Flavor for carp and what smell does carp like?

When going carp fishing, it is important to take care of effective bait, because without it you can often be left without a catch at all.

In the article we will tell you how to make with your own hands the best and most catchy bait for catching carp on a pond without a current, as well as in the presence of a current on the river. Using the recipes from the article, you are more likely to be able to catch large fish, but it is also important to use the right baits and attachments.

If earlier fishermen used mostly homemade baits for representatives of the carp family, today specialized stores sell various mixtures designed for a specific breed of fish.

A summary table with tips on choosing bait bases for each month and season.

Winter	December	Purchased: Dunaev and Fadeev Carp and Carp with the addition of small bloodworms and other animal fractions.
	January
	February
Spring	March	In spring you need sweet ingredients - vanilla and chocolate.
	April	Purchased: Allvega Team Carp and Sensas with the addition of corn.
	May
Summer	June	In the summer months, the bait Serebryanyi Ruchey and Dunaev Carp worked well. Direct smells like green peas and corn work well as flavorings and additives.
	July
	August
Autumn	September	The closer it gets to cold weather, the more bright odors are needed, because in cold water they spread extremely sluggishly. Use groundbait with the addition of bloodworms and the flavors that we recommend in this article.
	October
	November

Such a wide range often raises many questions even for experienced fishermen, so it is necessary to take into account some features:

If you plan to catch carp in an unfamiliar body of water , then it is better to use a purchased mixture from a well-known manufacturer that uses the most universal composition. In the future, you can gradually conduct experiments, studying the characteristics of prey preferences in a particular place.
When fishing in an already familiar area , mixtures prepared independently are much more effective. This is due to the fact that the carp is already accustomed to the taste and aroma of a certain complementary food, so it reacts well to it and may refuse an unfamiliar store-bought mixture.
When fishing in reservoirs on a paid basis , it is recommended to check with the employees of the organization offering this service what kind of food the local fish are accustomed to. Based on this, you can already conclude whether it is necessary to buy any specific bait or whether you can make it yourself.

In addition to carp, crucian carp and carp actively bite on the bait from the article, less often bream and grass carp (because they prefer more vanilla and sugar smells). It is suitable for both feeder and float fishing.

Among the purchased carp baits, our recommendations are: Dunaev and Fadeev Karp and Sazan, Allvega Team Carp, Minenko Good Catch, Sensas Carp. Budget - Silver Stream. But you still need to mix the final mixture for fishing yourself. More on this later.

Bait ingredients for carp

The basis of any basic bait are components that do not sink instantly, but gradually, attracting fish to the right place, these include:

Flour made from grain crops.
A dry type of milk.
Ground grains.
Bulk aromatic additives.

The most popular today are pellets - special granules intended for feeding prey. Their production is carried out by various manufacturing companies, which can modify the composition at their discretion.

It always contains the following main ingredients:

Flour made from wheat grains.
Fishmeal , produced from waste remaining after the processing of fish and various inhabitants of water bodies.
Powdered variety of milk.
Brewer's yeast.
Hemp seed.
Soybean , sunflower or flaxseed oil.
Vitamin and mineral supplements.

Another type of carp bait is boilies, which are ball-shaped dough prepared according to special recipes.

This variety has a number of advantages, since it attracts the carp’s attention to the feeding area for a long time, and also eliminates the possibility of attracting a large number of unwanted small fish that only interfere with fishing.

The composition may also depend on the specific manufacturer, but it always includes the following ingredients:

flour made from soy, wheat or corn;
salt;
sugar;
honey, garlic, fruit or hemp flavorings;

Specific ingredients may or may not attract carp depending on the season.

In spring and autumn, he needs more nutritious food, so it is recommended to add elements of animal origin, for example, chopped worms or maggots. In the summer, when the weather is warm and the water warms up, carp respond much better if vegetable, fruit or berry ingredients are added to the complementary food.

Sugar mixture as a basis for bait

Most baits for fishing with a float rod or on a feeder consist mainly of ground crackers. This allows you to set the necessary physical properties of the bait:

Molded into feeding balls or held in a feeder;
After the required time after entering the water, it separates into separate fractions, creates turbidity or a suspension of particles, or simply crumbles.

