Thanks for the replies chaps
I have been out and about trying to locate fish and we have found some including one good shoal. I have also been watching the barbel DVDs and reading various books and they all basically state that if you want to catch consistently and not blow the swims you do need to draw the fish from where they live. So in that respect I can appreciate the need for a bait with good attracting values.
I am confident in the bait that I am going to use this coming campaign but just wish I could find a few more decent groups of fish to extend my swim options. I fish a good few swims which I know produce but to be honest they are no secret and everybody else knows they produce.
I intend to continue walking the banks over the coming weeks and who knows I just may find what I am looking for. A swim that looks its never been fished with those familar shadows and flashes between the weeds
Regards
Jedd