Make Your Own Groundbait

This is a groundbait we have been using on our match circuit for many years to great effect for carp and bream. It is simple to make and more importantly it is cheap.

The first things you need for the process are:

Bait Box
Kettle
Clingfilm
4 mm hard pellets. ( Buy in bulk to make it cheaper )

Directions

Fill the bait box to just below the rim with pellets. If you want four pints of groundbait use a four pint bait tub.
Boil the kettle
Cover the pellets in the bait box with boiling water to just cover the pellets. ( Health and safety says be careful with the kettle. Boiling water bloody hurts)
Cover the bait box with clingfilm.
Attach the lid.

Then leave the pellets for at least a couple of hours, and for best results leave them overnight.

When you open the bait box you will now have a cake of soaked pellets.

Boiled pellets on Right and part of the cake for putting through a maggot riddle on left.
Boiled pellets on Right and part of the cake for putting through a maggot riddle on left.

This is then pushed through a maggot riddle and you are left with a groundbait that is basically broken down pellets.

Push the pellet cake through the maggot riddle.
Push the pellet cake through the maggot riddle.

If you want a finer mix push it through again. If you want paste then add some water. Its great for the feeder or loose in shallow water or as an initial ball of groundbait.

The finished groundbait ready for bagging up on.
The finished groundbait ready for bagging up on.


At Alders Farm I had just under 300lb and fed 22 pints of this mix in 6 hours made into a slop and a slightly stiffer mix as paste on the hook so it does work. Stewart Lister was pegged next but one to me so he knows !

From pellets to groundbait. Nice and simple.
From pellets to groundbait. Nice and simple.

It’s cheap and simple and this is so very often the best way.

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Comments
  1. mick stockmick stock
    April 7, 2008

    great idea, thanks mick

    Leave a reply
  2. Mark MurdochMark Murdoch
    April 7, 2008

    Thanks Mick. It really is that simple and the paste it makes is awesome. If you want a flavour in add it to the pellets when you put the water on them and it will permeate the whole mix.

    Leave a reply
  3. h johnsonh johnson
    April 9, 2008

    Brilliant Idea! Why didn’t I think of that!

    Leave a reply
  4. NeilNeil
    April 16, 2008

    Rather than use the clingfilm/baitbox overnight, try it using an old coolbox.
    It works great for hemp so i can’t see any reason why using it for the pellets wouldn’t work to

    Leave a reply
  5. domdom
    May 10, 2008

    nice one

    Leave a reply
  6. colincolin
    May 11, 2008

    what can you use if you dont have a maggot riddle please can you advise
    thanks. i think your tips are great

    Leave a reply
  7. Jake WardJake Ward
    May 20, 2008

    you can use a sieve rather than a maggot riddle. but the sieve has to have small holes also if you are making paste, if you use a blender and put in a tin of luncheon meat, then add it to your paste, it can realy bost your chances of catching carp.=] WARNING (only leave the blender on for 30 secs to 1 min or it goes wrong. thanks.

    Leave a reply
  8. Mark MurdochMark Murdoch
    May 20, 2008

    Use a fine mesh landing net. If you pull it taught over a bucket or similar its as good as a sieve. Make sure its fine mesh though otherwise it wont work. Hope that helps

    Mark M

    Fishing4Fun

    Leave a reply
  9. leelee
    June 9, 2008

    where can i fish on the trent with a normal fishing licence,any help as im new to fishung and struggling to find somewhere to fish with my new rod licence

    Leave a reply
  10. johnjohn
    June 11, 2008

    you can fish anywhere from monday on the trent and u can fish there now for eels on worms only if any help to you.

    Leave a reply
  11. suziesuzie
    July 13, 2008

    WOW!!! amazing how you men can’t cook……….until it come to fishing that is :)
    from a rookie fisherperson xx

    Leave a reply
  12. Luke godwinLuke godwin
    July 16, 2008

    thanks mark for that this helped me catch a 38 pounder

    thank you very much

    Leave a reply
  13. HaroldHarold
    July 22, 2008

    Please advise make / type of pellets used / recommended

    Thanks / regards H

    Leave a reply
  14. HaroldHarold
    July 22, 2008

    Help….ground bait…are Supercup or Secret still available ???

    RSVP tnx H

    Leave a reply
  15. squatboysquatboy
    July 27, 2008

    supercup and secret are still available mate , i use em all the time , any good tackle shop should have these

    Leave a reply
  16. liam shoreliam shore
    August 25, 2008

    thanks i really wont to catch a carp in the canal because my frends have

    Leave a reply
  17. rickyricky
    September 7, 2008

    does anyone no any good carp fishing places in reading?

