Skrettings bait problem

[TF_AntThornhillParticipant]

I am an average match angler and have fished matches for the past 20 years. For the last ten years I have fished for carp on various commercial waters and have always used Skrettings micro pellets or 2-3ml feed pellets. Last year, I experienced problems with soaking pellets which I have always done for approximately 1 minute, that they were turning to mush. So I changed from Skrettings pellets to Andy Findley micro pellets/ 2-3 ml pellets and there has been no problem. This week with the weather picking up I decided to buy a sack of Skrettings 2-3ml micro pellets from my local tackle dealer. I used them for the first time this weekend and with little soaking approximately 30 seconds they turned to mush. What have Skrettings changed in the make up of these feed pellets? Does anybody know or has anybody experienced the same issues?

[TF_JohnH]

I think something has changed, I use 8mm for pellet wag and am finding they tend to float. Even if you give them a quick dunk they sometimes still float.
This never used to happen.

[TF_Time Traveller]

I don’t think they are using the same mix consistently here, 3 years ago a mate complained to me that they went to mush very quickly, they were no use at all.

Another mate bought a sack recently, shows me and says they are great. But they do float, a commi near me sells them as “Venue Allowed” …the seagulls are fat as pigs feeding on them, about 25 to 30% float.

Stay clear of them…….cheap and nasty, reckon they are just sweepings up….

[TF_sam the man]

Some fisheries have stopped selling skrettings because of complaints from anglers

[TF_baz-65Participant]

I thought it was just me with skrettings 8mm pellets. Always used them and late last year bought a big 28lb bag ready for this spring.
First time using them the other week I wondered why the carp were swirling on the top minutes after cattying them in. After throwing some in the side I saw the reason, a good
50 % were floating. Will now have to soak them, not a happy chappie.

[TF_Paddy]

Same here.
I used 6mm on Saturday and they were awful – about a third of them were floating and taking the fish with them on the wind. Crap basically.

[TF_macca63]

I fished a match last year on the pellet waggler started feeding 8mm pellets [after initially feeding Dynamite 6mm’s] got to the stage where there were more seagulls than carp in the peg then I realised the majority were floating. Not had any problems with the 2 or 4mm however I did buy a couple of bags in bulk about 3 years ago so something has obviously changed since then if they are going to mush.

[TF_troutboy]

I understand people having problems with these pellets, but I just wish people would realise that ordinary skretting pellets are made to feed fish on farms and not be fished with. Skretting make there pellets with the cheapest ingredients available at the time of manufacture, this means that the recipe for each batch made may change but not compromise a farmed fish’s diet. Hence the difference in quality as a fishing bait!

[TF_wightangler]

interesting – as my last sack of 8mms mainly floated 😡
My older 4mms and micro’s still ok though.

Down here i can get Coppins for approx. the same 25kg sack price.
But have noticed that previously when i’ve bought loose 3-6kg of 8 & 11mm that a few weeks later i get a weevil infestation that is a nightmare to get rid of – as well as making ‘aero’ pellets that destroy g/bait/hemp and any other pellets in the same room or shed.

Given that – i tend to prefer to stick with skrettings and only buy enough larger coppens for i match at a time when i’m at a thrice yearly distance p/wag venue, and can keep them double-bagged tied in the van.

[TF_cjsid1Participant]

If they are classed as sinking pellets which skreetings are and they float then return them to where you purchased them from as they are not fit for purpose

[Anonymous]

Yes i brought some 4mm skrettings in a 25kg bag from Titmuss around October last year and some do float after soaking and they do turn mushy too quickly. They also have an overpowering fishmeal smell and definetly seem to be a different composition to previous Skrettings I have purchased. The question is .. do I go and get some micros at the weekend or not?
Also for cjsid1’s unhelpful reply, nowhere on the bag are they described as sinking pellets. They are however described as “a complete feeding stuff for fish” which is what they are, so actually you have no grounds for returning the pellets because the product is exactly as described.

[TF_cjsid1Participant]

Suggest you go on skreetings website and read where it says slow sinking before you accuse someone of unhelpful reply’s lol

[TF_JohnH]

It seems to me that they float after they have dried out a bit, some days after you open the bag. I don’t remember ever seeing a use by date either so you have no way of knowing how long the retailer has had them in stock.
This problem has only recently emerged I have used these pellets for years trouble free, something has changed.

[TF_JohnH]

Have checked Skrettings web site and it clearly states slow sinking. I have noticed the same problem by the way with Swim stim so my advice is to check all pellets.

[TF_Johnny Mac]

I use 1.5 to 2 sacks of Skrettings micros each year, I have never had a problem with them turning to mush? I also buy them from different suppliers, maybe I’ve just been lucky.

[TF_AntThornhillParticipant]

In response to troutboys comment, when I contacted my local tackle shop about the problem he said that he phoned skrettings about the pellets and they gave the same stupid response that as long as they sink they are fit for purpose and that they are not designed for anglers to use. So why did skrettings have a trade stand at one of the biggest fishing angling shows in the country in Manchester recently? They were promoting their baits for anglers to use.

[TF_troutboy]

I cannot say why skretting were at the northern show promoting their products to be used by anglers when their products are for fish feed to farmed fish as I wasn’t there. I can say that I use their pellets myself and have had no issues with them floating or turning to mush. However as you can tell from my name I work on a trout farm and we don’t use skretting pellets, we use to but had too many issues with batches changing. One batch would all sink and the next 30% or more would float! Due to different ingredients used to gain the correct diet constitution. By this I mean the 40% protein level and 30% oil level and so on. Or just the manufacturing process not being quite right on a few occasions the oil in the pellets would be leaching out, not good when you need the trout to eat the oil in the pellets to use as an energy source!

[TF_Time Traveller]

As mentioned earlier …sweepings up…… they float because the contents allegedley have no substance. They also have realised there is a market for the product with anglers however our demands are very different to those of a fish farm.

If you got a strong fishy smell, well done you, most of mine are nearly white (light coloured) and float even when damp and only smell “musty” .

Suggest you do complain and advise them, maybe they will try to improve…. a bit of market research on their side would help, someone send them the link to this site….

Test them before you buy, ……and don’t eat Trout..

[TF_JohnH]

I spoke to the guys in my local store Cookes at Rotherham who sell 25kg sacks. They have skrettings and Coppens.
They said Skrettings were aware of a problem last year but it is sorted. They told me all the pellets were slow sinkers and if they float to take them back.
Coppens looked good the 6mm were slightly longer making banding a bit easier in the cold.

[fisherman philParticipant]

That’s good then john as I brought some yesterday and they all float so they will be going back to the local farm shop

[TF_mercvito]

6 k 8 mm pellets
One pump in a ringers pellet pump all sorted all sink then just leave in a large tub to dry slightly while fishing. Not right but at least you can feed in confident that they sink.

Micros
While there is a problem just buy small bags from you tackle shop and when you find a good batch go back the next day and buy as many as you can afford . If your local tackle dealer likes you he’ll tell you when they are good (mine does)
While they are poor what works of me the night before is only just cover the pellets with water and seal bag till next day.

SONU BAITS Is skretting pellets

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