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Unlike synthetic flavours, essential oils are very consistent in their make up. Synthetics do vary considerably and I have experienced significant differences from batch to batch. Essential oils are carriers of natural messages and strong chemical stimuli. Always work on the principle that if you can really smell the oil in your bait, then the levels are way too high! I have, over the years, kept a notebook with details of essential oils that I, or one of my friends have tried. All the following have caught carp!
Essential oils are extremely concentrated substances and must be treated with some respect. Most are extremely flammable and vapour alone could lead to combustion. Store in a cool dark place and do not taste them yourself!
This is a well known culinary herb. It has worked well in combination with either liquid molasses or honey. Chief aromatic constituents are methyl charicol, linalool and cineal. Suggested usage rate is 3 - 5 drops per 16oz mix.
This is a herb, native of the USA and a swamp dweller. It is a member of the mint family and is used extensively in the perfumery trade. The major aromatic constituents are linalylesters. This oil is very fine, can be easily emulsified. I have caught a number of good carp using this oil with a seed bait. Suggested usage rate is 6 - 8 drops per 16oz dry mix.
A clear oil, which although it floats, emulsifies easily. It has quite a subtle smell and whilst I have never found it to be an instant bait, it does seem to sort out the larger fish. Suggested usage rate 16 - 24 drops in a 16ox mix. to sort out the bigger fish.
The oil is extracted from the bud, leaf and stem of this evergreen plant. It has a spicy odour and is light brown in colour. I remembering hearing about this oil back in the early 70's and it is still catching today! This oil also works well with particles. Suggested usage rate is 8 - 12 drops per 16oz mix.
This is an evergreen of the laurel family. The oil is used in a large range of preparations and is a stimulant. It is a clear amber liquid with a distinctive spicy aroma, the oil forming large globules, many of which will sink. Suggested usage rate is 6 - 12 drops per 16oz mix.
A clear oil which form a large film in contact with water and extensively used in medicines and tinctures. The major aromatic constituent of this one is cineole, a fish catcher in it's own right. Suggested usage rate is 6 - 8 drops per 16oz mix.
A herb of the carrot family and used in the perfumery trade. A clear oil with a cough linctus type smell. the chief aromatic component is anethol. Emulsifies very easily. Suggested usage rate is 6 - 7 drops per 16oz mix.
A bulbous plant of the onion family, it's origin is so ancient that it has not been traced. For those who can bear it's smell it must be one of the biggest fish catchers of all time. A thick oil which varies in colour from brown to pale yellow, it can even be smelt through the bottle, and is best stored away from the kitchen! The dense oil forms individual globules in water, which can sink and spread. i have found that this works well added with butyric acid ... but the smell is foul... Also, I have found that it is not an instant smell and goes from strength to strength with pre-baiting. Suggested usage rate is 1 drop or less per 16oz mix.
The oil is extracted from the leaves and stems of pelargonium graveolens and is grown in North Africa and central and western Europe. the thin green oil tends to form a large surface film in contact with water and it partially water miscible. Geranoil and citronnellol are the chief aromatic compounds of this oil. Geranium has proved to be one most instant oils, and seems to attract every species as well as carp. Suggested usage rate is 0.5 - 1 ml per 16oz mix.
The oil is extracted from the rhizome and is used for both medical and culinary purposes. Nearly opaque in colour with a mellow top note of spice and an underlying slight citrus note. I water it tends to form large droplets, but is nonetheless readily emulsified. The aromatic constituents of this oil are zingiberene and citral. I have had good results with this oil. Suggested inclusion rate is 6 - 12 drops (0.25 0 0.5ml) per pound dry mix.
An evergreen tree or bush, the bitter tasting berries yield the oil. The oil is best known for its use in the manufacture of gin. A pale, opaque oil, with a delicate smooth but very distinct aroma. The chief aromatic constituent is alpha pinene. Suggested inclusion rate is 3 - 6 drops per pound dry mix.
A strong smelling member of the onion family. A semi-opaque oil which forms well defined globules in water, about 50% of which sink. The aroma is stark and strong, another aromatic disulphide being the culprit. Suggested inclusion rate is 2 - 4 drops per pound dry mix.
The tree which produces nutmeg also produces mace, the kernel of the fruit being the nutmeg and the surrounding red covering the mace. Sometimes called oil of mace, the oil is extracted from the nutmeg itself. The clear oil forms large globules when in contact with water, and does need through mixing with eggs. the aroma is very individual, somewhat spicy and consists of mixed aromatic constituents; pinene, limonene, 4-terpinel, safrole and myristicin. I have had some very good results with this oil. Suggested inclusion rate is 18 - 24 drops per pound dry mix.
The oil is extracted from the flowering tops of the plant. A clean fresh strong mint aroma, the chief aromatic constituents of this oil being menthol, menthane and menthyl acetate. This oil is very pleasant to use and is pretty much instant. Suggested inclusion rate is 6 - 8 drops per pound dry mix.
There are numerous varieties of thyme, the red flowering variety giving rise to red thyme oil, which seems to be the preferred oil for carp. A deep orange coloured oil with a strong spicy aroma, which works well in low concentrations and is pretty instant. It tends to form large thin globules and is not miscible with water. the chief aromatic constituents of the oil are thymol and carvacrol. I have found this a very difficult oil to emulsify. Suggested inclusion rate is 2 - 5 drops per pound dry mix.
This is a member of the mint family and is an important medicinal and culinary herb. A nice, strong spicy aroma, the chief aromatic constituent being cineole. Suggested inclusion rate is 3 - 6 drops per pound dry mix.
Another member of the mint family, the oil is extracted from the leaves. Slightly more mellow than peppermint and the clear oil tends to form large layers when in contact with water. The chief aromatic constituent is l-carvone. Suggested inclusion rate is 6 - 8 drops per pound dry mix.
This oil is extracted from the flowers of the plant and is used in the perfumery trade. It comes in a wide variety of grades and is one of the most expensive oils commercially available. This is quite a heavy oil forming large individual globules, about 50% of which sink and then flatten with contact with water. The chief aromatic constituents are alcohols, esters along with sesquiterpenes. Suggested inclusion rate is 12 - 18 drops per pound dry mix.
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