There’s no bait more misunderstood than groundbait. Too many anglers use it one dimensionally, just simply ball it in and hope for the best, but if used properly, it’s one of the most versatile and effective tools in your bait armoury. Whether you’re targeting roach on the pole, skimmers on the feeder or even carp in the margins, knowing how to use groundbait the right way can transform a slow session into a memorable one.
It’s not just about what mix you use, but how you feed it, where you place it, and what you add to it. Get it right and you’ll draw fish into your peg, hold them for longer, and get cleaner, more confident bites.
Here are five of the best ways to use groundbait and how to get each one right to get the best out of it.
Loose
For margin fishing, nothing beats feeding groundbait loose. Make a ball and you’ll end up concentrating carp and F1s in too tight an area, which in turn will produce line bites and leads to foul-hooking. A loose cloud cupped in will spread over a wider area, allowing the fish to graze. That clouding effect will also help to pull them into the swim.
TAME THOSE MARGIN DWELLERS WITH THE BEST MARGIN POLES.
Nuggets
You can get the best of both worlds with a nugget of groundbait, a cloud and plenty of feed on the bottom. Squeeze it only slightly to help speed up the breakdown process and you’ll have a ball of feed that sinks quickly, but which also gives off a cloud as it falls.
USING THE BEST FISHING REELS WILL ENHANCE YOUR RUNNING LINE FISHING.
In the feeder
We all know how good groundbait is in a cage or open-end feeder, but it also works well on a Method feeder, especially for skimmers and bream. Where carp are concerned, pellets rule the roost, but there will be days when a mix of both groundbait and pellets triggers a better response. Start on pellets, but add a little groundbait if things aren’t happening.
USING THE BEST CARP FEEDER RODS WILL HELP YOU GET THE BEST OUT OF THE FEEDER.
Hard balls
This is the classic way to feed groundbait on deep lakes and rivers, making up several balls which are squeezed hard so that nothing comes off as the ball sinks. As a result, you’ll keep the fish hard on the deck, while introducing lots of loose offerings in the process. This is a brilliant way to feed when bream, roach and skimmers are the target.
USING THE BEST FISHING SEATBOXWILL HELP YOU WITH 'BALLING IN'.
Slop
In the summer, F1s in particular will soon feed up in the water and groundbait plays a part here too. Overwetting the mix into a runny slop and cupping it in produces a huge cloud that the fish will dart in and out of. Place your hookbait in the middle of it and the elastic will be pulled out before too long!
CATCH MORE F1'S SHALLOW WITH THIS EXPERT GUIDE.
