Just read an article on using Chick Peas for an excellent carp bait. Has anyone used these for bait? How does it compare to corn or boilies? The only thing I can find are canned chick peas...Are they available fresh? Best flavors or colors to use with them? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi carphunter420,
I have used chick pea quite extensively in the past though never in tinned form. You can probably find them at a store such as "Whole Foods" though make sure they are well soaked before using preferably overnight as they will swell once wet and if this happens in a fishes gut this could lead to unkown problems for the fish.

As every kind of bait pre-bait with them for a few days before using them, if they have not been used before on the water in question you could have an incredible day. I remember many years ago in UK the first time i used chick pea after baiting up for many days I have 12-15 fish in a matter of 2-3 hours - at 1 point i had 2 fish on at the same time. (Obviously 2 different rods.)

Thanks admin, I will have to keep looking for them. Very good point on the soaking of baits before use. I.E. maize(corn), sugar beet pellets, chick peas, etc.

Talking to other carp fisherman on this subject, it's a fact, failure to soak or boil bait thoroughly (24 hrs.), could very easliy kill many carp in the area.

Do raw chick peas need to be boiled like maize? or just soaked?
Thanks

Hi carphunter420,
if they are soaked for a minimum of 24 hours they should not need boiling - if required sooner, boiling will help the chick peas to absorb water more quickly.

Beautiful, thank you!

Are you guys saying the boil or soak the bait before use? I fish with canned corn all the time I pop open the can and I'm on my way to nailing them.. Should I boil or soak them though?

Hi NJCarpFisherman,
You are ok with canned corn. Since it's canned in water its been soaking for plenty enough time. Primarily we're refering to dried maize(corn)or raw(uncanned)baits,etc. that the water content must be replaced I.E. boil or soak. So no worries, with canned baits there should be no need for this.

Hi NJ Carp Fishermen,
Canned corn is good to go as it has been soaking in the juice in the can. Fresh corn should also be ok though when its dried out for feed it should be soaked.

hi all. chick peas work when all else fails, double on a hair rig with small size 10 hook.or snowman style.very cheep compared to boilies too. hemp sweetcorn chickpeas a deadly mixture in groundbait.