COARSE/MATCH FISHING TIP

EXPANDER PELLETS

As their name suggests, Expander pellets grow in size once water is added to them.
Straight from the bag they are rock hard, unhookable and will float, rendering them useless for all bar surface fishing applications.
But when combined with water in the correct manner they can be transformed into a lovely spongy textured bait which is easy to hook, seeps fish-attracting oils and is simplicity itself to use on the pole.
Expanders in their basic form are best used when fishing at full depth or just off bottom.
There are various types and sizes of expander pellet available, but 3mm and 6mm tend to be the most common.
To prepare a batch of expander pellets, you’ll require a pellet pump.
These come in various sizes and are a vital piece of kit if you want to fish expanders properly to maximise your catches.
Pellet pumps work on the vacuum principle, which means expelling all air from within the pellets.
It’s the air, trapped between the fibres, which make them float.
Replace it with water and they sink.
A simple principle but brilliantly effective as the many massive catches taken on pumped expanders every year at waters across the UK proves!

PREPARING EXPANDERS STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Step 1
Tip your required amount of dry expanders into a pellet pump

Step 2
Add approximately twice as much water as pellets, you can also add liquid flavourings at this stage.

Step 3
Secure the lid and pump out the air for about 30 seconds.

Step 4
Remove the pump and gently squeeze the rubber aperture at the top of the pump to release the air with an audible whoosh.

Step 5
As the air passes out of the tub the pellets will start to sink….

Step 6
….until most of the pellets have come to rest on the bottom of the container

Step 7
Do not drain off the remaining water.
Instead pour it into a bait box with the expanders and leave it for an hour.

Step 8
After an hour the expanders will have soaked up the excess water and be perfect texture, sinking slowly and attractively through the water.


Most of this info came from the Fox book Guide to commercial fisheries