Are We Creating Pools Of ‘Mud Pigs'?

A With reference to the human population, obesity has been declared an epidemic in some countries.

But in most fishery situations, overfeeding is likely to damage fish more by its impact upon water quality rather than by its impact upon their size.

In low stock, lightly fished and essentially ‘natural’ waters, and in moderately stocked fisheries with an abundance of natural food and reasonable bait input, there is unlikely to be a problem.

Conversely, in heavily stocked, heavily fished venues, there are many well-documented examples of fish welfare issues as a consequence of bait misuse.

This, of course, is why bait application is strictly regulated on many commercial venues, both in terms of the quantity and type permitted.

The effect of bait on long-term fish welfare has not been widely studied, but the science is well understood, and the question probably pertains more to carp than to other coarse species.

Different carp strains carry their weight differently, from gutty Italian strains to long, solid Leneys.