Berley Mate is back

Berley Mate is back.

About 1993 a product called Berley Mate was developed, and it revolutionised the way we berley. It was so effective and popular in its day, that it’s likely most fishermen still have a blue Berley Mate dispenser somewhere in the shed.

After a while, time and circumstances conspired and the owners had to mothball the plant and machinery. The covers have been thrown off, the machines restated, and the proven Berley Mate formula has been improved.

Squid-liver proteins (which contain DHA and EPA, long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated omega-4 — a richer mix than fish oil) have been added. Fish seek out these proteins and squid liver is the best source for this rich prize. Often, it’s just the protien-rich gut of a pilchard that the fish will eat.

As well as using Berley Mate again, fishers can get even and lace their bland bait with a new addition to the Berley Mate range: Bait Booster squid oil.

How does the squid-liver work? The proteins are absorbed through the fish’s receptors, which triggers a response, causing them to become more aggressive and feed — like when we walk past the smell of the sausage stand at the hardware store, you have to have it even if you’re not hungry!

The Berley Mate berley logs trail neither floats nor sinks, it stays where it disperses, so you fish down the berley trail (remember that the berley trail is not necessarily in the direction the back of the boat is pointing).

Like the original product, it doesn't need refrigeration, doesn't smell and is a clean berley solution. Unused logs can be put back in the original packaging for next time.

Berley Mate, boosted squid liver oils, Black Stuff and Booster and all manner of omega-rich tid-bits are available  It’s good to see a classic New Zealand brand back on the shelves.

Happy trails!