| After location bait and it's correct | | | | of killing undersized fish for |
| presentation is the most important | | | | bait.SANDEELS AND LANCE FISHSandeels can |
| factor governing success or failure. No | | | | be used live by hooking threw the upper |
| matter how expensive your tackle is, if | | | | lip or threw the base of the eye socket |
| the fish won't bite you go home empty. | | | | using a fine wire hook. There is a space |
| Freshwater fish can go several months | | | | here so little damage is done. Dead |
| without eating, most marine fish can | | | | sandeels are hooked by sliding them |
| not, indeed many marine fish will die if | | | | mouth first on to the hook and turning |
| not fed several times a day( a big | | | | so the hook comes out the anal area. The |
| problem for aquarists rather than | | | | quality of frozen sandeels varies from |
| anglers). Fish will eat a wide range of | | | | bait shop to bait shop with those which |
| prey as cutting open the stomach will | | | | turn mushy best avoided in future. |
| show but these are not always the best | | | | Sandeels are best fished with a light |
| baits to use. Remember your bait is not | | | | rig with a long snood that moves around |
| the only piece of food in the water, the | | | | giving the impression that the sandeel |
| secret of angling is to make the fish | | | | is struggling in the surf. It is common |
| ignore everything else and take your | | | | to find cod and whiting stuffed full of |
| bait instead.Fish are not stupid, they | | | | sandeels. Live Sandeels cast poorly, |
| want as much food as possible for as | | | | ripping lose if any real power is |
| little effort as possible. This is known | | | | applied. Live sandeels are caught in |
| as optimal foraging theory, and although | | | | seine nets or found buried in the sand |
| a contraversial subject amongst | | | | along the low watermark. Keep cold and |
| ethologists it's well worth remembering. | | | | well aerated in a non metal |
| Imagine a bass spotting a sandeel some | | | | container.Lance fish are bought frozen |
| distance away, first he calculates the | | | | from pet shops. Make sure you get the |
| energy he'll use to catch it then | | | | larger size (about 2 inches) and make a |
| balances it against the energy gained by | | | | good alternative to sandeels when a |
| eating it, only if the pay off is | | | | smaller bait is needed. Unlike sandeels |
| greater than the effort will he bother. | | | | they may be fed to pet fish at home. If |
| No fish is going to swim very far off | | | | the fishing tackle shop is closed or out |
| course to pick up a puny little worm on | | | | of bait pet shops can be a good |
| your hook, imagine driving to the out of | | | | alternativeWHITEBAITBags of these little |
| town supermarket just for one can of | | | | silver fish can be bought cheaply from |
| beans. This is the first rule DO NOT | | | | fishmongers. Defrost enough for your |
| SKIMP WITH BAIT. Be generous, make it | | | | trip because they dont refreeze |
| worth the fishes while to stop chasing | | | | well.OTHER SMALL FISHRock pools are full |
| that shoal and pick up your static large | | | | of small fish which at first though |
| portion.A fish can be said to show a | | | | could be used as bait. However unless |
| preference for a food if it seeks out | | | | you know what is what it is best to |
| that item despite other food items being | | | | leave them alone. Some may be rare or |
| more available. This is the second rule | | | | endangered species, others will may have |
| STICK WITH THE WELL KNOWN BAITS (Yes | | | | defensive mechanisms to deter predators |
| we've all heard stories of some guy | | | | and all will have cryptic colouration |
| sticking a cream bun on a hook for a | | | | for camouflage. Undersized fish should |
| laugh and landing 30 lb cod). If one | | | | be returned alive to the water and not |
| bait does not work try another as | | | | rehooked as live bait unless there is a |
| different species prefer different food | | | | very good chance it will be taken. |
| and the colour of the water can play a | | | | Estuaries in late summer are often |
| big part. If you have an idea for a new | | | | jammed packed with very small flounder |
| bait try it out when the fishings good, | | | | (often making fishing impossible) and |
| if everybody else is catching bag fulls | | | | although we've all found them inside cod |
| and your frozen fishfingers are too then | | | | and whiting should be left alone. Many |
| your on to something.Rule number three | | | | aquarists buy or breed goldfish and |
| is MATCH THE SIZE OF YOUR BAIT TO THE | | | | livebearers (guppies, mollies etc) to |
| SIZE OF THE FISH YOU EXPECT TO CATCH. | | | | feed to pet fish but these are too |
| Cod have large mouths and appetites to | | | | expensive for fishing.SquidSquid is |
| match, flatties have little mouths and | | | | readily available from fishmongers, |
