39lb 14oz caught on HG42

I would really like to get some discussion going , different people will have very different thoughts. In the end of the day if the bait catches carp then it is a good bait. However, we all know that some baits are better than others. So what makes them better? During this discussion I am going to concentrate on HG42, and two baits that are being trialed-HG All seasons and The Krill.

Top left HG42, top right The Krill, bottom HG All Seasons

1) To be consistent, over a long time the bait needs to cover the majority of the carps’ nutritinal requirements. Hence it needs carbohydrates, protein, ruffage, minerals, vitimins etc.What I would call a good profile. For example HG42 has stood the test of time as it is a good food source and very attractive to carp. Initial tests on the other two baits are very promising as they are packed full of goodies.

Paul with a recently caught 30 on HG All seasons, it works in the summer and will work in the winter.

2) The bait needs to be digestible, the quicker the better, in my opionion. The quicker it goes through them the more they will eat providing the bait doesn’t give them belly ache. The more they eat the better chance I have of catching them. Which is why I use milk and birdfood baits in the winter. My  winter baiting strategy is to bait fairly heavily over a long period to keep the fish active. HG All season is a highly digestible bait suitable for all seasons including a prologed winter campaign.

Caught on Krill, the bait was only rolled the week before capture

3) The bait needs to be fresh. How can a bait that has stood on a shelf for 6 months be as good as a bait that has recently been rolled? Quality baits, having their own rolling facilities, rolling baits when they are ordered.

Paul with a 49+ caught on HG42, carp obviously recognise it as food.

4) The bait needs to be recognisable as food. This usually means adding some attractors that make the baits smell (and taste) like a good food source. I firmly believe that overdoing it with flavours, bulk liquids, essential oils etc. can has an adverse effect and actually repel carp. A carps’ sense of smell (which is more like tasting the water) is much better than mine. If I can smell the bait a carp definitely can.

Now there are some very high profile exceptions to my thinking for example peanuts. Carp love them, but they don’t do them much good. Carp in the eighties actually ate themselves to death on peanuts. Could it be that they actually like the taste of them, I know I do? I think that we owe it to the fish to give them something that will actually do them good. The three baits mentioned will certainly do that.