I am a huge user of liquids in my carp fishing – I think they’re one of the biggest edges in the bait game, and yet are largely under-exploited.
In summer, a large part of my approach is geared around using oils and fish proteins. But in the colder months, I tend to favour a more creamy, slightly alcoholic blend.
WINTER CAN BE A DIFFICULT TIME TO CATCH CARP, WITH OUR BEST WINTER CARP FISHING EDGES HOWEVER, YOU'RE SURE TO PUT MORE CARP ON THE BANK!
Over the limit
There’s an awful lot of mileage in alcoholic additives, and several spirits and liqueurs have proved to be very attractive to carp. I remember, years ago, a guy did very well on a lake I was fishing, using hookbaits soaked in neat vodka! Baileys Irish Cream is much more subtle, and has been in my angling armoury for approaching 15 years now.
For a long time I just used the original version, but these days we are blessed with flavoured options like caramel and hazelnut, which are equally as good at catching carp, and maybe even better than the original. It’s worth pointing out that Baileys also works well in the summer, but I especially like it in colder water.
I’ve used it successfully for glugging boilies, and for that I give them a good glaze as I get the bait out of the freezer, allowing it to seep in as the baits thaw. It’s great for soaking hookbaits in too. A word of caution – if you’re using it in the warmer months on a tub of hookbaits, keep them cool, as the liquid is cream-based and can curdle.
A POP-UP CAN BE DEADLY IN THE COLDER MONTHS, OUR BUYER'S GUIDE INCLUDES THE BEST POP-UP HOOKBAITS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR CATCH RATES.
Cracking crumb
My main preference is adding it to boilie crumb mixes because these are what most of my winter fishing is based around. Typically, I’ll blend up a couple of kilos of Manilla Active boilies into fine crumb, add a very big handful of 2.3mm Bloodworm pellets, and a kilo of Manilla Active powder. All these items are carefully mixed together in a bucket, to which I add a big, heaped tablespoon of Betaine, Liver and GLM powders. Again, the whole lot is thoroughly mixed to ensure even dispersal.
A magic potion
My ultimate blend starts off with Carnation Condensed Milk. Half a can is ample, and I add that to a pan along with the same quantity of Cloudy Manilla liquid and the same of Baileys. The gorgeous-smelling mixture is gently heated on the stove, which thins out the milk and allows everything to blend perfectly. Be sure not to boil it.
The next stage is vital, we need to add the liquid a little at a time, taking great care not to make the dry mix too wet and stodgy. Keep turning it over with a wooden spoon, making sure that all the tiny particles are exposed to it. Once the mix is damp, not wet, I leave it for a few hours, as often it will absorb and dry out a little, allowing you to add a bit more.
LIQUIDS, ADDITIVES AND BAIT BOOSTERS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE, CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDE TO THE BEST AVAILABLE.
Bag it up
If stored dry and cool, the finished mix will keep for a couple of weeks and any unused liquid can be kept in the fridge.I add maggots to the crumb and fish PVA bags with a small maggot hookbait popped up alongside. I’ll also introduce the mix via a Spomb if the fish look up for it.
On the bottom the bag breaks down attractively and an irresistible milky stain spreads across the bottom. It’s full of sugars, milks and various other incredible attractors, all topped off with an alcoholic edge! There are many other spirits and liqueurs that I’m certain will work well.
One that I am really keen to try is Amaretto as I think that could be the absolute bomb! I’ve also been reliably informed that Malibu is very effective, while Tia Maria is another one that seems to tick all the boxes – remember, there are no rules!
GET THE VERY BEST BOILIES FOR YOUR CARP FISHING IN THIS BUYER'S GUIDE.
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