| cannot fit a size 6/0 hook laden with a | | | | supermarkets and of course your local |
| mussel and lug cocktail in their gobs. | | | | bait shop. It can be used whole or cut |
| Match the size of the hook with the size | | | | in to strips for the smaller species. |
| of the bait, a small hook buried deep | | | | Strips can seem a tad thin so cutting |
| inside a bait is well protected and the | | | | twice the length and folding in half is |
| fish will not be impaled. If you are | | | | a good idea. Squid is a tough bait which |
| fishing for the smaller species it is | | | | lasts a long time in the water and |
| better to use a 2-4 hook paternoster and | | | | withstands hard casting making it |
| spread the bait out rather than lump it | | | | suitable for tipping off other baits, |
| on one hook. A pennel rig is two hooks | | | | lug and squid cocktails being an all |
| in the same bait and increases the | | | | time cod classic. It is a decent winter |
| chance of contact when large baits are | | | | bait particularly for whiting but in my |
| used.The final rule is PRESENT IT | | | | opinion nothing special. I have never |
| PROPERLY . A lugworm suspended 3 ft | | | | caught a fish on squid in the summer |
| above the seabed will set alarm bells | | | | months, even when anglers around me have |
| ringing that somethings not quite | | | | been pulling them out like no tomorrow |
| right.Worm BaitsWorm baits fall into two | | | | on other baits. Squid is not a food |
| groups Ragworms and lugworms. All are | | | | source readily available to fish in the |
| treat in much the same way, stick the | | | | UK so they are probably a little |
| hook in the tail end and thread up the | | | | reluctant to try it although crabs seem |
| line till you reach the desired size. A | | | | to be more attracted to squid than any |
| pennel rig should be used when fishing | | | | other bait. As a note of interest I have |
| multiple worms.RAGWORMSLots of species | | | | tried feeding both marine and freshwater |
| available all make good bait. The big | | | | fish in my aquariums with squid from the |
| one is the king rag Nereis virens | | | | petshop and have found that while the |
| reaching 40 cm in length. Paddle, rock | | | | marine fish largely ignore it freshwater |
| and cat worms are similar in appearance | | | | fish go crazy for it. Should I ever take |
| and should not be ignored. Many species | | | | up course fishing I will certainly be |
| have jaws (nippers), these can give a | | | | giving squid a try. Those little plastic |
| very mild nip. Can be dug up or found | | | | squids (muppets) are popular with local |
| under rocks. Cultured ragworm is readily | | | | boat anglers but are not suitable for |
| available all year round from most bait | | | | shore fishing.Peeler CrabThe outer shell |
| suppliers. Do not freeze | | | | (carapace) of the common shore crab |
| ragworms.LUGWORMSTwo species are used as | | | | Carcinus maenas needs to be cast if the |
| bait The common lugworm Arenicola marina | | | | crab is to grow. During this stage the |
| which lives in sheltered sandy beaches | | | | crab becomes known to anglers as peeler |
| in a U shaped burrow with a cast and | | | | crab and to cod as dinner. I have been |
| hole at each end. And Black lug | | | | told that fish in aquariums seem to know |
| Arenicola defodiens (also called | | | | when the carpace is due to come off and |
| runnydown) is much larger and does not | | | | hang around the rock impatiently, it is |
| form a hole next to the cast. There can | | | | rumoured the crab always leaves it's |
| be a lot of local names for lugworms | | | | shelter after casting and seeks new |
| runnydown, yellowtails, blowlug etc. To | | | | shelter.Look for crabs in areas with |
| dig up the common lugworm dig a trench | | | | lots of rock and weed, children seem to |
| and work along it filling it in as you | | | | have an uncanny knack of knowing which |
| go. This produces the greatest number of | | | | rocks to look under. Look for medium |
| worms for the least effort and prevents | | | | sized crabs, large ones moult less |
| the beach looking like the surface of | | | | frequently and small specimens should be |
| the moon. Much is said baout the | | | | left till another day. Crabs that are |
| environmental impact of bait digging by | | | | ready to peel will have a hairline crack |
| anti-angling idiots. However it must be | | | | near the tail end, be dull in colour |
| remembered that a single rough sea can | | | | with a soapy feel. A discarded shell |
| strip an entire beach of lugworms and | | | | nearby often indicates a freshly peeled |
| all its sub-sand organisms which I think | | | | crab is nearby. Those not quite ready |
| puts my dozen worms in perspective. Do | | | | can be hurried along by storing in |
| not dig around boat moorings for obvious | | | | seaweed (change regularly) in a cool |
