SIX GREAT SHALLOW BAIT TRICKS TO TRY NOW

1 HARD PELLETS

Probably the best hookbait you can use for fishing shallow for carp. Vary the size betwen 4mm pellets for fishing closer in and for smaller fish and 6mm hard pellets for fishing further out or when bigger fish are the main target.

2 MEAT CUBES

Meat is a great alternative to pellets for fishing shallow and comes into its own at the start and end of summer, or on cooler days. Fish and feed 6mm cubes – anything smaller and you may be pestered by smaller fish.

3 CASTERS AND WORMS

Casters sink slowly, keeping fish in the ‘kill zone’. To avoid smashed baits, hair-rig a small bait band and trap a single caster inside. Or hook the head of a chopped-up dendrobaena worm. This will stay on for multiple bites.

4 HOW MUCH TO FEED

Regular small amounts are better than lots of bait less often, which will only push the fish down to the bottom. Feed 4-6 pellets or meat cubes every 15-20 seconds to bring fish into your swim and keep them up in the water.

5 MAKE A NOISE

Noise is vital when fishing shallow to draw fish into your swim. Tap your pole tip on the surface or slap your rig to mimic the sound of bait hitting the water. Bites can be very positive, as when the carp arrive, the only bait there will be your hookbait.

6 HAIR-RIG YOUR BAITS

Most top match anglers use size 16 or 18 eyed hooks for shallow fishing so they can hair-rig a bait band. Hair-rigged hookbaits behave very naturally as they fall through the water and there is nothing in the way of the point to prevent a decent hookhold.