Thursday, 15 January 2009
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Bait Guide
After location, bait and it's correct presentation is the most important factor governing success or failure. No matter how expensive your tackle is, if the fish won't bite you go home empty. Freshwater fish can go several months without eating, most marine fish can not, indeed many marine fish will die if not fed several times a day. Fish will eat a wide range of prey as cutting open the stomach will show but these are not always the best baits to use. Remember your bait is not the only piece of food in the water, the secret of angling is to make the fish ignore everything else and take your bait instead.
Fish are not stupid, they want as much food as possible for as little effort as possible. This is known as optimal foraging theory, and although a contraversial subject amongst ethologists it's well worth remembering. Imagine a bass spotting a sandeel some distance away, first he calculates the energy he'll use to catch it then balances it against the energy gained by eating it, only if the pay off is greater than the effort will he bother. No fish is going to swim very far off course to pick up a puny little worm on your hook, imagine driving to the out of town supermarket just for one can of beans. This is the first rule DO NOT SKIMP WITH BAIT. Be generous, make it worth the fishes while to stop chasing that shoal and pick up your static large portion.
A fish can be said to show a preference for a food if it seeks out that item despite other food items being more available. This is the second rule STICK WITH THE WELL KNOWN BAITS (Yes we've all heard stories of some guy sticking a cream bun on a hook for a laugh and landing 30 lb cod). If one bait does not work try another as different species prefer different food and the colour of the water can play a big part. If you have an idea for a new bait try it out when the fishings good, if everybody else is catching bag fulls and your frozen fishfingers are too then your on to something.
Rule number three is MATCH THE SIZE OF YOUR BAIT TO THE SIZE OF THE FISH YOU EXPECT TO CATCH. Cod have large mouths and appetites to match, flatties have little mouths and cannot fit a size 6/0 hook laden with a mussel and lug cocktail in their gobs. Match the size of the hook with the size of the bait, a small hook buried deep inside a bait is well protected and the fish will not be impaled. If you are fishing for the smaller species it is better to use a 2-4 hook paternoster and spread the bait out rather than lump it on one hook. A pennel rig is two hooks in the same bait and increases the chance of contact when large baits are used.
The final rule is PRESENT IT PROPERLY . A lugworm suspended 3 ft above the seabed will set alarm bells ringing that somethings not quite right.
WORM BAITS
Worm baits fall into two groups Ragworms and lugworms. All are treat in much the same way, stick the hook in the tail end (some say head) and thread up the line till you reach the desired size.
RAGWORMS
Lots of species available all make good bait. The big one is the king rag Nereis virens reaching 40 cm in length. Paddle, rock and cat worms are similar in appearance and should not be ignored. Many species have jaws (nippers), these can give a very mild nip. Can be dug up or found under rocks. Cultured ragworm is readily available all year round from most bait suppliers. Do not freeze ragworms.
LUGWORMS
Two species are used as bait The common lugworm Arenicola marina which lives in sheltered sandy beaches in a U shaped burrow with a cast and hole at each end. And Black lug Arenicola defodiens (also called runnydown) is much larger and does not form a hole next to the cast. There can be a lot of local names for lugworms runnydown, yellowtails, blowlug etc. To dig up the common lugworm dig a trench and work along it filling it in as you go. This produces the greatest number of worms for the least effort and prevents the beach looking like the surface of the moon. Black lug have to be dug out individually, always handle with wet hands to prevent them busting. Black lug can be frozen easily.Pop them and squeeze the guts out. Lie them straight on a couple of layers of newspaper. Cover with a generous layer of salt for about 3 hours
Shake off the salt and repeat steps 2 and 3. Shake off the salt and lie the worms one inch apart on a length of newspaper. Roll up the paper and freeze.
Frozen black lug is ok when you fancy a nights fishing and you've missed the bait shop but it can't beat fresh bait.
Mussels and Razorfish
Mussels can be bought alive from fishmongers or frozen from bait shops and pet shops. Live mussels can be parted from there shells by severing the anterior and posterior adductor muscles and scooping out, or leaving to die in a bucket (helps bring out the flavour). Mussels are not on the menu normally as they are protected by a hard shell, those which are eaten have normally died and have been washed out. Tie mussels on to the hook with thread, taking care not to pull to tight. I like to freeze them on the hook and keep them wrapped separately until needed, this allows them to be cast further, they will defrost quickly once they hit the water. Adding pilchard oil to the mussel before freezing increases its effectiveness. Although the edible mussel Mytilus edulis is the one normally used as bait the horse mussels Modiolus modiolus can also be used. Other native species are too small to bother with. Mussels bought frozen pet shops are very small and make good lugworm and mussel cocktails. Mussel beds are also good places to fish.
Razorfish Ensis siliqua, also called pod razor and spouter fish are rarely for sale so have to be gather by hand. Walk along the low tide mark without shoes on very softly and look for keyhole shaped holes in the sand. Pour salt down the hole and grab tightly when it pops out. The smaller Sword razor is also suitable. Treat as mussels for bait.