| reasons. A while back someone got into | | | | spot. Never keep soft crabs in the same |
| bother for bait digging in Duridge Bay | | | | container as peelers. Leave females with |
| (around the time vast quantities of sand | | | | eggs alone. If you intend to lay a bit |
| were being removed for commercial | | | | pipe to catch crabs put it in an |
| purposes). Black lug have to be dug out | | | | difficult to reach place out of site to |
| individually, always handle with wet | | | | prevent your crabs from been stolen.To |
| hands to prevent them busting.Black lug | | | | use remove the legs (use to make |
| can be frozen easily.Pop them and | | | | cocktails), bung on a hook and tie with |
| squeeze the guts out.Lie them straight | | | | thread (elasticated bait thread is best |
| on a couple of layers of newspaper.Cover | | | | but ordinary will do). Large specimens |
| with a generous layer of salt for about | | | | can be cut into smaller pieces. To |
| 3 hoursShake off the salt and repeat | | | | freeze crab remove the lungs first, I |
| steps 2 and 3.Shake off the salt and lie | | | | like to freeze them on the hook and pack |
| the worms one inch apart on a length of | | | | individually, store in a thermos flask |
| newspaperRoll up the paper and | | | | when fishing.Artificial baitArtifical |
| freeze.Frozen black lug is ok when you | | | | bait is a waste of money. Ignore claims |
| fancy a nights fishing and you've missed | | | | that fish can't tell the difference or |
| the bait shop but it can't beat fresh | | | | they taste just like the real thing (mmm |
| bait.Mussels and RazorfishMussels can be | | | | I can't believe it's not lugworm, yeah |
| bought alive from fishmongers or frozen | | | | right). The only artificial bait worth |
| from bait shops and pet shops. Most | | | | it place in my tackle box are lures, I |
| housewives know to reject mussels that | | | | obtain all my Lures on eBay. Spinning |
| don't clamp shut when tapped but anglers | | | | is best done when you know fish are |
| need not worry about this as mussels | | | | about and where deep water is close in |
| which are "off" often make the best | | | | e.g. steep beaches, rocks, piers etc. I |
| bait. Live mussels can be parted from | | | | like to spin when I prematurely run out |
| there shells by severing the anterior | | | | of bait. Children who do not yet |
| and posterior adductor muscles and | | | | developed the virtue of patience and |
| scooping out, or leaving to die in a | | | | winge to check the bait every three |
| bucket (helps bring out the flavour). | | | | seconds can be kept quiet by spinning.It |
| Mussels are not on the menu normally as | | | | has been said a million times that most |
| they are protected by a hard shell, | | | | lure are designed to catch anglers not |
| those which are eaten have normally died | | | | fish. One summer I walked along Whitby |
| and have been washed out. Tie mussels on | | | | pier which was packed with people |
| to the hook with thread, taking care not | | | | fishing for mackerel. The mackerel |
| to pull to tight. I like to freeze them | | | | shoals could easily be seen yet only a |
| on the hook and keep them wrapped | | | | few anglers were landing them. Many |
| separately until needed, this allows | | | | lures on sale are designed for the |
| them to be cast further, they will | | | | American market. Americans are blessed |
| defrost quickly once they hit the water. | | | | with shores full of huge predatory fish, |
| Adding pilchard oil to the mussel before | | | | we are not. These lures may mimick the |
| freezing increases its effectiveness. | | | | baitfish living in the USA quite well |
| Although the edible mussel Mytilus | | | | but can be of little use in the UK. Also |
| edulis is the one normally used as bait | | | | remember that the bass swimming around |
| the horse mussels Modiolus modiolus can | | | | the UK coastline are a different species |
| also be used. Other native species are | | | | from those found in the American lakes. |
| too small to bother with. Mussels bought | | | | When visiting websites selling lures, |
| frozen pet shops are very small and make | | | | claims such as "Best lure in the world" |
| good lugworm and mussel cocktails. | | | | should be taken with a pinch of salt as |
| Mussel beds are also good places to | | | | these claims are impossible to prove. |
| fish.Razorfish Ensis siliqua, also | | | | Remember the description was probably |
| called pod razor and spouter fish are | | | | written by a marketing executive who has |
| rarely for sale so have to be gather by | | | | never held a rod in his life. Instead |
| hand. Walk along the low tide mark | | | | use your own instinct and past |
| without shoes on very softly and look | | | | experience before parting with your |
| for keyhole shaped holes in the sand. | | | | cash.Be sensible with size. The lure |
| Pour salt down the hole and grab tightly | | | | should look like potential prey. I have |
