Pellets have taken the angling world by storm in recent times and for good reason. Packed full of nutrition and attraction, pellets are a staple in every angler's bait bag and most fish will readily accept them now, with some fish beginning to prefer them over any other bait you offer them.
The nice thing about pellets is how versatile they are as a bait, you can use them straight out of the bag, flavour them, add oil to them, soak them to use on a feeder, hook them or hair rig them, it really is down to the user on how they want to get the best out of their pellets. As long as you keep pellets dry, they will keep indefinitely, so there is no waste, particularly good if you are on a budget or you don't get to go fishing that often, you'll always have some bait ready to go.
The best pellets for fishing at a glance
As pellets come in all shapes and sizes, as well as different flavours and colours, it can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing some off the shelf. If you choose a good quality pellet from a respected manufacturer, the pellet will work well. Flavours are something often debated in angling as to whether they have any effect or not, but they certainly don't seem to put the fish off. Here are some great quality pellets that are sure to put more fish on the bank for you...
Based on the same recipe as the award-winning Sticky Bloodworm Pellets, Sticky Krill Pellets have an active outer coating that consists of high levels of pure krill meal, while a bottom flavouring base layer produces a vibrant deep-orange haze. Great for PVA bags, groundbaits or in spod mixes, it can also be balled up with the addition of liquid for use around a Method feeder. Available in 2.3mm, 4mm and 6mm sizes.
These pellets absolutely stink and as soon as you open the bag, they just scream big fish, that smell you can't explain, but you know specimen fish just can't resist! The coating on these pellets is superb too, and it doesn't wash off within seconds of the bait hitting the water which can happen with a lot of the pellets on the market.
Not only this, but the way it leaches off the pellets is incredible, if you stick some in a clear tub and watch you can see why they are so effective. A halo of dark red attraction oozes off the pellets which will help attract fish and keep them feeding even when there are no pellets left in the swim. This makes them excellent for using on rivers too.
A big-carp favourite in the trendy and highly effective krill flavouring, complementing The Krill range of boilies, wafters, pop-ups, liquids, glugs, sprays and groundbaits.
Pros
- Very strong fishy smell
- Based on the same attractor package as one of the most infamous boilies of all-time
- Coating oozes off to increase attration
Cons
- No larger sizes than a 6mm
Dark as treacle and loaded with oil, Dynamite’s Marine Halibut Pellets are the got to bait for specimen anglers targeting fish on rivers and stillwaters. The pellets are high-protein, high-attraction and the added fish oils and essential amino acids trigger a feeding response.
If I had to choose one pellet for using on rivers to catch big fish like barbel, chub and roach, the Dynamite Halibut Pellets in 3mm, 4mm and 6mm are the first in my bag. These pellets are very slow to break down so you don't have to feed loads as they remain in the swim for ages. This makes them perfect when targeting specimen fish, when you might only be fishing for one bite a session, as the risk of overfeeding is vastly reduced.
While there are other halibut pellets on the market, for whatever reason these are head and shoulders above the rest, they really are that good. They are nice and oily which helps pump attraction downstream and barbel and big roach just can't resist them. When fished through a swimfeeder with a short hooklength, they will definitely put more fish on the bank and my biggest river roach have fallen to this tactic.
They also make a great addition to spod mixes for tench, bream and carp too with some anglers only putting these into the swim thanks to their longevity when in the water.
Hair rigged in the bigger sizes makes for a perfect hookbait that give you real confidence in flowing water. Use them through a feeders, in your spod mixes and PVA bags, or dampened down for the method.
Pros
- High oil, high leakage pellet
- Perfect for rivers to target chub and barbel
Cons
- Not as effective in cooler temperatures
When it comes to preparing your own soft hook pellets, it used to be tedious task with a pellet pump. However, Sonubaits have developed an expander pellet that sinks, Sonubaits Pro Expander Pellets. Simply drop them in water, leave 20 minutes and the pellets are soft and ready to hook and use, it doesn't get any more simple than that.
Whether you are new to fishing or have been fishing since before pellets were a thing, these are perfect as they are incredibly difficult to get wrong. You can also prepare them the night before in a bag with enough water to cover before taking the air out and tying the bag off.
The Pro Expanders also stay on incredibly well compared to other expanders so the risk of you casting or shipping out and the pellet falling off are a thing of the past, great as there is nothing more frustrating than pellets falling off the hook!
Coming in a range of sizes from 2mm up to 8mm there is sure to be a pellet to suit any situation, choose from natural and Sonubaits popular F1 flavour and you get loads in a bag. If you don't want the hassle of pumping expanders pellets, these pellets from Sonubaits are a real winner.
