Ian.B

Bit confused over the best (or correct) times use groundbait in a match when pole fishing ?.
I'm aware of the advice to riddle groundbait to take out any lump & hence not fill the fish but why then do you loose feed particles (hemp, casters etc) or add particles to the groundbait ?
Also the main feed for carp seems to be pellet, meat & sweetcorn so again don't know why or when to use groundbait.
Is it mainly for river fishing ?.. or for still waters is it for feeder work or when you want to ball it in & get some particles out there quicker than you can pole-cup it in ?

Ian

D N W

The groundbait question is a large topic but at this time of year and the venues i fish which are from 4ft to 8ft deep i have been feeding micro pellet in just enough fishmeal based groundbait to make a tangerine sized ball to cup in and consentrate stocky carp on the bottem and refeading with smaller balls has bites tail off.

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Steve Davies

compleat tangler

you could write a whole book on this subject.
methods of introducing g.b. are
balling in
ball a chuck
cupping
firstly balling in helps get a large quantity of bait in your peg and also creates a lot of noise which attracts fish fairly quickly
ball a chuck is about constant feeding with small balls of gb
say size of a chickens egg to steadily build the peg up
cupping in can involve say cupping three balls at the beginning then seeing how the fish respond then maybe adding another ball if things slow down to get a further responce from your peg

a few rules should be ;
does your venue respond to balling it is a very aggressive tactic which needs thought
always riddle your groundbait especially in winter
ensure your mix is suitable for the peg your fishing.ie depth flow species feed content colour etc should all be considered
if in any doubt be cautious you can always put more in but you cant take it out
when cupping in pick a far bank marker for accuracy
always plumb carefully before introducing groundbait as if you put it on a slope or in a snag you will have difficulty fishing where your bait (AND FISH) are

let us know the type of venue you are fishing as this may help with more specific advice
tight lines

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the carrot bites back
ooh you are awful!!

creepy

im no authority on this subject,but i will offer some advice that i was given,by one of the south west's leading matchmen. on the pole,at the start of any match,try cupping in a small amount of chopped worm and caster.its such a natural bait,that ALL fish will come to have a nose around. when the water temp and the air temp,start to pick up,then you can mess about with groundbaits.like many have said before,there are no set rules regarding groundbaiting,because you never can predict mother nature!!

Ian.B

So, generally, not much call for it in winter ?
And when it does get used is it more as an attractant then rather than an actual feed, unlike say hemp or pellets (whatever the size) ?
Mind you, if it is mainly an attractant can you still over feed with it, especially for carp & bigger silvers.