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COOL CARP BOILIE BAIT FLAVOURS - The Age Of Confidence In A Bottle

This is rapidly becoming the age of the successful carp bait ingredients have
'bait sponsored angler.' Commercial 'acid-forming' characteristics,
pressures and marketing demand that many including: milk, butter, cheese, casein,
more ordinary anglers are having to whey, malted dairy products, all pectin
compete with those 'sponsored' preserved or sugared fruits, dried
individuals. These fortunate are able to sulphured glazed fruits, white beans, soy
'free-feed' huge quantities of top beans, mushrooms, all meat, gelatin, fowl
quality boilies, pellets and ground and fish, shellfish.
baits, supplied to them either for free, Also: All alcoholic drinks, coffee,
or at 'knock-down' discount prices. curry, pepper, salt, spices, fish sauces,
Everyone knows that using bait supplied aspirin. Eggs, especially whites,
in large enough, regular quantities, will preserved ginger, flavourings.
directly affect the movement, feeding Preservatives like benzoate, sulphur,
behaviour and location of carp, in a vinegar, salt and brine. Tobacco juice!
water. Starches as in wheat, semolina, rice,
Generally, carp fishing has become more (and soya to a lesser degree,) all flour
competitive than ever before, with many products; e.g. maize, grits, barley,
more anglers lining the bank each groats, cornflakes and oats.) Rice to a
week-end. Sponsored anglers often catch lesser degree.) Desiccated coconut (one
many times the number of big fish than of my favourites) many nuts; peanuts and
their peers. many seeds.
This is not necessarily only a result of For winter baits, the 'acid spicy
good angling ability, but simply more flavours' really can work. Exploiting for
bait and perhaps time to leverage it. In example the cinnamic acid in cinnamon and
this situation most anglers simply do not coumarin (coumarate - an enzyme in
have the resources and time to compete turmeric.) ('Megaspice' and 'Bunspice B'
and many even struggle to catch at all, are good.) Significant levels of
which is a tragedy! salicylic acid is also in yeast extract;
Making your own homemade boilie baits at a great carp attractor!
cheaper prices is one way to get around Other notable herbs and spices containing
this phenomenon. Trying to keep up with this acid and which you might like to
these guys use of bait is a severe try, either as extracts, or in essential
challenge for many anglers. Often they oils, or flavour form, or as powders, are
will try and catch using the same baits the following:
as the sponsored angler 'to keep up.' Are Cummin, cannella, curry powder, dill
using particles and cheaper pellets, a powder, garam masala, paprika and hot red
better option? peppers powders and extracts, black
As in the case of any new boilie bait or pepper, bergamot, mustard, rosemary,
rig, the first original pioneers or field thyme, fennel and coriander.
testers achieve maximum results. The Mustard (isotheocynates) and chilli
whole point of a new bait is to achieve a powders (capsaicin) boost metabolism,
competitive 'edge' by being 'different' dilate blood vessels and increase levels
enough to confuse the 'danger reference of the fat burning hormone ephedrine.
points' of carp that have been previously (Ephedrine is the 'James Bond' pill that
caught by angler's baits and rigs. keeps you active and energetic all night
So you are aiming to keep ahead of long!)
anglers as much as the fish. This means Sprayed dried fruit juices such as that
you ideally need to be using a slightly of the famous 'strawberry' contain large
'alternative' approach at all times in doses of 'bioflavonoids,' antioxidants
order to keep maximising your catch that have excellent cardiovascular
rates. benefits. They keep blood vessels healthy
This is not difficult, in fact very easy and keep blood triglycerides levels
as long as you think 'fish' not 'angler.' lowered (needed with diabetes.) In carp
It is surprising what a big carp will eat this means more health and energy! Many
when it is not scared of it! Yes all grains too, contain these healthy
baits are used in cycles, as one catches substances.
and fades another gets 'picked-up on' by Bait success seems much to do with energy
the majority. (Especially with different release or energy gain. Some carp baits
types of boilies and pellets.) with sweeteners even fool carp into
I do not mean to 'rock your boat' eating them by making their in - built
but...What is your 'favourite' bait mechanisms think they are eating
flavour? This opinion is normally based something highly essential and beneficial
on personal past successful catch to their diet, (when in fact this may not
experiences or recommendations. But can be the case at all!) As in consumption of
you improve on simply this, to multiply very large quantities of peanuts, tiger
your catches hugely, in an increasingly nuts or very low nutritional value
competitive environment? Perhaps so: boilies.