To make the bait erode more slowly, a binder is added to the cracker, the role of which is usually played by oatmeal (oatmeal). Unlike wheat flour, oatmeal does not permanently glue the bait, but is gradually washed away by water.

In the absence of oatmeal, it is easily obtained from oatmeal (Hercules), which is ground into flour using a coffee grinder.

Sometimes wheat bran, corn meal or other light fractions are added to the bait, which effectively spread the food and its smell with the help of a current or an approaching fish that scatters it with its tail.

In addition, the dry mixture may include:

crushed roasted sunflower seeds;
ground roasted peanuts;
powdered milk;
spices (vanillin, anise, cinnamon, coriander, etc.).

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. These components serve not so much a feeding function as an attractive one. But we are making simple bait, so we will use only the most necessary.

Composition of the dry cracker mixture (in volume fractions):

ground crackers - 90%;
oatmeal - 10%.

For fishing in still water, oatmeal may not be used at all, which means that the dry mixture can consist only of crackers.

Why did they list all this then? So that everyone, even a novice fisherman, can make a more complex composition of bait, understanding what is used for what.

For example, the composition of the dry mixture may be as follows:

ground crackers - 60%;
wheat bran - 15%;
oat flour - 10%;
ground roasted seeds - 10%;
milk powder - 5%.

The result is a very powerful bait that will work perfectly without additional attractive components. But if a large fish comes up with such bait, it will not stay long, since it has nothing to eat.

The role of holding components in bait should be performed by large fractions in the form of pellets or grains in steamed or boiled form.

The best flavors

Vanilla is a good flavoring agent for attracting not only carp, but also many other types of fish.

Over time, various flavors have become an integral part of many baits.

According to their type and form, they are divided as follows:

Sprays and dips are used to treat bait, hooks and other elements of gear that come into contact with water.
Boosters, oils and aromatic additives are necessary for mixing with the groundbait mixture.
Attractant and liquid are modern varieties, which are divided according to their form or degree of concentration, and are used as an additive to boilies or other types of dough-based complementary foods.

If we talk directly about aromas, the following varieties will be the most attractive for carp:

Vanilla. This smell will be most effective in late spring, when the water is already sufficiently warmed up and the carp prefers a plant diet rather than food of animal origin, as well as on warm summer days. You can add about 30 grams. vanilla sugar for every kilogram of complementary food, and also use vanilla dips or sprays to treat bait. Today, combined aromas of vanilla and various fruits have become popular, but in reservoirs where there is active fishing and there are a significant number of fishermen using such aromas, carp may stop paying attention to them.
Fruits. The most attractive smells for this type of prey are plum, pineapple, peach, strawberry and banana smells, as well as their varied combinations.
Honey. It is the most effective means of attracting the attention of carp when fishing in warm and heated water. Sprays and dips for treating bait with a honey aroma are recommended for active use throughout the year. Honey is usually not the main flavoring agent, but a good complementary agent.
Caramel. One of the less common scents to attract carp, but sometimes it gives very good and effective results. Typically used exclusively for processing hooks and baits.
Hemp. To create an attractive aroma, both plant seeds and various hemp extracts are suitable. Most often, it is the main flavoring agent for groundbait and is recommended for use throughout the year.
Garlic. Its smell can give different results, the main factor is the preferences of the carp living in a particular body of water. In most cases, prey will respond positively to garlic scent, but it is best mixed with other scents. Moreover, it would seem that it is incompatible with vanilla or peach, but most carp find this combination very attractive.

A few recommendations:
You can try using Fishhangri bite activators or Dry Bluder with pheromones. But their effectiveness is largely unproven.
Try different flavor combinations: tutti-frutti, chili, chocolate and garlic. These are completely different tastes, but in different bodies of water carp have different preferences and you may be surprised at the results.

Flavoring of bait and dip

Every fisherman should understand that there is no special flavor that will attract carp at any time of the year, at any time of day or night and in any weather.

