Discover the underwater world


The ULTIMATE Bait Guide

After location bait and it's correctkilling undersized fish for bait.SANDEELS AND
presentation is the most important factorLANCE FISHSandeels can be used live by
governing success or failure. No matter howhooking threw the upper lip or threw the base
expensive your tackle is, if the fish won'tof the eye socket using a fine wire hook.
bite you go home empty. Freshwater fish canThere is a space here so little damage is
go several months without eating, most marinedone. Dead sandeels are hooked by sliding
fish can not, indeed many marine fish willthem mouth first on to the hook and turning
die if not fed several times a day( a bigso the hook comes out the anal area. The
problem for aquarists rather than anglers).quality of frozen sandeels varies from bait
Fish will eat a wide range of prey as cuttingshop to bait shop with those which turn mushy
open the stomach will show but these are notbest avoided in future. Sandeels are best
always the best baits to use. Remember yourfished with a light rig with a long snood
bait is not the only piece of food in thethat moves around giving the impression that
water, the secret of angling is to make thethe sandeel is struggling in the surf. It is
fish ignore everything else and take yourcommon to find cod and whiting stuffed full
bait instead.Fish are not stupid, they wantof sandeels. Live Sandeels cast poorly,
as much food as possible for as little effortripping lose if any real power is applied.
as possible. This is known as optimalLive sandeels are caught in seine nets or
foraging theory, and although a contraversialfound buried in the sand along the low
subject amongst ethologists it's well worthwatermark. Keep cold and well aerated in a
remembering. Imagine a bass spotting anon metal container.Lance fish are bought
sandeel some distance away, first hefrozen from pet shops. Make sure you get the
calculates the energy he'll use to catch itlarger size (about 2 inches) and make a good
then balances it against the energy gained byalternative to sandeels when a smaller bait
eating it, only if the pay off is greateris needed. Unlike sandeels they may be fed to
than the effort will he bother. No fish ispet fish at home. If the fishing tackle shop
going to swim very far off course to pick upis closed or out of bait pet shops can be a
a puny little worm on your hook, imaginegood alternativeWHITEBAITBags of these little
driving to the out of town supermarket justsilver fish can be bought cheaply from
for one can of beans. This is the first rulefishmongers. Defrost enough for your trip
DO NOT SKIMP WITH BAIT. Be generous, make itbecause they dont refreeze well.OTHER SMALL
worth the fishes while to stop chasing thatFISHRock pools are full of small fish which
shoal and pick up your static large portion.Aat first though could be used as bait.
fish can be said to show a preference for aHowever unless you know what is what it is
food if it seeks out that item despite otherbest to leave them alone. Some may be rare or
food items being more available. This is theendangered species, others will may have
second rule STICK WITH THE WELL KNOWN BAITSdefensive mechanisms to deter predators and
(Yes we've all heard stories of some guyall will have cryptic colouration for
sticking a cream bun on a hook for a laughcamouflage. Undersized fish should be
and landing 30 lb cod). If one bait does notreturned alive to the water and not rehooked
work try another as different species preferas live bait unless there is a very good
different food and the colour of the waterchance it will be taken. Estuaries in late
can play a big part. If you have an idea forsummer are often jammed packed with very
a new bait try it out when the fishings good,small flounder (often making fishing
if everybody else is catching bag fulls andimpossible) and although we've all found them
your frozen fishfingers are too then your oninside cod and whiting should be left alone.
to something.Rule number three is MATCH THEMany aquarists buy or breed goldfish and
SIZE OF YOUR BAIT TO THE SIZE OF THE FISH YOUlivebearers (guppies, mollies etc) to feed to
EXPECT TO CATCH. Cod have large mouths andpet fish but these are too expensive for
appetites to match, flatties have littlefishing.SquidSquid is readily available from
mouths and cannot fit a size 6/0 hook ladenfishmongers, supermarkets and of course your
with a mussel and lug cocktail in their gobs.local bait shop. It can be used whole or cut
Match the size of the hook with the size ofin to strips for the smaller species. Strips
the bait, a small hook buried deep inside acan seem a tad thin so cutting twice the
bait is well protected and the fish will notlength and folding in half is a good idea.
be impaled. If you are fishing for theSquid is a tough bait which lasts a long time
smaller species it is better to use a 2-4in the water and withstands hard casting
hook paternoster and spread the bait outmaking it suitable for tipping off other
rather than lump it on one hook. A pennel rigbaits, lug and squid cocktails being an all
is two hooks in the same bait and increasestime cod classic. It is a decent winter bait
the chance of contact when large baits areparticularly for whiting but in my opinion
used.The final rule is PRESENT IT PROPERLY .nothing special. I have never caught a fish
A lugworm suspended 3 ft above the seabedon squid in the summer months, even when
will set alarm bells ringing that somethingsanglers around me have been pulling them out
not quite right.Worm BaitsWorm baits falllike no tomorrow on other baits. Squid is not
into two groups Ragworms and lugworms. Alla food source readily available to fish in
are treat in much the same way, stick thethe UK so they are probably a little
hook in the tail end and thread up the linereluctant to try it although crabs seem to be
till you reach the desired size. A pennel rigmore attracted to squid than any other bait.
