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The best groundbaits for feeder fishing
by Dan Webb |
Updated on25th November 2024 at 3.24pm
Sonubaits Salted Caramel range
Daiwa Advantage Green Bream
Bait Tech Pro Natural
Dynamite Swim Stim Match Method Mix
Ringers Dark Coco
Sonubaits F1 Dark
Sensas Sweet Fishmeal Magic
Sonubaits Match Method Mix
Ringers Bag Up Original
Dynamite Silver X Feeder
Dynamite Marine Halibut
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Feeder fishing has never been more popular than it is right now, whether you're match fishing any of the various big money qualifiers, or just pleasure fishing on your local commercial or river, there has never been a better time to use the feeder. Advancements in the feeders we use and the preference the fish show to certain styles of groundbait means its imperative you get your mix right, as it can be the difference between a session to forget or a session to remember.
Groundbaits tend to come in two main formats; A fishmeal based groundbait, as the name suggests, will contain high levels of fishmeal, whether that be from crushed pellets or pure fishmeal. Cereal groundbaits have little to no fishmeal in and are based on biscuits and breadcrumbs. The option you choose can make all the difference, with anglers usually opting for non-fishmeal groundbaits for more natural venues likes canals and drains, whilst commercials and rivers tend to see more fishmeal mixes because the fish have been conditioned to pellets.
The best groundbaits for feeder fishing at a glance...
• Best Feeder Groundbait For Bream: Daiwa Advantage Green Bream - View offer on Go Outdoors
• Best Groundbait For The Method Feeder: Sonubaits Match Method Mix - View offer on Go Outdoors
• Best Feeder Groundbait For Rivers: Dynamite Silver X Feeder - View offer on Fishing Tackle and Bait
• Best All-Round Feeder Groundbait: Sonubaits F1 Dark - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
It isn't just the groundbait that can make the difference to your catch rate either. How you mix the groundbait and what feeder you usecan all have an impact. Sometimes, mixing the groundbait wetter so it clouds up the water can help, yet other times a firm mix that goes straight to the bottom can be best. If you're using a Method feeder for example, you want all the bait to remain on the feeder, before quickly breaking down once it hits the lakebed. Don't let this confuse you though, the most important aspect is choosing a quality groundbait the fish want to eat and are attracted to, here is a guide to some of the best available on the market...
1. Sonubaits Salted Caramel range
Best match baits (2023 National Angling Awards Winner)
Price: $9.99 (2kg groundbait)
Sonubaits 2023 range of Salted Caramel pellets, groundbait, pastes, liquid additives and hookbaits have been little short of sensational on a wide spread of waters. All have a naturally sweet aroma, but with a subtle rounded hint of pellet/fishmeal, while the baits and feeds also contain salt, a proven winner. Complemented by an intensely attractive caramel scent and flavouring, this has proved to be an irresistible combination that works every bit as well on natural venues as it does on commercial carp fisheries.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Smell absolutely incredible.
- Versatile range that can be used anywhere.
Cons
- It's hard to refrain from eating it yourself.
Price: $9.99 (2kg groundbait)
2. Daiwa Advantage Green Bream
Best feeder groundbait for bream
Price: $4.25
Designed to attract and hold grazing bream and skimmers on the deck. The percentage of fishmeal has been fine- tuned to be strong enough for aggressive summer feeding, while the larger particles reduce the likelihood of gill-feeding.
Great pulling power and a stunning green colour make this potent mix visually attractive to fish.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ideal for commercial bream.
- The green colour is perfect for the majority of venues.
Cons
- Is quite a strong fishmeal based groundbait, so use cautiously in winter.
Price: $4.25
3. Bait Tech Pro Natural
Best feeder groundbait for natural venues
Price: $5.85
Bait Tech’s Pro Natural groundbaits are formulated for use on rivers and natural stillwaters. Packed with sweet flavours, they are rich in milled coconut, molasses and hemp, and have a very sweet aroma.
A traditional non-fishmeal mix, ideal for big natural lakes and rivers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A heavy mix, great for deeper water.
- Packed full of particles.
Cons
- The groundbait is particle rich, so you may want to sieve some out first.
Price: $5.85
4. Dynamite Swim Stim Match Method Mix
Best feeder groundbait for commercial carp
Price: $8.25
Contains advanced Koi ingredients and packed with proteins and amino acids, plus plenty of ground-up expander pellets. Ideal when a quick and explosive breakdown is required.
A classic mix, it’s hard to beat on carp and bream venues that respond well to groundbait.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A proven commercial winner.
- Full of aminos and crushed pellet.
Cons
- Not great for deep water, due to its quick breakdown.
Price: $8.25
5. Ringers Dark Coco
Best feeder groundbait for winter commercials
Price: $4.99
Based on the original Ringers Dark, but with added sweet and active ingredients, this mix was formulated by the Ringers feeder team. It’s popular with many top anglers who use it to great effect to target both carp, and silverfish that are used to hunting out fishmeal and pellets in commercials.
Strong in fishmeal, yet with a sweet tang, this new groundbait is already winning plenty of matches.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lovely dark colour.
- Sweet flavour perfect for bream and carp.
Cons
- Not the best on natural venues.
Price: $4.99
6. Sonubaits F1 Dark
Best all-round feeder groundbait
Price: $9.99
Originally designed for F1s and commercial carp, this sweet yet fishy-smelling mix of ground pellets and attractors has drawn a massive following among feeder anglers, especially when smaller skimmers are the target.
Pellet-based yet not too potent, you can feed plenty and it mixes really easily.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very versatile groundbait, very easy to mix.
- Smells amazing.
Cons
- Should be used in smaller quantities in the winter.
