Carp Fishing Glossary
Carp Fishing Glossary
New to carp fishing, or just unsure what a term means? This glossary covers the key concepts and tackle used by South African carp anglers — including the terminology behind our own products.
A
Attractor / Attractant
A liquid, paste, or powder added to bait or groundbait to release scent into the water and draw carp to a feeding area. Our Honey Pot Chum Carp Attractant is a slow-release liquid attractor designed to create a sustained scent zone.
B
Bait
Any food substance used to attract and hook carp. Common carp baits include boilies, sweetcorn, tiger nuts, bread, pellets, and chum-based attractants.
Boilie
A round, hard bait made from a base mix of flours, eggs, and flavourings, boiled to form a tough outer skin. Boilies are one of the most popular carp baits worldwide and are often used in conjunction with liquid attractants.
C
Carp Swim
A specific area of water — typically a bay, depression, marginal shelf, or feature — where carp are known or likely to feed. Anglers choose a swim based on signs of fish activity (rolling, bubbling, surface movement) or prior knowledge of the venue. Setting up in the right swim is one of the most important decisions in carp fishing. A well-placed swim, combined with a sustained attractant like Honey Pot Chum, is far more effective than any bait alone.
Chum
Loosely ground or particle-based bait scattered into the water to attract fish to a feeding area. Chum creates a sustained cloud of scent and food particles. Donkey Chum Baits takes its name from this technique.
Chod Rig
A pop-up rig used on heavily weeded or silty lake beds. The short, stiff hooklink sits above debris, presenting the bait cleanly to feeding fish.
D
Dam
In South African fishing, a dam refers to a man-made freshwater reservoir or impoundment — the primary venue for carp fishing in SA. Examples include Roodeplaat Dam, Vaal Dam, and Hartbeespoort Dam.
F
Feeder
A cage or mesh device attached to the fishing line that holds groundbait or attractant, releasing it gradually near the hook bait. Our Honey Pot Carp Feeder is a 21-vent biodegradable PLA feeder designed to work with the Honey Pot Chum Attractant.
Flavour Profile
The combination of scents and taste compounds in a bait or attractant. Carp respond to different flavour profiles depending on water temperature, pressure, and season. Common profiles include sweet (honey, scopex), savoury (garlic, fishmeal), and fruity (strawberry, pineapple).
G
Groundbait
A mixture of ingredients (breadcrumb, pellets, particles, attractants) used to feed fish into an area without providing a full meal. Groundbait is often introduced via a feeder or by hand.
H
Hair Rig
A rig where the bait is attached to a short extension (the hair) below the hook, rather than directly to the hook. This allows the hook to move freely and improves hooking efficiency when a carp picks up the bait.
L
Lead / Lead Weight
A sinker used to cast the rig to distance and anchor it on the lake bed. Leads are available in various shapes for different bottom types — flat pear leads for firm bottoms, inline leads for weed.
P
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
A biodegradable, plant-based plastic used in eco-friendly fishing tackle. Our Honey Pot Carp Feeder is made from biodegradable PLA — it breaks down naturally in the environment, unlike conventional plastic feeders.
PVA
Polyvinyl Alcohol — a water-soluble material used in carp fishing to make bags or mesh that dissolve after casting, depositing bait neatly around the hook. PVA-friendly attractants must not contain water or oils that dissolve PVA prematurely. All five Honey Pot Chum flavours are PVA-friendly.
R
Rig
The complete terminal tackle setup used to present a bait to carp. A rig typically includes a hook, hooklink, lead arrangement, and swivel. Common rigs include the hair rig, chod rig, and hinged stiff rig.
S
Scopex
A classic carp flavour with a sweet, butterscotch-like profile developed in Europe and widely adopted in South Africa. Scopex is known for its effectiveness on pressured commercial waters. Available as one of our five Honey Pot Attractant flavours.
Session
A continuous period of fishing at a venue, ranging from a few hours to multiple overnight stays. South African carp anglers often fish multi-day sessions on larger dams.
Slow-Release
A bait or attractant designed to leach scent gradually over time rather than dissipating quickly. Slow-release attractants create a persistent scent trail that keeps fish feeding in your zone for longer. See also: What is a Slow-Release Feeder?
T
Tiger Nut
A small, naturally sweet tuber widely used as carp bait. Tiger nuts must be properly prepared (soaked and boiled) before use. They are particularly effective in warmer months.
Z
Zig Rig
A rig that suspends a buoyant bait at a set depth in the water column, rather than on the bottom. Effective when carp are feeding mid-water, particularly in summer.
Have a term you'd like us to add? Email us at donkeychumbaits@gmail.com.