Since joining the consultancy team at Sonubaits, and seeing the wide range of products on offer, I have been determined to think “outside the box” and explore their range of uses - especially with the Hemp & Hali Crush.

So as the magical June 16th came around,  I was eager to get out on the rivers to try the Hemp & Hali Crush.  Since its release earlier this year, this product has yielded great results for specimen anglers. However, I think it is not just a groundbait aimed solely at the angler who targets bigger fish. I do firmly believe it can be a potent weapon in the pleasure angler and match angler's carryall.

For my test session, I visited my local River Wharfe to explore.  With only an evening session planned, I decided I would rather try to get a few bites than sit it out for one fish.  Therefore I set up with the biggest Preston Innovations pellet feeder, and attached a short, 12-inch hook length which consisted of 0.15mm diameter Preston Powerline to a size 16 PR36.A Korum Quickstop on a short hair rig completed the set-up.

My plan was to cast regularly to the overhanging trees on the far bank, plugging the feeder with Hemp & Hali Crush and using one of the new Halibut Paste Pellets as hook bait. These are around 8mm in size and meant I was not limiting my catch to purely big fish.  Local specimen anglers had mentioned there were lots of chub in the stretch, so I was looking to catch them as well as maybe snaring a barbel.

In the three-hour session I managed to catch five chub to 4lb, which meant good sport and lots of fun on such light tackle. Although no barbel were caught on the river that evening, I know as the season progresses my tactic gives a great chance of catching one in with a net of chub.  Other anglers sitting only for big barbel wen biteless, whilst I enjoyed an exciting evening's sport.

So next time you use Hemp & Hali Crush, don’t limit its use to your local pond, give it a go on the river, you may be pleasantly surprised!