Russian Fishing 4: made groundbait but have you applied it?

Prepared groundbait, returned to your rod and started waiting for a bite? The guide to checking RF4 rigs and fishing conditions explains why copying a spot is not enough. Here we check another step: the prepared mix must reach the fishing area. Here is how to select it for a hand throw and where to check a feeder's contents.

Prepare completes mixing, not delivery

Groundbait is a mix used to attract fish to a spot; hook bait is what you put on the hook. The official groundbait section describes preparation and delivery as separate actions. The link leads to the Polish guide. Buying ingredients or storing a finished mix in your backpack does not apply it at the water.

The full-size original preparation window shows a ball labelled Ready-made groundbait on the left, with selected components and the Prepare button on the right. This is the recipe screen. It does not confirm that the ball has reached the water beside your rig. After preparation, choose how to deliver it.

Both methods below use ordinary, sticky groundbait, which the guide describes as suitable for balls and feeders. The base is its main component; other ingredients and attractants are added to it. Dry mix is a separate type for other delivery methods. When following another player's advice, record the mix type and ingredients before establishing how they applied it.

For a hand throw, first put the ball in your hand

Select the prepared mix in your backpack or through the quick item menu, opened by holding U in the guide's controls. Put the mix in your hand. Aim at the chosen fishing area, hold the left mouse button to set power using the indicator, and make the throw. If you remapped the controls, check your own key bindings in the client.

The full-size original bank screen shows the ball in the character's hand. This is a useful intermediate check: the item is selected for use, rather than merely opened in a recipe. The still does not show it hitting the water. Do not record a spot as baited solely because you prepared a mix or held the ball.

For a hand throw, check where you intend the ball to land and where your rig is. Player coordinates describe your position on the bank; they do not specify every throw's range and direction. Compare those conditions with the original report. The guide warns that hand throwing has limited range, so a ball near the bank does not reproduce distant baiting shown in a video.

Load a feeder through the tackle components

A feeder is a bottom-rig component used to deliver groundbait. For this method, open the rod you are using and inspect the selected rig's components. The guide describes loading ordinary groundbait through those component settings. Check which mix is actually loaded: seeing the same name in your backpack does not replace this check.

You can also check tackle already in use through the bait and groundbait indicator: the guide specifically describes displaying the feeder's mix. If the field is unavailable, first check the chosen rig and its requirements. The RF4 skills and method-availability guide distinguishes skill development, unlocked abilities and points.

Record three things before the next attempt

Record the mix type and ingredients, delivery method and application location. For a hand throw, note direction and chosen power; for a feeder, note the mix actually loaded and the tackle used. Save hook bait, distance and in-game time alongside them. Your report will then distinguish prepared, selected for throwing and loaded into a feeder instead of using one vague phrase such as used groundbait.

If fish do not arrive, start with that record and compare it with the demonstrated method. Changing mix, hook bait, location and tackle together makes the difference hard to explain. Checking application can reveal a missed step; it cannot establish one universal portion, waiting time or guaranteed bite rate. First confirm that the finished mix was actually applied by the intended method.