NC Angler

That is some serious experimenting. I love the creative aspect and strategy that encompasses carping. I haven't gotten that creative, and putting that on the stove would get me kicked out. I was wondering if keeping the sweet and savories separate, or just pool them all up and go for it. Looks like you put them all in one. I keep pretty much every unused food item, turn it into carp bait and give it a try. Nothings worked with consistency but it's been fun putting stuff together while not letting it go to waste.

Okay, this is why I enjoy carping so much. It's not just throw a lure, soft plastic, switch, switch, throw, throw, throw. There's strategy involved, understanding the fish, its environment, habits, food sources, etc. Here in the US, we default to sweet flavors, corn, grains. Boilies are not a thing (mostly). I do believe they have to sense a flavor as I've seen many carp pick up my offering and spit it out, or just move on while eating. Each body of water is different and the fish won't eat the same bait; it's really strange. I can throw a Mepps spinner in any lake or river and pull a trout, but it's not the same with carp. I'm headed over to Tractor Supply for anything fishy, squid, something savory to see if that will improve my non-catch rate. And, I think that carp, like humans, want something that tastes good. I've seen too many carp take in a bait only to spit it out and move on. It's the darndest thing because I think they are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.

I've read numerous publications on carp, carp habits, cypography, hatcheries, and the like. In general, carp are most certainly vegetarian, at least leaning. I've never caught a carp on cut bait; they do eat bugs however. Here in the US, carp are used to clear out vegetation in lakes, keeping them clean. But thanks for the suggestion moose. I would also go as far as saying, carp literally have zero ability to eat a squid, but maybe I'm not up to speed on their squid predatory behavior, I will have to refresh my knowledge on this one. Sarcasm. That said, I will go outside my comfort zone and make up a fish and or savory based bait and see what happens.

I've read numerous publications on carp, carp habits, cypography, hatcheries, and the like. In general, carp are most certainly vegetarian. Here in the US, carp are used to clear out vegetation in lakes, keeping them clean. But thanks for the suggestion moose. I would also go as far as saying, carp literally have zero ability to eat a squid, but maybe I'm not up to speed on their squid predatory behavior, but I will have to refresh my knowledge on this one. That said, I will go outside my comfort zone and make up a fish and or savory based bait.

That's interesting you mention fish, liver, squid. Since carp are vegetarians, I'm always surprised to hear anglers using fish or squid based baits and attractants. It would be my assumption that this would attract predator fish, not carp.

What do you believe is more effective for carp, sweet or savory pack bait concoctions?

Lake Sutton, near Leland, NC has giant carp in it. Reports of 5" commons from bass anglers are common. I got snapped off by what looked like a giant. Sutton is a series of cooling ponds for a power plant, which means warm waters, healthy eco system, big fish. We get 90lb cats out of Gaston and the Cape Fear river. Yes, the US has massive carp throughout, and because they aren't pressured (at all) they just grow and grow. A carp team should spend 6-12 months targeting legends and big lakes. And with so many feed stores, there's an endless amount of custom baits to be made. Or, if a Euro bait company wanted to penetrate the US market, this would be an interesting venture. I will keep plugging away until I find the right combination. Soaking maize today with a lineup of flavors, grains, etc.

True. There's one thing about fishing here in the US, there's no shortage of predator fish; sometimes called pan fish...fish that fit in a pan. Bass, crappie, bluegill, etc. I was catfishing and caught a carp; it pulled my rod and reel into the lake. I snagged with another rod, then landed the carp, I was hooked on carp ever since. I bought a 50lb bag of maize. When you say soak it in flavor, I get that, but I'm wondering if that means jello or some kind of extract? What I normally do is, when ready, put the corn in water and mix with strawberry jello. I'd like to boil it in a flavor, I just don't know what flavor product to use. I boiled up a few lbs of corn for a couple of hours, and it was still too tough to put on a hair. I need to be more patient with this process. What I'm seeing now is flavoring glycerin to be used as a goo type attractant. I think the glycerin is PVA friendly.

Question, do you think UK syndicate lakes and the like are comparable to pay lakes in the US? I don't do pay lakes because they get so much pressure, and quite frankly, we don't treat our carp with the respect that Euro anglers do. I've recently started to use chick feed mixed with sweet corn, but I'm having trouble keeping it on the hook. My packbait skills are lacking quite frankly. ie: on my first cast, the pack flew off and my hair ended up in a tree...... Yes, I am in NC USA and most lakes have a carp population, but most people avoid carp or kill them....for reasons I can't wrap my mind around. Most lakes are not bank accessible, so you either need a boat or fish from a designated pier. You can bushwack, but it's often too difficult: thick brush, trees, swampy. Our grocery stores are a great place to shop for carp bait. As for boilies, literally less than 1% of anglers know what this is, much less a hair rig. I enjoy trying new baits, but it often leads to little catching.

Thanks Gordon. I think you're right. The fun is in finding the right combination. I don't have the luxury of pre baiting, so when I go It's both a test for the water and hedging a bet what's worked before will work here.

I love carp fishing. It's the most underrated angling in the US. The pursuit of finding carp triggers is an endless journey.

How does a carp know its dietary requirements and how does it make that decision when looking at a bait? In review of this entire thread, I believe the discussion has evolved, or devolved into a Da Vinci like cesspool of over thought. It would make sense to me that when you fish a venue, observe what the fish are eating, and replicate its natural food. Case in point: I made up a bait using the natural food in the lake and caught carp. Any who, I do enjoy the challenge of creating (abstract) eats that carp like. I've taken a page from fly fishing: if the fish are eating mayflies, throw a mayfly.

What lakes are you fishing in NC?

This is why I love carping so much. The bodies of water are all so different. Yes it can be frustrating, but people think you can just throw bread and corn and you're carp fishing. Sure, this may work sometimes, but it's the adventure of figuring it out. If that's all it took to catch carp, I'd hate it. But, overthinking it with big production boilies and attractants could be an issue. Make your own and have some fun with it. I love making boilies, pack baits, etc; it's what keeps me interested. I also love fishing for trout and all the lures and flies you have to go through. I just find it interesting.