Many species of bivalves can be found buried in the sand e.g. gapers, scallops, tellins, cockles, oysters, etc and are worth trying for bait where they are abundant.
Fish as bait
Big fish eat little fish, but which ones are best for bait. Whilst many fish will eat anything that fits in their mouths not all are suitable for bait. When there is a lot of undersize fish about nicking the bait the use of small baitfish can help target out the bigger specimens
HERRING AND MACKEREL
Grouped here together because they are treated in much the same way. Removing the backbone so the two flanks are separate and can flap freely is a good way to present this bait. . More commonly these fish are cut into bite size strips before use. They give off a lot of scent and are unbeatable for coalies in the summer. Thin strips fished with a float will produce bags full of mackerel from almost any pier in the summer. When the shoals are in it is worth taken a few for dinner and bait but don't go crazy, dozens of dead fish next to you impresses no one and you risk a earful from more conservation minded anglers. Mackerel are also caught using feathers or any small shiny lure on light tackle. Although mackerel and herring can be bought frozen from bait shops they often turn to a mush when defrosted. Fish mongers are a better source but buy ready filleted as you will get more for your money and make sure they have not been smoked.
PILCHARDS, SARDINES
No not the tinned ones, I've tried them they don't work. These can be bought frozen in many supermarkets and fish mongers. Like mackerel and herring they are an oily fish giving off plently of scent. Being smaller they can be used whole when a mackeral would be too large or cut into strips. Warning, it is a good idea to keep the bag marked "pilchards" with you when fishing in case someone accuses you of killing undersized fish for bait.
SANDEELS AND LANCE FISH
Sandeels can be used live by hooking threw the upper lip or threw the base of the eye socket using a fine wire hook. There is a space here so little damage is done. Dead sandeels are hooked by sliding them mouth first on to the hook and turning so the hook comes out the anal area. The quality of frozen sandeels varies from bait shop to bait shop with those which turn mushy best avoided in future. Sandeels are best fished with a light rig with a long snood that moves around giving the impression that the sandeel is struggling in the surf. It is common to find cod and whiting stuffed full of sandeels. Live Sandeels cast poorly, ripping lose if any real power is applied (unless you use bait elastic). Live sandeels are caught in seine nets or found buried in the sand along the low watermark. Keep cold and well aerated in a non metal container.
Lance fish are bought frozen from pet shops. Make sure you get the larger size (about 2 inches) and make a good alternative to sandeels when a smaller bait is needed. Unlike sandeels they may be fed to pet fish at home. If the fishing tackle shop is closed or out of bait pet shops can be a good alternative
WHITEBAIT
Bags of these little silver fish can be bought cheaply from fishmongers. Defrost enough for your trip because they dont refreeze well.
SQUID
Squid is readily available from fishmongers, supermarkets and of course your local bait shop. It can be used whole or cut in to strips for the smaller species. Strips can seem a tad thin so cutting twice the length and folding in half is a good idea. Squid is a tough bait which lasts a long time in the water and withstands hard casting making it suitable for tipping off other baits, lug and squid cocktails being an all time cod classic.
Peeler Crab
The outer shell (carapace) of the common shore crab Carcinus maenas needs to be cast if the crab is to grow. During this stage the crab becomes known to anglers as peeler crab and to cod as dinner. I have been told that fish in aquariums seem to know when the carpace is due to come off and hang around the rock impatiently, it is rumoured the crab always leaves it's shelter after casting and seeks new shelter.
Look for crabs in areas with lots of rock and weed, children seem to have an uncanny knack of knowing which rocks to look under. Look for medium sized crabs, large ones moult less frequently and small specimens should be left till another day. Crabs that are ready to peel will have a hairline crack near the tail end, be dull in colour with a soapy feel. A discarded shell nearby often indicates a freshly peeled crab is nearby. Those not quite ready can be hurried along by storing in seaweed (change regularly) in a cool spot. Never keep soft crabs in the same container as peelers. Leave females with eggs alone. If you intend to lay a bit pipe to catch crabs put it in an difficult to reach place out of site to prevent your crabs from been stolen.
To use remove the legs (use to make cocktails), bung on a hook and tie with thread (elasticated bait thread is best but ordinary will do). Large specimens can be cut into smaller pieces. To freeze crab remove the lungs first, I like to freeze them on the hook and pack individually, store in a thermos flask when fishing.
authors website http//:www.cheapestebooksaround.co.uk
Fish are not stupid, they want as much food as possible for as little effort as possible. This is known as optimal foraging theory, and although a contraversial subject amongst ethologists it's well worth remembering. Imagine a bass spotting a sandeel some distance away, first he calculates the energy he'll use to catch it then balances it against the energy gained by eating it, only if the pay off is greater than the effort will he bother. No fish is going to swim very far off course to pick up a puny little worm on your hook, imagine driving to the out of town supermarket just for one can of beans. This is the first rule DO NOT SKIMP WITH BAIT. Be generous, make it worth the fishes while to stop chasing that shoal and pick up your static large portion.
