Particle Bait Pre-soak times for Carp

In Spain particles can be found and used no problem. Actually come to think of it, it’s dam hard to find a bait ban for particles anywhere. You will however find other strange and wonderful rules but as of yet a particle ban is no-where in sight. Spain has not yet moved to the position of enforcing a ban/restriction on particle bait, right now it’s simply a free for all, which brings both danger and success.

One of my all time favorite particle baits is Hemp, fish love it and so do I! Tonight I have just put 3kg of the stuff in a bucket to soak. The 10kg or so I have in my house should see me into the New Year. I don’t generally use large amounts of baits at this time, with the cold setting in.

Tomorrow I will put the large bed of prepared Hemp (probably 3kg) large for me, in a margin on San Martine de la Vega, let’s see how it works out!

For now here is my guide to particle preperation:

SHAKE, RATTLE, SOAK and BOIL:

TIGER NUTS 24h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
MINI TIGER NUTS pre-soak for 24h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
JUMBO TIGER NUTS pre-soak for 24h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
CHICK PEAS pre-soak for 12-18h for Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
HEMP SEED pre-soak for 24h until kernels split
LARGE HEMP SEED pre-soak for 24h until kernels split
TARES pre-soak for 12-18h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
MAPLE PEAS pre-soak for 12-18h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
MILO pre-soak for 6h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
FRENCH MAIZE pre-soak for 24h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
BUCK WHEAT pre-soak for 6h Boil/Simmer for 10 min.
GRADED WHEAT pre-soak for 6h Boil/Simmer for 15 min.
GRADED BARLEY pre-soak for 6h Boil/Simmer for 15 min.
PEANUT KERNELS pre-soak for 24h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
ADZUKI BEANS pre-soak for 24h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
WHOLE BRAZILS pre-soak for 24h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
BROKEN BRAZILS pre-soak for 12-18h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
HARICOT BEANS pre-soak for 12-18h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
RED KIDNEY BEANS pre-soak for 12-18h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
PINTO BEANS pre-soak for 12-18h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
SOYA BEANS pre-soak for 12-18h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
BIRD MIXES * 6 15
MAIZE pre-soak for 12-18h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
RED MAIZE pre-soak for 24h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.
SWEET LUPINS pre-soak for 24h Boil/Simmer for 30 min.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

1. Hemp – during certain times of the year, when hemp becomes difficult to split, follow the above process and then wash it with fresh water, pour boiling water back onto it and leave it to soak in a bucket or pail until it splits (maybe a further 24-48hrs). Don’t panic it will split!

2. When any product is boiled or heat treated the molecular structure and nutritional profile (including attraction properties) are denatured and damaged. This means that the less boiling time required to make the particles suitable for use, the better. However, it is vital to ensure particle baits are correctly prepared to avoid fish damage. Therefore, pre-soak particles for longer than usual, making required boiling times shorter.

3. To improve attraction properties, leave the boiled particles to soak and partly ferment in their naturally occurring sugars that remain in the boiling water. After several days certain particles will start to form a caramelising liquid that makes the final particle much more attractive.

4. Tiny particles such as hemp, wheat, barley, dari, rapeseed, or mixes of tiny birdseeds, can also be prepared by putting in a lidded bucket or coolbox overnight, with boiling water added.

5. Peanuts MUST be human grade, non-human grade nuts may contain the Aflotoxin fungus, which KILLS FISH. If in doubt, don’t use them, or buy peanuts from the Supermarket still in their shells.

6. Maximising soaking times and minimising boil times will result in better nutrient levels in the finished particles. Most particles can be soaked for up to a week before boiling,

Well I hope that’s of use to you, let’s see what the Hemp drags in tomorrow.

Tight lines.