HOOKBAITS
FOR big-river barbel I use pre-drilled 6mm or 8mm Sonubaits Pellet-O’s and attach them with a Korum pellet stop which pulls back slightly into the pellet.
This needs to be taken into account to ensure the hair is the right length – always tie the hair a little shorter than you think you’ll need, because the pellet stop will extend it.
I find the easiest way to get it right is attach a pellet to the hair before tying the knotless knot, as this will ensure the hair is exactly the correct length.
I like to take a selection of hookbait flavours and colours with me to the bank, as this allows me to experiment during the course of a session.
In terms of flavours, I’ve caught particularly well on crab, halibut and krill-flavoured pellets.
A great trick to try is to glug your pellet hookbaits in Pellet Oil. This toughens them up, and that way they’ll last longer on the hair.