I seen someone handling their rigs and bait with gloves on so I asked why. Apparently the **** on your hands from fags will transfer on to the bait/rigs and the carp won't go near it cos they can sense the nicotine. I didn't really have much to say to that so just carried on to my swim. Anyway it got me thinking, wouldn't you contaminate the rig when wetting the knots with saliva? Any thoughts on this?

In reply to Post #1
Seems a bit OTT to me

I think it's all about confidence. Give it a try and if it adds to your confidence then why not? If it feels like a waste of time don't bother. Thinking about it whilst I don't smoke or use gloves I handle hookbaits as little as possible, never really thought why.

That said who's to say the nicotine won't add some form of attraction?

Maybe the carp like the nicotine, and are gagging for it?

My own opinion is, it's absolute nonsense, i used to smoke, and when putting bait out with a catapult, i used to put a few baits in my mouth at a time, and just hold the pouch to my mouth for another bait, it was like automated, and was a fast way of putting bait out. I still do it now at the right range, although i don't smoke now.

Anyway, it certainly never stopped me catching back then, and i honestly wouldn't give it a second thought. The only things i try not too contaminate bait with, are soap or wipes, or petrol for the stove.

In reply to Post #1
One reason I stopped using petrol stoves.

In reply to Post #1
I found I was blanking whether I smoked or not, so have gone back on to 40 a day.

In reply to Post #6

In reply to Post #1
I think carp actually can taste Tobacco somehow...my mates who smoke cigarettes always seem to do really well and since I started smoking cigars when fishing a few years ago my catch rate has gone up too

Dirky health warning...smoking cigars whilst fishing will keep knob heads away from your swim however death awaits ye

In reply to Post #5
That's ok then mine last a week on one fill...

I found the coughing when I used to smoke spooked carp in the margins.

In reply to Post #8
So does a jar of vasaline and some condoms in plain view!!

I used to smoke for 30 years and caught fcuk all. Packed in now for 12 years and still fcuk all. Only another 18 to go.

In reply to Post #1
Sounds like a load of ******** to me. Chain smoking while fishing didn't stop Ivan Marks from catching a few.

Some in the match angling seem to think that it does go into the bait. But that said I dont think it makes much of a difference. Bit like the old story of a womens scent. I've stopped wearing HRHs' perfume now as it was getting too costly.

In reply to Post #1
I'd say it's up to him but from my match fishing days back in the 80's nearly evryone was always puffing away so if they think it's tosh and their livelyhood might suffer if it's true I'd say it doesn't make much difference.

Re petrol stoves, I hate getting petrol on my hands when Carp fishing as it makes me worry for the obvious reasons...but....in the states a quick spray of WD40 equiv is a favoured method for lure/jig fishing...go figure