In the history of carp fishing—especially bait development—there are certain iconic ingredients that have consistently delivered outstanding results. These ingredients have stood the test of time and earned the trust of thousands of carp anglers across Europe.
Robin Red is one of those legendary names, still widely discussed today despite no longer being produced in its original form due to changes in feed regulations and import restrictions.
We have already replicated Robin Red successfully, both in a professional version and in simplified, highly effective alternatives made with easily sourced ingredients.
Another truly iconic ingredient is Minamino Syrup, a liquid food that essentially gave birth to the term “liquid food” as we use it today.
Originally, Minamino was a pharmaceutical syrup developed by Ayrton Sanders Pharmaceutical as a restorative supplement for severe metabolic conditions in humans.
Thanks to the brilliant intuition of Clive Diedrich (co-founder of Richworth), this product was introduced into carp bait formulation and used as a primary attractor in their legendary ready-made boilies since the 1980s.
Why Was Minamino So Effective?
The composition of this syrup clearly explains its incredible effectiveness.
Minamino Syrup contains:
- Liver extract
- Gastric mucosa extract
- Spleen extract
- Sugars
- Vitamins
- Minerals
A highly concentrated blend capable of delivering approximately 100 mg of amino acids per 5 ml, including:
Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamine, Histidine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Lysine, Methionine, Proline, Threonine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Valine, along with the full B-vitamin complex.
Why It Disappeared
At a certain point, pharmaceutical supply became inconsistent following the decline of Richworth, which was the main buyer for the fishing industry.
From direct experience, I can confirm that companies like ours relied on the same pharmaceutical supplier through Richworth. It is also likely that patents expired or the product became obsolete within the pharmaceutical market—similar to what happened with cod liver oil, now mostly used in animal nutrition.
Today, many companies still sell products labeled as “original,” but these are almost certainly modern reproductions.
Recreating Minamino Syrup
The good news is that, knowing the ingredients and nutrient profile, it is relatively easy to recreate an extremely effective version.
Here are two approaches:
SIMPLE VERSION
- 500 ml liquid liver
- 400 ml molasses
- 100 ml liquid betaine
- 50 g essential amino acids
Mix thoroughly and shake before use. Store in a cool, dry place.
Dosage: 50–200 ml per kg of mix.
FULL SELF-MADE VERSION
This version starts with homemade predigestion, followed by enrichment and stabilization.
Predigestion phase:
- 700 g liver (chicken is ideal)
- 300 g spleen
- 10 g bromelain
- 200 g salt
Blend everything and allow to predigest for 48 hours at 30–35°C.
After predigestion, add:
- 200 ml propylene glycol
- 200 ml molasses
- 100 ml honey
- 50 g betaine
- 50 g essential amino acids
- 20 g vitamin C
- 20 g DMPT
This highly enhanced version is ideal for short sessions and competitions, where maximum attraction is required.
Dosage: 50–200 ml per kg, depending on application.
- Lower doses for pellets and soluble baits
- Higher doses for hookbaits and hard hunting boilies
For groundbait or method mixes, dilute 100 ml per liter of water used for mixing.
Final Considerations
This upgraded Minamino-style liquid is not just a replica—it is a next-generation liquid food, combining classic nutritional triggers with modern attractors.
In my book dedicated to bait formulation, you will find an entire chapter focused on creating highly effective homemade liquid foods, with detailed recipes and cost-efficient solutions for modern carp fishing.