Prebaiting

HOW TO DO IT - Groundbaiting for Bream, Carp & Tench

 

PREBAITING

It is a tried and tested method and I does work, no questions asked.

What is prebaiting?

Basically it is baiting up an area (swim) which you intend to fish at a later date.

For example : Baiting up the swim on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and then fishing it on Sunday.

This means going to the swim on these days and putting in your chosen groundbait.

 

 

WHAT HAPPENS?

When you put the groundbait in the water, the fish will eventually find it, and obviously eat it. It’s a free easy meal for them.

Then they will come back to that same area to see if there is any more food there for them. If there is they, will recognize this place now as a regular source of free food.

They will keep returning again and again in search of this free food.

Then on the Sunday when they return to check for there dinner, there is a baited hook waiting for them.

Bream are shoal fish and they move around in large shoals, so when you catch one bream, you can be sure there will be more not far away.

 

THE GROUNDBAIT

Particle baits (seeds & corn etc) are excellent prebaiting baits and Carp, Bream & Tench love them.

They can be bought very cheap in Sweden from the “Läntmannen” in 25kg sacks.

The favorites are Hemp seed, maize, wheat, tares, groats and most bird seeds.

Mix them with trout pellets, sweetcorn and bread for a winning combination!!

Here are a few more ingredients that I like to spice my groundbaits up with.

O’boy chocolate drink powder, ljus sirup, vanilla socker, flavored drink mixers, Kanel powder, curry powder, Turmeric, chopped peanuts (from the pet shop), chick peas.

These are just a few things that tickle the taste buds of the fish.

 

PARTICLE BAITS

It is very important when using particle baits to prepare them first.

Preparing them means either soaking them or boiling them.

This makes the seeds swell, so it doesn’t swell up in the stomach of the fish. This could kill the fish if they are not prepared, so ALWAYS prepare particle baits and don’t jepodise the fish.

 

AMOUNTS OF BAIT

There is no set rule for the amount of groundbait you should use, but I always take in to consideration these 4 things when prebaiting.

1. The size of the lake

2. Which Species are present and in what numbers.  

3. The time of year.

4. The angling pressure on the water.

 

I ask myself these 4 questions before baiting up and the answers always tell me how much, and “What” groundbait I should use.

This will come to you eventually and I have been doing  it for nearly 30 years now. It’s a lot of trial and error and some times you make mistakes. (I have made lots)

 

SO………………

Give it a try and I will virtually guarantee that it will improve your catch rate

 

Tight lines !!

 

Chris Thornhill