Throughout the world people feel the urge to spend time fishing. To many actually catching fish is the bonus gained from just being there; doing what you love. In New Zealand it is said that 10% of the recreational fishos; catch 90% of the fish. From the time that I have spent following my love of fishing; I would have to agree with those statistics.

Welcome to my world. I enjoy being part of the 10% of New Zealand fishermen who has learnt that to catch good fish; you must understand the fish that you hope to take home. Luck has very little to do with whether or not your fishing expedition is successful. I have spent a lot of time with people who have spent years trying to catch enough to feed their families or justify the cost of their equipment, terminal tackle and bait.

One of the first things that I promote to those that ask me why they can't consistently catch fish is: Forget all the knowledge that you currently use to Not Catch Fish. Once the old 'clutter' is discharged, you are able to learn new habits that work. With an open mind; you can start having fun and find out how easy it really is to catch fish. Some of the 'smartest' fish that I have caught fell prey to a humble carrot!

If you are thinking; "Yeah Right!" I'm pleased that you doubt me. This was exactly what I said to my grandfather, when he told me about growing your own bait. The cost and availability of quality bait has been instrumental to the development of many 'artificial' baits, that have shown their worth to those anglers who were open minded enough to actually try something very different from the norm.

Today millions of plastics, catch more than their share of the fish for no doubt again; a smaller percentage of the fishermen. What the emergence of this style of lure has done is to prove that if you hold your mouth right; you can catch fish on just about anything. So, how do you catch fish with a carrot? Stop smiling first - save the smile for the result. The references that I make all relate to saltwater fishing and I have not attempted to catch freshwater fish with this method. For most freshwater species; I suggest: Cheese!

One of the main reasons people don't catch fish, is because they don't take the time to prepare for the event. I'm sure we have all been guilty of not cleaning our equipment after the last day out; only to find that we get an equipment malfunction on the next day out. For this experiment, you must allow at least two days 'prep time' to ensure the best results. If you take the time to do your preparation you will enhance your chances by 60%.

Effectively, to catch fish on carrots, you must marinade the bait over at least a 48 hour period. However, the longer the bait is left to marinade the better. For your preparation you will need the following ingredients: 6 x Medium sized carrots - 500 mls of Vegetable Oil - 100 grms of Star Anise (Aniseed) - 1 x Small tin of Sardines or Anchovies - 1 x 1 litre pot - 1 x 600ml Plastic container with a tight lid - And just a few minutes of your time.

Peel the carrots and cut each carrot lengthways into slithers approximately 10mm in thickness. Heat your pot on a low heat and add the Vegetable Oil, heating it until it is just below boiling. Take the Star Anise seed pods and add to the oil, stirring them into the oil. Increase the heat until your mixture reaches boiling point, stirring throughout. Allow your mix to boil for no more than 3 minutes, stirring to make sure you do not bun the oil and then turn down to simmer for another 15 minutes, stirring regularly. The smell of aniseed will start to be given off in the vapour. Continue until its intensity increases and then remove from the heat. Allow your mix to cool to room temperature.

While you have your mix bubbling away, take the carrot slithers and dry them on a paper towel. Make sure that you do not wash the carrots. Now take a small knife and shape the carrots into something that resembles a small fish, no longer than 100mm in length. Make sure to make only a small indent in your bait carrot when forming the tail region. It is important that your cuts here do not create a weak stress point on the bait. It does not matter how bad they look; you don't have to be an artist. Don't forget to stir the pot while you are doing this. Dry the carrot baits again once you have shaped them and cover them with a second paper towel.

Once the oil has cooled completely, place your little carrot fish in the (disposable) plastic container. Now open the tin of Sardines and pour the fish oil over the carrots. To enhance that scent, you can put no more than two broken up sardines in with the carrots. Take the aniseed oil mix and pour it all over the carrots. Include the star anise pods into your container. Lightly stir the two oils together, ensuing that the carrots remain submerged. You have now made your baits. Let this container sit (at room temperature) for up to a month before your fishing day. During this time, the carrots Will soak up the oil and remain pliable.

When preparing your baits you will need: 2 x 6/0 Hooks - 1 x Size 1 Snap Swivel - 350mm 30lb Mono - Elastic Cotton.

Tie the first hook onto your mono leader line. Thread the second hook onto the line from the bottom side of the hook eye, so that it free runs. Tie the Snap Swivel to the other end of the leader. Your Trace will now be approximately 300mm in length. This is later attached to your main line on which you have threaded a running 3 - 4 oz sinker.

Take your leader line by the fixed hook. You are going to have your bait with the head end facing away from your main line; fixed by both hooks (the second being a 'keeper' hook). Pass the first hook once through the carrot in the area where its gills would be. Slide the second hook down and push it through the bait (in the same direction as the first). This hook is placed approximately where the gut cavity would be on the bait. Now do a half hitch knot over the tail section of your bait but do not pull it too tight or it will cut into the carrot bait. Take your elastic cotton and wrap as much as you need around the bait to make sure the hooks are exposed and the half hitch is not taking the strain on your bait if it was pulled tight. Tie off the cotton with a half hitch and your bait is ready. Once I have cottoned my bait, I usually soak the bait and especially the cotton back in the oil. The reason for this is that the oil soaked cotton will create its own little oil slick over and above what your bait gives off. Ok you are ready to cast and start having some fun. When you tell your friends what you caught your fish on; they will probably say exactly what you did: "Yeah Right!"

© Copyright 2009 Pearldiver nzpol with all rights reserved.

Remember, that the best time to use this method is either during the change of light prior to dawn or just after dusk. Good Luck and leave your neighbour's garden alone.

Don't be afraid to leave a comment on this site or ask any questions that you feel are appropriate. Enjoy your fishing and make a difference to our environment by taking your rubbish home with you. (Along with your fish).