159-162 natural cc167 · know. the hazelnut is actually one of the most versatile of all nut baits...

Alex Bransby

Age 32

Hometown Northampton

OccupationBiochemist

UK PB46lb 12oz

Favourite venueSt. Ives Lagoon

RodsGreys Torsion

ReelsDaiwa Infi nity 5000 BR

AlarmsDelkim TXi

Natural SelectionPart Three Nuts

He’s given us the lowdown on maggots, casters, worms, and all kinds of shellfi sh and crustaceans – now in this fi nal part of his

miniseries, Alex Bransby goes completely nuts!

Crafty Carper 159

Hello, and welcome to the third and fi nal part of my natural

selection series. In the fi rst two parts I looked in-depth at the use of various naturally attractive invertebrates of all

shapes and sizes that are all hugely effective carp baits. This month I’m looking at another totally different naturally occurring food group, the use of nuts and peas.

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The Natural SelectionAlex Bransby

Throughout the ages, long before the advent of the modern-day carp scene and the rise of the boilie, the use of various nuts and peas as carp bait was widespread, and for good reason. As with all things in life, cycles and trends come and go, and with the boilie revolution taking a fi rm grip of the bait scene since the 1980s, the use of nuts and peas took a back seat as the boiled bait industry grew from strength to strength. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that the humble nut and pea baits have had their day. As the popularity of the boilie continues, many forward-thinking, successful anglers have incorporated nuts and peas into their approach, with devastating effect on many of the country’s toughest waters.

BRAZILSThe brazil nut has accounted for a high number of carp captures throughout the years, and the fact that it is so underused these days invariably means its use is a massive edge on pressured venues. In my opinion, brazil nuts have to be one of the most versatile nut baits around. Their high oil content means they are naturally buoyant, so much so that before use I would recommend testing each individual nut – some fl oat, some sink, and some can be perfectly balanced just by the weight of the hook. The shape and overall appearance of a brazil can easily be changed from its

natural shape and colour by simply shaving away at the nut to reveal the much lighter, inner fl esh. The brazil nut can also be further enhanced for use by colouring and fl avouring hookbaits and loose feed by soaking in products such as talin to add sweetness, and also liquid betaine for pure attraction properties. Another huge benefi t of the brazil nut is that it can also easily take on liquid foods and boilie fl avours so can be tied in with a certain boilie, and possibly incorporated sparingly alongside the introduction of boilies to give that occasional feed-stimulating crunch factor.

PreparationAs with all nuts and peas, the correct preparation is of

paramount importance, and brazils should be prepared with the utmost care so as not to cause the carp eating your nut baits any undue harm and distress. It is vitally important that they are soaked for a good 48 hours before being boiled for at least 45 minutes, to create a safely digestible bait you can use with confi dence.

Using as a BaitMy own preference when presenting a brazil nut is to fi rst select a naturally slow-sinking nut and carefully whittle away at it to uncover some of the lighter inner, before threading onto a reasonably long Hair. I like the hookbait to be critically-balanced to just about hold bottom and settle over the actual hook itself. The nut shavings can then be used to make a small PVA mesh stick that is threaded down the hooklink to cover the hook and help prevent tangles on the cast, as well as to further add to the attractive nutty oils given off. Another factor as to why brazil nuts can be extra effective is, I’m sure, due to their odd shape, which must be a little more tricky to negotiate and deal with in the mouth of a carp than the conventional round boilie.

160 Crafty Carper

“The brazil nut has accounted for a

high number of carp captures throughout

the years”

ABOVE The shape of a brazil can be

altered with some slight shaving

of the edges – the shavings can be

added to a stick mix to further the

attraction of the hookbait.

My favourite

presentation when

using a brazil nut as

a hookbait.


Crafty Carper 161


The peanut is probably one of the most traditional and groundbreaking carp baits of its time, and has been used to good effect for decades. When fi rst used by the leading pioneers of the early carp scene, especially with the evolution of the Hair Rig, to many it simply made catching the impossible a reality. Today the use of peanuts is a much more subdued affair, partly due to the boilie revolution, but also due to the bad press the use of peanuts has received in recent years. This is down to a number of reasons, namely poorly sourced baits, ill preparation, and the dangers of overuse. If you decide to incorporate peanuts into your approach then I must stress that you source human grade nuts from a reputable dealer and not from any old pet shop; the storing and grading could be substandard and could potentially contain harmful toxins such as afl atoxin, which can cause unnecessary intestinal damage to carp. Another important aspect regarding their safe use is to only apply peanuts sparingly, as in the past various nut types have been introduced en masse, which has, on some waters, been detrimental to the health of the carp. As long as they are sourced, prepared, and introduced at sensible levels, there should be no issues about their use, and you can then begin to reap the rewards of using this often neglected but hugely effective carp bait. Another added bonus with using peanuts is that along with their naturally high oil content, they are also one of the most protein-rich nut types available.

PreparationHaving sourced some quality peanuts, care must then be given to correct preparation by soaking the nuts for a minimum of 12 hours, before boiling for at least 30 minutes to produce a fi rm but totally safe bait.

Using as a BaitGenerally I like to fi sh a single peanut kernel on the Hair with a small amount of peanut butter moulded around the hookbait for added attraction. I usually knock up a nut-based stick mix to complement this, using ingredients such as crushed peanuts, salt, peanut butter, and fi nished off with a dash of hemp oil. This is then threaded onto the hooklink and over the hook as standard, and fi shed over a loose scattering of about a handful of peanuts as loose feed.