Therefore, when going to a pond, be prepared that you will have to experiment with different smells. You should also remember that attractants should be used with caution in the spring. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise the fish will completely refuse to bite.

So, let's look at the most popular aromas that attract carp:

Vanilla. It is considered a very common flavoring agent when attracting carp. You can use it either when adding it to bait, or by dipping the bait in vanilla dip immediately before fishing. For 1 kg. The bait mixture requires 30 g of vanilla sugar. Flavors consisting of a mixture of vanilla and other components (honey, pineapple, strawberry, etc.) have also proven themselves well.
Garlic. It can be used as a stand-alone scent or in a mixture with other components. Mixtures of garlic and sweet flavors work well, for example, garlic-strawberry or garlic-honey.
Seafood. In cold water at the beginning of spring, carp are attracted by the smells of crab meat, shells, and shrimp. You can also use them mixed with fruit aromas.
Hemp. Most fishermen consider this flavor to be the most successful. Both the seeds of this plant and hemp oil are added to the bait.
Spices. Stimulate the digestion of fish and make it want to eat. The proportion of spices in bait should not exceed 5%. Carp prefer the smells of black and red pepper, chili pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, etc.
Anise. Added to the feed mixture as drops or powder. The proportion of anise should not exceed 5% of the total weight of the bait.

Making bait at home

Many fishermen still prefer to make their own bait mixtures rather than buy them in stores. In this process, it is necessary to take into account that carp is much more sensitive to odors than other fish, so it is good if the bait for it has a specific sweet aroma.

Homemade dry mixture is closest in composition to the store-bought version; the essence of its preparation is to mix various dry ingredients in certain proportions, the composition is given below:

The basis is corn grits , take at least 1.5 kg.
Add crackers , preferably made from wheat bread; semolina, as well as oat, wheat or corn flakes, which must first be crushed. 1 kg required. each ingredient listed.
Roasted peanuts , which are first ground and crushed, and any dog food, take 0.5 kg each. each ingredient.
Cake, powdered milk and sugar are added 0.3 kg each.

All of the above ingredients are thoroughly mixed and delivered to the fishing site in a dry place. Already there you can add a little liquid aromatic additive to them and dilute them with water from a reservoir.

After this, you can make small balls from the mixture, which are used to feed prey.
An alternative method for preparing dry bait mixture is the following recipe:

Grind and mix breadcrumbs , baked or oatmeal cookies, wheat or corn flakes.
Add corn flour , the proportions must be strictly observed, this ingredient should make up about 20% of the total volume of bait.
Mix the resulting mixture with the bait you are supposed to use to catch carp. These conditions are necessary so that the fish does not differentiate between it and the proposed bait.
Add one of the varieties of aromatic additives, you can choose at your discretion.

In addition to the dry variety of the mixture, you can also make boiled bait, its recipe is given below:

Take the same amount of millet , pearl barley and any variety of yellow peas.
All of the above ingredients are placed in a saucepan and filled with water.
The pan is placed on the fire and the cooking process begins. The mixture must be constantly stirred, otherwise there is a risk that it will weld to the bottom of the pan.
After half an hour, add a little cool water to cool, then strain all the liquid through a sieve.
To add a sweet aroma pleasant to carp , add a little honey and mix with a spoon to distribute it evenly.
Mix with breadcrumbs , the proportions should be such that this component makes up about 20% of the entire finished mixture.
Add a little cake and semolina , their quantity should be half that of crackers.
Dry the resulting bait a little , after which it is completely ready for use.

Some fishermen prefer potato bait, the recipe for which is distinguished by its ease:

Mash the boiled potatoes to make a puree.
Add 1 raw chicken egg.
Pour in a glass of roasted sunflower seeds.
Add one of the varieties of flavorings at your discretion.