Pros
- No pumping required
- Hold firm and stay on the hook really well
Cons
- If you prefer to have your expanders floating to use, these won't be suitable
Mainline Activated Coarse Pellets are designed to send a stream of attractive food signals through the water layers. Four perfectly cut sizes 2mm, 4mm, 6mm and 8mm, send fish into a competitive feeding frenzy. The finest quality ingredients and fishmeals go into each resealable bag, which can easily be further enhanced with Mainline Sticky Syrups.
If you are taregting commercial fishery carp in the height of summer, these pellets are superb as the extra flavouring and hardness of the pellets is irresistible to carp. The extra crunch is something the carp really like eating.
Adding to this, the pellets are really uniform in size, we would say the best available of any pellet, making them ideal for any catapult work as they will land in a much tighter area. The density of the pellet also makes a really satisfying plop when they hit the water to help attract fish quicker. If you are pinging pellets, fishing shallow or using the bomb or waggler these pellets have to be in your bag!
Light in colour, these pellets take colours and flavours well and remain visible in even the most highly coloured water.
Pros
- Strong meaty smell
- Very uniform in size
- Great for barbel too
Cons
- More tailored towards carp
A premium range of pellets containing the best quality fishmeals available. Dynamite Baits Swim Swim Pellets are developed with unique Koi Technology that promotes aggressive feeding responses, while highly digestible proteins ensure fish feed for longer. Available in 2mm, 3mm, 6mm and 8mm sizes and different flavours; Original, Betaine Green, F1 Sweet and Red Krill.
The Swim Stim range needs little introduction as it's a proven commercial winner, with the Green a particular favourite of modern day anglers. The range is very comprehensive and has something to suit any angling situation and they are great when used straight out of the bag and very easy to soak if that is your preferred way of fishing.
If you are fishing for smaller carp or skimmers, particularly in cooler weather, the F1 Sweet are a winner and believe us, they smell amazing and their slightly yellow colouration is a magnet to bream. For carp the original or green pellets are the go to, with the red krill pellets being great as a standout bait on the bomb when doubled-up or used for mugging carp on the pole or waggler.
If you haven’t used a Swim Stim product before, do you even go fishing? We especially love the Betaine Green, the pellet that the highly rated Swim Stim Green groundbait is made from.
Pros
- A variety of colours and flavours available
- Based on the proven Swim Stim attractors
- F1 Sweet flavour is a winner for skimmers
Cons
- They do breakdown quite quickly
Red pellets like the Dynamite Baits Robin Red have become a bit of an edge on commercials for catching big carp. The red standout colour seems hard for carp to resist, especially when used as a stand-alone hookbait for mugging or when fishing shallow. It can also make a great bait when fishing on the lead to get a quicker bite when feeding standard pellets.
Originally developed as a carp flavouring, barbel anglers have realised their potential, making them a staple on rivers now too. I love these pellets for barbel and chub, as for whatever reason they adore eating them, and when bites are at a premium, a Robin Red can get you that all important 2-foot-twitch. The smell is unusual and hard to describe, it is a little spicy, a little fishy but one thing is for sure, whatever it is, barbel adore them and the red just helps them stand out on the bottom.
If you ask any successful big carp angler of the last 20 years they will have used Robin Red in some from or another, so if its good enough for them, its good enough for us, carp really love the stuff. Available in sizes 2mm upto a huge 20mm bait, 8mm and above are pre drilled, which saves you time when hair rigging the bait.
Pros
- Vivid red colour
- Flavoured with Robin Red
Cons
- Not the easiest to soften in smaller sizes
Sonubaits Pro Feed Pellets are the ultimate all-round multi-purpose match and pleasure pellet. In 1mm and 2mm, they accept water well without going mushy, making them perfect for use with a Method or pellet feeder. In 4mm they are ideal for dampening off for carp, skimmers and F1s, while the dense nature of the 6mm and 8mm sizes mean more distance and splash, making them ideal for pellet waggler, bomb and pinging tactics on the pole. Use with Pro Expanders for the ultimate soft pellet pairing.
No colours, flavouring or gimmicks – just the highest quality reliable pellet to cover all your commercial fishing needs.
Pros
- 1mm pellets available
- High quality pellets
Cons
- They can sometimes be a bit smaller than stated depending on the batch
These aren’t your average coarse pellets. They’ve been laced with the same legendary attractor responsible for countless big carp captures in the UK and Europe, the Cell. Proven, reliable, unmistakeable and properly potent. Mixed into Coppens pellets, known for their consistency and breakdown, it’s a match that gives you more than just confidence. They will get you bites.
Perfect for loose feeding, in a match or pleasure sessions, soak the 2mm’s to go firmly on a method feeder., the 4’s & 6’s are perfect for pinging, and break out the 8mm’s for the waggler, you’ll be giving yourself an edge with a pellet that draws fish and keeps them rooted.
