Bargain basement carp bait - available now from a garden shed near you...

It seems to me the carp bait sector is coming to resemble a Bangkok bazaar: everyone knows the asking price, and no one’s prepared to pay it.

Why not?

Well, quite simply, anyone who’s been around a while will either know a ‘consultant’  - or at least know a bloke who knows a consultant - who’s willing to give their bait away at below trade price.

Which is all well and good, right?

After all, the anglers are getting a balanced, nutritious (and effective) bait at an affordable price. Which means they’re able and willing to plough said bait in volume into their chosen ponds - thus benefiting the carp and, long term, the venue owners.

In turn, the bait companies continue to raise their profiles. And the consultants earn a bob or two on the side.

Everyone, in short, is a winner. Ipso facto.

Everyone, that is, except the humble tackle dealer.

Boo hoo, you say; robbing b*st*rds must be richer than Croesus anyway, prices they charge.

And of course you’re right. Seldom does a night go by that Carol and I fail to dine on swan cutlets glazed with saffron, and served with deep-fried truffles, before curling up in front of the 72” plasma on a bed of twenties.

But here’s the thing.

The time may come when said dealers, tired of being told “My mate’s on the promo team; we pay half that!”, begin to question the wisdom of giving shelf and freezer space to companies who (or whose representatives) are both their suppliers, and their competitors.