River groundbait mixes
Tackle tester Dan Webb picks out six mixes to kickstart your new season
SONUBAITS RIVER
WHAT’S IN THE BAG? A finelytextured yet sticky and heavy feed, ideal for carrying plenty of baits like worms and casters the bottom in moderate flows. Available in natural and black.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Early season rivers can be tricky to tackle, which is where this low-feed, high-attract groundbait comes into its own. It’s full of finely-ground hemp and cereals that all river species love. Price: £3.99 for 1kg
SONUBAITS BREAM
WHAT’S IN THE BAG? High feed mix including breadcrumbs, ground maize, molasses, and milled tiger nuts for sweetness. Moderate stickiness allows it to carry plenty of particles to the bottom in a ball. WHY WE LOVE IT: Full of all the sweet goodies that bream and skimmers love, this is a great river mix on its own on slower-moving waterways.
Price: £3.99 for 1kg, www.sonubaits.com
SENSAS GROS GARDONS WHAT’S IN THE BAG? A big roach version of its famous roach groundbait, with bigger particles and less activity. A No1 choice in all of the UK and Europe for lakes and rivers. Also available in Noir version. WHY WE LOVE IT: Full of coarsely ground particles, this groundbait is packed with bits that larger roach love to eat. The perfect choice for the angler specifically targeting the bigger river redfins.
Price: £4.25 for 1kg, www.sensas.com
VAN DEN EYNDE SECRET WHAT’S IN THE BAG? The original Belgian groundbait, made famous in the UK by Bob Nudd. A sweet-smelling, heavy mix which breaks down slowly. WHY WE LOVE IT: It makes a perfect big-fish mix that can carry lots of feed without drawing the attention of too many smaller fish, which can be a pain on some rivers.
Price: £3.99 for 1kg
SPOTTED FIN DARK
ROACH SUPER BLEND
WHAT’S IN THE BAG? Medium texture dark groundbait, full of attractors like coriander, milled hemp, salts and spices that roach find irresistible.
WHY WE LOVE IT: A one-stop roach and silverfish groundbait. Can be mixed dry and active for shallower rivers, or mixed wet for a heavier, less active mix.
Price: £7.99 for 2kg, www.spottedfin.com
DYNAMITE FRENZIED HEMP WHAT’S IN THE BAG? Full of hemp, seeds and oils, these groundbaits are designed for natural water fishing for bream, tench, barbel, chub and roach. WHY WE LOVE IT: This groundbait is absolutely rammed with attraction! Match Original and Match Black have both been a river angler’s favourite for years.
Price: £4.45 for 1kg, www.dynamitebaits.com