The Kim Milsom Heritage Mix: Supercup & Brown Crumb
After publishing our VDE Supercup tactical guide earlier this week, we were thrilled to hear Kim Milsom discussing this legendary groundbait on the Guru podcast. It's fascinating how a bait we're recommending today was the same one Kim used to pioneer so much of his success 20+ years ago.
It was a real delight to watch the podcast and hear the legend himself talking about VDE Supercup—a groundbait that's stood the test of time and remains a staple in match fishing today.
The Simple 50/50 Mix That Still Works Today
Kim's go-to was a simple 50/50 mix of Supercup and Brown Crumb. This is a brilliant, straightforward approach that can be used on many a venue, from still water to a medium flow. The secret isn't in complicated additives; it's all in the breakdown timing.
The Controlled Descent
The goal is to get your wetting up just right so the ball begins to slowly break up on the way down. This isn't about creating a cloud on the surface or a solid lump on the bottom—it's about controlled release through the water column.
The Carpet Effect
By the time the ball hits the bottom, it has already shed enough particles to create a perfect "carpet cloud" of feed for the fish to settle on. This technique is still used by match anglers today and forms the foundation of many successful pole fishing approaches.
Carrying Your Bait
Adding Brown Crumb makes the mix coarser and more dormant (still) on the bottom. It also allows you to add loose feed like a few maggots. As the ball breaks up during its descent, it releases those maggots gradually, keeping your feed right where you want it. This also aids visual attraction—fish can see the maggots tumbling through the water.
Modern Tweaks to a Classic Mix
While as far as I'm aware they didn't have "Black" groundbaits per se back in Kim's day, we now have VDE Supercup Black. This is a great way to tint the colour of your mix to get a darker brown, which is perfect for matching the bed of the venue you're fishing.
This adds a bit of security for the fish, especially in clear water conditions where a lighter-coloured groundbait might spook wary fish off the feed.
Simple Mixing Guide
| Part | Role | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 50% Supercup | The Attractor | Creates the sweet scent and visual cloud. |
| 50% Brown Crumb | The Carrier | Adds texture and holds the bottom. |
| Perfect Wetting Up | Timed Breakdown | Ball breaks on the way down to create a carpet. |
Why This Mix Still Works
What's remarkable about Kim's approach is how relevant it remains today. The principles haven't changed:
- Controlled feed delivery – You're not dumping a pile of food on the bottom
- Visual attraction – The breakdown creates movement and interest
- Versatility – Works across different venues and conditions with minor adjustments
- Simplicity – Two ingredients, mixed right, consistently catch fish
This is a testament to both the quality of VDE Supercup and the timeless nature of good groundbait tactics. What worked for Kim 20 years ago still works today because it's based on understanding fish behavior, not chasing trends.
Learning from the Legends
Hearing Kim talk about his approach reinforces something we always say at Soar Tackle: the fundamentals matter. You don't need a complicated mix with ten different ingredients. You need to understand what each component does, how fish respond, and how to adjust for conditions.
If you're new to using Supercup or want to explore more modern blending strategies, check out my complete VDE Supercup tactical guide for depth control, cloud techniques, and mixing with other VDE groundbaits like Secret.
Shop the Heritage Mix
- Van Den Eynde Supercup Natural Groundbait
- Van Den Eynde Supercup Black Groundbait
- Soar Baits Belgium Brown Crumb
Have you tried Kim's classic 50/50 mix? We'd love to hear how it's worked for you on your local venues. Get in touch and let us know!