I have been experimenting with Himalayan rock salt chunks this year and I definitely feel it has increased my catch rate. Also helped to catch my biggest from a water I've been fishing for several years. I have been dropping 1-2cm salt chunks from the RT4 alongside my bait and hookbait. Sometimes I've had fish within 10 mins which is very unusual on this particular water. The question is how effective is salt during the winter? We know carp search out the salt during the spring but I am unsure if I will be wasting my time by putting it in in the colder months?
In reply to Post #1
Why would carp search out salt in the spring .?
Why would carp search out salt in the spring .?
In reply to Post #2
They search for sodium all year round. They need it for osmoregulation. If you can provide a source of sodium for them they will use it. It means they have to use less energy finding it, usually in clay, and can osmoregulate easier if they have more of it.
They search for sodium all year round. They need it for osmoregulation. If you can provide a source of sodium for them they will use it. It means they have to use less energy finding it, usually in clay, and can osmoregulate easier if they have more of it.
In reply to Post #3
What happens if the lakes bottom does not contain clay.?
What happens if the lakes bottom does not contain clay.?
In reply to Post #4
They find anything that contains sodium I guess. Probably in natural food items. Remember the function on very little sodium being freshwater fish, however if they can have a source of sodium it's just easier for them.
They find anything that contains sodium I guess. Probably in natural food items. Remember the function on very little sodium being freshwater fish, however if they can have a source of sodium it's just easier for them.
In reply to Post #5
I don't buy into the fact that carp are actively searching for sodium.
I don't buy into the fact that carp are actively searching for sodium.
In reply to Post #6
considering they need sodium to osmoregulate then i'd call you pretty foolish for not buying in to the fact they look for it as it's a necessary part of their existence.
But it's up to you. No one is saying they hunt around for it 24/7 and above other essential minerals they require, or that they require loads of it. But if you can give them an easily accessible source of sodium then they will find it and use it.
considering they need sodium to osmoregulate then i'd call you pretty foolish for not buying in to the fact they look for it as it's a necessary part of their existence.
But it's up to you. No one is saying they hunt around for it 24/7 and above other essential minerals they require, or that they require loads of it. But if you can give them an easily accessible source of sodium then they will find it and use it.
I don't think they search it out specifically. But I do believe they're aware of their surroundings and whenever they come across anything that makes their life more comfortable then they will utilise it. Whether that's oxygen levels, temperature levels, food or anything else
In reply to Post #8
There's been some interesting chat about salt on the baitworks podcasts.......
There's been some interesting chat about salt on the baitworks podcasts.......
In reply to Post #9
Which ones have they discussed it on pls? Cheers.
Which ones have they discussed it on pls? Cheers.
In reply to Post #10
It was around 54 I think.
Basically, through tank tests, the fish don't react to it. But maybe they hang around in salty areas as parasites don't like it. So if you've got an area doing them some good (removing parasites) and there's food around, possibly why it works. And especially in spring when they are starting to move about after sitting on the bottom.
It was around 54 I think.
Basically, through tank tests, the fish don't react to it. But maybe they hang around in salty areas as parasites don't like it. So if you've got an area doing them some good (removing parasites) and there's food around, possibly why it works. And especially in spring when they are starting to move about after sitting on the bottom.
In reply to Post #11
I have heard of people creating salt spots near to baited spots and it working very well.
My tank tests during uni showed better growth rates in slightly salt water (2ppt), which no one will be creating but I put it down to less energy expended during osmoregulation which meant better growth.
This goes with the whole creating an area for them. if it makes their life easier by having a source of sodium in a consistent place, 1. less energy expended finding sodium, 2. benefits for health, 3. benefits for osmoregulation. Why wouldnt the fish be around it?
I have heard of people creating salt spots near to baited spots and it working very well.
My tank tests during uni showed better growth rates in slightly salt water (2ppt), which no one will be creating but I put it down to less energy expended during osmoregulation which meant better growth.
This goes with the whole creating an area for them. if it makes their life easier by having a source of sodium in a consistent place, 1. less energy expended finding sodium, 2. benefits for health, 3. benefits for osmoregulation. Why wouldnt the fish be around it?
In reply to Post #12
That's very interesting. Is chem still posting on here.?
That's very interesting. Is chem still posting on here.?
In reply to Post #12
The other side of it is that invertebrates actively try and avoid it - so if “naturals” are on the move, makes them easier to find
The other side of it is that invertebrates actively try and avoid it - so if “naturals” are on the move, makes them easier to find
In reply to Post #14
Lots of salt will also kill off weed as it'll effectively create a dead zone.
Maybe a perfect spot for later in the year if you stop salting it. Fish would be used to visiting it regularly too.
Lots of salt will also kill off weed as it'll effectively create a dead zone.
Maybe a perfect spot for later in the year if you stop salting it. Fish would be used to visiting it regularly too.
Jim Shelly used 200kg over a few months he said in last video on YouTube
In reply to Post #16
That's insane 200kg of salt.....wonder how much soap he uses too.
That's insane 200kg of salt.....wonder how much soap he uses too.
In reply to Post #16
That's insane... if this will become common for all anglers at your lakes it will not be good. Salt isn't something you can take out
That's insane... if this will become common for all anglers at your lakes it will not be good. Salt isn't something you can take out
No, they don't need additional salt in winter above that already dissolved in the water.
As for the other three seasons, well that's a different matter!
As for the other three seasons, well that's a different matter!
In reply to Post #16
Wow
Expect a shortage in the shops soon
Wow
Expect a shortage in the shops soon
As Frothey has already mentioned the baitworks podcast. They have also done on video on YouTube showing Carps reaction to Salt in a tank test.. Barely a raised Fin.. The jury's out for me on Salt and its attractiveness to Carp.. 
In reply to Post #21
He does specifically state “not for attraction purposes” which is what has been spoken about on this thread. Salt isn't a feeding stimulant, it's an essential mineral for their bodily functions. Also note the fish didn't move far from the Column of water the salt solution was dropped in.
He does specifically state “not for attraction purposes” which is what has been spoken about on this thread. Salt isn't a feeding stimulant, it's an essential mineral for their bodily functions. Also note the fish didn't move far from the Column of water the salt solution was dropped in.
In reply to Post #22
Agree. Mineral deficiency and then having an abundance could stimulate some interest. People can put far to much in to it, think about a fishes basic needs
Agree. Mineral deficiency and then having an abundance could stimulate some interest. People can put far to much in to it, think about a fishes basic needs
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