Carp love them. F1s can’t leave them alone. Even bream and skimmers get a taste for them. Get carp pellets, but with a Cell advantage.
Pros
- Coppens pellet, that is consistent and uniform.
- Cell is proven attractor
Cons
- The 2mm pelletts require more soaking than coarse pellets
Ringers Method Micros are a carefully selected mix of 2mm pellets, that gives optimum binding and breakdown when used on a Method feeder. Easy to prepare and use, they are also suitable for use in a cage feeder or with a pole. Now also available in Chocolate Orange flavour which smell incredible and have found their way into our mouths as well as the carp's.
If anyone knows how to prepare Method pellets, it’s the Ringer family and if these pellets are good enough for them, the rest of us mere mortals will benefit from their use. These soak up tacky and pliable yet disperse across the feeder quickly once in water making them ideal for any Method, Hybrid or cage work.
Pros
- Smell fantastic in the Chocolate Orange flavour.
- Easy to prepare.
Cons
- Only available in 2mm.
Best pellets for PVA bag fishing
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A unique blend of different sizes of pellet with varying oil content, Mainline Spod and PVA Pellet Mix is designed to create a highly attractive mix with a staggered breakdown rate, leading to maintained attraction over sustained periods. Including pellets down to micro in size, this mix is ideal for creating tight air-free PVA bags.
A highly effective mix for specimen anglers, in a convenient resealable tub. We particularly love the various colours and textures which can be important for fooling more pressured fish.
Pros
- Great for larger carp.
- Nice mix of pellets with different breakdown times, ideal for PVA bags.
Cons
- Some high oil pellets included, so check fishery rules first.
What to look for in a fishing pellet
It is worth mentioning to start with, that some venues won't allow you to use anything but their own fishery pellets, however, most are fine with you using your own pellets as a hookbait. This is where a different coloured or flavoured pellet can really come into its own, but do check the rules first. If you can use any pellets, then it depends on what you're using them for as to what is best.
If you're 'pinging' pellets on a pole or a waggler, look for pellets around 6-8mm and make sure they are all uniform in size, this goes for any pellets you are looking to catapult, as the more uniform they are, the more accurate you can group them. If you're looking to fish hard pellets, you want to look for slightly darker pellets, these will generally hold up longer before breaking down, which makes them ideal for fishing on a band. If you aren't sure, a little bit of pellet oil can be added to any pellets to prolong their breakdown time.
Micro pellets (1-2mm) are widely used on commercials for a rage of fish and are a very versatile pellet. Soaking them or buying them ready prepared is the best way to use them. Once soaked, you can mould them around a Method feeder or cup them in with a pole. Fish really seem to respond well to micro pellets, skimmers, tench, carp and F1s all love to eat them. The general guide is to put some pellets in a tub and put just enough water to cover them and leave them to soak the water up and they are ready to go.
Glossary
Pellet: Pellets are typically made using fishmeal, soy, oils and wheatgerm, then extruded into a dense package available for the fish to eat.
Pellet pump: A device used to suck the air out of a floating expander pellet and draw water into it. This makes it sink and soften up for use on the hook.
Expander pellet: An expander pellet is a floating pellet, that once soaked or pumped will swell up and become soft without breaking down.
Pellet band: A small rubber band that is stretched around a hard pellet and hooked, allowing the use of hard pellets as hookbait.
Pre-drilled: A pellet will come with a hole through the centre of it to save you the hassle of doing it yourself.
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 loose feed.
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.
PVA Bags: Poly-Vinyl Alcohol, a type of material that is water soluble, so it will dissolve in water. Comes in solid sheets, mesh or tape.
Frequently asked questions on pellets
What size pellets are best for fishing on a method feeder?
The best pellets to use on a Method or Hybrid-style feeder are 2mm (micro) pellets, they bind together really well which makes them ideal to mould onto a feeder. Some pellets come prepared ready to use but if you buy dry pellets, just put some pellets in a tub, add enough water to cover and leave them to soak it all in, after 20 minutes or so they will be perfect to use.
I can't use pellets as feed but can use them as hookbait at my local fishery, what is best?
If your local fishery insists you use their own pellets, having a different pellet as a hookbait option can be a real edge. The fish see the same pellets day in day out, so offering them something else can improve your catch rate. The best choice is to use something with a flavouring or a different colour to what the fishery pellets are.
When should you use pellets for catching specimen carp?
Pellets are a fantastic bait for specimen carp all-year-round, but most anglers switch to a lower oil pellet in the winter months. This is because high oil pellets take longer to breakdown in lower water temperatures, meaning the fish will find them much harder to digest, so they will eat far less of them. Throughout the rest of the year, pellets are a superb addition to spod and PVA bag mixes, and are often underused as a bulk feed.
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.