But science has shown that the majority of this protein is not synthesized to benefit the fish at all and is wasted! In fact, baits with a biological nutritional value (or 'BNV') of 30 % to 55 % or even lower, are just as effective. Costs of milk proteins became uneconomical in the 1980s for anglers in the UK, and so anglers experimented much more with cheaper bulk ingredients, and their relative ratios to find success much more economically. However, so - called high protein 'BNV' baits still out fished the low-protein, carbohydrate - based baits in the long run, far more consistently and effectively when it came to the really big fish. And this again proved the benefits of using a balanced nutrition theory bait, correct. This theory stands the test of time; still today especially after decades of constant hard pressured carp fishing in the UK, where carp are seriously 'clued up'. By 'high protein', I mean high - quality in terms of your bait's amino acid profile, and other nutrient ingredients. When compared to a carbohydrate bait with a very low quality of these nutrients available. So when you see 'high-protein', don't assume that 30 - 45% is low. Semolina and wheat flour, 50 / 50 % mix, for example, may only contain a maximum of 10 % protein, if anywhere near that; it feels to us like the difference between eating pasta compared to stake. It's like eating sugar; loads of quick energy benefit, but no essential nutritional essentials are being supplied for essential bodily rebuilding and survival. You don't hear about body builders thriving on a high sugar diet (this can lead to diabetes among other poor diet effects), but on a high protein, 'balanced nutritional profile' diet where every dietary essential need is met. Most Americans and anglers from countries where carp fishing has not yet become an extremely intensively competitive sport may quite rightly wonder; what all this fuss about bait and it's quality is really all about, and question it's necessity! Even a simple 'kitchen' bait like a homemade corn flour dough, with added coke or canned sweet corn juice with catch all day and probably always will on most 'low or no pressure' carp waters, around the world! A high quality boiled bait approach is not necessary on every water; not every carp has ever seen a boilie bait before, and many carp may not even recognise them as food items immediately! And many waters are so over stocked that there will never be enough natural food, nor anglers' bait to supply their needs fully, and any bait from maggots to sweet corn, to bread will always catch their fare share of big fish, regardless of any nutritional needs among the fish population. But on those hard fished pressured waters where big fish have seen practically every boilied bait of every description before and been caught on them previously, they certainly do learn by association, both of the dangers and benefits of eating particular baits. The 'HNV' theory baits have historically simply produced the biggest carp, the most consistently, where anglers are using varied baits of different qualities and designs from attractor baits to the most advanced highly digestible balanced 'HNV' baits. (On high angling pressure waters.) Even where carp are being offered a range of 'balanced nutritional value' type shop bought baits every day, some baits will tend to catch more bigger carp than other baits, and this is where the advantages of designing and making your own homemade baits really pays long term dividends. You see, no one else can go to a shop, buy the 'new' bait you've so been carefully introducing into the water, (to get the fish to feed confidently on it) and then have someone else catch the lake's biggest fish as a result of all your efforts. You will benefit directly from your own unique efforts; and often be rewarded with exceptional and very consistent big fish catches! Good fishing so often results from good bait may your baits be more than just 'the flavour of the month' in the latest shop bait advertisements!!!