    Leave a reply
  18. joshjosh
    October 6, 2008

    hi my name is josh and i do a lot of carp fishing have you got any tips for on the bottom and what to use i fish in marsworth i am 13

    Leave a reply
  19. kierstenkiersten
    October 7, 2008

    hello i have just started fishing about a year ago and i am wondering how i can make groundbait with out buying any mix from the shop for example mixing brea tuna and stuff

    Leave a reply
  20. jakejake
    November 9, 2008

    thanks mark my first carp trip that my grandad was with me and im only 12 the fish i hooked neally pulled me in ur groundbait method helped me hook a 33 pounder Thanks So much

    jake .

    Leave a reply
  21. gigglesgiggles
    December 6, 2008

    thank you for that tip i will use that on sunday as its my first match.Any other tips that you might be able to pass on would be great. many thanks. giggles

    Leave a reply
  22. steve wrightsteve wright
    December 28, 2008

    well i was thinking about buying a blender (the wife wouldnt let me use her’s) ha ha she only bought me one for xmas ,so xmas day there i was in me shed making ground bait ,i used dog biscuit,peanut,and some old halibut boilies ,then i used some dog biscuit,sweetcorn,hemp,i dont know if its gonna work but i’m gonna give it a go i’ll try the pellets too merry xmas all and happy carping

    Leave a reply
  23. davedave
    January 4, 2009

    just put 3 loaves bread thro blender now in freezer any sugest what to mix with it only fished freshwater 5 times just learning 80 year old any help aprecated dave

    Leave a reply
  24. andyandy
    January 4, 2009

    mix it wi a bit of vanilla angel delight bream love it

    andy

    Leave a reply
  25. richardrichard
    January 25, 2009

    For groundbait VITALIN ground down in a juicer/blender/grinder to min.
    6m/m Pellets ground down dry.
    Then mix 33% of Brown Crumb,Ground Pellets & Ground Vitalin plus any flavours you wish.
    Mix to any consistency you require(brilliant for method mix) and very cheap to produce.Save yourselves pounds.

    Leave a reply
  26. callum bicklecallum bickle
    February 4, 2009

    this seems like a good idea i will put it to the test this weekend because i am going for two days at catterick i have a bag of pellets i was gunna sell to ma mate but this ground bait is a realy good idea THANX!!!

    Leave a reply
  27. derekderek
    February 28, 2009

    hi you can buy a couple of cheap loaves of bread, take out of packet leave to dry in net of some kind i use a laundry bag, a bag for carrots will do anyway dry for about 4 days then using a food processor make into crumbs then you can mix with water from where you will be fishing form into balls size of an orange and use as ground bait. you can also put in out of date herbs and spices and mix dry then add water where fishing, not to much water just enough so mixture sticks together when thrown into water.

    Leave a reply
  28. dave eddave ed
    March 23, 2009

    add herbs and spices (curry powder,pepper,mixed spice) things like that even dog/cat biscuits to bulk up kept dry will last ages im still using ground bait made last year

    Leave a reply
  29. davedave
    March 23, 2009

    thanks andy just coaght 2 nice 5lb bream on this mix dave

    Leave a reply
  30. jay bryson alsagerjay bryson alsager
    April 1, 2009

    is it possible to make boilies out of groundbait coz dont no wher to get boilie mix from

    Leave a reply
  31. ben engledewben engledew
    April 6, 2009

    crush your boilies & pellets.
    in a blender.
    makes nice groundbait

    Leave a reply
  32. trevtrev
    April 11, 2009

    1 loaf ,1 bar cheap white chocolate ,1 tube primula cheese spread , blend half the loaf with half of the chocolate and the tube of cheese ,mix to a stiff paste [ add more bread if needed ] makes good hook bait . blend other half loaf with rest of the chocolate and 150g mature cheddar cheese [asda's own cheese is good ] makes exlent stick mix . use both mix’s together for awsome results

    Leave a reply
  33. JackJack
    May 10, 2009

    Hi Mate Umm There Are Several Good Carp Places In Reading ….
    Wylies Lake…Thatcham
    Cottage Lane(the big lake)….Burghfield
    However These Are Not In Reading But Are Just A Few Miles Away But Belive Me It Is Worth It Let Me Know How You Get on.!!

