Tares

Tares are often used in conjunction with hempseed, usually at a ration of 4:1 in favour of the hempseed. Tares look like a small brown pea (it is classed as a pulse however) and they are predominantly used for roach fishing. However, they make a very good carp and tench bait, fished either in conjunction with Hemp Seed or on their own. They are also one of the best baits available for barbel fishing, and many barbel specialists rate them above Hemp or sweetcorn.

Tares take flavour well and a few drops of geranium or cassia essential oil will only add to their drawing power.

Bait making tip: To prepare Tares simply soak them overnight in cold water, flavoured with either an essential oil or a spicy commercial flavour and sweetened with a liquid sweetener (some also advocate adding bicarbonate of soda to deepen the colour) and then boil/simmer for 15 minutes. Take care not to overcook the them or they will end up like mushy peas! Keep checking during the simmer and take them off the heat as soon as they feel soft. Drain off the water via a sieve and then run them under cold water to stop them from continuing to cook. Traditionally, Tares are fished as a hookbait over a carpet of Hemp Seed and are commonly associated with trotting a float for barbel, chub and big roach. They can also be used in this fashion by carp anglers, but Ken Townley has found that a fairly wide scattering of Tares on their own to be very effective. Feed sparingly on a little and often basis, and take care not to overfeed as they're pretty filling.