Light baiting for big bream

Use a conservative feeding approach with a feeder for more spring bites

AS WE head into spring proper, one species that can be relied upon to start feeding well is bream. With spawning just around the corner, they need to start packing on weight and condition.

Forget really heavy baiting, though: to maximise catches, a subtle approach is preferable, otherwise your hookbait could end up resembling a needle in a haystack, making the chances of a bite pretty slim. The easy way to regulate the amount of bait that goes into your swim is to rely solely on a swimfeeder, rather than balling it in.

The type of feeder you use depends on the depth of the swim and how far you are casting. With a Method feeder you’ll need to pack the groundbait on tighter and make it stickier so that it doesn’t fall off the frame as it hits the water or on the descent to the lakebed.

With a cage feeder the groundbait is more protected, so can be made less sticky. This softer mix breaks down a little faster, ideal if you’re fishing swims deeper than about 8ft.

My typical early spring bream feeder contents comprise a blend of Method Mix groundbait, brown crumb and 3mm pellets. I mix my groundbait and crumb first, then put it to one side while I tackle up, allowing the water to be fully absorbed.

Once it is, I add a good few handfuls of pellets.

I like to use a slow-sinking, soft hookbait wherever possible and, although not normally thought of as a bream bait, my first choice is an 8mm punch of luncheon meat. It stands out well on the deck and has a nice soft consistency.

Bream are much more accepting of hard baits when the water is warmer, and as an alternative to meat I will take a few bright 12mm wafters, along with some 8mm drilled hard pellets and a tin of sweetcorn.

Whatever bait you use, remember to keep the hooklength short, no more than 12ins from the feeder.

Blend a bag of dry Method mix groundbait with some coarse dry brown crumb.