Should you use pellets in winter?
I’ve heard that using pellet in the winter is a bad idea, why is that and what sorts of food items are appropriate for winter fishing? Dave McEvoy, via e-mail
Tony Welch says: “Pellets are fine to use during the winter months provided you use the correct ones. Most fish oils solidify in cold temperatures and therefore the pellet that is high in fish oil will struggle as all the attraction is locked inside. If you are going to use pellets in winter choose one with a proven record like Cell Response Pellets. Remember, like all bait application during the winter months, go easy with it. A Gardner Mini PVA solid bag or a small golf ball-sized Skinny Dipper mesh bag will do the trick. Also, a Skinny Dipper PVA Stick of Cloud9 Stick Mix loaded with liquid attractors such as Hemp Oil, Multi-Stim and Meta-Mino is a personal favourite.
“Hookbait of choice would be a fake corn stacker or a 12mm Mainline Blackcurrant Special. The Cell is a fantastic winter boilie and I will introduce a quantity when I feel it’s right, however, sweetcorn, peanuts, chickpeas, maggots and worms all catch in the cold. If you have time on your hands and conditions dictate then use some bait, if not then keep it minimal.”