Bread is a superb all-round fishing bait which will take fish of all species and sizes when used in its many forms. The fluffy white flake from an uncut loaf is particularly attractive to cyprinids, and its advantages to the angler include the fact that it is highly visible, soft, buoyant and easy to flavour.
It is also easy to present on the hook. Just take a piece of breadflake, fold it around the shank of the hook and pinch it, leaving the point showing.
For fishing over weeds, or on the surface, use a piece of flake with the crust attached. Use hook sizes 10-14.
This is a very good fishing bait for catching roach in clear water, when used in conjunction with liquidized bread feed, which you can either make yourself or buy as ‘punch crumb’ in tackle shops.
Bread punches are usually available in sets, with a variety of different-sized heads that will press out neat pellets from bread, to suit the type of fish you are after. Fresh, sliced white bread will achieve the best results.
Using a hook of between 14 and 22 in size, push the point through the slot at the side of the bread punch and turn the hook to fasten it into the bread pallet.
Soften stale bread by rubbing it between damp hands or briefly steaming it for a pliable, natural bait that still crumbles easily. Soaking in hot water, milk, or broth adds scent and moisture; let the liquid cool slightly before submerging to avoid breaking it apart. Fermenting bread in a loosely sealed container for 24–48 hours boosts aroma and attractiveness, especially when small bubbles appear. For firm hook baits, squeeze excess liquid and mold around the shank before hooking. Hot milk or broth infuses fats that disperse quickly in water, helping cut through low visibility conditions. These simple prep steps keep bread baits consistent and effective on most venues.
Hempseed does not look very impressive, but it is probably the best holding fishing bait for fish in both still and running water. A ’ maggot and hemp ’ attack is a standard approach for many match, and pleasure, anglers.
You can buy hemp in tackle shops, already cooked, or prepare your own, which is actually very simple to do. Simmer the hempseed until the shells start to split and the white kernel appears. It is this kernel that the fish love. Fortunately, hemp freezes well so you can prepare Use hooks sized 16-20.enough for several occasions at one time.
Hemp can be fished on the hook, and although this is quite difficult and requires precise precision, it can be deadly for big roach. In fact, on some hard-fished venues roach will almost never take a maggot but can be caught quite easily on what anglers call ’ the magic seed ‘. Use Use hooks sized 16-20.eds which have only just split and use the shell itself to help clamp the bait to the hook. Use hooks sized 16-20.
These are a superb summer bait on venues with plenty of roach of 4oz (113g) or bigger. They are usually fished in conjunction with hemp loosefeed but because of their larger size, tares tend to attract the bigger size.
Tares are like hard, black peas when bought from the tackle shop, and quite easy to prepare simply by boiling in water for about 40 minutes until they have become soft. Adding a teaspoonful of bicarbonate soda when the tares are nearly cooked turns them an attractive purplish-black color.
They are hooked simply by pushing the point in and out of the skin, leaving plenty of the hook showing. As with hemp, it can take a couple of hours of regular feeding for the fishing bait to start working, but if you do get the roach feeding on either, you could be in for the catch of a lifetime. Use hooks sized 16-18.
Sweetcorn is an ideal fishing bait because it is cheap and can be used straight from the tin. It is an excellent summer bait for big fish, in particular carp, barbel and tench. Quite recently, ready flavored and colored sweetcorn has become available, so you can now use anything from red, strawberry-flavored corn, to orange Tutti Frutti corn.
A company called Pescaviva even produce these permutations in liquidized form as well. Golden corn is particularly useful because it is highly visible in clear water.
There are various ways to present corn on a hook, but whichever you choose, try to cover as much of the hook’s shank as possible, leaving the p0int free. Use one piece of sweetcorn on a size 16 hook, two pieces on a size 12, and so on as hook sizes increase.
Boost bread bait appeal with natural enhancers: vanilla extract, garlic oil, cheese powder, or fish oils each add distinctive profiles that disperse quickly. Mix dry powders into softened crumbs evenly before molding; for liquids, lightly spray onto formed balls and roll to seal scents. A few drops of fish sauce or anise in soaking liquid creates depth, while a sprinkle of chili flakes adds spiciness to attract perch and carp. Rotating additives keeps wary fish guessing, and layering a strong scent inside with a milder outer coating helps bait last longer on the hook. Experiment in small batches to find combinations that perform best in your waters.
Spring and summer warmth wakes fish up, making fresher, lightly fermented bread ideal—use creamier loaves or milk-soaked crumbs to match active feeding. In cooler fall waters, switch to denser, slightly toasted bread or broth-soaked cubes that hold on the hook as fish slow down. Winter demands slow-release scents; try fermented mash or a little vanilla amid a firmer crumb so it doesn’t dissolve too fast. Water temperature affects bait movement: warmer water tolerates softer, dissolving bread, while cold water favors resilient, smooth balls that stay on the hook longer. Adjust your bait prep to match seasonal metabolism for better bites.
Target carp with large, well-compressed bread balls on size 6–4 hooks; add a touch of fish oil or cheese powder to highlight their bottom-feeding instincts. Bream respond to finer, crumbled bread on size 10–12 hooks—present gently on the surface or slow-suspended near silt. Roach prefer delicate, slightly fermented bread paste on size 14 hooks, fished in the upper water. Perch relish bread mixed with a pinch of garlic or spicy additives on size 10 hooks fished near weed edges. Match your presentation—floater, hair rig, or micro-paste—to the species’ preferred depth and feeding style for consistent success.
Keep unused bread bait fresh by storing it in airtight containers or resealable bags with minimal air; this slows drying and prevents mold. For longer storage, freeze portions individually (molded, hooked, or loose) and thaw in cool water before fishing—this preserves texture and scent. Dry bread in a cool, shaded spot before sealing to avoid condensation. You can also layer paper towels between pieces to absorb moisture. Regularly inspect stored bait for discoloration or odor; discard anything suspect to avoid contaminating the rest. Proper storage ensures reliable, mold-free bread bait ready for every session and reduces waste.
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