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