How To Store Boilies To Keep Them Fresh

Knowing how to store boilies properly can help you keep them fresh and ultimately improve your catch results.

Not only that, but if you can keep them lasting longer, it’ll likely save you some money too. Which is a big bonus in today’s economic climate!

How you store your boilies is usually dictated by a couple of variables. Most importantly, it depends on whether you choose to use shelf life boilies or frozen boilies.

As the name suggests, shelf life boilies contain preservatives which typically make them a little easier to store and keep fresh over long periods of time.

On the other hand, frozen baits lose their nutritional value a bit faster. With that in mind, you do have to care for them a little bit more to ensure they stay fresh at home and on the bank.

Let’s take a look at how to store them properly.

How to store shelf life boilies at home

Shelf life boilies are by far the easiest to store.

The primary benefit of using shelf life boilies is the inclusion of preservatives.

This means that they can typically last for up to 12 months without losing their nutritional value and attraction.

Like preserved food that we buy from supermarkets, shelf life boilies should be stored in a dark, cool, dry place.

Try to avoid damp or hot environments where the bait make take on moisture or sweat.

Most bait companies supply their shelf lifes in resealable packaging, which makes things a little easier these days. As long as you keep them sealed when stored, you’ll have no problem using them for up to 12 months.

Essentials for keeping boilies fresh

How to store shelf life boilies on the bank

Storing boilies of the shelf life variation on the bank couldn’t be easier.

Just take the bag with you and use them straight out of the bag.

This is one of the main benefits of shelf lifes; there is no faffing around defrosting and rehydrating your baits. It’s makes boilie fishing so much easier.

That being said, you may find your shelf life baits going a little harder if left in direct sunlight or in a hot bivvy. In this instance it pays to pour some matching glug over them to rehydrate and add back in some of their attraction.

How to store frozen boilies at home

Storing frozen boilies at home is just as easy as storing shelf life baits.

Just put them straight in the freezer as soon as you receive them from your bait company or tackle shop. Try as much as you can not to let them defrost.

They can typically last in the freezer for years without losing any nutritional value. Of course this depends on how cold your freezer is.

In my experience, the hardest part about storing frozen boilies at home is fitting the rest of your food in.

My Mrs. is always moaning about me taking up a whole draw with 10kg of bait at any one time!

How to store frozen boilies on the bank

Storing frozen boilies on the bank is where things get a little tricky.

Frozen boilies last a few days once thawed, as long as you keep them in a chilly climate and out of the sun.

They may begin to lose their freshness considerably sooner if you are fishing in warm weather.

In light of this, you must keep them as cool as you can on the bank.

Use a cool bag for storing frozen boilies

You can keep your frozen boilies fresh with the help of a good cool bag and some ice packs. Just be careful not to overfill the cooler bag you use to store them.

As and when you need them, you can remove the boilies from the cool bag and let them fully defrost before baiting up.

This is probably the best way to go when it comes to storing freezer baits, particularly if you only fish over the weekend.

You can then return any leftovers to the freezer when you get home.

Use an air dry bag

Alternatively, you can air dry your boilies to remove any moisture out of them completely.

This is the preferred method for anyone fishing longer than a weekend or baiting up heavily with a throwing stock.

Air drying boilies makes them last longer but typically removes their flavour attraction and makes them harder for carp to digest.

If you are to go down this route, it’s wise to rehydrate them as and when you need to by glugging in lake water and their matching liquid attractant.

If you come home with any leftovers, it’s best not to re-freeze them. Instead, put them in an air-tight container and make sure there is absolutely no moisture inside.