Groundbait is fishing bait that is either cast or 'balled' into the water in order to attract fish to the fishing area. It is often used in coarse fishing. Ground-bait can be made by the angler or pre-bought by ground-bait manufactures. There are many different types of ground-bait that can be used to target specific species of fish. Ground-bait can differ by the sizes of the crumbs, type of seed, colour and smell. The angler can also mix additives to the ground-bait to alter its firmness in order to control the release or breakdown of the bait once in the water.
Technique
Groundbait is a mixture of various natural ingredients, for example fishmeal, bread crumbs, vanilla sugar, hemp seeds or oil, maize and other ingredients, which are then moistened with water and formed into balls. These balls are then cast into the water at the fishing spot. Depending on the groundbait mixture, the balls may break up quickly and create a "cloud" of particles in the water attractive for mid-water feeding fish, or sink to the bottom where they slowly release feed to species feeding on the bottom. The amount of groundbait is optimized to draw as many fish as possible to the fishing place, stimulating them to feed without over-feeding, which will stop the fish from biting. Anglers may use groundbait at the fishing site for several days before fishing, and then allow the fish to regain their appetite for a brief period before fishing begins. One method of distributing groundbait close to the hookbait is by using a method feeder. The method feeder is a wire container that holds compact, moistened groundbait and other particle baits above the hook bait on the fishing line. When the line is cast out, the method feeder disperses its contents right over the bait, attracting fish from a wider area. Another method is to simply squeeze the ball of groundbait onto the line just above the hook.
Regulation
Due to concerns about the ecological impact of introducing nutrients to a water, acting as fertilizer, angling in some waters is affected by regulations on groundbait use. Where groundbait is banned, soil or loam is sometimes used as a substitute.
Other Uses
The BBC have used the term to describe popular TV shows, placed immediately before newscasts or broadcasts of a socially pertinent nature, to draw in viewers. In Austria, the German term Anfüttern is used to mean a way of bribing, particularly in regard to political corruption.
