Fishing Baits and Lures

Fishing baits and lures are the core of every successful angling experience—whether you’re ledgering on a quiet lake, fly fishing on a river, or lure casting along the coast. Since 1988, we’ve helped anglers of all levels select the right bait or lure for the right species and conditions, offering one of the UK’s most trusted and diverse selections. From natural baits like worms and maggots to high-tech lures that mimic prey, our expertly curated range delivers the results serious anglers expect.

Why Fishing Baits and Lures Matter

✅ They’re what triggers the bite—your only contact with the fish
✅ Tailored for species-specific feeding behaviours
✅ Work across all fishing styles: coarse, carp, fly, predator, and sea
✅ Essential for adapting to seasonal conditions and water clarity
✅ Available in natural, preserved, artificial, and reactive formats

Whether you’re attracting cautious carp with boilies or provoking pike with a crankbait, the right presentation at the hook makes all the difference.

🎯 Types of Fishing Baits

Bait Type	Best For	Features
Maggots & Pinkies	Match/coarse—roach, perch, chub	Live, wriggling, visual attraction
Worms (Lobworm, Dendrobaena)	Perch, tench, barbel, eels	Natural scent and movement
Sweetcorn	Carp, tench, bream	Bright colour, sweet flavour
Bread	Surface carp, winter roach	Buoyant and versatile
Meat (Luncheon, Spam)	Barbel, carp, chub	High scent, soft texture
Boilies	Carp—bottom, pop-up, and wafter styles	Flavoured, long-lasting, used with hair rigs
Pellets	Commercial fisheries—carp, F1s, bream	Feed and hookbait formats (soft/hard)
Groundbait	Bream, tench, match fishing	Attracts and holds fish in the swim
Particle Mix (Hemp, Maize)	Carp, barbel, tench	Loosefeed to boost feeding response
Artificial Baits	All-round—corn, maggots, worms	Durable and reusable, often buoyant

🦴 Types of Fishing Lures

Lure Type	Best For	Action
Spinners & Spoons	Perch, trout, pike	Flash and vibration to trigger strikes
Crankbaits	Pike, zander, perch	Wobble and dive—imitate injured baitfish
Soft Plastics (Shads, Grubs)	Perch, zander, bass	Realistic motion—perfect for jigging or drop-shotting
Jigs	Zander, perch, pike	Bounce along bottom—ideal in cold water
Topwater Lures	Pike, bass	Surface action—explosive bites
Swimbaits & Glidebaits	Pike, large predators	Life-like swimming action
Fly Lures (Nymphs, Streamers)	Trout, grayling, salmon	Natural insect or fry imitation
Sea Lures (Metal Jigs, Plugs)	Bass, mackerel, pollack	Designed for distance and strength

When to Use Baits vs. Lures

Situation	Use Bait	Use Lure
Stillwater coarse/match fishing	✅ Maggots, corn, pellets	❌ Not typically used
Carp fishing (boilies, particles)	✅ Boilies, hemp	❌ Carp don’t chase prey
Predator fishing (pike, perch, zander)	✅ Dead/live bait	✅ Soft/hard lures
Fly fishing	❌	✅ Flies, streamers
Sea fishing (shore and boat)	✅ Squid, worm, mackerel	✅ Jigs, feathers, plugs
Winter or cold water	✅ Slower breakdown baits	✅ Slow jigs, soft lures

Best-Selling Bait & Lure Brands We Stock

Dynamite Baits, Mainline, Sonubaits – Premium boilies, pellets, and groundbait
Korda, Nash, Fox – Advanced carp bait systems with hookbait additives and PVA-friendly formats
Berkley, Savage Gear, Fox Rage – Soft and hard lures for pike, perch, and zander
Rapala, Salmo, Westin – Crankbaits and swimbaits for predator and sea lure fishing
Fulling Mill, Greys, Airflo – Fly patterns and accessories for freshwater sport species
Tronixpro, Breakaway – Sea fishing bait enhancers and feather rigs
Enterprise Tackle – Artificial baits for commercial and coarse use

🧠 FAQ: Fishing Baits and Lures (10+ Questions)

1. What’s the best bait for carp?
Boilies, pellets, sweetcorn, and hemp are all proven options. Pop-ups work well over weed or silt.

2. Can I use lures in winter?
Yes—just slow down your retrieve. Soft plastics and jigs are particularly effective in cold conditions.

3. Are artificial baits effective?
Yes—especially for wary fish. Artificial corn, maggots, and worms can outlast natural bait and be buoyant for better presentation.

4. What colour lure works best?
Use natural colours in clear water, and bright or dark in murky water. Change colours if you’re not getting takes.

5. How do I prepare groundbait?
Mix with water gradually until it binds enough to cast but breaks down underwater. Let it stand for 10–15 mins before use.

6. What’s the difference between pop-ups and wafters?
Pop-ups float fully, ideal for chod or snowman rigs. Wafters hover just above the hook, giving natural movement.

7. Do lures work better than bait?
For active species like perch or pike, lures can be more effective. For bottom feeders like bream or tench, bait is better.

8. Can I freeze and reuse bait?
Yes—bread, corn, and many boilies freeze well. Maggots and worms are best used fresh.

9. What’s the best bait for perch?
Worms, maggots, and small soft plastic lures like grubs or shads are top choices.

10. Are scent additives worth using?
Absolutely—glugs, dips, and sprays can boost bait appeal, especially in coloured or cold water.

11. How should I store lures?
Keep them in a compartmented tackle box to prevent tangles and corrosion. Dry them after use in saltwater.

Baiting Hooks Since 1988

With over 30 years of experience, we know that successful fishing starts with the right presentation and attraction. From commercial pellet setups to savage topwater takes on a glidebait, our range of baits and lures is field-tested, brand-backed, and angler-approved.

🎣 Entice your next catch. Shop the full collection of fishing baits and lures online or in-store today.

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