Euro Style: Patrick Mapes
Photography: Jason Paez @finsandtwins

Carp fishing is a lot like soccer. It is the biggest sport (fish) in most of the world, but looked down upon in the United States. While carp on the fly has grown in popularity due to the skill needed to hook into such an elusive fish, the extensive styles of bait fishing for carp is still relatively unknown in the USA. While we normally target carp on the fly, understanding other methods to catch these fish in different circumstances is always beneficial. If wind conditions, water depths, or river access are not prime for fly fishing for carp, alternate baiting methods can almost always produce fish.

Most people think of carp as strickly bottom feeders and will only approach them with a worm or a few kernels of corn. While these baits can work, there is a vast array of European techniques that can increase the amount of fish you catch, increase the size of fish you catch, and increase the quality of carp you catch. This article concentrates on a method feeder with a pop-up on a hair rig, but there is a wide range of rigs to choose from, each with different advantages to fishing in different conditions.

A method feeder holds a ball of pack bait in place that acts as an attractant once the rig settles on the bottom. A fake piece of pop-up corn or a scented boilie attaches onto the hair rig above the hook. The hook is pushed into the pack bait to cast out the rig, but once the pack bait begins to disintegrate into the water, the hair rig will separate from the method feeder. We usually have 6-8″ of line between the method feeder and the hook, but a longer distance can be beneficial when stronger currents are pushing the pack bait further downstream. The pack bait attracts the carp to your rig and as they feed on the bait, they eventually make their way to the pop-up or boilie on the hook. With the hook being outside of the bait, the hair rig allows the fish to hook itself as the fish releases the bait and the hook “falls” out of it’s mouth. The method feeder is beneficial as it allows smaller fish to pick at the excess bait and not steal the piece you normally have on your hook. The larger pop-up or boilie on the hair rig requires a larger fish to bite it in order to be hooked.

A variety of pack bait recipes are available online, and every carper likes to dial in their own specific recipe. No matter the flavor, you will want to stir the pack bait to just the right consistency to squeeze and “pack” it around the method cage like a snowball. It needs to hold up when you cast it out, and slowly disintegrate once it is down on the bottom. 

Beginners Pack Bait Recipe:
• 1 container Oatmeal or Panko as a base
• 1 pack Jello Powder (strawberry and pineapple are very popular)
• 1 can of whole kernel corn (optional)
• Instant mash potato flakes (optional) as needed to increase consistency

Carpers have established a wide range of recipes and flavors that carp are attracted to. Some other main ingredients to experiment with include vanilla extract, hot sauce, berries, boiled bird seed, and many more!

5 Tips for fishing a method feeder:

1. Wait for the carp to take the hook. The method feeder is attached to your main line, so if you see the pole tip dancing, they are most likely just feeding on the pack bait. You need to wait for them to take the hook.
2. The hair rig actually causes the fish to hook themselves when they release the bait. With the hook point facing downward, the hookup automatically happens once the fish inhales the pop-up and then drops it. The weight of the method feeder also helps pull the hook point downward.
3. A bite alarm can be helpful when night fishing if you have multiple rods set up at different distances. Some cheaper models are available but will not activate if the fish picks up the bait and swims towards you.
4. Slowly add water to the pack bait if you need to increase the stickiness of the bait. Adding too much too quickly will result in a soup that will not stick to the method feeder. Letting the bait air out or adding more ingredients can help dry it. If fishing in colder temps, keeping the bait a little warmer will help it pack to the method cage.
5. Experiment with flavor combos and see what works best in your local waterways!