The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I use both live and deadbait. My largest fish have alll fallen to deadbaits. I have used Mackerel, Sardine, Herring and Smelt in equal measure and have found them to be more or less equal in effectiveness. I do believe that the key to successful deadbaiting is bait freshness. I'm fortunate in the fact that I have access to a supply of fresh Smelt and Herring. Other things to try are colouring baits and boosting their scent using the various oils available. Incidentally, has anyone here experimented with ground/pre baiting for Pike. I've given it a go but the results are a little inconclusive.

I managed to get a blag back each week of heads, guts, fins, etc from my friendly fishmonger (where are they now?).

It did work in as much I caught fish that had just eaten the 'groundbait' or regurgitated it. More fish - better fish - biggest fish - no not really! But fishing a drain, canal, river rather than a lake may make a difference in location.