Toady's Bait Problem

[watatoad]

I am hyper allergic to Bananas, and a few friends have helped me out on some of my crazy bait ideas in the past but current non fishing pressure is preventing them from checking out an idea I have for large winter Roach and Chub during bad / cold winters.

 

If anyone on here has a Banana and a bit of bread perhaps even a couple of slices each of both wholemeal and plain white and enough butter to butter just one of each type of bread. Plus you would not mind giving me a hand testing out this bait. So if you feel you can spare me a few slices of bread some butter and a banana plus some of your fishing time I would really appreciate your help.

 

I want to see if Larger Roach and or larger Chub can be persuaded to take the following baits and I would love to know if my idea is totally a waste of time or if my theory is correct.

 

Basis - Bananas are smelly and fruity, soft and mold-able (or in this case a paste potential).

 

1: 1 x slice white buttered bread - remove the crusts mash the crust free slice up with 1/4 (0.25) (a quarter of a banana) to make a suitable hook bait paste.

 

2: 1 x slice white non buttered plain bread - remove the crusts mash the crust free slice up with 1/4 (0.25) (a quarter of a banana) to make a suitable hook bait paste.

 

3: 1 x slice wholemeal buttered bread - remove the crusts mash the crust free slice up with 1/4 (0.25) (a quarter of a banana) to make a suitable hook bait paste.

 

4: 1 x slice wholemeal non buttered plain bread - remove the crusts mash the crust free slice up with 1/4 (0.25) (a quarter of a banana) to make a suitable hook bait paste.

 

All the four above once mashed should give a usable paste suitable for hook bait.

 

Basis for the idea the larger fish of both species are often caught on bread, - they both can be caught on fruit, - they both can be caught with bread paste, - they both prefer smelly bait.

 

I could do it I would leave between 12" and 18" (30cms and 46cms) between hook and first weight. I would expect large Roach and Chub to come on to feed between 2:30pm and 4:30pm (14:30 and 16:30) at this time of the year depending on where in the country you are.

 

I am not writing a book but I will put it and list credit to whoever tests it on the new website I am making.

[Andy Macfarlane]

I think you're bananas mate.

 

I think roach will eat pretty much anything you introduce them to and give them time to adjust to.

 

I've had them eating tinned runner beans, carrot, frozen peas and all manner of crap.

[watatoad]

I think you're bananas mate.

 

I think roach will eat pretty much anything you introduce them to and give them time to adjust to.

 

I've had them eating tinned runner beans, carrot, frozen peas and all manner of crap.

 

I would not dispute that I may be totally bananas, perhaps crazy and possibly insane - But how many of the Roach you caught were over two pounds or perhaps over three pounds? because that is the size of Roach I am talking about.

 

Most small or average sized fish will munch away on just about anything but the bigger / older the fish in my experience the more selective. Big Roach and big Chub have always been pretty selective when it comes to bait and bait presentation.

 

But I have no problem with you not fancying trying out my idea.

[Andy Macfarlane]

How many were 2lbs+ ?? Probably quite a lot of them. Until 2008, my local ressie was arguably the best large roach water in Scotland.

 

I'm not talking about speed fishing for blades.

 

Whether you're bananas or not isn't in question here. We all know your whackier than a whacking stick. What I do find interesting is that you of all people have to ask IF roach will eat bread and bananas.

 

I have NO DOUBT whatsoever that big roach will eat bread/banana paste.

 

I think they might not take not take to it immediately but given it to eat every day or 3 for a couple of weeks and they'll eat it alright.

 

Of that I'm certain.

[Anderoo]

If we're talking about 2lb+ (and even 3lb+) roach, I'm no help. No banana paste in the world will be able to magic them out of nowhere!

 

I'm sure chub would eat it, but then finding a suitable bait for chub has never been much of a problem.

[tony tinca]

I would not dispute that I may be totally bananas, perhaps crazy and possibly insane - But how many of the Roach you caught were over two pounds or perhaps over three pounds? because that is the size of Roach I am talking about.

 

Most small or average sized fish will munch away on just about anything but the bigger / older the fish in my experience the more selective. Big Roach and big Chub have always been pretty selective when it comes to bait and bait presentation.

 

But I have no problem with you not fancying trying out my idea.

 

I now fancy trying mashed banana with some groundbait as a paste for carp , makes sense to try something different and like u say it has a strong unique smell .

[grumpybum]

Years ago before boilies could be bought. I concocted a paste mix based on puréed bananas and banana milk shake. The glorious 16th dawned and 3 of us started to catch not the intended carp but tench. So much so we ended up scaling down the tackle to match the size of fish. Only one carp did we catch that year amongst what must have been over a hundred tench.

 

Trying to mash fresh bread will result in a hard lump. Why not try the old semolina/ soya flour way. Mash 1,2 or 3 bananas with an egg keep adding the semolina.soya till a paste is formed. Make the paste slightly softer than you would need as it will toughen up as the mix dries out. It can be frozen if to much is made.

[Dales]

I now fancy trying mashed banana with some groundbait as a paste for carp , makes sense to try something different and like u say it has a strong unique smell .

 

My partner tried banana mixed in with her groundbait a few years ago for Siamese Carp at Gillhams Fishing resort in Thailand and had some great catch's with it. Since then I often take any tired looking banana's from the fruit bowl to take fishing with me and our own Carp back in UK do seem rather partial to it.

[tony tinca]

My partner tried banana mixed in with her groundbait a few years ago for Siamese Carp at Gillhams Fishing resort in Thailand and had some great catch's with it. Since then I often take any tired looking banana's from the fruit bowl to take fishing with me and our own Carp back in UK do seem rather partial to it.

 

Thats reasuring to know ,also the older the banana the more smell and flavourfull they are

[gozzer]

I'm with Andy and Andrew on this, location is everything in angling. If they aren't there, you ain't gonna catch 'em. There are no baits that will just appeal to 2 and 3lb roach or 7 and 8lb chub.

If it was just the bait, then I think I would have broke the 2lb barrier years ago. I've only found one time and water where 2lb roach were relatively common place, (although many 2lbers strangely shrunk when the scales were produced). I fished a number of baits and methods, some 'normal' and some 'whacky', I got enough fish up to 1lb 12oz, but others caught the 2lbers, and mainly on maggot, caster, or bread.

 

Like Andy, I have used many things as bait over the years, and caught on most, (including banana) but it was just to see if I could. I came to the conclusion that most fish will eat just about anything. In a 'natural' water, in times of less plentiful food, they have to be opportunistic in their feeding. If it looks/smells/tastes edible, then they will have it. In times of plenty, they can be more selective.

 

John.