GROUND BAITING -A GENTLE ART
by Gordon Rodricks
To the Indian Angler "bottom-fishing" constitutes the
most popular form because the major carp are easiest hooked at the bottom. Carp have a keen
sense of smell and are therefore attracted to your fishing spot by some edible food which they
are particularly fond of but more particularly what smells good to them. Therefore your choice
of ground bait must consider food and smell. Non food items and any item likely to cause
irritation or contamination must be strictly avoided.
Many theories have been advanced by anglers as to the method of ground baiting; all have their merits
and demerits but if one regards ground baiting as a gentle art of seduction then as H. S.Thomas says in his book 'Tank Fishing in India' "we must learn from Bengal" where Angling is a way of life and the ultimate choice of ground baits for major carp has been researched for years and years and is now fairly standardised.
Here are a few hints gathered from friends in Calcutta over the years, which have helped :
1. It is preferable to localise your ground bait to a small area just behind where your
hooks are going to be. Do not spread ground bait over an area more than 2 ft x 2 ft.
Therefore, your throw should be accurate. If, your ground bait is spread out the fish
are likely to miss out on your hook bait.
2. Do not throw huge quantities of ground bait. It is likely to have the opposite effect
and repulse the fish. Also, uneaten ground bait can putrefy the fishing spot in a day and
if you are in the habit of fishing in the same place, it can spoil your fishing. Generally
throw about 8 balls about 2" in dia at the start of your fishing. Thereafter, 3 balls of
the same size every half an hour is adequate. Stop ground -baiting two hours before your
closing time.
3. Do not allow ground bait balls to be too big or too soft. They will spread over a
large area at the bottom if they are too soft. Round balls of 2" dia of clayey consistency
are adequate.
4. Ground bait may be constituted of one part matter and two parts soft mud; formed
fairly firmly.
5. Do not allow the throwing to cause too much splashing, it may scare the fish away
for quite sometime. It will certainly affect your neighbour who came earlier than you.
The fish he has attracted around will run away and may not come back.
The choice of material for ground baiting at Powai can be wide and varied but the "Calcutta
Masala" seem to be the best. This is available at Calcutta as a brown powder or as a brown
paste. Both as Powder or Paste, you can buy 2 or 3 qualities. Quality is determined by the
amount of Mustard Oil Khullee. Good quality has less Khullee initially. Both forms can
vary between Rs. 40/- to Rs. 100/- per kg., depending on quality and season.
If you do not go to Calcutta yourself, ask a friend there to help you. He can be guided by
the shopkeepers who are very dedicated to their trade and by and large will advise you
correctly.
The powder or paste should be strong smelling and have a pleasant "appetising" smell.
Do not purchase any material that smells rancid or foul.
The powder can be mixed with equal weight of wet khullee and then softened to a paste with
ghee or butter residue or coconut oil. This can be stored in an air tight container.
On the morning of your trip, you can add equal parts rice or 'powa' or boiled sweet potato
or Satu (Bihar gram flour). You may also flavour it with crushed garlic or hing or crushed
onion in small amounts. About 3 kg. of this combined matter is enough for one day.
If you buy ready paste from Calcutta, then you may add a small additional amount of wetted
khullee before storage as the paste itself will contain khullee. Other ingredients can be
added the evening before your trip.
If you decide to make your own powder masala, here are the ingredients- the names are all
in Bengali so you may ask your friend at Calcutta to send you samples and then go around
local grocers in Masjid Bunder/Dana Bunder who will identify them for you.
a) Sajira b) Tej Patha c) Choto Methi d) Buch-ki-dana e) Ghore Botch f) Kangla g) Mathe |
h) Aube i) Tambul j) Ekangi k) Ajwan l) Triphul m) Jaiphul n) Daniya |
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