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Rock salt (any salt) is a good attractor as all fish need to replace salts lost through osmosis. Carp are always losing vital salts required for metabolism and isotonic balance (like humans that require approx 1.2-3g of salt a day to replace what we lose) as the salt is absorbed into the carps surrounding environment. If you have two fluids, like in the case of a carp, the surrounding water and their blood stream the two fluids will always try to balance out (trying to simplify this!) So a fluid with higher salt concentration like the carps blood will lose salt to the surrounding water. This is why saltwater eels change and look different to freshwater eels, they are the same fish, but when entering salt water, their skin thickens, the slime thickens and other changes happen to minimise this osmosis - balancing - otherwise the high concentration of salt in the sea would travel over into the bloodstream and cause excessive salt build up in the eels bloodstream leading to organ failure and death. The carp will find salt attractive as it's an essential ingredient in their basic mineral needs for health yet it's a tricky element to find in their natural environment for the most part. amino acids are an essential ingredient required to break down protein chains to make them digestible. Worms are said to be high in amino acids. Carp are thought to be able to detect these acids in tiny concentrations, it's a fascinating subject, but only the carp really know, and not one carp will talk - even under torture! They enjoy waterboarding for some reason... The use of compost or soil as a groundbait has potential, after all soil is a recognised groundbait for perch - one handful of soil holds a high number of organisms etc than the population of the UK - soil is a living entity. Even the clouding or darkening of the water (if clear) will act as an attraction as carp may believe it's caused by other feeding fish and investigate. It's a new smell, something different, the curiosity factor may be of bigger benefit than any Ph change. I'm not sure you would be able to affect a noticeable difference in PH as it would soon be absorbed into the water column. It might need a large amount of soil to make a difference? I don't know, whether the acid and alkali would just mix so the difference is negligible... Yet carp can supposedly detect minute changes and particles so the negligent change of PH in an area may be all you need...

My big worry is obvious. On a serious note with molasses, it is very attractive, high in sugar, carp and other species love it, but without checking I wouldn't know what pH level molasses is? It would probably mix very well with molehill soil and chopped worm

For me the most significant thing is putting your bait where the carp like to feed. Your bait could be in position for weeks. If the carp are not prepared to feed there, or worse; they're not there at all, it's all a waste of time.

I shouldn't really but https://twitter.com/SlenderSherbet/status/1191974896114569216?s=20

I'm afraid it's a little of both... A worm omelette was once knocked up by an oppo on an escape and evasion course... I can't be sure where the eggs came from (to this day I pray from a duck...) It was pretty minging just muddy eggy mush. I decided against finishing that particular delicacy! when this dude sharpened a stick to try spear a frog I thought he had gone a bit native, it was almost a relief getting captured by the infantry lads, even if I got to wear a fetching sandbag and be ridiculed about the size of my manhood (to be fair it was freezing!) and stand spread eagled up against a wall for a while. Come to think about it, I'm not sure if the Hunter force were infantry or the local BDSM club!! They seem to have similar practices (so ive, ahem, heard!)

I can't stop laughing nice find mate. 🤣🤣🤣

I was walking to the canteen this morning at work and I spotted some lovely mole hills 😁 Seeing how the lake is now fully booked Sunday I may just just try it, will take a bucket and spade to work tomorrow 😁

If there is one thing that I have too many of and that is moles. The thought of transporting barrow loads of this freely available stuff that they create to my lake and catching loads of carp is very attractive. I have read a lot of posts on the subject and though those posts contain lots of scientific terms and reasoned speculation, I cannot find a shred of science that actually backs up any of the theories proposed. I have tried the following experiment. I chuck a bucket of bait into some shallow water at the edge of the lake where the bottom is clearly visible. I have tested cheap, expensive and even homemade boilies, cooked maize, raw maize, and various other particles. The next day, without fail ALL the bait has disappeared. I was hoping to prove that one bait was more attractive than another but failed miserably. Of course I cannot guarantee that carp are responsible. I am not sure what conclusion to draw but I remain to be convinced that amino acids, salt, attractors or other enhancements make a huge difference. I think the most significant thing is how long you leave your bait in position, but even that is just a guess.

All animals are built from amino acids (proteins).

Never used it but £5 for 1100 metres is pretty good value. I've been using 12lb Gardner GT-HD which is £18 for virtually the same length and really pleased with it. Shimano has always had a pretty good reputation so at that price, you can't go too far wrong.

I like my soniks Wasnt there a snide version of those someone highlighted the other day?

Did a 3hr session and had a jack and this better fish at 17,4 last knockings it did it’s best to throw the hooks it gave me a belting scrap 😬😎🎣🐊

They wash away to nothing and cost a fortune mate. Not worth the hassle. Your best bet is maggot and worm, including the mud the worms come in. Don't add crumb, hemp, or corn, they'll make the mix less effective in a situation where naturals are the one.

Out on the local canal with matey boy it’s been a few months since our last session so it was good to have a laff with the big fella. Ended up with 2 jacks that more than made up for the soaking we got 😂😂😬😎🎣

If my posts help anyone then that makes my happy buddy😁👍