Pellets are a fantastic, multi-use bait for catching a variety of fish, particularly chub and barbel on the river. They're easy to use, store, and readily available, making them a popular choice for anglers of all levels. When choosing pellets, consider the fishing conditions as different pellets lend themselves to different conditions.
Which type of pellet?
Halibut pellets are an excellent river fishing bait, as they are dense, oily and can withstand strong currents. Another effective choice are Robin Red pellets, they are highly attractive with high leakage and stand out colour. A flavoured pellet such as garlic can be effective in coloured water. One of the greatest benefits of pellets is that they can be effectively presented on both a float or a feeder.
WHICH PELLET? OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST FISHING PELLETS WILL HELP YOU CHOOSE.
Loosefeed for attraction
Pellets are a great way to attract fish to your swim. When loose-feeding pellets, it's important to consider the size of the pellet, the distance you want to feed, and the speed of the current. 8mm or 10mm pellets are a good size for loose-feeding. Feed them upstream of your swim to allow them to drift naturally. Use a catapult to loose-feed pellets over a wider area, or a bait-dropper to target a specific spot.
THE BEST BARBEL FISHING RODS WILL HELP YOU LAND THE PRINCE OF THE RIVER.
Stealthy PVA sticks
On smaller rivers, the splash of a swimfeeder can scare off wary fish. A great alternative is a straight lead rig with a PVA stick filled with pellets. This creates less disturbance and releases the pellets in a small, concentrated area around your hookbait.
When using a PVA stick, it's important to thread it onto your hooklength to prevent it from detaching in the water. A mix of small and large pellets is ideal for attracting fish. The small pellets attract smaller fish, which in turn attract larger fish like chub and barbel.
THE BEST CHUB FISHING RODS ARE IDEAL FOR PRESENTING PELLETS A VARIETY OF WAYS
Softened pellets in the feeder
On big rivers like the Trent and Severn, it can be difficult to accurately place your bait. A good solution is to use a feeder filled with soaked pellets. The dampness helps the pellets stick together and create a compact bait.
USING THE BEST BARBEL FISHING REEL IS A REAL ADVANTAGE WHEN FISHING PELLETS.
Perfect hookbait
A pellet is a durable hookbait choice that can be cast with ease. When targeting barbel, two 10mm pellets on a hair make an excellent target bait. For chub, a single pellet is often sufficient.
OUR EXPERT GUIDE TO SELECTING THE PERFECT HOOKBAIT WILL CATCH YOU MORE FISH.
