Deadbait Types Explained: Mackerel, Herring, Smelt and More
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Walk into any tackle shop's freezer section and you'll find a wall of options. Not all deadbaits are equal, and matching the right one to the conditions makes a real difference to a session.
Mackerel
Oily, strong-scented, and widely available — mackerel is the default choice for a reason. That oil content puts out a scent trail that travels well through coloured or cold water, making it a reliable option through most of the season.
Herring
Softer and arguably even oilier than mackerel, herring breaks down and releases scent quickly —ideal for a shorter, more intense scent trail rather than a slow-release bait for long waits.
Smelt
Distinctive both for its strong cucumber-like smell and its effectiveness — many anglers rate smelt as one of the single best pike deadbaits available, particularly on pressured waters where fish have become wary of more common baits.
Sardine
Smaller and softer-fleshed than mackerel, sardine works well as a change bait or on waters with a lot of smaller prey fish, presenting a more natural size profile.
Matching Bait to Conditions
Coloured water and cold conditions call for stronger-scented options like mackerel or herring, where scent matters more than pike being able to see the bait clearly. Clearer water can allow for more natural presentations. On heavily-fished waters, a change bait — something the resident pike haven't seen repeatedly — can outperform the obvious choice.
Whatever bait you're running, a proper wire trace is non-negotiable — see our full breakdown in wire traces explained.