When deciding hard vs. soft pellets for fishing is a crucial decision for anglers. Contrary to popular belief, it's not as simple as using soft baits in cold weather and hard baits in summer.
Hard pellets are a staple in my year-round fishing, especially when targeting carp or using long-range feeder or pellet waggler setups. However, there are times when soft expander pellets outperform hard pellets—especially on commercial fisheries where the goal is to catch a variety of species.
Soft pellets are a top choice for attracting a variety of species, including F1s and skimmers, and an excellent hookbait option coming out of winter into spring as the fish start to warm up and get on the feed. But their advantages go beyond just being a great hookbait.
Expanders can also be used as feed, introduced via a small pole pot to create a steady trickle of attraction. This makes them especially effective in shallow or silty pegs, where heavier hard pellets might sink too quickly or become buried in the sediment.
The sizes to use
I’d stick to 4mm and 6mm, using the bigger ones for a mixed bag of everything, dropping down to 4mm for skimmers and F1s. 8mm pellets can be really good if you are targeting big carp in the margins or if you need a target hookbait when fishing the long pole or bomb.
OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST PELLETS FOR FISHING WILL HELP YOU SELECT THE BEST PELLETS FOR YOUR NEXT SESSION
Hook them properly
Hook expanders across the ‘grain’. You’ll see fibrous strands on the pellet, and hooking across these ensures the bait stays on. If prepared correctly you should have no issue hooking them this way and they won't fall off when shipping out, you can usually get a strike or two out them before they fall off!
SEE OUR GUIDE TO USING SOFT EXPANDERS IN COOL TEMPERATURES
Try feeding them
I’ll feed expanders on shallow and silty lakes where a heavier hard pellet might sink into the silt, but they’re mainly a hookbait. Feeding 2mm expanders is a good option when allowed. They also sink that bit slower than hard pellets which gives the fish extra time to see them falling, and bait falling through the water is a great way to attract fish into your peg.
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Add some colour
Colouring baits is a personal preference, but if I’m fishing a venue where the water is heavily coloured, a red expander pellet stands out. You can also opt to flavour your baits which is something many anglers are increasingly utilising in their own fishing, whether it makes a difference who knows, but it certainly does no harm!
THE BEST LIQUIDS, ADDITIVES, AND GLUGS WILL HELP YOU FIND YOUR FAVOURITE.