Many fishermen get 'fixated' on flavours, Some carp baits when used by anglers can
mistakenly thinking that if they can cause carp to even lose weight and become
smell them and they smell 'good' to them, unhealthy. These baits may not kill the
then carp will love them too. But there fish but certainly drop their weights! I
are many variables (some unknowns) have observed so many similarities
involved here and no-one actually knows between naturally derived substances that
what flavours really 'smell' and 'taste' maintain human health and carp health for
like to a carp. use in very attractive and 'healthy' carp
The scientists can trigger carp 'food' baits.
receptors in tests and tell us numerous Examples of effects of these 'flavours,'
substances that will stimulate a carp to ingredients and attractors are for
feed, or alter its behaviour in some way example:
that makes it easier to catch them, To reduce blood cholesterol, detoxify the
(change brain chemistry and 'turn them blood, strengthen the immune system,
on' etc,) but this data does not balance liver and kidney functions and
translate evenly into making and reduce high fluctuations in blood sugar
exploiting carp baits. What does a carp (as in diabetes,) that these effects
think?! should all be looked at further in carp
Well now perhaps it's time to get further baits!
into a carp's brain and body, by Cod liver oil is a prime example,
exploiting particular ingredients, in containing essential fatty acids and carp
order for you to compete and catch them attractive alkaloids too!
more effectively but benefit them too - I highly recommend essential oils in
you will see what I mean in a moment.... conjunction with flavours. They do not
Would most carp anglers use 'algae 'attract' carp from range perhaps like
flavour' or a flavour that would make you many flavours and additives, but do seem
feel sick like something 'well fermented' to give that extra 'edge' and taste
would? I doubt it! dimension.
When fishing, most anglers fish the same Many times I have used these when all
flavour in all their boilie baits in a else fails, in large dosed bait soaks on
swim and do not vary their bait flavour the surface of baits, whether homemade
levels for different hook baits, on boilies, pastes, particles, meat or fish
different rods, in different areas of a pieces or ready-mades, to produce a big
water. Flavours work better in different 'surprise' in unfavourable fishing
levels at different temperatures and in conditions and temperatures.
different waters; and even in different These oils are less easily distributed in
parts of different waters. water compared many components of
How and why these flavours actually flavours. Ideally your flavour will pull
achieve carp 'takes' is so irrelevant to carp from range, home them into your hook
most fishermen that they miss a huge area bait and induce it to eat it by its
of 'know-how' that would net them loads attractive taste and palatability.
more fish at different times of the year. This is where taste enhancers are really
So let's look more into what some great and there are many proprietary ones
flavours are! to choose from for carp baits. Of course,
'Flavours' may be actual flavours and not sea or rock salt is very good and a carp
'nature identical' or 'synthetically dietary essential.
chemically produced.' Many anglers prefer 'Aromas' found in peppermint, ginger,
'natural or nature identical flavours geranium and black pepper 'citronellals'
these days rather than one based on a make baits 'different' to the usual
'solvent.' Some flavours very water 'flavours.' The combination of 5 or so
soluble. essential oils in combination found in
Flavours are based on so many substances, 'Olbas oil' have always helped me catch
from ethyl alcohol to glycerol, to more fish. (But in far higher drop doses
propylene glycol and oils. Many modern than you might expect - e.g. at 25 or
carp flavours are mixtures of oils, taste more drops per pound of bait.
enhancers, amino acids, sweeteners and An added tip - I have done very well for
different 'secret' extracts and compounds big fish actually dipping, soaking or
etc. 'glugging' my pastes and boilie baits in
'N-butyric acid' is a very commonly used neat essential oils, either in individual
'attractor' at the moment in the UK along ones or mixtures, like eucalyptus oil,
with 'pineapple' and the 'associated peppermint oil, black pepper oil, and
'blue cheese' flavour and blue cheese garlic oil.
powder is getting more used and well In fact, I once used fresh rigs made
known and these work very well in winter using dental floss with added peppermint
temperatures. oil impregnated in the floss material. My
Amyl acetate, the 'pear drops' smell is catch rate always improved the first cast
another example that held favour in the each rig was used and I soon put the two
past - fashions just keep changing! (Some together and added additional peppermint
flavours only require just one or two oil soaks to all my lines, leads and
drops to be very effective while others rigs!
take much more!) You might now have figured the
One noticeable thing with many flavours significance of phenols mentioned above -
is that when carp have been caught on and maybe would like to try out these two
them, they can very quickly lose ideas in your winter or summer baits (in
effectiveness by 'danger association' and very high levels!):
actually become a carp 'repellant!' (E.g. Peppermint oil (phenol; phenyl
Propylene glycol and glycerol based salicylate) and winter green oil (phenol;
flavours, but many others too!) methyl salicylate...)
