The best baits for river fishing

The choice of bait you use when fishing the river can significantly impact your success, depending on the species you're targeting, the river conditions, the techniques you employ, and the time of year. In this article, we'll delve into the best river fishing baits and provide expert tips to help you choose the most effective options for your fishing.

Best river fishing baits at a glance

Every river angler will have their own favourite baits, with classics like luncheon meat for barbel and cheese paste for chub still accounting for lots of fish. However, in modern times, baits like pellets and boilies have begun to reign supreme, with even fish like specimen roach taking a liking to them.

When it comes down to fishing the rivers, whatever bait gives you confidence is the one to choose, but a change can always pay dividends, here is a guide to the best baits for fishing on rivers...

Natural Baits

A natural bait refers to anything unprocessed like maggots, worms and casters and whilst many think these are baits for catching small fish like roach, it couldn't be further from the truth, as barbel and chub absolutely adore them, you will also encounter game fish like trout and grayling. As all fish like them it can mean you need to put quite a lot of bait into the swim to make sure there is something left for the bigger fish to feed on.

Worms are also a productive bait for catching anything in the swim, particularly bream and skimmers. Feeding chopped worms into the swim will attract fish from all around as the body juices are washed down stream, combined with a whole worm or a section of worm for hookbait

Sweetcorn

This bait has an unbelievable appeal to river fish, with wary fish that have never seen bait before happily picking up every grain you can throw in. Nobody is really sure why sweetcorn is so effective, whether it’s the colour, the texture or the natural sweetness but one thing is for certain, not taking some with you on a fishing trip will be to your demise.

Whilst it’s not quite as versatile as some other baits due to its soft texture, it is great for adding to groundbait and fed through a feeder. Corn just seems to be able to trigger a response when nothing else will. You can buy flavoured and coloured varieties, which all work great, with the tinned stuff generally considered superior to the frozen bagged versions. As long as it’s kept in the tin, unopened the corn can sit in your bag until you need it, so there is no excuse to not have a couple in there for when the fishing is tough.

Hemp

A staple in most angler's bait armoury is hemp, it has a remarkable ability to keep fish feeding in an area, with many anglers believing it resembles a water snail that the fish naturally feed on. Whether that is the case or not, most fish really enjoy eating this little black seed and it is generally a must in your mix if you want to attract fish to the area. Hemp is super oily, which adds to the attractiveness and when fish are eating it, the natural oils quickly leak out the seed, perfect for attracting fish from downstream.

Hemp is generally left natural but one flavour many anglers seem to do well with is to cook it with chilli, the spice and oil from the hemp just seems to add a little something extra for the fish and it works well. However, the original basic version is just as effective on the right day. Loose fed via a catapult, or a bait dropper it’s an ideal particle for targeting all river dwelling species. It can also be devastating on the hook for specimen roach.

Boilies

These round balls are packed with nutrition and are the perfect shape and size for hungry barbel to feast on. Whether you choose a fishmeal-based bait or a nut-based one, if you use a good quality boilie from a proven manufacturer the barbel will never be far away.

There aren’t many baits that are as versatile and easy to use as boilies, adding to their popularity. They can be used straight from the bag, chopped, crumbed, glugged, whatever you feel like doing, and in a shelf-life version they don’t require any specialist knowledge to keep fresh. They come in different sizes too and above all else, they generally stay in the area you’ve baited without breaking down quickly or washed away in the flow, helping to deter nuisance fish so there is always some bait there for when the bigger fish arrive.

Paste

Paste can be made from anything you like and flavoured how you want, but a real edge is to use the base mix from the boilies you are feeding. When boilies are cooked some of the ingredients lose some of their attractors due to the heat and the skin a boilie has can lock in some of the remaining attraction for a while when submerged. Paste baits are super soluble so they release everything into the water column  quickly, attracting fish from downstream.

Paste is great when wrapped around a hookbait or lead, also effectively used on its own, it’s really worth trying it out to see the response it can get you when it seems there are no fish in your swim.

