The best groundbaits for feeder fishing

Feeder fishing has never been more popular than it is right now, whether you're match fishing any of the various big money qualifiers, or just pleasure fishing on your local commercial or river, there has never been a better time to use the feeder. Advancements in the feeders we use and the preference the fish show to certain styles of groundbait means its imperative you get your mix right, as it can be the difference between a session to forget or a session to remember.

Groundbaits tend to come in two main formats; A fishmeal based groundbait, as the name suggests, will contain high levels of fishmeal, whether that be from crushed pellets or pure fishmeal. Cereal groundbaits have little to no fishmeal in and are based on biscuits and breadcrumbs. The option you choose can make all the difference, with anglers usually opting for non-fishmeal groundbaits for more natural venues likes canals and drains, whilst commercials and rivers tend to see more fishmeal mixes because the fish have been conditioned to pellets.

The best groundbaits for feeder fishing at a glance...

• Best Feeder Groundbait For Bream: Daiwa Advantage Green Bream - View offer on Go Outdoors

• Best Groundbait For The Method Feeder: Sonubaits Match Method Mix - View offer on Go Outdoors

• Best Feeder Groundbait For Rivers: Dynamite Silver X Feeder - View offer on Fishing Tackle and Bait

• Best All-Round Feeder Groundbait: Sonubaits F1 Dark - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

It isn't just the groundbait that can make the difference to your catch rate either. How you mix the groundbait and what feeder you usecan all have an impact. Sometimes, mixing the groundbait wetter so it clouds up the water can help, yet other times a firm mix that goes straight to the bottom can be best. If you're using a Method feeder for example, you want all the bait to remain on the feeder, before quickly breaking down once it hits the lakebed. Don't let this confuse you though, the most important aspect is choosing a quality groundbait the fish want to eat and are attracted to, here is a guide to some of the best available on the market...

What to look for in a feeder groundbait

The primary purpose of a groundbait is to attract fish into your swim and help get bait to the bottom of the lake or river. All good quality groundbaits will do this in the right situation, as long as you mix them correctly. The venue and target species will be what ultimately dictates your final choice.

If you are fishing for silverfish on a canal or large open reservoir, chances are that a cereal based groundbait with no fishmeal content will score best, as the fish don't identify fishmeal as a primary food source. If the water is clear, opt for a darker mix, especially for roach, as they don't particularly like swimming over a light mix. If you're fishing for silvers or carp on a commercial, where the fish see a lot of pellets, generally a high fishmeal groundbait, especially in the summer, will be far superior to anything else, with a sweeter fishmeal seemingly favoured as it begins to cool.

The type of feeder and the depth of water will also determine which groundbait is best. If you're fishing with a Method feeder, opting for a dedicated Method feeder groundbait is usually best, as they have been designed to be stiffer and hold on the feeder until they hit the bottom, where they quickly begin to break down. If you're fishing for silvers in shallower water with a cage feeder, a loose, fluffy mix would be ideal, as its not as essential it all stays intact, the cloud will always draw some extra fish in on tough days.

Glossary

Groundbait: Groundbait is a fishing bait that is introduced into the water in order to olfactorily attract more fish to a designated area for more efficient catching.

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.

Cereals: A grain that is grown for food and usually toasted, common examples include wheat, maize and rye.

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 loosefeed.

Cage feeder: A feeder that resembles a cage, designed to allow maximum water penetration to break down bait quickly.

Frequently asked questions on feeder fishing groundbaits

Should my groundbait explode from the feeder?

This will depend on what species you're fishing for. Bait exploding from the feeder can work well at pulling fish into the area, but can cause them to come shallow on deeper venues, making them more difficult to catch. On a river, this exploding groundbait can create a fantastic scent trail downstream too, but leaves little around your hookbait. Try and judge the situation, then decide which will be best for you on the day.

Are there dedicated groundbaits for Method feeder fishing?

Yes! Method feeder groundbaits are generally firmer, and if designed for bigger fish, have more particle content. It's important that a Method groundbait grips the feeder well, doesn't come off with impact to the water, but does breakdown quickly when sat on the bottom.

Is groundbait colour important?

The colour of your groundbait is an important consideration. It has been fairly well proven that species like roach on clear venues prefer a darker mix. This could be because they standout to predators when feeding over a lighter groundbait, so are more naturally cautious. On commercials, playing with a variety of colours can be beneficial, as the fish are normally turned on by something different.

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.