Many common flavours are formed when an Here's a 'different' essential oil to
alcohol and an acid form an 'ester' as in try: mustard oil. (Its 'volatile
'esterification.' component' is allyl isothiocyanate.)
There seems to be a definite link between (The antioxidant 'free radical'
the carp attraction of the following when scavenging effects of allyls etc, in
used in carp baits: garlic oil may have much to do with its
Plant 'phenols,' 'alkaloids' like success. Better still, when used with a
betaine, alcohols, esters, essential 'sweetener,' fructose from the
oils, fatty acids, sugars, (saccharides supermarket, saccharin or a proprietary
like sucrose, lactose, maltose etc,) sweetener this is a great all season
protein amino acids and non-protein amino attractor and 'trigger.')
acids and many many other natural Winter green oil and ginger oil and
substances.... salicylic acid all work as
Certain flavours have been found more 'anti-inflammatories' and one use for all
effective in bait with an added sweetener three is to reduce headache inflammation!
like saccharin and Talin. (Talin is used I hope this gives you 'more clues' to
in synthetic 'maple' flavour.)Another what effects carp really like in their
very significant taste enhancer and baits and what 'volatile' oils and
'enzyme active' sweet plant protein is flavours can do! Like many other fruit
'Thaumatin B.' (Both naturally occurring ester, fruit oils spices and herbs, these
plant extracts.) especially work well used as 'triggers'
Kiwi fruit contains a 'Thaumatin-like' and attractors in winter and cold water
protein, and Nutrabait's "Kiwi flavour" conditions.
is said to uniquely produce the biggest Generally in carp baits, 'flavours' work
fish in a lake. better without heat being involved.
Water temperature and 'pH' affect your Boiling flavours as with many bait
baits potential to be 'detected' by fish ingredients will actually destroy the
and this is possibly affected by water 'active' components that catch you more
density changes in differing temperatures carp. Therefore you need to add flavours
and other factors in the water after boiling!
environment. So fishing with different You can make a useful very creative
flavour levels in different baits and mixture from a liquid amino protein
using different baits with different product like 'Minamino' or any
flavour ph levels and 'tones' is very proprietary fishing ones and add flavours
much an over-looked 'edge' for most carp and extracts to it. (You could try mixing
anglers. up various carp liquid amino products to
On 'hard-fished' carp waters where produce an exceptionally different
certain flavours have done very well flavour and attractor base.) One very
perhaps add one or more flavours to the simple one I remember making that hooked
successful one and experiment. Do not a huge carp within half an hour, on a
bother making new baits, just create massive water of thousands of acres was:
individual 'dips' to soak your hook baits A mixture of ethyl alcohol flavours like
into and trial 4 or 10 different versions Tutti Fruiti and other different based
until your catch rate doubles or trebles flavours, 'Scopex', n-butyric acid,
or more! (I've experienced this for 'Robin Red' extract (from Haith's,)
myself...) Minamino, sea salt, liquorice extract
Betaine seems to have a range of uses in powder, 'Olbas oil,' peppermint oil and
carp in regard to osmosis, amino acids eucalyptus oil. This mixture was
synthesis for example. There is no doubt re-frozen into pop-up boilies around 6
in my mind that when making carp baits, times until the bait was just buoyant,
the addition of betaine hydrochloride, then frozen and stored until use.
(e.g. at 1 gram per 1 pound mix of dry This easy and simple 'mega-enhancement'
powder 'base mix,') makes all the method works exceptionally well for
difference, as opposed to adding a simple pastes, dough baits, 'particles,'
flavour or 'label.' pellets, ground baits, method mixes, and
The addition of a 'sweetening' substance 'PVA' bag mixes too - so try them all! If
is significant to catch rates in carp: you are lazy - just try adding Nash
You definitely see a difference in bait's 'peach oil palatant' or any 'taste
'takes' with baits that have been enhancer, citrus oil and flavour'
sweetened rather than unsweetened; even combination to your pellets, or boilies
if the bait itself is a 'savoury' one and compare results to those baits used
like 'fish or meat.' without!