should be used when fishing multipleAs a note of interest I have tried feeding
worms.RAGWORMSLots of species available allboth marine and freshwater fish in my
make good bait. The big one is the king ragaquariums with squid from the petshop and
Nereis virens reaching 40 cm in length.have found that while the marine fish largely
Paddle, rock and cat worms are similar inignore it freshwater fish go crazy for it.
appearance and should not be ignored. ManyShould I ever take up course fishing I will
species have jaws (nippers), these can give acertainly be giving squid a try. Those little
very mild nip. Can be dug up or found underplastic squids (muppets) are popular with
rocks. Cultured ragworm is readily availablelocal boat anglers but are not suitable for
all year round from most bait suppliers. Doshore fishing.Peeler CrabThe outer shell
not freeze ragworms.LUGWORMSTwo species are(carapace) of the common shore crab Carcinus
used as bait The common lugworm Arenicolamaenas needs to be cast if the crab is to
marina which lives in sheltered sandy beachesgrow. During this stage the crab becomes
in a U shaped burrow with a cast and hole atknown to anglers as peeler crab and to cod as
each end. And Black lug Arenicola defodiensdinner. I have been told that fish in
(also called runnydown) is much larger andaquariums seem to know when the carpace is
does not form a hole next to the cast. Theredue to come off and hang around the rock
can be a lot of local names for lugwormsimpatiently, it is rumoured the crab always
runnydown, yellowtails, blowlug etc. To digleaves it's shelter after casting and seeks
up the common lugworm dig a trench and worknew shelter.Look for crabs in areas with lots
along it filling it in as you go. Thisof rock and weed, children seem to have an
produces the greatest number of worms for theuncanny knack of knowing which rocks to look
least effort and prevents the beach lookingunder. Look for medium sized crabs, large
like the surface of the moon. Much is saidones moult less frequently and small
baout the environmental impact of baitspecimens should be left till another day.
digging by anti-angling idiots. However itCrabs that are ready to peel will have a
must be remembered that a single rough seahairline crack near the tail end, be dull in
can strip an entire beach of lugworms and allcolour with a soapy feel. A discarded shell
its sub-sand organisms which I think puts mynearby often indicates a freshly peeled crab
dozen worms in perspective. Do not dig aroundis nearby. Those not quite ready can be
boat moorings for obvious reasons. A whilehurried along by storing in seaweed (change
back someone got into bother for bait diggingregularly) in a cool spot. Never keep soft
in Duridge Bay (around the time vastcrabs in the same container as peelers. Leave
quantities of sand were being removed forfemales with eggs alone. If you intend to lay
commercial purposes). Black lug have to bea bit pipe to catch crabs put it in an
dug out individually, always handle with wetdifficult to reach place out of site to
hands to prevent them busting.Black lug canprevent your crabs from been stolen.To use
be frozen easily.Pop them and squeeze theremove the legs (use to make cocktails), bung
guts out.Lie them straight on a couple ofon a hook and tie with thread (elasticated
layers of newspaper.Cover with a generousbait thread is best but ordinary will do).
layer of salt for about 3 hoursShake off theLarge specimens can be cut into smaller
salt and repeat steps 2 and 3.Shake off thepieces. To freeze crab remove the lungs
salt and lie the worms one inch apart on afirst, I like to freeze them on the hook and
length of newspaperRoll up the paper andpack individually, store in a thermos flask
freeze.Frozen black lug is ok when you fancywhen fishing.Artificial baitArtifical bait is
a nights fishing and you've missed the baita waste of money. Ignore claims that fish
shop but it can't beat fresh bait.Mussels andcan't tell the difference or they taste just
RazorfishMussels can be bought alive fromlike the real thing (mmm I can't believe it's
fishmongers or frozen from bait shops and petnot lugworm, yeah right). The only artificial
shops. Most housewives know to reject musselsbait worth it place in my tackle box are
that don't clamp shut when tapped but anglerslures, I obtain all my Lures on eBay.
need not worry about this as mussels whichSpinning is best done when you know fish are
are "off" often make the best bait. Liveabout and where deep water is close in e.g.
mussels can be parted from there shells bysteep beaches, rocks, piers etc. I like to
severing the anterior and posterior adductorspin when I prematurely run out of bait.