PEANUTS

ABOVE Peanut butter is

perfect for smearing

all over a single kernel

hookbait – when this

hits the water it will leak

attraction for some time.

The use of hazelnuts has been kept quiet for a long time now, and it’s no surprise because they make a brilliant carp bait. First used by a select few through the 1980s, they have accounted for many a carp, and I am sure that on the quiet they still do by those in the know. The hazelnut is actually one of the most versatile of all nut baits for carp anglers due to its perfect size and distinctive fl avour.

PreparationAs is the rule with all nut baits, care must be taken with regard to preparation and use. So, like the peanuts, hazelnuts require 12 hours of soaking before being boiled for at least half an hour prior to use.

Using as a BaitThey can effectively be used as both pop-ups and bottom baits without having to alter their make-up. Hazelnuts are naturally buoyant enough to use popped up due to the air pocket located in the nut’s centre. If you wish to neutralise this buoyancy to present them effectively on the bottom, all you need do is pierce the nuts through the middle with a needle to release the pressure from the air pocket prior to boiling, and there you have it, perfectly balanced bottom baits. The characteristic hazelnut fl avour can now also be incorporated within a boilie mix or added to prepared nuts for added attraction, by using the Ultra Hazelnut Essence from CC Moore – a defi nite edge!

HAZELNUTS

ABOVE This is the air pocket in the centre of

the hazelnut, thus making it a pop-up.

I fi rst became aware of the macadamia nut whilst travelling around Australia several years ago, and my fi rst impressions were what a cracking carp bait it could potentially be. Since then I have known a few people to use macadamias to good effect, albeit very much on the quiet. Due to their growth in popularity within the food industry, many supermarkets are now beginning to stock these nuts, and before long I am sure more

MACADAMIA NUTS and more anglers will see the potential and give them a try. A bit like an oversized hazelnut, the macadamia has the highest amount of benefi cial monounsaturated fats of any known nut and is therefore a great source of energy.

PreparationThe macadamia has a high oil content, like the brazil nut, and so should be carefully prepared along the same guidelines, which is to soak for 48 hours before being boiled for 45 minutes. Also like the brazils, there can be differences in buoyancy levels, so it is always a good idea to check individual nuts to see which best suits the situation.

Using as a BaitThe macadamia is a very fl avoursome nut, and because of this supermarkets are also now stocking macadamia nut oil, which I’m sure has its uses in a baiting scenario. Why not give them a try – I guarantee that the carp haven’t seen anything like them before.

“The hazelnut is one of the most versatile of all nut baits”

TOP TIP

Try adding a little

hemp oil to a nut-

based mix for

added attraction.


162 Crafty Carper


In a NutshellThat brings me to the end of the natural selection series. I have to say I have enjoyed reminiscing over some of the all-time classic baits that seem to have been forgotten in this modern age of carp angling where the boilie rules. I hope

at least some of you out there may have been inspired to use more naturals in your approach, as it really can be the answer when all else fails.

Also, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s only boiled baits that are doing the business on the toughest of waters.

Very often it’s the nut baits like tigers that score well and trip up the really big

pressured fi sh, although you would never know it!

Until next time, Alex. CC

BLACK TIGERS

CREATE A BALANCED TIGER PRESENTATION

Use a drill to bore out a hole in two nice-sized black tigers.

1

Now take some cork, place it inside one of the nuts, and trim off.

2

You should now be left with this – two plump tigers ready to rock!

3

Push the other nut onto the cork to make a double hookbait.

4

Pass the baiting needle through both nuts and thread them onto the Hair.

5

This is what the fi nal rig looks like, and it sits beautifully on the lakebed.

6

This old-looking mirror

took a liking to a nut-

based spod mix I

was using.

The use of tiger nuts and their effectiveness has been well documented for a long time now, but a couple of years ago CC Moore put their own twist on this all-time classic with the release of their steeped black tigers, and it sent waves throughout the carp-angling fraternity. They somehow managed to plant breed these little black beauties to achieve a very dark and unique colouration that gives the nuts their very natural appearance, and I am sure that it’s for this reason that big carp can’t get enough of them; the carp perceive them as being a naturally occurring food item like a caddis or larvae. The black tigers are cooked in the container to preserve all those lovely sugars and juices, including the specially formulated steeping liquid, which makes them

incredibly attractive. They are only available in a cooked state, so no worries with preparation, although as always care and moderation with application is needed. Black tigers make an awesome stalking bait on their own, and especially when combined with hempseed, plus they help to escape the unwanted attentions of nuisance species such as bream and tench. They have an almost cult-like following due to their reputation for being incredibly big-fi sh selective, and are quite likely to be totally unlike anything else being used on your chosen water. Get on them before someone else does!

Using as a BaitI like to fi sh a single

nut hard on the bottom, or part-drill out two small

nuts and connect them with a piece of cork plug before threading onto the Hair to create a wonderfully balanced presentation that carp

fi nd hard to resist. If you are fi shing a pressured water and are looking for a real edge, then give these beauties a try.


159-162 natural cc167 · know. the hazelnut is actually one of the most versatile of all nut baits...

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