    Leave a reply
  34. dannydanny
    May 26, 2009

    hi mate im looking on making my own groundbait and if u dont have a blender what else can u use to make groundbait without a blender

    Leave a reply
  35. NeilNeil
    June 3, 2009

    Hello All

    Normally i fish the River Severn and Avon but with it being close season i have been fishing the canals in and around birminham. I have been fishing on the float with maggots and only catching small perch any advice on what tatics and wheres good place to fish on the canal???

    Leave a reply
  36. trevtrev
    June 3, 2009

    neil use bronze maggot with brownbreadcrumb with crushed hemp n maggot that should get roach rudd nskimmers into your swim its working for me on the canal in coventry fish overhanging trees on far bank

    Leave a reply
  37. gazgaz
    June 5, 2009

    what baits are best and cheap for big carp

    Leave a reply
  38. chunkchunk
    June 16, 2009

    alright Gaz.
    one of the most effective baits for carp is sweetcorn. this can be bought in supermarket own brand tins, asda is good. asda also do a large bag of frozen sweetcorn for just under a pound i think.
    also, you could dig up some lobworms. cant get cheaper than free can ya :)

    Leave a reply
  39. MartinMartin
    June 19, 2009

    Hi All

    I am new to carp fishing and i live in blackpool. I was just wonderin how to make groundbait, someone said about dog biscutes, and how do u do it. is there any other ways aswell.!! cheers

    Martin

    Leave a reply
  40. simonsimon
    June 19, 2009

    im fishing riddings in dordon warwickshire, i think the tips i have read s gonna catch me plenty of fish and i might even win!!

    Leave a reply
  41. robertrobert
    July 15, 2009

    hi mark nice to see anglers using the site

    propa job bait has come on in leaps and bounds
    anglers catching some big fish on our new range of boillies and our spod mixes are going very well
    see u soon

    Leave a reply
  42. Wayne ThomasWayne Thomas
    July 17, 2009

    Just started fishing again this year and it has been great so far As have caught quite a few Carps Just using sweetcorn at Cudmore and at Starmount. Red Maggots (3). Up at Bradshaws. using Green bait mixed with groundbait. Am really pleased about catching Carp as have never caught so many Carp on each sessions and Cheap too Swetcorn from Asda, bait from local tackle shop.
    Caught Carps on Pole and on a a feeder line using a side widener 6lb line with a side 14 hook

    Leave a reply
  43. joe newberryjoe newberry
    August 7, 2009

    use nash 15 mm white chocolate bolies with a fox inline lead it and a sliding rig it helped me catch a 25lb 7oz mirror my pb good luck

    Leave a reply
  44. joe newberryjoe newberry
    August 7, 2009

    is any one on facebook if they are what ure username so i can add u i want some fishing friends

    Leave a reply
  45. paulpaul
    August 15, 2009

    Hi Joe

    I,m on facebook although only just found this site and your post.
    I fish the tidal river waveney mostly, with bream, roach, perch the main quary, and now this year we have a lot of small chub.
    My username is my email, pauls-fishing2@tiscali.co.uk

    Leave a reply
  46. MartinMartin
    August 16, 2009

    Hiya Joe

    i am on facebook matey add me if ya want, Martin Ward on the Manchester network

    Regards
    Martin

    Leave a reply
  47. williamwilliam
    August 22, 2009

    hi everybody, just found this site ad me as a friend been fishing some 45 yrs , but still learning. and to keep in touch with the waters, that fish pretty good .

    Leave a reply
  48. williamwilliam
    August 22, 2009

    also on facebook.

    Leave a reply
  49. Wayne ThomasWayne Thomas
    August 22, 2009

    am also on facebook too Martin as too many Martin in Manchester too so can’t add you
    You can add me easy as am Wayne John carp Thomas

    Leave a reply
  50. LeeLee
    August 25, 2009

    I am not on Facebook but I am on afishermansfriend well worth checking out!!

    Leave a reply
  51. Darran MonkDarran Monk
    September 21, 2009

    Hi,
    Just wanted to share my untested groundbait recipe. I bought a bag of smart price (Asda) dried dog food (£1.54), 1 box of cheap Asda dog biscuits (Hero)(£1.17), 1 tub of jerk spice (£1) and half a tub of tandoori spice (£1). I also asked at the bakery section of Asda for some breadcrumbs from the bread slicing machine which they gave me free of charge (there was a good few kilos in the bag).