Equipment for feeding carp

A rocket is an analogue of a feeder weight-feeder, into which bait is poured, and when it reaches the surface of the water, the bait falls out, the rocket remains floating on the surface. Suitable only in shallow places with no current.
The boat is a radio-controlled model capable of silently bringing the required amount of bait to the fishing spot and pouring it directly into the future fishing point. Some models lower the bait on a cable right to the bottom for more noiselessness and targeted feeding.
Feeder-method is one of the types of carp feeders that cannot be classified as a type of feeder feeder. The whole point is in the design that holds the bait and the hook with the boilie inside the feeder. The carp, trying the food, gradually stumbles upon the bait and gets caught on the hook. There are analogues to method feeders - spring nipples.

Baby feeding rocket

Radio controlled boat

Feeder Method

Rules for feeding

It is important not only to prepare bait correctly, but also to take into account a number of rules for its use while fishing.
They will depend on a number of factors, each of which will be considered separately:

Weather and time of year. In the spring, carp prefer to look for food at the beginning of the day or at those moments when it begins to get significantly warmer. The laying of the bait mixture should be carried out taking this feature into account. On cloudy and cold days, carp swim away from the shore and go into the depths, therefore, complementary feeding should be carried out on the sides of the vessel or using long-range devices. As the weather warms, prey usually return to shallow waters.
It is necessary to correctly calculate the amount of bait. Carp is a fairly large fish and requires a significant amount of food, but there is still a risk of overfeeding it. Usually 2-3 molded balls, the dimensions of which are equal to a tennis ball, are enough. It must be taken into account that the appetite of fish can be influenced by many different factors, for example, lunar phases, changes in pressure or weather conditions, magnetic storms. Excessive amounts of complementary foods with a negative appetite will cause the mixture to turn sour in the water, and will have the opposite effect - scare away potential prey.
The choice of place for bait should depend on the topography of the bottom surface. Carp loves places with reverse currents and whirlpools that form, therefore, it is necessary to look for and feed them near the entrances and exits of holes, fallen trees and in bushy areas.
Absolutely any body of water has a current , which is formed due to the fact that the layers of water are heated unevenly. Carp can live and be virtually anywhere, but prefers to stay at points that are the border between fast currents and calm water. It is good to feed complementary food in such places using metal mesh feeders, but it is necessary to place not only the mixture inside, but also a load, otherwise it will be knocked down by the current.
You need to learn how to find carp sites. Most often, they are reed thickets located in small bays where there are channels without significant current. Most often, this type of fish prefers areas with difficult terrain and avoids places with a sandy bottom, the only exception being situations when there are large accumulations of mollusks there.

The best bait for roach

Sensas 3000 Explosive Gardon

Rating: 4.9

A universal bait for roach, containing fine granules, excellent for combining with various types of soil. It works great for long-term baiting, when the angler wants to prepare a special cool place for himself. It begins to work in full force 1-2 hours after immersion, gradually releasing aroma into the water over the next 24 hours. When used independently, it is perfectly trackable in deep and shallow water, since it has a light, noticeable color.

It is worth saying that at first the Sensas 3000 Explosive Gardon was received rather coldly, since the domestic fisherman was accustomed to relying on more affordable Russian baits. Today the situation has changed radically: despite the high cost, this mixture is extremely popular among professionals, used mainly in the summer season.

Advantages

The optimum ratio of price and quality;
persistent sweetish aroma, accompanied by a noticeable color;
excellent bait for long-term retention of roach in one place;
long operating time for odor release.

Flaws

not detected.

Blitz tips

To conclude, we can give a few additional tips that will help you get the maximum positive effect from the process of feeding carp:

Dry baits often need to be soaked before use directly at the fishing spot. For these purposes, it is recommended to use water from a reservoir, and not bring it with you. This will eliminate the risk of scaring off the carp with the foreign smell of unfamiliar water.
When preparing groundbait at home , many additional ingredients are often used, including various cereals. At the same time, you should avoid adding oats and rye; rice and pearl barley are much more attractive to carp.
Sometimes you need to feed a distant place , usually this is done from a boat or from the shore using long-casting gear. In such cases, you can use buoys so as not to lose sight of the baited area.
Depending on the area of the reservoir, you can feed 2-4 places in total, where the fishing process will be carried out.