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PREPARING AND FISHING WITH MAPLE PEAS There are certain times of the year when, if the conditions are right, carp will respond well to the introduction of large quantities of bait and in particular large quantities of quality boilies , even in the winter. Time and time again we hear stories of large numbers of carp being caught over big beds of bait, or alternatively we often hear of how a huge monster of a fish has been landed after a prolonged pre baiting campaign. Although fishing, or pre baiting with large volumes of quality bait will, if correctly applied, produce outstanding results, the problem is, that for most of us, there is a limiting factor as to how much bait we can use and that is the cost. PREPARATION OF MAPLE PEAS Many anglers in this situation turn to the relatively inexpensive particle baits, such as the various bird food, seed and pulse mixtures that are in common use throughout the country. Although baits of this type can be very effective, in my opinion, they rarely produce the same long term consistent results that can be achieved with a quality nutritionally balanced boilie.  | The reasons for these inconsistencies are rather complex and are influenced by a number of variables, the most prominent of which, is the carp's dietary requirements. In simple terms, if the fish start to feed on a newly found source of food, which doesn't contain the essential balance of nutrients that they require for good health, they will at some point, lose interest and move onto something new. |
Sprouted maples, a fantastic stalking bait. There are exceptions of course, Maple Peas for example, which have a relatively good nutritional make up, used on their own, can produce outstanding results, although as with many particles, after several months of prolonged use on the same water they can start to loose their effectiveness.  | But having said that, Maple Peas combined with a quality nutritionally balanced boilie, mixed at a ratio of say 4 Kilos of peas to 1 kilo of boilies will often prove to be very effective for a season long campaign. |
Combining Maple Peas with a quality 10mm boilie such as these Nash Bait shelf life ready made carp bait. AVAILABILITY  | Maple Peas can be purchased from specialist bait companies, some tackle shops, pet shops, plus animal feed and seed merchants. They usually cost somewhere in the region of £15 for a 25Kilo sack, but remember, when they have been properly prepared, the bait will almost double in weight. So you will have getting on for 50Kilos of bait for the price of a small packet of boilie! |
A bulk purchase of seed and particle baits, ideal for a budget priced baiting campaign. PREPARATION Level of difficulty – Simple. Preparation time - excluding pre soaking- 40 minutes. Equipment required - a suitably sized boiling pan, plus a bait bucket and lid. METHOD  | Tip a quantity of peas into the bait bucket, cover with water, add sweetener so that the water just tastes pleasantly sweet. Sugar is OK, but in my opinion a purpose designed bait additive such as Nash Bait Intense Sweetener or Main Line Baits Sweet Aid will work better. Then allow the bait to soak for 24 hours. You may need to top up the water at some point, as the peas expand and take on the liquid. |
Tip the water and the peas into the boiling pan, bring to the boil and then simmer for around 15 minutes. When the bait has been cooking for around 12 minutes, remove one pea every minute or so and test, what we are looking for is a soft, rubbery outer texture, with a firm centre that will stay intact and not turn to a mush when introduced into the lake. When ready, drain off the water, tip the bait back into the bucket, seal the lid and allow to stew. You can add flavours or enhancer's of your choice to the bait before or after the boiling process, but in all honesty I don't think that there is much to be gained from using anything other than sweetener. HOW LONG WILL IT KEEP? Some anglers like to use Maple Peas freshly cooked, others prefer them to ferment before use, a process that, depending on temperature will take 2 or 3 days before the baits start to become quite sticky and take on a rather distinctive smell. I prefer them freshly cooked, but the best thing is to try both methods and keep an open mind. Alternatively the freshly cooked bait can be frozen ready for use. ALTERNATIVE MAPLES Here's something really different, sprouted maples give off an incredibly potent food signal and carp seem to find them irresistible. All you need to do is soak the bait as already described, but instead of boiling them, place a small quantity of peas on a tray lined with blotting paper, or if not, an old newspaper will suffice. Pour some water over the paper until it is completely saturated and then leave the peas in a warm atmosphere for a few days until they germinate. As soon as a small white tail appears through the shell of the pea, they are ready to use, they make a fantastic stalking bait, just a handful in just the right place will stop a patrolling carp in it's tracks! FISHING WITH MAPLE PEAS Properly prepared maple peas are usually around 8-10mm in size and look just like little dark brown boilies . The sprouted peas are best used in small amounts, where as the boiled peas will work best pre baited and used in much larger quantities, particularly if they are combined with a small quantity of quality boilies . If you intend to fish the same lake on a regular basis, then pre baiting your favourite swims with say 5 Kilos of maples two or three times a week will really get the carp searching out the bait, When fishing, if the carp are really on maple peas, you could quite easily get through 10 Kilos in a day, so go prepared! CARP RIGS Rigs don't really need to be very complicated, if the fish are feeding confidently on the bait, then a small in line lead with a 12cm supple hook length with two maples mounted on a hair in the same way that you would mount a standard boilie is all that is required. Alternatively you could introduce the maples as free offerings and use a small boilie as the hook bait, lots of alternatives to try, maple peas, overlooked by many, a fantastic carp bait for those in the know! Keith Jones
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