Why You’re Struggling on Commercials In Spring (And How to Fix It) - Match Masterclass

To kick things off I was feeding micro pellets with a pot, paired with an expander pellet on the hook. Early in the session, introducing bait with a bit of noise helps draw fish into the swim, so tapping pellets in from a height can be a nice trick. The rig itself was set up to fish positively, no lifting and dropping, just setting a trap over the feed and waiting for a response. In spring, if you’ve got the right bait and you’re in the right area, bites should come quickly, so this method is a great way to gauge what’s happening early on.

Depth is one of the biggest factors to get right at this time of year. Fish will move between deeper and shallower water depending on light levels and temperature, so it’s important to stay flexible. Starting slightly deeper makes sense in the cooler conditions, but having rigs set up for different depths means it is easy to adjust during the session. Even small changes can make a big difference, so it’s always worth experimenting to find the fish. 

One of the most common mistakes anglers make is staying on a line for too long. It’s easy to catch a few fish early on and assume it will continue, but in spring, swims can fade quickly because the fish are very wary at this time of year. Instead of waiting it out, moving your line, even by just a metre or two, can make an instant difference. Rotating between a few areas and “bouncing” between lines keeps you ahead of the fish and helps maintain a steady run of bites.

I keep all my rigs nice and simple, the float is a Matrix finesse slim wire in 0.2g to give stability and clean bite indication. This allows the bait to settle naturally over the feed without too much movement. A strung-out bulk shotting pattern helps the bait fall naturally through the water and two small backshot help keep the line tight and provide stability. Paired with a short hooklength and a size 16 hook, it’s a balanced setup that works well for both pellets and maggots. Switching to a carbon stem float when fishing short allows you to spot bites on the drop, making it easier to adjust when fish start feeding higher in the water.

Bait-wise I use pellets and maggots but how they’re prepared makes a big difference. I use Dynamite F1 Sweet micro pellets and I soak them in a good amount of water. This makes them heavier, helping them sink quickly and accurately when fed, without breaking down or clouding the swim too much.

Expanders are kept in top condition by storing them in a light coating of oil, preventing them from going soft or mushy throughout the day. Citrus oil and Tiger nut both work really well for this. As an added bonus, a bit of added flavour or colour, such as F1 sweet, can help give the hookbait an edge. For the short line later in the session, maggots come into play. These are prepared with a fine coating of Shake and Catch, which keeps them dry, boosts their colour and attraction. 

In spring matches I often switch to maggots towards the end of a session, but the timing is really important to get right. Going on it too early on the short line is a mistake that can ruin your chances. By feeding it for a while and allowing fish to build confidence, you can often get a strong run towards the end of the match. This is often where big weights are made early in the year. 

Spring fishing is all about being proactive. Whether it’s changing depth, adjusting feed, switching hookbaits, or moving lines, small changes can have a big impact. If you keep trying to figure things out, keep adapting, and avoid sitting on fading lines, you’ll put yourself in a much stronger position to turn a difficult session into a successful one and it can be brilliantly rewarding at this time of year.