Groundbait mix for the Broads

[TF_Gaz Davies]

Hi all,
Spending a week on the broads at the end of July and was wondering what is the best groundbait mix to use?
Is it best to use sweet, fishmeal or plain brown crumb?
Also do you add pellets or stick to corn/casters/dead maggots?

Cheers Gaz

[TF_Lewis101]

Go for something like this if fishing in the day…

Sensas Bream 3000/Sensas Lake/Brown Crumb
Van Den Eynde Gold Pro/Brown crumb 50/50
Casters/chopped worm the best to put through the feeder.

If fishing at night, swap to fishmeal, and don’t be afraid to add micros.

Dynamite Swimstim / Brown Crumb would be my choice.

Always add brown crumb to it – helps fluff it up and will get you quicker bites.

Have fun – nice part of the world.

[TF_Gaz Davies]

Thanks for the reply Lewis.
Couple more questions,
Why would you use a sweet mix in the day and fishmeal at night??
What colour maggots do you find best on the broads? Reds??

Cheers Gaz

[TF_Waveney One]

Personally I would avoid fishmeal even at night because of the eels. Having said that what do I know as I never fish at night! The sweet groundbaits advised by Lewis are much what I use although I cut my Breames up with Gros Gardons Noire and add a little Secret for the Yare. For the Bure or Thurne I wouldn’t bother so much with the Secret or the Noire as both rivers tend to hold a lot of colour all summer because of the boat traffic. I would always add brown crumb as Lewis says 50/50 with the specialist groundbaits. As to colour of maggots, then reds are what I mainly use with the odd fluro for a change. Sweetcorn can be a good bait as well and I always put some through the feeder with the worms and casters. Try the odd bit on the hook and have some bread handy if the eels become a pain.

[TF_Lewis101]

Reds / Fluoros are the best.

Should of added – only reason I’d use fishmeal at night is would be exclusively targeting bigger bream (hard work baiting up every cast when you can barely see 🙂 .

Plus, I’d cut out the worms and casters at night. Would just feed pellets/corn through the feeder and hair rig corn on the hook – best to avoid smaller fish, and eels.

Waveney one fishes it every week – i’m not around here much but you should have most info :). 2-3oz tip (3oz usually on Yare) – 12 or 13ft feeder rod. 1.5 – 3oz of feeder – away you go! Enjoy your trip.

[TF_Gaz Davies]

Thanks lads, just what i needed.

Think i will stick to a sweet mix bulked out with brown crumb and bring some casters,corn and worms. My local river is the Trent so i will use the same rigs etc as i use on there and adjust as i need to. Just a couple more things if you dont mind??

Am i best sticking to the rivers or fishing in the actual broads?
Any good areas i should head for?
I will also have my 7 year old with me, could you point me to anywhere i can take him where we will catch on a short pole/whip or light feeder rod for a couple of hrs?? please 😀

[TF_Lewis101]

Where are you staying?

Best stick to rivers this time of year. If you let me know where you’re staying, I’ll let you know where you and your boy can bag up.

[TF_Gaz Davies]

We have hired a boat from Lodden mate, we are planning to cross Breydon onto the Northern rivers on Sat dinner then go back South late Wed. I was planning to do my fishing early and late when the other boats have calmed down. Can pretty much go/moor anywhere thats accesable. If you could point me in the direction of some decent spots it would be much appreciated. Dont mind if we have to moor up somewhere quiet if it means we get a few fish!! If we can fish from the boat thats a bonus, if we have to walk thats fine. Iv had a look about and read that mooring at Salhouse island and fishing towards Gt Hoverton broad gates is good for bream. Do you know this area? I would like a go at the bream, probably go early morning before the others get up if i can, and my lad will be happy catching anything that swims, as iv said before any info is much appreciated. Was also planning to have a go on the Southern rivers when were down that way, am i best on the Yare?

Thanks for you help, cheers Gaz

[TF_Lewis101]

I’m not that familiar with that area mate I’ll be honest, but as you’ve already found a couple of hotspots online I’m sure you’ll be fine. As a general rule as on many rivers, anywhere wider, at the junction of other rivers, and deeper, will be best for the bream. Shallower, faster narrower will be best for the roach.

I think it will surprise you just how many fish are in the broads system in general. I don’t think you’ll struggle to catch plenty. If in doubt, prebait somewhere likely and come and fish it in the evening – be careful not to strap your keepnet to the boat though or it may tip it up 🙂

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