It is obvious that what carp do to baits on the surface is what they can do to baits in mid-water, popped-up, and on the bottom too. Dead baiting can be a long process and you have to be prepared to sit it out and wait for the pike to come to you as opposed to you actively searching for the pike. With fish meals you have so much choice and you are guaranteed with them to make highly nutritional homemade baits that will just keep on catching for years.