The information on preparing and cooking particle baits on this page is only a rough guide and should only be used as such. If you have not prepared or used particle baits before or you are in any doubt about the preparation and cooking of a particle bait I suggest you ask your supplier.
If you prefer, particle baits can be bought ready for use from fishing tackle and bait shops.
What are Particle baits ?
Particle baits consist of practically all beans, peas, nuts, seeds and pulses.
Particles can be used by all coarse anglers and are a favourite with anglers when carp or barbel fishing. Ideal for pre-baiting, spodding or as a hookbait. They can be used as a cheap alternative to boilies and can often produce excellent results when barbel and carp fishing.
Preparation.
As a guideline particle baits should be soaked for 12 to 24 hours then boiled and simmered for 20 to 30 minutes. In the case of Nuts (Peanuts, Tiger nuts etc) I would recommend soaking for 36 to 48 hours before boiling and simmering for 20 minutes. Particles that are prepared and cooked thoroughly are soft throughout. While soaking any flavours or additives can be added.
WARNING. Undercooked particle baits can kill fish.
Most particles, pulses and seeds need to be soaked and / or boiled and simmered before they are safe for the fish to eat.
Some particles can swell up to twice or even three times their original size as they are soaked and take in water. If a fish eats a dry, un-soaked particle this swelling could take place inside the fishes stomach and lead to its death.
In terms of fish welfare an over-cooked particle bait is better than an under-cooked particle bait
Flavouring.
Some particles such as hemp and tiger nuts have a natural flavour and may not need any flavouring added. As with all flavouring of baits it is a personal choice and may or may not make any difference to attracting or catching fish.
If you are adding bait flavourings its a good time to add it to the water the particles are to be soaked in. This gives more time for the flavouring to soak into the particles.
Freezing.
Particles that are not going to be used straight away can be frozen. Make up batches in pint sized bags and pop them into the freezer for using another time. Then its just a matter of defrosting the night before it is needed.
Fishing with Particle Baits.
Where do I start? There are many particles and to write about each one would take me so long I wouldn’t have time to go fishing myself.
Particle baits can be used on most if not all waters. Some fisheries have banned particle baits, especially peanuts, due to the possibility of fish death through under soaking of the nut. Prior to using particles for fishing it’s worth checking with the fishery owners if they are allowed.
Particles be used as a groundbait or hookbait. As a hookbait use straight on the hook or on a hair rig. Particles are particularly good for baiting up your swim. How much you use depends on the water you are fishing, the fish you are targeting and the cost. Carp anglers are big users of particles for baiting up and a number of years ago I read that two carp anglers fishing lake Cassien in France for the big carp used two or three hundred weight (100 to 150 kg) of particles each in a week. They used a rowing boat to take the bait out to the point they were fishing and tipped it over the side. If I remember right they caught around 9 fish with the largest around 45lb. (there was no mention of whether the particles had been prepared or not)
I can’t see a fishery owner allowing this amount of bait to be used in a UK water but depending on how much bait you are going to use for baiting up there are a few ways to introduce it into the water. If your going to use huge amounts as described above a rowing boat is the answer (or if P&O have a ship passing maybe have a word with the captain).
Popular ways of introducing particles in bulk on lakes and commercial waters in the UK is by using a bait boat or by ‘Spodding’
To get lots of bait out in a short time then a spod or bait rocket is ideal. Spodding also keeps the particles in a tighter area and not as spread out as when done with a catapult or throwing stick. If the distance is too far for spodding then using a bait boat might be the answer. Bait boats can be bought from reputable fishing tackle shops but generally the cost restricts the buying of them to the more dedicated carp anglers.
Before going fishing its a good idea to ask around and find out about the particle baits best used in the water you intend fishing.
Some popular particles used for fishing.
Barley Bird Seeds (various) Black Eyed Beans Buckwheat Butter Beans Chick Peas Corn
Groats Hemp Kidney Beans Maize Maple Peas Millet Mung Beans Peanuts Soya Beans
Tares Tiger Nuts Wheat
