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IGFA Corporate
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 PART TWO: SAFE USE OF CARP BAITS.
The modern carp angler resorts to four main sources of bait and feed: particles, pellets, boilies and ground bait mixes. Each of these four types of food source could be the subject of many hours of study. However, what we want to discuss here are fundamental, basic principles for a safe use of carp feed.
“Particles” is the generic term behind which we find many different seeds, nuts and tubercles. Maize, hemp or tiger nuts are amongst the most notorious. It is vital that those particles be soaked for periods varying from 24 to 48 hours and then cooked for up to half an hour for some of them. This process makes them much more digestible and prevents fish death caused by the swelling of particles in their digestive system. Simply take a grain of maize that soaked for 48 hours and put it next to a dry one.
Now imagine that a fish might have swallowed dozens of dry grains that will swell before being digested, and the damage is easy to forecast! Some particles are more toxic (i.e. the peanut) than others, others have very high oil content (i.e. the Brazil nut) and have to be used with care. |
 Preparing particles can be a bit tedious, so don’t be afraid to cook large amounts and freeze them in bags of 500g or so. That way you always have bait handy, and don’t have to take too large amounts on the bank. Also try to keep your particles cool whilst fishing; some deteriorate quite rapidly otherwise (hemp for example). I also like to keep different particles separately and mix them at the last minute, as some are best used fresh (hemp for example) and others need to macerate (tiger nuts).
The amounts of particles to introduce in your swim are dictated by the same factors deciding how much to feed generally; time of the year, water temperature, density of carp and the duration of your session. In most waters larger amounts will result in a delayed response. With particles we ought to also take into consideration density of silver fish. It is indeed quite surprising to see at which rate a shoal of roach or bream can devastate a generous bed of particles!
Pellets have become very popular bait in carp fishing. It is a product that has been used for decades to rear stock in fish farms. It is composed mainly of cereal, fish meal and fish oils in variable amounts. The variation in fish oil and fish meal content is primarily due to the species of fish the pellets are destined for. Essentially high oil pellets are designed for rearing trout and pellets with lower oil contents designed for carp and other cyprinids. High oil pellets can be very detrimental to carp, especially if introduced in large quantities, and the lower the water temperature, the more dangerous they become. |
 The manufacturing process used to produce the pellets is also of great importance when it comes to feeding carp. There are two ways to produce pellets: they can either be extruded or pressed. Extrusion is a process using heat: the ingredients are cooked at very high temperature over a short period of time. Extruded pellets are in theory more digestible (due to the cooking process) and safe as germs and fungi are killed by the heat. I would tone this statement down as the process itself allows the use of colourings and flavourings (which has become a strong trend) and extruded products on the market are often synonymous with high oil contents.
Pressed pellets are produced using very little heat, hence preserving enzymes and vitamins. It is therefore a healthier food source if used within the sell by date, but don’t hang on to old pressed pellets. |
 I favour those pellets for my fishing, as they are safe, nutritious and very versatile. In fact, I like to mix different types of pellets and different diameters when fishing, making the bulk out of pressed carp pellets (around 60%), then extruded carp pellets (around 30%) and extruded “trout” pellets, or halibut pellets making up the last 10%. Pressed pellets dissolving quicker than extruded, this gives me a feed that will work instantly and carry on attracting fish over time as the different components break down and diffuse.
Pressed pellets also offer great versatility of use (see picture), covering them in boiling water for a few minutes softens them into a paste which can be balled out or shaped around a method feeder. In fact, I often throw this paste with a few boilies and the corresponding dip in the food processor. The dip draws the moisture in and the mixture can even be used in PVA bags or sticks. Once mixed, you can add some small diameter extruded pellets, or particles such as hemp or sweet corn. This mix can also be used to create a “lid” for your bait rocket, putting an end to midway spillages!
Next time I’ll be looking at groundbait mixes and boilies before moving to rigs and lead arrangements in a fortnight, still with carp safety in mind! Until then I give you all my best wishes for health, happiness and a cracking fishing year for 2008! |
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Stefan Hanff
