Vitamins as much as anything else. The B vitamins in particular, as they will aid digestion.
In reply to Post #3
I've been thinking about this on and off for a while.
HNV = high nutritional value. Therefore an HNV bait should supply all of a carp's requirements for protein, fat and carbohydrates in the correct proportions, along with the right amounts of amino acids (essential for digestion at optimal levels), and vitamins for fish health.
Along with all of that it should be attractive to the fish olfactory and gustatory wise too. So smell good and be good for them.
Also we also want a bait that's easy to roll, will hold it's shape for a good while underwater, whilst not being eaten by nuisance fish etc. At the same time it needs to "leak" those attractive signals to trigger the carp to feed.
It's no wonder really there's a huge industry and lots of experts on fish nutrition and bait, because all of that isn't easy!
Fortunately carp are greedy and opportunistic fish, who will feed on pretty much anything, given the chance. That also obviously doesn't mean it's all good for them.
I was reading an interesting article recently about how even unhealthy foods will attract these fish, perhaps more so than HNV baits!?
If you think about, given the choice, which would you prefer - a healthy nutritious salad, or a dirty great Big Mac meal?
Food for thought...
I've been thinking about this on and off for a while.
HNV = high nutritional value. Therefore an HNV bait should supply all of a carp's requirements for protein, fat and carbohydrates in the correct proportions, along with the right amounts of amino acids (essential for digestion at optimal levels), and vitamins for fish health.
Along with all of that it should be attractive to the fish olfactory and gustatory wise too. So smell good and be good for them.
Also we also want a bait that's easy to roll, will hold it's shape for a good while underwater, whilst not being eaten by nuisance fish etc. At the same time it needs to "leak" those attractive signals to trigger the carp to feed.
It's no wonder really there's a huge industry and lots of experts on fish nutrition and bait, because all of that isn't easy!
Fortunately carp are greedy and opportunistic fish, who will feed on pretty much anything, given the chance. That also obviously doesn't mean it's all good for them.
I was reading an interesting article recently about how even unhealthy foods will attract these fish, perhaps more so than HNV baits!?
If you think about, given the choice, which would you prefer - a healthy nutritious salad, or a dirty great Big Mac meal?
Food for thought...
In reply to Post #17
A Chinese or takeaway is always appealing but in reality to stay healthy we learn to limit this. If carp are the same then a HNV bait is the way forward for them.
What will be better on a short session. A high attract low nutrition bait all day long. The amount of times i see anglers doing really well on runs waters with a poor bait is unreal. Nash instant action range for example
But if I wanted to have a good year on a lake I'd want them switched onto a bait that ticks as many boxes as possible.
A Chinese or takeaway is always appealing but in reality to stay healthy we learn to limit this. If carp are the same then a HNV bait is the way forward for them.
What will be better on a short session. A high attract low nutrition bait all day long. The amount of times i see anglers doing really well on runs waters with a poor bait is unreal. Nash instant action range for example
But if I wanted to have a good year on a lake I'd want them switched onto a bait that ticks as many boxes as possible.
In reply to Post #18
Absolutely agree. Plus i want the fish to be in peak condition wherever I fish. Better for them. Better for us.
I do think it may take a while for the fish to "key in" to the HNV bait. My hope is after they do, they'll be on it pretty much to the exclusion of all else.
Absolutely agree. Plus i want the fish to be in peak condition wherever I fish. Better for them. Better for us.
I do think it may take a while for the fish to "key in" to the HNV bait. My hope is after they do, they'll be on it pretty much to the exclusion of all else.
In reply to Post #18
Many of the lakes near me see an awful lot of that Nash instant action nonsence. I always say it will blow any minute, but it keeps on catching
Many of the lakes near me see an awful lot of that Nash instant action nonsence. I always say it will blow any minute, but it keeps on catching
In reply to Post #20
If that is all they are being fed, then it's is all they are going to be caught on.
Regardless IF, it is classed a Good bait or not.
If that is all they are being fed, then it's is all they are going to be caught on.
Regardless IF, it is classed a Good bait or not.
In reply to Post #21
Valid point. Ive been absolutely piling in a good quality bait and doing well on it, i wonder if everyone else will stop catching soon
Valid point. Ive been absolutely piling in a good quality bait and doing well on it, i wonder if everyone else will stop catching soon
In reply to Post #22
You are on a winner, and good quality bait and regular application
You are on a winner, and good quality bait and regular application
Lots of folks talk about bait quality.
Not many talk about bait freshness.
Not many talk about bait freshness.
In reply to Post #24
Agreed. The two go hand in hand.
Quality bait ingredients aren't quality, unless they are fresh, are they ?
And unless you make it yourself, use human/animal grade ingredients with Best before dates, and nice fresh eggs you wouldn't know would you.
As most get bait ready rolled now, you really have to go on reputation by mates, or trust your supplier, or bait roller.
Agreed. The two go hand in hand.
Quality bait ingredients aren't quality, unless they are fresh, are they ?
And unless you make it yourself, use human/animal grade ingredients with Best before dates, and nice fresh eggs you wouldn't know would you.
As most get bait ready rolled now, you really have to go on reputation by mates, or trust your supplier, or bait roller.
In reply to Post #18
A runs water with an excessive stock level is a different proposition to a water high in natural food or lower stocks where a rubbish bait can be ignored. That runs water the carp may need bait as food simply to survive.
I look on high attract baits as a 'sweet' or dessert. Put in the hookbait with a couple of freebies and they may get taken. Start piling them in and the carp may well learn they aren't doing them any good.
Fish a decent nutritional value bait and you can catch all year long.
The comment about Nash Citruz range may be simply part of the overstocked water, and fish having to eat everything.
A runs water with an excessive stock level is a different proposition to a water high in natural food or lower stocks where a rubbish bait can be ignored. That runs water the carp may need bait as food simply to survive.
I look on high attract baits as a 'sweet' or dessert. Put in the hookbait with a couple of freebies and they may get taken. Start piling them in and the carp may well learn they aren't doing them any good.
Fish a decent nutritional value bait and you can catch all year long.
The comment about Nash Citruz range may be simply part of the overstocked water, and fish having to eat everything.
What we call a "good quality fresh HNV bait" is still heavily processed though. Its like feeding someone with Protein bars and claiming that thats good fresh highly nutritious food.
My idea of fresh is bait rolled the night before a trip that has not been in the freezer.
Providing I trust the supplier of ingredients to have a high turn around on products.
Plus fresh eggs.
That's the best I can do.
Providing I trust the supplier of ingredients to have a high turn around on products.
Plus fresh eggs.
That's the best I can do.
In reply to Post #28
You would be amazed how few companies would fit that criteria
You would be amazed how few companies would fit that criteria
Probably made, left overnight to dry / harden then frozen in big batches so some baits with not be frozen for a good 24 hours.
Out of the freezer, onto a lorry for hours if not overnight before being delivered to the customers back garden or tackle shop where it possibly sits for a few more hours before going back into a freezer.
Blows the whole frozen fresh bait theory out of the window IMO hence making shelf life a viable option in terms of a commercial bait.
Out of the freezer, onto a lorry for hours if not overnight before being delivered to the customers back garden or tackle shop where it possibly sits for a few more hours before going back into a freezer.
Blows the whole frozen fresh bait theory out of the window IMO hence making shelf life a viable option in terms of a commercial bait.