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Supermarket Baits

Tired of spending a fortune on the new fangled boiled, or the latest release from some company like dynamite baits? Ever wondered what you used to use before boilies became the norm for Carp fishing? 

Well following on from what Mike wrote about only one bait, I have decided to do something on some very good baits which are more readily available than you think, not to mention extra brownie points for “agreeing” to help the wife with the weekly shop!

The Classics

A trip around the superstore means you can get some quality bait at silly prices. The humble loaf of bread, great for all kinds of fishing from Roach to Carp, Bream to Mullet. Around 50p a loaf for the budget one. Also a good base for any homemade groundbait, not to mention you can actually make some boilies out of this!

Sweetcorn, again a must have in any bait bucket, tinned corn is best for on the hook, I have found if you get a premium brand it is often firmer and stays on the hook better, however the own brands can be just as good after all sweetcorn is sweetcorn right? No wrong. You want to make sure you pick up the unsweetened version. You can also get bags of frozen sweetcorn which is great for spod mixes or adding to groundbait. I don’t rate this for hook baits mind you.

Chickpeas, largely forgotten bait these days although still absolute winners for roach, bream, carp etc. Like all pulse baits buying a tin are easier than preparing your own. If you do prepare your own make sure you soak it thoroughly and then boil it properly (I will cover this another time) It is essential that this done correctly or you may cause harm to fish.

Cheese, great for most coarse fish and straight on to the hook you can mould it to obscure shapes so fish don’t come wise to it. Mix it in with some bread crumb to make a paste. A little hint is to get the smelliest cheese you can find. 

A little more obscure, tinned potatoes, cut into chunks and put straight on the hook. Many years ago this was a popular bait but has died down now since the advent of high protein, high oil, high additive baits (fish are quite like us, they don’t always want food that’s been played with). One of the most famous anglers to use Par boiled (have to be par boiled or tinned potatoes) was Sir Izzac Walton, he caught many a Carp on potatoes.

Pet food, A little while ago a company called Coshida sold a range of cat food through the superstore chain called Lidls, this took the match scene by storm and the use of this bait progressed through to Carp fishing. The big tackle companies thought “we are not having this, a low priced bait which is so effective” Low priced is not the word, it was about 29p a tin!, well I digress, the big companies approached Coshida, Offered them a vast amount of money for the recipe and put a non disclosure clause in the contract so the company who brought it could not be identified, they also forced Coshida to stop producing the cat food. Rumour is it was Dynamite Baits who brought it although this is unfounded. Since this little episode of cat food being used as bait it has caused an explosion in anglers using pet food as bait. Trial and error is the key, you are looking for one which is chunks and you want the chunks to be quite firm. Chunks in gravy are easier to use although very messy. Another good pet food to use is dog food which comes in a roll, I think it’s made by Webox you get a tray of 10 rolls which will last you probably a season for just a couple of quid!

Whilst on pet food, we all know about dog biscuits for floater fishing and how effective it is. Imagine if you could add abit of flavour to it..... Next time you’re in the pet food aisle then look for Bakers Meaty chunks, not Bakers complete, it is actually called meaty chunks. Try using these on the hook, inside the box they are like little cubes of soft fibrous smelly goodness that Carp love!

Now some meats,

Spam, an old favourite which seems to be fading out now, you can’t beat abit of spam on the hook. It’s good for all species, remains on the hook well and also comes in a couple of flavours; you have the straight forward Spam or the “new” Spam with Black pepper which is fantastic bait

Luncheon Meat, again like Spam good for all species, although this tends to be abit softer and will not withstand a powerful cast to the horizon!

Pepperami a rather new bait but is quickly catching on. The tough texture of this bait means it will stay on your hook for ages; you can cut it to the size you want. I have had great success on all of the flavours.

Even more obscure,

If you are fishing for Catfish, try some of the following:

Chicken Livers

Liver

Kippers

Squid

Octopus

Chicken Thighs

Cockles and muscles (these are good for Carp as well)

Basically any lump of meat or fish. Don’t have to be Sirloin steak, even the cheap stuff works well, the bloodier the better.

See easy brownie points with the wife whilst your actually buying bait!