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