You only have to put a very generous Using 'conventional' proprietary boilie
quantity of honey, or maple syrup, or 'dips' and 'glugs' are not always the
brown sugar, icing sugar, fructose or best option where they have already been
molasses or sweetened condensed milk, 'hammered.' Simply soaking your baits in
coconut milk etc into any carp ground dissolved sea salt or even liquidized
bait and compare it to one without to see tinned sweetcorn can make all the
the difference in results. difference to your catch rate. Making
'Talin' is the name for one of the changes, being creative and doing things
sweetest substances known and comes from different to the majority of your peers
a bark residue. It is in fact used in will make your catches consistently
many synthetic carp flavours and with outstanding...
very good reason - it really works! It is I had another memorable occasion where I
also used in production of synthetic had fished in cold temperatures for three
maple syrup and many commercial bait days and nights without a 'take' and
companies use it in their flavours! decided to soak the hook baits directly
(Perhaps try 'Hinders' for this.) in eucalyptus oil. The baits already
Synthetic 'maple' flavour also contains contained this but I felt the levels were
the very carp stimulatory 'alkaloids' not high enough. With 5 minutes before
from the herbs; fenugreek and lovage. It 'packing-up' one of the biggest carp in
is one of the greatest carp flavours ever the lake took one of the baits.
discovered but does not seem in 'fashion' There are so many options 'out there' for
much these days. (Try combining it with you to genuinely exploit for massively
'Scopex' flavour!) improved catches. There are for example a
In fact in the 1940's American scientists host of other attractors and flavours to
a most effective flavour to eradicate give you a new 'edge'. Peppers with
carp using poisoned laced maize; it was 'citrus tones' not in general use, from
synthetic 'maple syrup' flavour! Japan and Korea etc, or how about 'spicy'
Come cold water conditions certain seaweed from Hawaii etc... Here's a few
flavours will out catch others. This may oils to mix with your flavours you might
well be because of their acidic pH and wish to trial:
how this affects the pH of your bait. Now Coriander oil, passion flower oil,
I do not know much of the chemistry apricot kernel oil, linseed oil,
involve with flavours, but years of carp pistachio oil, hazel nut oil, macadamia
winter fishing results have provided many oil, fruit pip oil, rose musk oil,
very reliable flavours. safflower oil, coconut oil.
Some substances in flavours and carp Other interesting areas of flavours are
attractors help carp balance their body where the attractors form a 'cloud' of
functions and equalise cells 'osmotic attractive particles in suspension
stress.' Salicylic acid may help in this immediately around the hook bait. Use of
way. It is interesting that it is special solutions, emulsions and colloids
produced by the 'esterification' of the can create very effective areas of
natural 'phenol' acetylsalicylic acid. immediate attraction and modern
'Eugenol' from cloves is another famous emulsifiers also have great beneficial
carp 'attractor.' It is a 'volatile' and carp attraction benefits.
phenol - phenyl propenoid.' Many world With mass use of pellets not designed for
famous fruit, herb and spice 'winter carp fishing, some commercial pellets are
flavours' may contain salicylates in designed more for their oil holding
very very small amounts... capacity. This may not be ideal for fast
But the interesting fact about cold water and effective carp food digestion and may
flavours is that many of the best are inhibit uptake of many valuable nutrients
even more exceptional when water and cause certain angler induced nutrient
temperatures rise. This is great news deficiencies.
when you are making your own baits and Laxatives might well be another
really provides confidence and trust in significant edge in baits, linked to use
your baits, in all conditions and times of some flavours. (Perhaps in the case of
of year. certain propylenes and related
Natural substances in natural flavours compounds.) The benefit to carp is that
contain some very powerful carp they will naturally excrete food faster
attractors or triggers. For example, by 'colonic peristalsis.'
there are significant levels of 'phenol Insoluble 'roughage' like water weed
alkaloids' found in fruits such as cellulose, mollusc and shrimp shells help
strawberry, cranberry, guava, blueberry this effect and a percentage of insoluble
and mulberry, plum, tomato, blackberry ingredients in your bait I think are a
and kiwi fruit. good thing for the carp. Crushed mollusc
You may already recognise that each of shells and prawn shell is great for this
these flavours work exceptionally well to and a source of essential chitin
catch carp! Some are kept 'quiet,' others containing nitrogen and is very important
are now 'fashionable' and more well known in the natural carp diet.
