Enterprise Tackle,
Faking it!

Bedfordshire based Enterprise Tackle are one of the company who pioneered the manufacturing of imitation or artificial baits in the U.K. From the early days of Corn, maggots and casters, to the superb selection of baits and terminal tackle they offer today, there is no doubt that these baits are here to stay and are part of most specimen and specialist anglers bait arsenals.

Open any angling magazine, read the catch reports and features, now I bet that at least one report or feature in any publication mentions the use of imitation baits or Fake Baits as we so lovingly call them. From the humble grub, to luncheon meat, bread to boilie you find them all in this ever growing bait phenomena.

Unlike traditional baits where they either sink naturally and need some kind a buoyancy aid to present them of the bottom, with imitation baits you decide the presentation you want and use the bait that suit the presentation best. Say for instance you want to use maggot, you can either present them as a pop up bait, bottom baits and by combining the pair you can present your baits critically balanced, the options are endless

With well over a decade of experience in this very specialised field, we contacted the brains behind Enterprise Tackle Chris Hornsby, who was generous enough to supply us with a selection of products from their superb range, just to give you a taste of the products available from this very innovative company.

Imitation Maggots RRP £2.25

At one time or another, when fishing maggot up in the water or on the drop, we have all been pestered by small fish ripping maggots to pieces before they have reaches the targeted quarry, well not anymore. These exceptionally tough, none toxic, little pieces of rubber simulate the natural colour, texture, fall and drift of the maggot perfectly, they work so well if you put a couple of the imitation maggots in with a dozen live ones and through them in a bucket of water, you’ll do well to notice the difference.

Enterprise Tackle’s Imitation Maggots are available in 3 colours, these are Red, White & Bronze. In each packet you get 20 Imitation Maggots in 2 different sizes, making then both versatile and great value for money

10mm “Frank Warwick Immortal Range” RRP £2.50

How many times have you sat by a lake, your lines have been in the water for hours, and that nagging thought comes into your head. “ Is my hook bait still on? Well thanks to these clever little Boilies, this is one question you will never have to ask again. Manufactured a boilie without using any food ingredients may seem impossible but Enterprise tackle have. They have worked exceptionally hard to get the balance of flavours; stimulants and feeding triggers just right, to create an artificial Boilie that fish are compelled to try.

When a 10mm hook bait is required unless you go to a great deal of effort and experimentation you can easily have a hook bait that will go soft, loose buoyancy, split etc. The Immortals are the perfect solution, they retain absolute constant buoyancy, are pest and crayfish proof also retaining perfect colour and attraction. They also work fantastically well as the top half of a snowman set up over a more subtle food bait!

The 10mm Boilies are available in the following flavours, Boilie Red Monster Squid, Boilie Orange Tutti Fruity, Boilie White Caramel, Boilie Fluoro Yellow Scopex Peach, Boilie Yellow Unflavoured and Boilie Mixed Coloured Unflavoured. You get 8 Boilies in every pack and they sell for the bargain price of only £2.50 a pack, Try them you won't be disappointed

Artificial Sinking Hemp RRP £1.95

I have spent many hours watching Carp feed in shallow marginal waters, studying the way they graze on the bed of particles I had for the prepared for the arrival of the expected heard, earlier in the session. Taking note of the cautious way in which they meticulously filter out the free offerings without accepting anything that feels slightly untoward.

All this brought to my attention one very important fact, even when the Carp would not take a pellet or Boilie offering, they would always feed confidently on small particles like hemp. This made me decide to look into ways of presenting clusters of hemp, without making it distinguishable from the free offerings already in my swim.

My first efforts where to say the least farcical, crushed seed glued to a cork ball or a pellet. Hemp seed drilled and threaded onto a hair, this did give me some limited success but I knew I would have to find a better solution. Then about September of last year I was given a sample of the New Enterprise Sinking Hemp, and Walla!! I had found the solution.

I simply hair rigged 6 or 8 grains of artificial hemp, I would always thread the 3 or 4 grains of sinking hemp first, to ensure it was nearest to the Small size 10 hook. I would then add the 3 or 4 grains of buoyant hemp, in theory present the hemp on a critically balanced Snowman Rig.

This rig has caught me numerous Carp from the margins when I know other rigs and baits would have failed. Give it a go in the warmer months and you’ll be surprised at the results.

Enterprise Tackle, What’s new for 2009 - First Impressions

Kwik Strike Butt Grips RRP £3.95

Unique two part multi functional butt grip – rod lock, designed in collaboration with Frank Warwick. The clip remains firmly attached to the rod allowing instant resistant free striking. Available in two versions for Duplon/Cork or Abbreviated handles 14mm to 18mm diameter. Includes a luminescent glow stick that can be replaced with a Hi Power 3mmØ x 15mm isotope (sold separately).

Ray’s verdict - a very clever and original twist to a basic piece of equipment, that should find it’s place on many a bank stick and Buzz Bar over the next few months.

Sweetcorn Hair Stop RRP £2.25

Enterprise buoyant sweetcorn hair stops combine the fish attracting properties of our imitation corn, with the convenience of an easy to use hair stop, eliminating the need for a traditional dumbbell type stop. Ideal for use with boilies, pellets, nuts etc, acting as a sight tag to further enhance their attraction, a tactic that many of the country’s top carp angler’s have adopted. Their buoyancy helps to counterbalance the weight of the hook bait, increasing the chances of a pick up. Ray’s verdict – I personally like the idea of using what is essentially a piece of bait as a hair stop, it could potentially give you an edge.

Imitation Redworm & Popup Redworm Worm Flavour RRP £2.50

After the success of the Bloodworm Range, enterprise has now released this range of Redworm for 2009. They have been designed to use either on the hair or as a clever mask for the hook.

In each packet you receive eight worms in each packet, you get 3 x small, 3 x Medium & 2 x large worms which are pre soaked in a very potent worm flavouring. A combination of Imitation and Popup Redworms create a very interesting presentation that many a fish will find very hard to resist.

Ray’s Verdict - I personally love fishing for big Bream and Tench Fishing and both these species adore worms. The liquid worm Flavour they are soaked in stinks of real chopped worm and I can’t wait to get them on the bank and see just how good they are.

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FULL USERS REPORT ON ALL LISTED NEW ENTERPRISE TACKLE PRODUCTS   

PLEASE READ: Before using Imitation or Fake Baits, always check the fishery rules to ensure they are permitted on the venue.