    I put all of the ingredients through a blender, then put all of the dry mix into a big tub (the type used for cheap emulsion). I tried mixing a small amount of the mix with water and it binds perfectly, then breaks apart. The mix has made the equivalent of about £30 worth of shop bought groundbait for under a fiver.

    Now all I have to do is try it. Going to go at the weekend. I’ll let you know how I do with it…..fingers crossed.

    Leave a reply
  52. paul sailspaul sails
    September 23, 2009

    ello all,
    iv never used groundbait b4 so can sum1 tell me how much water u need 2use? thx

    Leave a reply
  53. Lee ThomasLee Thomas
    September 27, 2009

    How did the ASDA ground bait do then pal, waiting to hear.

    Leave a reply
  54. tuckertucker
    October 22, 2009

    does anyone know any good night fishing venues near dewsbury west yorkshire for carp pike

    Leave a reply
  55. andyandy
    October 25, 2009

    so how did the asda smartprice ground bait work? me and my mate have just started fishing and want to find the cheapest ways to fish , cheers

    Leave a reply
  56. chris hugheschris hughes
    October 29, 2009

    hiya m8 im on facebook my name is chris hughes
    u might find me better if u look for chris malaka hughes

    Leave a reply
  57. Darran MonkDarran Monk
    November 5, 2009

    Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. I’ve only had time to go fishing once, this was on the 9th October. The groundbait worked great, I had a PB Carp 22.5lb from Westerly Lakes in Yorkshire. i went fishing for the weekend but only managed 3 fish. The lake was fisj=hing poorly that weekend and there were’nt many fish pulled out.

    Does my grouindbait work? I would love to say that it was my groundbait that brought the PB fish into my swim but I suppose only time will tell as you can’t really say that it was definately the groundbait that did it.

    I am going to try something a little different next time I make a batch, I have heard that strawberry or chocolate slimfast in your groundbait works, that will be my next experiment.

    Darran

    Leave a reply
  58. Bollard BoiBollard Boi
    November 11, 2009

    what a great way to make groundbait i went to my local pond and had a 103lb bag of fish what a fking day fanks mate

    Leave a reply
  59. whinnerwhistle fisherywhinnerwhistle fishery
    December 26, 2009

    sensas crazy bait gold over a ‘the secret’ pop up from solar tackle with a bit of bread with a no.1 shot 2inch of the hook. will cost you a tenner for 1kg of groundbait and the pop ups

    Leave a reply
  60. connorconnor
    January 17, 2010

    i have used this before, great ina feeder with a pellet on a band on the hook it works magic! highly reccomended!

    Leave a reply
  61. vicki knightvicki knight
    January 18, 2010

    try using a standard kitchen sift.

    Leave a reply
  62. adamadam
    February 14, 2010

    does anyone know a good homemade groundbait for perch,roach,dace and skimmers?PLEASE REPLY!!!

    Leave a reply
  63. adamadam
    February 14, 2010

    by the way happy valentines day

    Leave a reply
  64. adamadam
    February 14, 2010

    but seriously please do reply

    Leave a reply
  65. adamadam
    February 14, 2010

    i have a hand chopper thing at home where you just hit your hand on it repeatedly and it makes bread crumb.

    Leave a reply
  66. adamadam
    February 14, 2010

    anyone know a good place to go fishing in hinchley wood/surbiton/long ditton?

    Leave a reply
  67. PhilPhil
    February 19, 2010

    Ground Hemp, Ground Seeds put through a fine riidle so you just get the meal, Bread Crumb any colour you want, 20 gram Garamasala, 10 grams Curry Powder. In a kilo you would have 150 grams Ground Hemp, 150 grams Seed Meal, 670 grams Bread Crumb plus 30 grams spice. I have been making this for over 10 years. If you want more info email sfbait@btconnect.com

    Leave a reply
  68. ThecommanderThecommander
    February 23, 2010

    for perch roach dace etc a good combo is casters maggots hemp chopped lobworm and damp crushed hemp ground bait in a small groundbait feeder with a lobworm with the head and tail chopped off.

    Leave a reply
  69. adamadam
    February 23, 2010

    great idea!

    Leave a reply
  70. adamadam
    February 23, 2010

    great idea!thanks!

    Leave a reply
  71. streakyrasherstreakyrasher
    February 26, 2010

    What a great site i live in spain the info all of you have given is great and helpfull back to fishing soon (March) thanks again.

    Leave a reply
  72. Greig BrownGreig Brown
    March 1, 2010

    Hi m8, i am new to this fishing stuff. any ideas for groundbait i would be grateful. Brown3895

    Leave a reply
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