Price: $9.99
7. Sensas Sweet Fishmeal Magic
Best of both groundbait
Price: $4.75
One of the most popular Continental groundbaits of all-time, this sickly-sweet, fluffy attractor is a proven summer favourite for all fish – but especially skimmers.
With the additional flavour enhancement of high-quality fishmeals, it now has even more power to pull fish ino the swim.
An old school favourite, now updated to become effective on commercial waters too.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A great choice when targeting bream and skimmers.
- A proven winner, now with added fishmeal.
Cons
- Not ideal in cold water.
Price: $4.75
8. Sonubaits Match Method Mix
Best groundbait for the method feeder
Price: $9.00
Ground pellets and fishmeals, of a perfect consistency to reach the bottom intact, yet break down quickly. Highly effective for carp, bream and F1s. Also available in an extra-strong Marine version.
Easy to mix, comes in a resealable bag and includes a free Method feeder! No wonder everyone loves this groundbait!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fantastic groundbait for method feeder fishing.
- Free method feeder included.
Cons
- Not a groundbait for targeting silverfish.
Price: $9.00
9. Ringers Bag Up Original
Best groundbait for mixed species on commercials
Price: $4.38
The groundbait that won three Fish O’Mania finals on the Method feeder. Golden in colour, and full of high quality
fishmeals and ground pellets, it can be mixed anywhere from light and fluffy to heavy and sticky, making it a highly
versatile and effective mix.
Famed more now for its use when bream fishing, this mix is still a formidable Method feeder groundbait.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Versatile groundbait, can be mixed and manipulated easily.
- Great for traditional and Method style feeders.
Cons
- Not great on rivers due to its fluffier nature.
Price: $4.38
10. Dynamite Silver X Feeder
Best feeder groundbait for rivers
Price: $4.99
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
Made for feeder fishing, this groundbait is available in two versions – ‘Explosive’, which is a highly active mix; and ‘Specimen’, a heavier blend containing larger particles that’s popular with river anglers targeting chub and barbel.
Perfect for rivers and larger venues, these two mixes are highly rated by both match and specimen anglers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Particle dense groundbait.
- Perfect choice for using on rivers.
Cons
- Not the best commercial groundbait.
Price: $4.99
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
11. Dynamite Marine Halibut
Best feeder groundbait for barbel and specimen fish
Price: $4.70
A very rich groundbait packed full of varying size crushed pellets, pre digested fishmeal and oils. A very active mix that fish find very hard to resist. Great for the warmer months when the fish are really on the feed.
Ideal for the feeder, as it can be mixed dry, or wet, and binds very well, a proven winner for barbel and carp.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Loaded with attractors.
- Mixes well and can really instigate fish into feeding.
Cons
- The high oil and fishmeal content make it a poorer choice for winter.
Price: $4.70
What to look for in a feeder groundbait
The primary purpose of a groundbait is to attract fish into your swim and help get bait to the bottom of the lake or river. All good quality groundbaits will do this in the right situation, as long as you mix them correctly. The venue and target species will be what ultimately dictates your final choice.
If you are fishing for silverfish on a canal or large open reservoir, chances are that a cereal based groundbait with no fishmeal content will score best, as the fish don't identify fishmeal as a primary food source. If the water is clear, opt for a darker mix, especially for roach, as they don't particularly like swimming over a light mix. If you're fishing for silvers or carp on a commercial, where the fish see a lot of pellets, generally a high fishmeal groundbait, especially in the summer, will be far superior to anything else, with a sweeter fishmeal seemingly favoured as it begins to cool.
The type of feeder and the depth of water will also determine which groundbait is best. If you're fishing with a Method feeder, opting for a dedicated Method feeder groundbait is usually best, as they have been designed to be stiffer and hold on the feeder until they hit the bottom, where they quickly begin to break down. If you're fishing for silvers in shallower water with a cage feeder, a loose, fluffy mix would be ideal, as its not as essential it all stays intact, the cloud will always draw some extra fish in on tough days.
Glossary
Groundbait: Groundbait is a fishing bait that is introduced into the water in order to olfactorily attract more fish to a designated area for more efficient catching.
Fishmeal: Fishmeal is a commercial product made from whole wild-caught fish, bycatch, and fish by-products to create a feed that can be fed to fish and animals.
Cereals: A grain that is grown for food and usually toasted, common examples include wheat, maize and rye.
Method feeder: The Method feeder is an inline feeder designed to hold groundbait or wetted pellet on the top with the weight underneath. The aim with the Method is to use quite a short hooklength to position your hookbait close to the pile of loosefeed.
Cage feeder: A feeder that resembles a cage, designed to allow maximum water penetration to break down bait quickly.
<strong>Frequently asked questions on feeder fishing groundbaits</strong>
Should my groundbait explode from the feeder?
This will depend on what species you're fishing for. Bait exploding from the feeder can work well at pulling fish into the area, but can cause them to come shallow on deeper venues, making them more difficult to catch. On a river, this exploding groundbait can create a fantastic scent trail downstream too, but leaves little around your hookbait. Try and judge the situation, then decide which will be best for you on the day.
Are there dedicated groundbaits for Method feeder fishing?
Yes! Method feeder groundbaits are generally firmer, and if designed for bigger fish, have more particle content. It's important that a Method groundbait grips the feeder well, doesn't come off with impact to the water, but does breakdown quickly when sat on the bottom.
Is groundbait colour important?
The colour of your groundbait is an important consideration. It has been fairly well proven that species like roach on clear venues prefer a darker mix. This could be because they standout to predators when feeding over a lighter groundbait, so are more naturally cautious. On commercials, playing with a variety of colours can be beneficial, as the fish are normally turned on by something different.
Author Dan Webb first became involved in angling journalism in 2015 and has worked as Tackle Tester at Angling Times since April 2021. He is a fanatical all-round match angler and former England Youth International.
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