Nutritional Recognition
There seems to be a great deal of confusion about this subject yet the basics of it are, indeed, easily understood. First though lets look at how it all started. There was a guy by the name of Fred Wilton,from England. Fred & his band of merry carpmen, visited many lakes, the outcome was generally the same; everywhere they went they practically emptied the lakes, this was even BEFORE the use of the hair rig. This alongside other well-known & local carpmen.
Fred's baits were based on a different theory, which went something like this; carp & indeed all other wild animals (humans not included in this instinctive reaction) need certain life giving nutrients to survive. They dont have anyone to tell them what to eat, so by instinct they can naturally find the best diet to sustain themselves, & furthermore Fred had tied this in to the biological value of the food sources. Which basically means that carp will look for the food types which are most efficient at being converted into carp (the carp will achieve MAX growth rate) Fred's baits were based on a High protein food source supplied from milk proteins. Fred's reasoning was that, if you could make up a bait with the correct nutrients, in the correct proportions; you could make the perfect bait, which would be eaten in preference to any inferior baits. Also included in the baits were fats, carbohydrates, vitamin & mineral supplements. The baits (powders) were mixed with eggs & rolled into balls & boiled lightly to produce a thin skin, which dramatically increased the time that the baits would stay on the hook, it also resisted attentions from unwanted fish. Apart from the protein & vitamin content, the carp had to be able to identify this new found nutritious food. This 'label' was applied via smell. Fred advised keeping your smell (label) secret as if another angler was using the same smell, but with an inferior bait, then your results would be tarnished, since the carp would soon identify this smell to a low value food & your results (& his) would go down the pan. Below is an early (HNV) bait based on the original nutritional recognition theory.
5oz casein
1oz calcium caseinate
1oz Lactalbumen
1oz gluten powder
1oz soya flour
1oz Equivite (vitamin/mineral supplment)
The above bait works out at approx 75% protein & would be made up using standard 'boily methods' as detailed already in the bait section. This recipe was written by Fred & is from (Carp & the Carp Angler by George Sharman). Of course ideas have changed a little since then, but at the time there was no denying the facts, Fred & his band of merry men caught a LOT of carp.
Carp can be weened onto these types of bait, once they have recognised the value of these baits, they will eat them in preference to most others, provided the ingrediants are good. Fred pointed out that there are times when they dont work ,but this was put down to inferior batches of casein. I have witnesed when these baits have been working in preference to all others. In N.A though , I believe this would be almost impossible to acheive. Mostly because of the size of the waters, & the fish being nomadic, & also because they simply dont see enough of them to be used as a viable food source. If you have a smaller landlocked water though, & can introduce the baits on regular baiting program. It would be worth it IF the fish were of LARGE enough size. Mostly though ,you wont need them. Coupled to that fact ,the ingrediants are not widely available, or even obtainable without considerable effort ! I would recommend a simple boiled special bait, as detailed in the 'How to make boilies' section, these are often better at singling out the bigger fish especially if made 'harder' than normal. If you are able to fish two rods especially, give them a try on the second rod. Many a time the second rod has come up with the goods. It pays to be versatile with your carpin' !
Good luck & tite lines,- - -Carpsava