muscles and scooping out, or leaving to dieChildren who do not yet developed the virtue
in a bucket (helps bring out the flavour).of patience and winge to check the bait every
Mussels are not on the menu normally as theythree seconds can be kept quiet by
are protected by a hard shell, those whichspinning.It has been said a million times
are eaten have normally died and have beenthat most lure are designed to catch anglers
washed out. Tie mussels on to the hook withnot fish. One summer I walked along Whitby
thread, taking care not to pull to tight. Ipier which was packed with people fishing for
like to freeze them on the hook and keep themmackerel. The mackerel shoals could easily be
wrapped separately until needed, this allowsseen yet only a few anglers were landing
them to be cast further, they will defrostthem. Many lures on sale are designed for the
quickly once they hit the water. AddingAmerican market. Americans are blessed with
pilchard oil to the mussel before freezingshores full of huge predatory fish, we are
increases its effectiveness. Although thenot. These lures may mimick the baitfish
edible mussel Mytilus edulis is the oneliving in the USA quite well but can be of
normally used as bait the horse musselslittle use in the UK. Also remember that the
Modiolus modiolus can also be used. Otherbass swimming around the UK coastline are a
native species are too small to bother with.different species from those found in the
Mussels bought frozen pet shops are veryAmerican lakes. When visiting websites
small and make good lugworm and musselselling lures, claims such as "Best lure in
cocktails. Mussel beds are also good placesthe world" should be taken with a pinch of
to fish.Razorfish Ensis siliqua, also calledsalt as these claims are impossible to prove.
pod razor and spouter fish are rarely forRemember the description was probably written
sale so have to be gather by hand. Walk alongby a marketing executive who has never held a
the low tide mark without shoes on veryrod in his life. Instead use your own
softly and look for keyhole shaped holes ininstinct and past experience before parting
the sand. Pour salt down the hole and grabwith your cash.Be sensible with size. The
tightly when it pops out. The smaller Swordlure should look like potential prey. I have
razor is also suitable. Treat as mussels forcaught very small fish on lures that were
bait.Many species of bivalves can be foundbigger than they were and believe this may be
buried in the sand e.g. gapers, scallops,due to the lure triggering an attack response
tellins, cockles, oysters, etc and are worthrather than feeding one.Use tackle capable of
trying for bait where they are abundant.Docasting a light weight. a drilled bullet or a
not  bother  with  limpetsFish  as  baitbarrel lead 2ft up the line can be used to
gain extra weight.When fishing from a high
Big fish eat little fish, but which ones areplatform point the rod tip downwards to give
best for bait. Whilst many fish will eatmore natural movement to the lure.A sink and
anything that fits in their mouths not alldraw method works best. Cast out let it sink
are suitable for bait. When there is a lot ofreel in and stop, let it sink and reel
undersize fish about nicking the bait the usein....Red rubber sandeels are best during the
of small baitfish can help target out theday, Black at night with a full moon.The best
bigger specimensHERRING AND MACKERELGroupedcolour for other types varies according to
here together because they are treat in muchweather conditions and visability, if one
the same way. Use whole fish for shark andcolour isn't working switch to another.Keep
conger, Conger are a rare catch in north eastan eye on other anglers spinning to see which
england, although the rocks off Craster andcolours are producing on the day.Always
Dunstanburgh have been know to produce.incorporate a swivel to prevent line
Removing the backbone so the two flanks aretwist.Expect to lose lures. Yes I know they
separate and can flap freely is a good way toare expensive but so is bait.In bright
present this bait. Shark fishing is unheardconditions fish head to weedbeds. Work the
of from the beaches around here. Morelure around weedbeds not through
commonly these fish are cut into bite sizethem.Seagulls picking off small fish often
strips before use. They give off a lot ofindicates the fish have been driven to the
scent and are unbeatable for coalies in thesurface by larger fish.Reel in the correct
summer. Thin strips fished with a float willspeed. Too fast the fish will not attempt to
produce bags full of mackerel from almost anychase, too slow the lure may not move the way
pier in the summer. When the shoals are in itit was designed to.Lines of debris on the
is worth taken a few for dinner and bait butsurface are good places to try, particularly
don't go crazy, dozens of dead fish next tofor mackerel.On the tidal run spin so the
you impresses no one and you risk a earfullure moves in the direction of the
from more conservation minded anglers.current.Dead sandeels move unnaturally
Mackerel are also caught using feathers orthrough the water when spun.Do not stop
any small shiny lure on light tackle.working the lure until it is out of the
Although mackerel and herring can be boughtwater.When Fishing over rough ground a float
frozen from bait shops they often turn to acan be used to prevent loss.Painting your
mush when defrosted. Fish mongers are alead sinker to look like a small fish can
better source but buy ready filleted as youattract fish to your bait.Spinning is more
will get more for your money and make sureenergetic than bait fishing and your muscles
they have not been smoked.PILCHARDS,will quickly become fatiqued reducing your
SARDINESNo not the tinned ones, I've triedcasting distance. Don't take too much tackle
them they don't work. These can be boughtwith you, rest every ten casts or so for a
frozen in many supermarkets and fish mongers.few minutes or alternate between bait and
Like mackerel and herring they are an oilyspinning duty with a friend. Drinking a
fish giving off plently of scent. Beingglucose based sports drink can help.
smaller they can be used whole when aPowerlifters often take creatine monohydrate
mackeral would be too large or cut intoas an energy source for explosive movements.
strips. Warning, it is a good idea to keepI have tried this and found no difference to
the bag marked "pilchards" with you whendistance cast or time for fatique to set in.
fishing in case someone accuses you of



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