There is no disputing that tiger nuts are one of the best carp catchers of all time. Whether it’s the sweet sugars they extrude or their crunchy texture, carp cannot get enough of this devastating bait. From Heather the Leather to the Burghfield Common, tiger nuts have been the downfall of some of the greatest fish in our land.
Not only are tiger nuts high in sugars and fibre and have a protein content of 7%, but they are also rich in other minerals including Potassium and Phosphorous. However, tiger nuts have received a lot of bad press over the years, mainly due to the potential damage that they can cause carp if not used safely. Some fishery owners have now taken the stance to ban them altogether, in order to protect their precious stock. Personally, I do not see any harm in using tigers, providing that they are prepared properly.
There is much literature available on preparing particles so that they are safe to use, but why go through all the hassle of soaking and boiling when you can buy them correctly prepared?
Bait Tech’s Growlers come perfectly prepared and because they are cooked in the tin in which they are sold, all of their natural juices, sugars and attractors are retained. Due to the high fat content (around 27%), tiger nuts should always be used sparingly which makes the convenient 400g tin the ideal size for a session.
Bait Tech Growlers can be used on a multitude of rigs and can be fished as standard bottom baits, balanced or popped up by drilling a hole and inserting a piece of cork. Due to the hard texture of tiger nuts, most nuisance fish will avoid them meaning they are very useful when leaving your rigs in the water for longer periods of time whilst targeting the larger, trickier carp. This is also useful when pre-baiting certain areas in the lake, as birds and other fish will leave them well alone. If you returning to your spots to find that the nuts have gone, then you can be sure that carp have been visiting the area.
Contrary to popular belief, tiger nuts can be used in conjunction with PVA, but firstly they need to be soaked in either salted water or an oil based product. These days, most fishing dips and glugs are PVA friendly, but groundnut, walnut or hemp oil can all be purchased from the supermarket and are ideal for the job. Not only are they cheap, but they do not detract from the natural nutty flavour of the tigers.
Although the flavour of tiger nuts is enough of an attractor to carp, they can be boosted’ by soaking them in various liquids. The Bait-Tech Sweet Coconut Liquid is a great product for this. Not only is this thick sweet liquid very attractive to carp, but it is also PVA friendly. You do not have to limit your soaks to angling specific liquids. Two of the best alternatives are Coca Cola or Red Bull, with both really bringing out the sugars in the nuts. One last tip is to shave off the outer skin of the hook bait. Not only does this help the attractors leak out, but it also reveals the white centre of the nut, making it more visible on the lake bed.
If your fishery permits the use of tiger nuts and you are looking for a great alternative to boilies, then you reall should give the Bait-Tech Growlers a go.
Bait-Tech Growlers are available in all good tackle shops at around £2.49 per 400g can
