Chick Peas

Chick peas are a great corn substitute. We all know the ridiculous “Corn prohibited in trout waters” rule in effect here in RI. Note that we are the only state in the union that bans corn in trout waters. Since the state stocks trout in many of our prime carp waters, you will need to use a substitute bait. Try chick peas or garbanzo beans (same thing). I’ve taken many carp this year over 20 lbs. while using this effective bait. See photo.

You should purchase them dry in a supermarket like Stop and Shop. You can purchase them in cans, but canned peas tend to be too soft to use. You can prepare dry chick peas for fishing in two ways. First, put them in a pan of water overnight. They will swell and are ready to use the next morning. Here is another way to do it. Boil water in a pan. Then, I dump in dry chick peas. Let them boil for 20 minutes, and they are done and ready to be used.

I like to put two of them on a hair rigged hook (see photo). Note that the hair on the hook may have to extend a bit longer than you would have it with corn. I have a few extra long haired rigged hooks just to use with chick peas.