All coarse fish have a fantastic sense of smell. Of all the senses, this is the one that is most useful to anglers, as we can tailor our baits to attract and stimulate fish into feeding, often from some distance away.
Yet, not all flavours are equal. Many are better for certain species, or at specific points in the year. From the huge range available, can we draw any conclusions as to when and where to use them? This area is certainly a minefield, but I think there are some rules that we can follow.
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Don't overdo it
outset that not all flavours carrying the same name are in fact the same. Even when the title on the bottle is the same, this doesn’t mean that the contents will have an identical chemical composition.
Just imagine the difference between the taste of a fresh strawberry and strawberry essence. The two are hardly comparable, and it is not always obvious which is better. Krill is another good example. Krill flavours can be purely a combination of chemicals, while a liquid food will contain real krill extract, and be much more complex.
I use all sorts of flavours, from highly concentrated essential oils, where only a couple of drops are required, to liquid extracts that can be used to soak baits.
It is important to know how concentrated the flavour you are using is, and follow the recommended dosage carefully. As a rule of thumb, I start at half the recommended dose and work up when trying new flavours, as it is much better to use a low dose than to overdo it.
A lot of the flavours on my list of favourites are time- served classics. Not surprisingly, many companies make their own version of many of these flavours. These won’t be identical, so it pays to try to seek out the original – the version that forged the reputation in the first place.
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Seasonal effectiveness
We can draw some conclusions on what flavours to use throughout the year, as water temperature can certainly have an effect, probably based on their solubility, and perhaps on how the fish perceive them too. My flavour chart (left) tries to summarise the flavour types I tend to use throughout the year.
Fish and crustacean flavours tend to be best when the water is warmest. These are generally thick and oil-based, which gives them greater solubility at higher water temperatures. At the other end of the spectrum, many spicy flavours tend to be soluble in cold water. Alcohol- based flavours fit into this category too. There is a great deal of evidence that these flavours come into their own in the colder months.
Sweet and fruit flavours often work all-year-round, and are a good starting point if you want one flavour to use all the time.
Scopex is probably the best known flavour that fits into this category. Another favourite of mine is banana, which is as old as the hills and is often overlooked, but which works well for a wide range of species.
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Combining flavours
You can combine flavours to increase the attraction still further. Often, seemingly very different flavours can make a great combo. Using the flavour chart, we can see how opposites attract.
Fish and fruit flavours work well together in summer, while sweet and spice combine well in the colder conditions of winter. I think these combinations create a more rounded flavour and can really produce some great results.
Adding a small amount of concentrated sweetener can also be highly effective. Sweeteners, both artificial and natural, work on the taste buds to make them more receptive. Sweet additives work especially well with fruit flavours and can really make a bait taste much more like the real thing.
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Liquids and powders
Although most flavours will come in liquid form, powdered flavours can be really useful, especially for adding to groundbaits and also to maggots. Powdered flavours are normally produced by spraying and then drying the liquid on to an inert powder.
Add powdered flavours to dry groundbaits, and shake really well to disperse them evenly before wetting the groundbait. Alternatively, sprinkle a tablespoonful on to a pint of maggots and leave it to be absorbed for a few hours.
If you are new to using flavours then my advice would be to stick to a handful of tried-and-tested favourites. Try using baits with and without flavour to see how much of an effect it can have on your catches.
