Crucian carp is omnivorous, but very capricious in relation to food. The fact is that it appreciates variety, but its taste preferences change quickly. There is no single answer to the question of what this fish bites more actively. Although the general rule is this: in cold water, crucian carp often takes animal food, and in warm water - plant components. Let's figure out what is best to offer crucian carp to get a rich catch.

The best baits for crucian carp

The number and variability of baits for catching crucian carp is truly impressive. Let's look at the most catchy ones: we will tell you about both universal and seasonal ones.

Dough

This bait works great at any time of the year and is a favorite of crucian carp. The composition and quantity of ingredients can vary. Here you can experiment, because the fish bites on different flours (wheat, rye, corn, etc.). The dough can be thick or viscous, mixed with both water and milk. To increase the bite, use flavors, choosing them according to the season. In spring, anise and maggot work well, in summer - sweet, tart and fruity aromas. In autumn, we recommend using garlic, by the way, you can safely try it in other seasons.

Peas

Peas are similar in properties to corn. They are suitable for searching for trophy and medium-sized crucian carp in warm water. You also do not need to add additional flavors to peas. Fish are especially partial to steamed pea baits: the specific smell actively attracts crucian carp, and it is difficult for them to resist it. Do not forget to add crushed peas to groundbait mixtures.

Pearl barley

Pearl barley grains sit perfectly on the hook and are easily flavored with dips and sprays. Pearl barley works well in the summer for catching small and medium-sized crucian carp, but trophy specimens usually do not show interest in it. To make the grains easy to put on the hook and not break, they need to be slightly undercooked. Dips and liquids can be added directly to the water in which the cereal is cooked.

Corn

Corn is suitable for catching large crucian carp in summer, while bites on it are less frequent in autumn and winter. The grains have their own attractive aroma, so additional attractants are rarely needed. You can use both canned and young boiled corn.

Bread Bread, along with other plant baits, works best in summer. You can take the crumb and mold it into a ball, adding cheese to it. For greater results, mix the bread with flavorings, such as garlic or coriander - crucian carp are partial to such bait. Also pay attention to the smells of anise and hemp. The most budget-friendly option is to grab some unrefined sunflower oil from the kitchen at home.

The best baits for crucian carp

Large crucian carp bite on baits all year round, but small specimens mainly in cold weather. The most effective animal baits include worms, maggots and bloodworms.

Worm

This universal bait works great for crucian carp regardless of the season, but the best time is in the spring before spawning. Try dung worms, earthworms, bloodworms and red worms. Note that crucian carp often bite exclusively on the latter. Also make "sandwiches", for example, a worm paired with steamed pearl barley, or soak the worm in freshly squeezed garlic juice before casting. It will attract fish with its smell and increase the activity of the bait on the hook.

Maggot

A maggot, the larva of a meat fly, is perfect for catching medium-sized crucian carp. Small individuals cannot swallow it, and trophy specimens are not very interested in it. The best time to use it is after spawning and before the first frost. When buying, pay attention to the quality of the maggot - its smell (it should not smell of anything) and size (larvae should be the same size).

Bloodworm

Crucian carp has a passion for this bait. Bloodworm is the larva of the mosquito-bell. It has a significant disadvantage - it dies quickly, so the method of putting the bloodworm on the hook through the head is the most successful, so it stays alive longer. Try to put maggots on it, which can boast much greater activity and vitality than bloodworms. In addition to traditional baits, crucian carp bites well on beetles (caddisfly, bark beetle and May beetle). In terms of working qualities, especially in the spring, they can compete with worms and larvae.

The best artificial baits for crucian carp

A few years ago, artificial baits for catching crucian carp were used less often than now, but excellent efficiency increased their popularity.

Boilies

The use of this bait helps to cut off bites of small crucian carp. Large specimens respond well to boilies, so carefully select the smell, color and type, then you will not leave the reservoir without a catch. Boilies have several important advantages: they dissolve slowly in water, are stored for a long time, and the choice of textures and smells is huge. In addition, different types of boilies allow you to present the bait in different ways: by experimenting with buoyancy, boiled and dusty balls, you can achieve constant bites. Read more about boilies, their selection, use and storage in the article at the link.

Edible silicone

If you are going to fish in a slow current in cold water, then edible silicone baits will help you catch crucian carp. They are impregnated with attractants with the aroma of squid, shrimp, lobster and anise - they work well in the fall and early winter. The most catchy types are slugs and worms that imitate earthworms, bloodworms and other larvae that crucian carp feed on. The advantage of these artificial baits is the ability to use them repeatedly, while the rubber remains in good condition and smells of the attractant.

Foam balls

It is preferable to use this bait in windy weather. In appearance, foam balls are similar to the usual pearl barley, dough or bread, so the bait is impregnated with an attractant - the aroma and shape will not leave the crucian carp indifferent. In Lion Baits jars, you will find a mix of multi-colored balls with a diameter of 4 to 7 mm.