GOLD MEDAL GROUNDBAITS

SPECIAL BREAM MIX

A sweet fishmeal groundbait inspired by traditional Dutch big-bream fishing methods.

Developed by Clive Branson — Former World Angling Champion

Gold Medal Special Bream Mix groundbait bags

Developed with Big Bream Fishing in Mind

Gold Medal Special Bream Mix is a carefully formulated groundbait designed primarily for bream and skimmers, while also being suitable for tench, roach and carp.

Its ingredients include sweet fishmeal, salt and a traditional natural additive associated with continental bream groundbait formulations.

The mixture is intended to help anglers establish an attractive feeding area where bream can graze over a bed of groundbait.

It’s particularly suited to anglers who enjoy traditional balling-in methods and carefully managing their feeding throughout a session.

The Dutch Connection — How This Mix Came About

By Clive Branson — Former World Angling Champion

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from some outstanding continental match anglers.

One of the most interesting groundbait ideas shared with me came from experienced Dutch anglers who specialized in catching large bream.

They explained their approach to preparing a groundbait bed that would encourage bream to settle and graze in the swim.

The formulation included a sweet fishmeal base, salt and a natural additive traditionally described as a mild fish laxative.

The theory behind the additive was that it could help maintain feeding activity, although its specific effects on fish digestion and feeding frequency have not been established here.

I incorporated the idea into my own Special Bream Mix, developing a groundbait that has become one of my personal favourites for targeting bream.

It’s another example of how exchanging ideas with European anglers helped shape the Gold Medal Groundbaits range.

Why Choose Special Bream Mix?

Sweet fishmeal formulation: A rich groundbait base developed for bream fishing.
Continental inspiration: Based on a formulation shared by experienced Dutch bream anglers.
Traditional natural additive: Incorporates an ingredient historically used in specialist bream mixes.
Suitable for balling in: Can be prepared as firm groundbait balls for establishing a feeding area.
Flexible preparation: Can be sieved for a finer texture or combined with suitable loose feed.
Multiple species: Suitable for bream, skimmers, tench, roach and carp.

Understanding How Bream Feed

Bream often feed by grazing across an area of the bottom, searching for suitable food particles.

When a shoal settles over a prepared groundbait bed, the angler’s challenge is to maintain their interest without introducing unnecessary quantities of food.

That’s why the consistency of the groundbait, the amount introduced and the timing of additional feed can be just as important as the ingredients themselves.

Special Bream Mix is intended for anglers who want to establish a feeding area and adapt their feeding approach as the session develops.

Which Fish Can You Target?

Bream: The principal species for which this mixture was developed.
Skimmers: Suitable for smaller bream feeding over a groundbait bed.
Tench: Can be used when targeting bottom-feeding tench.
Roach: Another species that may respond to a prepared feeding area.
Carp: Suitable for experimenting with on mixed-species stillwaters.

It can be used on rivers, lakes and other suitable stillwaters, with the mixture adjusted for the conditions.

How to Prepare Special Bream Mix

Place the dry groundbait in a bowl: Start with the amount required for your session.
Add water gradually: Mix thoroughly using the palm of your hand or a suitable mixing drill.
Allow the moisture to distribute: Check the consistency and add a little more water if necessary.
Sieve if required: Remove larger lumps to produce a finer, more even texture.
Add suitable loose feed: Incorporate any additional permitted feed according to your chosen approach.
Form groundbait balls: Use damp hands or suitable gloves to prepare balls for introducing by hand.
For accurate pole feeding: Prepare smaller, golf-ball-sized portions for introducing with a pole cup.

CHAMPION’S TIP: When fishing for bream, pay attention to the response of the fish before introducing more groundbait. A well-established feeding area can be valuable, but the correct amount of feed depends on the size of the shoal and how confidently the fish are feeding.