now and therefore used by more carp (Anyway, when carp are able to eat more
fishermen in their baits etc. bait; this produces more 'takes' and fish
(Of course, like most things in fishing, caught!) Coarse bird food, shellfish and
it is the baits, additives and flavours fish meal ingredients used in conjunction
that are used by the 'highest numbers of with lots of predigested ingredients
anglers,' that catch most of the fish. might be more effective and preferable to
But that does not equal that these mainly wheat semolina and soya based
products are always the 'ultimate' ones baits with a low percentage of fish meal
or the very best most suitable to use to 'boost nutrition for example.
consistently in 'hard-pressured' One of the most beneficial ways to create
waters...) baits that carp can eat more of without
Phenol 'alkaloids' can affect brain getting 'filled-up,' because it passes
activity and carp (and human) behaviour. through their gut quicker is to really
Water chestnuts, peanuts and almonds raise the level of soluble ingredients in
contain significant amounts of salicylic your baits; focussing especially on the
acid also. This acid relieves stress and proteins and reducing whole
defends against animal eating attack and carbohydrates.
plant alkaloids play defensive roles too. The range of amazing new predigested
I have 'accidentally' discovered the proteins and other ingredients and
success of using very finely crushed additives is vastly under-exploited at
almonds and peanuts in 'PVA' bags with present, by the average angler.
some exceptional catches... Try soaking Innovative products can really work
these in your 'flavour mix' with an added wonders too to give you an edge as in the
essential oil and pure salmon oil for case of all new ingredients! I wonder
example in your PVA bags. about the properties of 'aloe vera.'
Tiger nuts (chufas) and tiger nut It is a 'gold-mine' of water soluble
extract, oil or juice are only one amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes,
currently 'fashionable' option. Tiger antioxidants, saccharides, plant sterols
nuts (high in soluble glucose and oleic (these lower blood cholesterol levels,)
acid) were even grown in the UK during and glycoproteins (cell membrane glucose
the war years, when sugar was in short containing carbohydrates attached to
supply!) proteins and lipids.)
Some of you might like to investigate the Aloe vera is a great 'healing agent' with
potential uses of mushrooms and fungi many as yet not understood benefits,
too! (Yeasts are only one option - while being a gentle laxative at low
remember for instance, yeast extract doses...
contains significant salicylic acid The old argument about how can a carp
levels...) possibly eat one boilie in preference to
Caffeine in cocoa and coffee contains a different one is mute. Most experienced
substances that are detected by carp carp anglers know this occurs on
(like 'dopermine') and are proven 'hard-fished' much pressured waters for
'alternative' carp attractors. (It has many varied reasons in certain
been proven carp have 'dopermine situations.
receptors.') Most of the biggest carp in But the unique feed bait quantity and
a small water in Sussex UK 'felt the quality applied to a water by individual
effects' of this 'bait approach!' Many anglers compared to the majority, is a
were caught over forty pounds using truly major factor in this.
'addictive baits' based on this principle My guess is that you'd better ensure your
of 'affecting brain activity and hook baits are 'different' enough to draw
behaviour.' the attentions of fish in feeding
In carp this acid possibly has an positive ways!
'anti-inflammatory' role like the carp Well, bait making and enhancing is an
essential omega 3 fatty acids like those 'art' and not an 'absolute' science,
in fish oils. It is used in the that's for sure! It is evolving as I
production of 'Aspirin' used to thin speak and future 'fashions' in this very
blood and prevent incidence of heart commercial led 'passion,' recreation and
attacks. sport, will always by its very nature,
Citrus lime, orange and lemon all contain keep changing.
significant anti-inflammatory This is the age of 'confidence in a
'bioflavonoid' with beneficial bottle and in a bag.' The instant angler
cardiovascular effects. These fruits are and the 'instant bait' are here to stay.
familiar and successful carp bait I hope now you are now more prepared than
flavours. Perhaps try mixing lemon and ever, to experiment with your baits! The
ginger essential oils with your flavours well-used methods of 'over-flavouring,'
and add some liquorice extract to sweeten soaking and glugging your baits is just a
and 'Robin Red'