MY TWO HOOKBAITS

I use bread in two forms for hookbaits for this style of fishing – flake and crust.

When using flake I like to fold a piece of bread about the size of £2 coin over and then squeeze the folded piece gently around the shank of the hook, before gently working the hookpoint clear.

I generally fish flake with a hooklength about 2ft long, but will lengthen this if I am getting only tentative bites.

Often, plain flake works really well but if bites are not forthcoming I add a bit of extra attraction with a squirt of Sonubaits Cheesy Garlic Lava. This adds a big hit of smell to what is already a highly visible bait.

Crust is hooked by pushing the hook through one side of the crust and then turning it and pulling it back. I like to use a piece about 2cm square and I’ll shorten the hooklength to 5cm to 10cm, which ensures the crust is anchored just off the bottom.

By priming swims in advance, if any chub are present then hopefully they will be on the lookout for more bread and bites often come soon after casting. Indeed, sometimes the bait is still bouncing around across the current when it is taken, so be prepared to strike straight away.