Groundbait and Feeding in Coarse Fishing

SPORT · GLOBAL

Groundbait and Feeding in Coarse Fishing

What groundbait does, mixing it, matching the venue and the rules

Feeding is what brings fish to where you are fishing, and doing it badly is the commonest reason a swim produces nothing.

What groundbait does

It creates a scent trail and a feeding area that holds fish in one spot. The aim is to interest them without filling them up, which is why the amount and the timing matter more than the mix.

Mixing it

Add water gradually to the dry mix rather than the other way round, mix thoroughly, and let it stand for ten minutes to absorb before sieving. Adding more water to a mix that is too dry never works properly.

Squeeze a ball in your hand — it should hold together and break up on impact with the water. A mix that is too wet sinks as a lump and does nothing.

Match it to the venue

Still water needs a mix that breaks up quickly near the surface or on the bottom depending on the target. Flowing water needs a heavier, stickier mix that reaches the bottom before the current carries it away.

Cold water means feeding far less, since fish eat little. Overfeeding in winter kills a swim entirely.

Little and often

Regular small amounts hold fish better than a large initial pile. Feed a tight area if you want them concentrated, and watch for signs of fish moving in.

Rules

Many fisheries restrict groundbait, particle baits and nuts, and some ban them entirely. Read the rules before you mix anything, and note that unsoaked particles are prohibited in most places for good reason.

Bait storage

Keep live and fresh bait cool and use it fresh, since most fisheries have rules about what may be brought on. Dried groundbait keeps well sealed and dry, and mixed bait does not keep overnight in warm weather.

Label containers, since several baits look identical once mixed.

Fishing responsibly

Wet your hands before touching a fish, support it properly, keep it over an unhooking mat and return it quickly. Fish held out of water for a long photograph suffer real harm.

Take every scrap of line and packaging home, since discarded line kills birds and wildlife.

Safety

Never fish near overhead power lines, since carbon rods conduct and this has been fatal. Cover cuts and wash hands before eating, because water can carry Weil's disease.

Check the fishery rules on groundbait before mixing anything, since many restrict or ban it.

Leaving no trace

Take unused bait home rather than tipping it in, and take every scrap of line and packaging with you.

A rod licence is required in England and Wales from age thirteen.

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