Fish love meat in all its many forms. All of our main coarse species eat small invertebrates, and the attraction given off by meat baits probably mimics many of the natural chemicals that fish tune into to find their prey.
Certainly, I have caught lots of bream, big roach and tench on meat – species that we might not instantly associate with it. Carp, of course, love meat too, and it has several other traits that make it a supremely effective bait. Fortunately, the trend of using large amounts of meat, in the form of heavy feeding with cubes, has waned, as this can lead to water quality problems. Stick to using it on the hook, and with minimal feed, to get the best from it.
CARP CAN BE CAUGHT ON A VARIETY OF BAITS, CHECK OUT OUR ARTICLE TO SOME OF THE BEST BAITS TO USE.
Meat also combines really well with other baits, and it can be used alongside a loosefeed of corn or pellets, or in conjunction with groundbait.
Each of the many different types of meaty baits has its own characteristics that make it suitable for a particular type of fishing, so let’s now have a look at some of the more common ones.
Luncheon meat
Tinned luncheon meat is probably the bait that we are most familiar with, but even here the quality of the meat can vary widely from one brand to another. Generally speaking, the more expensive varieties are made from pork, which makes for a firmer bait.
These brands are best for summer fishing, as it is easier to keep a firm bait on the hook. In the cooler months I prefer a chicken-based meat, which is noticeably softer, and which doesn’t go hard.
If you are pole fishing, you can get away with a much softer bait than if you are legering. In fact, a soft meat is far easier to strike through if you are burying the hook inside the bait.
For hair-rigging for big carp and for Method feeder fishing, pay a little extra and go for tougher brands. To make a really tough bait I like to fry the cubes of meat for a couple of minutes. This helps remove fat and puts a tough outer skin on the bait – the ideal offering for big carp.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ONE OF THE BEST LANDING NETS FOR ALL THE EXTRA FISH YOU WILL CATCH ON MEAT!
Garlic sausage
Over recent seasons, garlic sausage has become a firm favourite bait of mine. I have used everything from matchbox-sized chunks for catfish, down to tiny punched pieces for crucians. Being quite tough, this bait can be hair-rigged with ease.
Garlic sausage is often much cheaper than luncheon meat, and it can be cut into slices and punched or chopped into cubes. It’s a very versatile bait that you can find in the chilled food section of your local supermarket.
Hot dogs
Luncheon meat has rocketed in price over the last few years so, if you are looking for a cheaper alternative, why not try hot dogs?
These are often quite soft, and make a superb pole hookbait when punched. Alternatively, use a whole hair-rigged chunk as a gobstopper-sized bait for specimen fish. Drain off the liquid to make the bait easier to handle.
Peperami
If you need a tough bait that will stay on when fishing the waggler or you're looking to avoid nuisance fish wittling the bait down, then Peperami is the bait you need. A superb choice for both barbel and chub on rivers, this fatty, spicy hookbait just proves irresistible whatever the time of year. Carp also love the stuff and it is always worth popping a stick in your bait bag if you are fishing for any of these species, just try not to eat the whole stick yourself.
Colouring and flavouring
Some anglers swear by using ragged-shaped lumps of meat, but personally I find it makes no difference.
Cutting meat into neat cubes is certainly less wasteful, and makes baiting up and feeding easier since the baits are of a uniform size. I tend to chop my bait up at home and add any additional flavours and colours the night before fishing. I like to add spices to meat, as these combine really well with this savoury bait.
Store the bait in the fridge to keep it fresh. The porous texture of meat holds flavours well, and both savoury and sweet additives are effective.
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