TOP 10 CARP FISHING BAITS
We know most of you probably already have your preferences when it comes to bait, however, we took a deep dive into the most popular, loved, and successful bait options for carp fishing. Our top 10 list includes the most popular fishing baits, and why they are so good when used correctly. From sweetcorn to maggots, have a read along, maybe you'll find a new favourite!
1. SWEETCORN - It’s inevitable, carp are CRAZY for sweetcorn, and it's such a versatile bait, so, if you’re not using it already, it may be your new best friend. Regardless of the lake you're fishing, carp always seem to love corn, not only because of its bright yellow colour, and being visually attractive, but its smell, taste and texture too. Most sweetcorn tinned varieties contain salt and sugar, which is excellent for attracting the carp. Did you know, corn is naturally full of amino acids – proven to encourage carp to feed. Many people opt for a sweetcorn bait because it’s easily accessible and affordable, you can literally get it from almost any shop. TOP TIP: Fill up our PVA bait bags with sweetcorn amongst other baits, it works a treat!
2. BOILIES - Now, we're going straight to another widely used carp bait, boilies. They’re practical, versatile and straight up effective when it comes to ANY waters. The thing most anglers LOVE about boilies is the fact that they come in thousands of different colours, sizes, flavours and shapes, and it can actually be quite overwhelming choosing the right one for you. From common flavours such as ‘strawberry’ and ‘krill’, to more… stranger… sounding ones like ‘barbeque’ and ‘oily chicken’, we’re confident you'll be able to find a boilie to suit you.
3. BREAD - Sometimes the simpler methods work miracles… Affordable and easy to get hold of, bread makes an amazing bait to catch carp with, particularly from the surface. Fold the bread onto your hook and cast onto the lake, so it floats on the surface, and before you know it, you’ll be swimming in carp. You can also turn the bread into crumbs, and add it into a spod mix or load it into a bait bag, try our PVA Embossed Bait Bags! Why is bread such a good option for carp fishing? Well, firstly, the bread is bright white, meaning in murky waters, it's a great option, to keep visibility- carp can easily see bread even in darker surroundings because it tends to stand out. There are endless techniques using bread as a carp bait, explore the right one for you, do some research, ask around!
4. LUNCHEON MEAT - Luncheon meat, commonly used in competitive match angling, has been used as a fishing bait for many years and is a fantastic bait for chub, barbel and, our favourite, carp. Soft in texture and packed with oils, luncheon meat is especially deadly in warmer months, although it can still work in winter when fished as a single bait with no feed. You can also colour, and flavour luncheon meat, to customise it to your liking, (red colouring and strawberry flavours are amongst the most popular). Make sure you cut your meat into cubes - sizes vary depending on the type of fish you’re trying to catch, but generally small quarter inch cubes do the trick.
5. MAGGOTS - We all know, bites can be hard to come by in the Winter, this is where maggots come in handy. When carp do feed in the winter, it’s usually a smaller amount than in the summer months and they are much more picky about what they bite, this is part of the reason why maggots are so effective during this time. Maggots' wriggly movements entice the carp in, and also help them spread. This spreading action keeps carp in the swim that you’re fishing for hours as they attempt to root out every last maggot. Maggots can be difficult to store and keep alive, and do require a bit more maintenance, but like we said, in the colder months, maggots are an absolute lifesaver!
6. WORMS - Similar to maggots, worms are a bait that carp find irresistible, but are most often used in the winter for better results. The main types of worm used for carp fishing include good old garden lobworms, compost-loving redworms and the Dutch dendrobaena worms. They all make great fishing baits in certain circumstances. Their bodies are packed with protein and goodness that gives the fish all the nourishment it needs, it’s no wonder the fish love them so much.
7. PELLETS - Ah, pellets. One of the most versatile carp fishing baits on the market. Pellets can be used in endless ways & are reliable, not to mention they’re a match made in heaven with our PVA mesh system, or PVA bags. Trout pellets and halibut pellets are the most popular, and are extremely effective in the warmer months. Commonly, pellets are just an afterthought by anglers, maybe a small addition to the bag mix, but, using them as the bulk of your mix can give you a real edge. Carp absolutely love them, and so do we!
8. GROUNDBAIT - Long session carpers, this one’s for you. Groundbait is said to be the most effective bait for method feeder fishing in the summer, it has a much sharper scent than other regular baits, this is because of its powdery consistency. You can either mix your own groundbait up, or purchase already made packs, both work well. Most anglers ball up their groundbait, and target it in a populated area. Whether it is by pre-baiting or by method feeding, carp fishing with groundbait guarantees results.
9. TIGER NUTS - According to multiple sources and many anglers, tiger nuts might just be the ‘the best carp catching bait on the planet’. Let’s take a look at why this is… Well, for starters, carp love the crunch factor on natural food like snails, and mussels, and tiger nuts replicate this texture and crunch for the carp. Secondly, the luminous colours and sweetness of the tiger nuts entices the carp in like no other bait, many anglers swear by it. There are precautions to take when using nuts while fishing. Overbaiting should be avoided, as you don’t want the fish to overfeed and struggle to digest the nuts. You should always make sure you prepare the nuts in the correct way, (buying them off the shelf is easier than making them yourself.) Some venues don’t prohibit the use of nuts so just be aware of this.
10. HEMP - Last, but certainly not least, hemp. This is the most natural way to catch carp, and here at Godman, we’re all about natural products! Anglers love hemp because each individual grain of hemp is full of oil and natural vitamins that makes it irresistible to carp! Hemp Seed is a tiny little bait that can resemble the tiny water snails that inhabit the weed, that is probably why carp like them so much! Oh, and did you know, When correctly prepared, hemp seeds split, and produce a white shoot, which looks identical to the shells and soft inner flesh of carp’s natural prey, fascinating! TOP TIP: Add your hemp seeds into a PVA bait bag or PVA mesh mix. Since hemp seeds have such powerful natural attractants, a small pile of them right next to your hook bait is the perfect approach. Oh, and be sure to soak the hemp seeds in PVA Friendly Hemp Oil, this is an extra you don’t want to miss out on.