Using groundbait is a staple tactic for many anglers when fishing for bream and carp but have you ever considered using it for pike? Despite being underused, a well thought out groundbait mix can be very attractive to pike and used correctly, it will help you land more crocs this season! Bait expert Dr Paul Garner talks us through how to get the most out of this method.
Which groundbait?
The best groundbait you can use for pike is anything fishmeal-based. These pellet-rich mixes are packed with ground-down fish, pellets, and oils, all of which are attractive to pike. You don't need as much as you would with other styles of fishing; generally, a kilo will last you a couple of sessions easily, and you can freeze what you don't use for the next session.
Colour doesn't seem to matter, but you can buy red ground baits that might just give you that extra visual attraction.
IF YOU NEED ADVICE ON MIXING UP GROUNDBAIT, THIS GUIDE WILL HELP YOU...
Chop up some fish
This is probably the most important addition to a groundbait for pike. Chopped-up fish releases loads of natural attraction into the water, helping to draw pike in as well as giving them something to eat. Use fish that you are likely to use on the hook, much like a match angler or fly angler would 'match the hatch,' as it makes the pike more likely to take the bait with the hooks in.
Chop the baits into rough chunks around 1–2 inches in size, but experiment with this. Chunks that are too big will impact how well you can mold the groundbait into a ball. For a real punch of attraction, you can blend fish in a food processor and add the liquid to the groundbait. This is also a great way to use up old deadbaits.
YOU WILL NEED A SET OF THE BEST PIKE RODS FOR ALL THE EXTRA FISH THIS GUIDE WILL CATCH YOU!
Get some oil in
You can buy a wide range of fish oils from local tackle shops, health food stores, and supermarkets now. These are great to use in pike groundbait, with oils like mackerel, herring, or salmon being very effective. There are also some excellent hydrolysate products made from pure fish extracts, check the carp sections of your local tackle shop for these, as they can be liquid gold for pike too!
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Don't forget maggots
While pike won't necessarily eat the maggots, small silverfish like roach and skimmers will. This activity acts as a beacon to hungry pike, so if you can draw in the baitfish, the pike will not be far behind! Pinkies, maggots, and casters are all great additions.
How to make it
Step 1 - Pour the dry groundbait into a bowl. Get some water in a bait tub and add some fish oil to it.
Step 2 - Add the water/oil. Pour it in slowly while throughly mixing the groundbait, once you can mould it easily into a ball, stop adding water.
Step 3 - Add a handful of fish chunks and maggots to complete the mix.
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW HOW TO HANDLE PIKE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO CATCH THEM.
