Essential Baits
Thaumatin-B

People now think that in todays bait industry that there are no longer any secrets and everything is out in the public domain. In all honesty, this is a very true statement, but there are still additives out there that anglers are not aware of, that are infinitely more effective than other products that anglers "think" are attractive to fish, when in reality they aren't unless the fish is actually feeding on the bait first.

One such product that has managed to stay below most anglers radars is Thaumatin-B. Mention the product to the vast majority of anglers, and all you will get back is a confused look similar to what a dog will give you when you tell it off for doing something it felt was perfectly fine (such as burying your slippers or marking his territory at the dining room table).

Thaumatin-B is a liquid sweetener and flavour modifier that is derived from proteins found in the African Katmfe fruit. Thaumatin in it's natural state is a very sweet additive (2000 times as sweet as sugar on average!), but does not have that instant sweetness on taste receptors, instead having a gradual effect which lasts a long time and in humans can leave a liquorice aftertaste if used in high doses. Raw Thaumatin lends itself superbly to angling as it is highly water soluble and will travel well in the water column.

Thaumatin-B is based around a Thaumatin solution with added Betaine and is exclusive to Essential Products (UKMA have been guaranteed by Mike Willmott that the Thaumatin supplied by the company is unique to them and not a rebranded generic version).

Thaumatin-B is mainly used in the preparation of particle baits as it helps to bring out the natural sugars that are found within baits such as Maize and Tiger Nuts, but it can be used to enhance any bait - either at preparation stage or within a glug or dip.

The uses of Thaumatin-B are only limited to the anglers mind. It can be added to expander pellets at the pumping stage at a dosage of no more than 0.5ml per batch, dips & glugs at a rate of 1ml per 100ml or liquid, 5-10ml per kilo of dry particle, etc. I have used Thaumatin myself in my own hook bait boilies at a rate or 3ml per egg with great success and at rates of 2ml per egg for loose offerings. Adding Thaumatin-B to hemp at the soaking stage is one of very few additives that actually enhance and improve hemp rather than detract from it or make the angler think it is doing a job. When used with Tiger Nuts, the creation of the gloopy sticky substance that the tubers excrete when left for a couple of days in the bucket is increased and sped up without detracting from the bait.

A few of you reading this may think that Thaumatin-B sounds very similar to Talin. Well you would be correct in associating Thaumatin with Talin as they are essentially (no pun intended) the same protein from the parent fruit, but as already mentioned, Thaumatin-B has been tweaked by Essential Baits for their own purpose and that is why association should not be made.

Thaumatin-B is available in 100ml bottles at a SSP of £14.95. This may sound expensive, but considering that at the low dosages required to have a huge effect it works out a lot cheaper ml for ml than most of the other liquid additives on the shelves.

I have used Thaumatin in my angling for many years now in one form or another, and it is one additive that I would rather give up angling than to be without it. Thaumatin-B is not going to miraculously change a rubbish bait or presentation into the latest wonder bait, but for those anglers that present and feed the bait correctly to the conditions and also in the right place, catch rates will increase - I guarantee it!!!