| when it pops out. The smaller Sword | | | | caught very small fish on lures that |
| razor is also suitable. Treat as mussels | | | | were bigger than they were and believe |
| for bait.Many species of bivalves can be | | | | this may be due to the lure triggering |
| found buried in the sand e.g. gapers, | | | | an attack response rather than feeding |
| scallops, tellins, cockles, oysters, etc | | | | one.Use tackle capable of casting a |
| and are worth trying for bait where they | | | | light weight. a drilled bullet or a |
| are abundant.Do not bother with | | | | barrel lead 2ft up the line can be used |
| limpetsFish as bait | | | | to gain extra weight.When fishing from a |
| Big fish eat little fish, but which | | | | high platform point the rod tip |
| ones are best for bait. Whilst many fish | | | | downwards to give more natural movement |
| will eat anything that fits in their | | | | to the lure.A sink and draw method works |
| mouths not all are suitable for bait. | | | | best. Cast out let it sink reel in and |
| When there is a lot of undersize fish | | | | stop, let it sink and reel in....Red |
| about nicking the bait the use of small | | | | rubber sandeels are best during the day, |
| baitfish can help target out the bigger | | | | Black at night with a full moon.The best |
| specimensHERRING AND MACKERELGrouped | | | | colour for other types varies according |
| here together because they are treat in | | | | to weather conditions and visability, if |
| much the same way. Use whole fish for | | | | one colour isn't working switch to |
| shark and conger, Conger are a rare | | | | another.Keep an eye on other anglers |
| catch in north east england, although | | | | spinning to see which colours are |
| the rocks off Craster and Dunstanburgh | | | | producing on the day.Always incorporate |
| have been know to produce. Removing the | | | | a swivel to prevent line twist.Expect to |
| backbone so the two flanks are separate | | | | lose lures. Yes I know they are |
| and can flap freely is a good way to | | | | expensive but so is bait.In bright |
| present this bait. Shark fishing is | | | | conditions fish head to weedbeds. Work |
| unheard of from the beaches around here. | | | | the lure around weedbeds not through |
| More commonly these fish are cut into | | | | them.Seagulls picking off small fish |
| bite size strips before use. They give | | | | often indicates the fish have been |
| off a lot of scent and are unbeatable | | | | driven to the surface by larger |
| for coalies in the summer. Thin strips | | | | fish.Reel in the correct speed. Too fast |
| fished with a float will produce bags | | | | the fish will not attempt to chase, too |
| full of mackerel from almost any pier in | | | | slow the lure may not move the way it |
| the summer. When the shoals are in it is | | | | was designed to.Lines of debris on the |
| worth taken a few for dinner and bait | | | | surface are good places to try, |
| but don't go crazy, dozens of dead fish | | | | particularly for mackerel.On the tidal |
| next to you impresses no one and you | | | | run spin so the lure moves in the |
| risk a earful from more conservation | | | | direction of the current.Dead sandeels |
| minded anglers. Mackerel are also caught | | | | move unnaturally through the water when |
| using feathers or any small shiny lure | | | | spun.Do not stop working the lure until |
| on light tackle. Although mackerel and | | | | it is out of the water.When Fishing over |
| herring can be bought frozen from bait | | | | rough ground a float can be used to |
| shops they often turn to a mush when | | | | prevent loss.Painting your lead sinker |
| defrosted. Fish mongers are a better | | | | to look like a small fish can attract |
| source but buy ready filleted as you | | | | fish to your bait.Spinning is more |
| will get more for your money and make | | | | energetic than bait fishing and your |
| sure they have not been | | | | muscles will quickly become fatiqued |
| smoked.PILCHARDS, SARDINESNo not the | | | | reducing your casting distance. Don't |
| tinned ones, I've tried them they don't | | | | take too much tackle with you, rest |
| work. These can be bought frozen in many | | | | every ten casts or so for a few minutes |
| supermarkets and fish mongers. Like | | | | or alternate between bait and spinning |
| mackerel and herring they are an oily | | | | duty with a friend. Drinking a glucose |
| fish giving off plently of scent. Being | | | | based sports drink can help. |
| smaller they can be used whole when a | | | | Powerlifters often take creatine |
| mackeral would be too large or cut into | | | | monohydrate as an energy source for |
| strips. Warning, it is a good idea to | | | | explosive movements. I have tried this |
| keep the bag marked "pilchards" with you | | | | and found no difference to distance cast |
| when fishing in case someone accuses you | | | | or time for fatique to set in. |