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Chickpeas and other cheap alternative baits

Etienne Harvey

Senior Member & Supporter
Hi everyone, I've been wondering if anyone has tried using chickpeas or other cheap supermarket particle baits with any success for barbel. I know carp love them, so surely barbel will too. These days everyone uses pellets and boilies and I'm sure sometimes the fish especially ones that have been caught before are associating these baits with danger. I'm going to try chickpeas on my next outing and see if I can winkle out a barbel or two. So if you've used chickpeas or other cheap supermarket particles please let me know.

Thanks Etienne
 
Well thank you very much Daniel, my thoughts on chickpeas as a bait looks very promising. I can't wait to give them a try. It may well give me an edge. Only time will tell.

Thanks Etienne
 
There is a school of thought that maintains Barbel will eat almost anything if you fish the right swims in the right place etc. Maybe an over simplification? If you fish over hemp I think there is some truth in that maybe? Personally though I always use a good proven bait and in sensible quantities it isnt expensive. I've seen the YouTube vids in question. He enjoys himself and is successful so good luck to him. Same to you!
 
I have to admit years ago fishing a commercial carp fisherie, I put on a jelly baby sweet just to see if they would work and sure enough I caught. So yes fish will eat most things. Also I'm not worried about the cost of baits, as I've always had much success with worms and natural baits but will use pellets and boilies. i should of worded my post differently, my bad. I was just pondering the idea of where fish are heavily under pressure and most people tending to use the same old baits like pellets and boilies whether using chickpeas or other not used baits may give me an edge. Just food for thought
 
I have to admit years ago fishing a commercial carp fisherie, I put on a jelly baby sweet just to see if they would work and sure enough I caught. So yes fish will eat most things. Also I'm not worried about the cost of baits, as I've always had much success with worms and natural baits but will use pellets and boilies. i should of worded my post differently, my bad. I was just pondering the idea of where fish are heavily under pressure and most people tending to use the same old baits like pellets and boilies whether using chickpeas or other not used baits may give me an edge. Just food for thought
Etienne. Famous Carp angler Rod Hutchinson swore by sprouted chickpeas. Soak them until they germinate then boil. They are supposed to be more attractive like this. If you are interested in experimenting with particles try and get hold of a copy of Rod's book 'the Carp strikes back'. I think it is still available. His other books Rod H's Carp book and Carp then and now also have much on particles. 👍
 
I have to admit years ago fishing a commercial carp fisherie, I put on a jelly baby sweet just to see if they would work and sure enough I caught. So yes fish will eat most things. Also I'm not worried about the cost of baits, as I've always had much success with worms and natural baits but will use pellets and boilies. i should of worded my post differently, my bad. I was just pondering the idea of where fish are heavily under pressure and most people tending to use the same old baits like pellets and boilies whether using chickpeas or other not used baits may give me an edge. Just food for thought
I once fished for 2 days solid, tried everything, pellets, boilies, etc, all the things you would expect to work on a river, not a touch. At last knockings, i tried a single grain of corn, and yes, you know what happens next. :)👍
 
Very interesting about using pre sprouted particles, i will definitely be trying that out. A quick Google search and I've found the carp strikes back has been reprinted in a paper back edition for £18.95, not bad seeing as the original hardback is going for about £100.
Sweetcorn is a great bait, I always have a tin in my car boot as a just in case nothing else it working fall back. Many species love corn.
 
Chickpeas are soaking now as im going to try pre sprouting them for a try at the weekend. I'll post back with my findings. I'm going to prepare some plain and some with flavourings just to see if theres any difference in attraction. Hopefully the river Wye will gain some height with the rain we've been having, always found it fishes better then.
 
I soak my chickpeas in tomato soup with garamasala added, and also add sodium benzoate food preserver in the soaking stage . They seem to last several months in the fridge, and also freeze very well .
I have had Tench, Carp, Roach , Bream and Barbel on the above .

David
 
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