Pellets

Originally developed for aquaculture, pellets have become a staple bait for anglers worldwide. Their nutritional value, palatability and effectiveness make them a popular choice for targeting elusive fish.

Pellets are formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of fish, ensuring optimal growth and health. With a wide range of flavours and scents, they appeal to the senses and encourage fish to feed. Pellets can be used in various fishing techniques, from hooking directly to hair rigging, and their durability allows for long-term storage.

Additionally, you can customise their breakdown time in water by adding specialist oil or using high oil pellets like halibut or trout pellets. Many anglers find that most species prefer pellets to any other baits, making them a go-to choice for targeting river species.

Bread

Fish of all species find bread irresistible, and you'll find fish that have never seen bread before will readily accept it. When all else fails, a single bread flake can be all that's needed to fool any wary fish.

Bread can be moulded into a tough bait, lightly wrapped around the hook to create a light, fluffy bait, punched for the hook or used as a floating hookbait on the surface. Bread is such an instant bait, with fish that have never seen it seeming to readily accept it without caution. When choosing bread to use for fishing it seems white bread out fishes any other variety in every scenario, it is also generally much tackier, meaning it will stay on the hook much better.

What to look for in a river fishing bait

Selecting the best bait is crucial for successful river fishing. While some baits can be selective others are widely appealing to all species. The time of year, fishing pressure, and venue-specific preferences can all influence what the correct bait choice will be.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different baits, especially if you're fishing a venue that hasn't seen much success with a particular type, as quite often, experimenting with something unique can trigger the fish into feeding. Investing in high-quality baits is crucial for long-term success. While it may be tempting to save money, reputable brands offer baits that are formulated to attract and entice fish.

Particle baits, often overlooked in favour of pellets or boilies, these can be highly effective in keeping fish feeding in your swim, especially when nuisance fish are not a major issue. As the weather cools, consider switching exclusively to natural baits like maggots and casters for targeting specimens as well as silverfish. By understanding these factors and experimenting with different options, you can increase your chances of success when fishing the river.

Glossary

Freezer bait: A bait that has to be frozen in order to preserve it.

Shelf-life: A bait that has small amounts of preservatives added so that it can be kept fresh without freezing.

Amino acids:  Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins. Amino acids and proteins are the building blocks of life. When proteins are digested or broken down, amino acids are the result.

Fishmeal: Fishmeal is dried and ground fish, usually marine fish such as herring or sardines.

Palatants: Ingredient systems that are specially designed to improve food consumption by appealing to the taste or smell of an animal.

Water soluble:  The ability of something to dissolve into water, the better the solubility, the more easily it dissolves and spreads through the water column.

Base mix: A dry mix of ingredients that will generally contain some binders along with fishmeals, nut meals and various other ingredients that are manufacturer specific.

Particles: Small feed items such as nuts, seeds and pulses designed to introduce as feed to get fish to eat.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most popular baits for river fishing?

Maggots, bread, worms, corn, pellets, boilies, and particles, are among the most popular baits for river fishing.

How do I choose the right bait for the fish I'm targeting?

Research the preferred baits for the species you're targeting. Consider factors like size, habitat, and feeding habits.

What is the best way to present a worm on a hook?

There are several effective methods, including threading the worm directly onto the hook or using a hair rig and bait stop.

How do I keep my bait fresh and attractive?

Store live baits in a cool, aerated container. Keep dry baits in a sealed container away from moisture.

What is the difference between groundbait and bait?

Groundbait is a mixture of ingredients used to attract fish to a specific area, while bait is the item attached to the hook.

How do I choose the right size hook for my bait?

The hook size should be appropriate for the size of the fish you're targeting and the type of bait you're using.

What is the best way to present a pellet on a hook?

There are various methods, including banding, drilling, and hair rigging. Experiment to find what works best for you.

Author Jonathan Longden, is an experienced angler. With over 20 years experience in the tackle trade specialising in match and coarse fishing he has an extensive practical knowledge of the latest equipment and the specific needs of anglers. He currently occupies the role of digital content writer at Angling Times.