Whenever I attend tackle shop open days on behalf of Sonu Baits, I am often asked questions about pole fishing and particularly about expander pellets and hard pellets. I've listed four great tips and I hope you can use them as a reference point to improve your pellet fishing.

1: When using expanders, I always prepare mine before going to a match. However, sometimes pellets can become too soft, so I always carry a  spare bag of Sonu Baits Fin Perfect Expanders with me, and my pellet pump, so that I can prepare a fresh batch if needed. It is something I'd urge all anglers to do. If you have them with you, you'll never come unstuck.

2: I never cut corners by pumping pellets and then freezing them. The only exception to the rule is where jellied pellets are concerned. Standard expanders, once pumped, turn to mush if you freeze then thaw them out. So don’t do it. Pump fresh expanders every time you go fishing and you will get more bites.

3: Which elastics do I use for fishing with expanders? It’s a question I’m often asked. Well, I keep it simple. In winter when the fish aren’t very active, I stick with Preston 9H. In summer, if I am F1 fishing, I use Preston 11H all the time as it is perfect. If I am fishing for big carp on the bottom, I tend to favour a Preston 15H, but if I am fishing for biggish carp shallow, and at range, I tend to choose 13H in conjunction with a Preston Pulla kit.

4: Which hooks for pellet fishing? Another question that is frequently asked. Personally, I use PR32s if I am fishing for F1s, PR36s if I am hair-rigging drilled or banded pellets and a PR28 if I am presenting pellets down the edge for margin-dwelling carp, which tend to be on the big side!