Building blocks
When designing a new boilie recipe, there is a certain ratio that you should consider following.
A good boilie should be composed of approximately:
40%-60% binder
20%-30% Protein
10%-20% soluble protein
10% Texture
These proportions have been deliberately left quite approximate to show you that there is a lot of room to play here. Use your own judgement, combined with information from other anglers, to decide the final mix for your bolies. Remember to take note of what you put in so you can repeat successful mixes and avoid repeating unsuccessful ones.
So let’s take a closer look at these individual components.
Binder
A good binder is essential, as it dictates how well the mix will roll and bond. The most commonly used binders are soy flour and semolina, and many homemade boilies contain only these two ingredients as a binder. However, most flours work well, and ingredients like rice flour, corn flour, wheat flour, and durum wheat flour can be used.
It’s a good idea to use a mix of these binders, so to get to 50% of the total mix, you might consider something like 20% grits, 20% soy flour, and 10% rice flour.
The binder’s job is primarily to hold the boilie together and the exact amount needed will depend on the other ingredients. So if you can get away with 40% and still get your homemade boilies to roll well and hold together, then you should consider that.
protein
Carp are genetically programmed to look for good sources of protein. A good protein content is essential. On a day ticket water you can sometimes offer more attractants and less protein, but for a decent long lasting bait make sure there is plenty of protein. This will keep the fish coming back and they will learn that your boilies are a good food source.
There are two main sources of easily digestible protein that you should consider; Milk proteins and fishmeal.
Fish food it is a good source of protein, has a protein content of 70-80% and is easily accepted by fish. There are pre-digested fish meals available that can have a protein content of up to 90%. These work well, but tend to be quite expensive. It’s up to you (and your pocket) which one you choose. Milk proteins, such as casein or calcium/sodium caseinate, can be very high in protein, sometimes over 90%. These are especially interesting during the colder months, as they are easily digested by fish at lower temperatures.
soluble protein
Soluble proteins will dissolve in water. This causes them to escape from the bait creating a cloud of attractants in the water that will attract the fish.
Soluble fishmeal and soluble milk products work well here and are available from bait suppliers or online.
Try to keep the amount of soluble protein around the 10% to 20% mark. If you include too much in the final mix, your boilies may soften too quickly.
Texture
Texture is an important feature of your boilie and one that is often overlooked. Carp eat a large number of shelled animals such as water snails and a wide range of invertebrates. These food sources contain a crunch factor and carp will often associate crunch with a good meal.
One of the most used ingredients to add texture is birdseed. These will also add some protein to your mix, though the levels aren’t as high as you might think.
Crushed dog (or cat!) biscuits can help add crunch and a bit of flavor. There will be many treat type items at your local pet store that can be ground up to add texture. Be sure to check the labels and choose one with a high protein content and a good crunch.
Perhaps the most common way to add texture is to leave the shells on the eggs when you add them. Eggshells give the perfect amount of crunch and you already have them in your hands when you are making your boilies!
Flavour
Carp like good strong flavors. You will learn what they like from the experience, but also from the names of the proprietary baits that are available on the market. Think spicy, spicy, fishy, salty, sweet, and fruity. Your supermarket can help you here. Bottles of sweet chili sauce, for example, provide excellent flavor.
minerals
Like all living organisms, carp need certain trace elements and minerals in their diet. Minamino is one of the most widely used supplements. It is readily available and will cover the complete mineral requirement of a carp. The carp know this and can’t help but be attracted to it.
There is a whole range of other extracts and additives available that will add mineral content, such as betaine, liver powder and squid extract (there are many more). Purchasing ingredients like these inevitably adds additional cost to the mix. They’re not essential, but they work, so if budget is a concern for you, pick only one that’s recommended and stick with it.
oils
You should consider adding a small amount of oil to your mix. This is not only a great way to attract smelly attractants to the water around your bait, but it also makes baits much easier to reel in. Consider some of the really stinky fish oils, or maybe go for a much simpler oil, like hemp oil or olive oil.
That’s all. I have tried to keep it simple to make it easier to understand the basic concept. Once you understand the basic ratio of ingredients in a boilie, the world is your oyster. Feel free to play and experiment. Making your own boilies is a fun and rewarding activity. Enjoy making your own boilie recipes. Share your successes and failures with your fellow anglers and hopefully they will do the same with you.
Keep an eye out for future articles on how to make boilies, including different mixes for daytime waters and long-term campaigns, and what to consider when making your own boilies for summer or winter.
For more information on how to make boilies, check out this website.
Good luck and tight lines.