and bury your PVA bag in your bait as much as possible so it survives the trip.

Send it out

Setup a spare couple of bank sticks which you can use when taking out your baitboat. This will help ensure that the rod is always in the same place when using your boat, and the tip of the rod can be close to the water so that if its windy then your line is reasonably tight. Take your boat out towards your marker float and in a straight line as possible. Make a mental note of a feature on the far bank which you can use for direction when recasting. When your line hits the clip or you see the marker tape stop the boat, double check your happy with the position and drop. Unclip your line and either send the boat to its next destination or return it to shore.

Take care of your bait boat

Looking after your baitboat will help ensure that it needs less servicing. Some baitboats have little drainage holes in the body of the boat. When sending out the baitboat its best to cover these holes with a piece of electrical tape or something so stop any water getting in if the water is a little choppy. When you have returned the boat to the bank, remove the tape, and let it dry.

Depending what bait your are using, you may want to give it a wipe over with a soft cloth.

Check the propellers or filters for any bits of weed and rubbish, turn it off and tuck it away somewhere out of sight.

When you have returned home, remove the batteries from the boat and handset, give the boat a wipe over, let it dry and keep it in a dry place. Follow the manufacturers instructions for battery care, as some batteries require to be full discharged before recharging them. This will help prolong the life of the batteries.

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