A fish can be said to show a preference for a food if it seeks out that item despite other food items being more available. This is the second rule STICK WITH THE WELL KNOWN BAITS (Yes we've all heard stories of some guy sticking a cream bun on a hook for a laugh and landing 30 lb cod). If one bait does not work try another as different species prefer different food and the colour of the water can play a big part. If you have an idea for a new bait try it out when the fishings good, if everybody else is catching bag fulls and your frozen fishfingers are too then your on to something.
Rule number three is MATCH THE SIZE OF YOUR BAIT TO THE SIZE OF THE FISH YOU EXPECT TO CATCH. Cod have large mouths and appetites to match, flatties have little mouths and cannot fit a size 6/0 hook laden with a mussel and lug cocktail in their gobs. Match the size of the hook with the size of the bait, a small hook buried deep inside a bait is well protected and the fish will not be impaled. If you are fishing for the smaller species it is better to use a 2-4 hook paternoster and spread the bait out rather than lump it on one hook. A pennel rig is two hooks in the same bait and increases the chance of contact when large baits are used.
The final rule is PRESENT IT PROPERLY . A lugworm suspended 3 ft above the seabed will set alarm bells ringing that somethings not quite right.
WORM BAITS
Worm baits fall into two groups Ragworms and lugworms. All are treat in much the same way, stick the hook in the tail end (some say head) and thread up the line till you reach the desired size.
RAGWORMS
Lots of species available all make good bait. The big one is the king rag Nereis virens reaching 40 cm in length. Paddle, rock and cat worms are similar in appearance and should not be ignored. Many species have jaws (nippers), these can give a very mild nip. Can be dug up or found under rocks. Cultured ragworm is readily available all year round from most bait suppliers. Do not freeze ragworms.
LUGWORMS
Two species are used as bait The common lugworm Arenicola marina which lives in sheltered sandy beaches in a U shaped burrow with a cast and hole at each end. And Black lug Arenicola defodiens (also called runnydown) is much larger and does not form a hole next to the cast. There can be a lot of local names for lugworms runnydown, yellowtails, blowlug etc. To dig up the common lugworm dig a trench and work along it filling it in as you go. This produces the greatest number of worms for the least effort and prevents the beach looking like the surface of the moon. Black lug have to be dug out individually, always handle with wet hands to prevent them busting. Black lug can be frozen easily.Pop them and squeeze the guts out. Lie them straight on a couple of layers of newspaper. Cover with a generous layer of salt for about 3 hours
Shake off the salt and repeat steps 2 and 3. Shake off the salt and lie the worms one inch apart on a length of newspaper. Roll up the paper and freeze.
Frozen black lug is ok when you fancy a nights fishing and you've missed the bait shop but it can't beat fresh bait.
Mussels and Razorfish
Mussels can be bought alive from fishmongers or frozen from bait shops and pet shops. Live mussels can be parted from there shells by severing the anterior and posterior adductor muscles and scooping out, or leaving to die in a bucket (helps bring out the flavour). Mussels are not on the menu normally as they are protected by a hard shell, those which are eaten have normally died and have been washed out. Tie mussels on to the hook with thread, taking care not to pull to tight. I like to freeze them on the hook and keep them wrapped separately until needed, this allows them to be cast further, they will defrost quickly once they hit the water. Adding pilchard oil to the mussel before freezing increases its effectiveness. Although the edible mussel Mytilus edulis is the one normally used as bait the horse mussels Modiolus modiolus can also be used. Other native species are too small to bother with. Mussels bought frozen pet shops are very small and make good lugworm and mussel cocktails. Mussel beds are also good places to fish.
Razorfish Ensis siliqua, also called pod razor and spouter fish are rarely for sale so have to be gather by hand. Walk along the low tide mark without shoes on very softly and look for keyhole shaped holes in the sand. Pour salt down the hole and grab tightly when it pops out. The smaller Sword razor is also suitable. Treat as mussels for bait.
Many species of bivalves can be found buried in the sand e.g. gapers, scallops, tellins, cockles, oysters, etc and are worth trying for bait where they are abundant.
Fish as bait
Big fish eat little fish, but which ones are best for bait. Whilst many fish will eat anything that fits in their mouths not all are suitable for bait. When there is a lot of undersize fish about nicking the bait the use of small baitfish can help target out the bigger specimens
HERRING AND MACKEREL
Grouped here together because they are treated in much the same way. Removing the backbone so the two flanks are separate and can flap freely is a good way to present this bait. . More commonly these fish are cut into bite size strips before use. They give off a lot of scent and are unbeatable for coalies in the summer. Thin strips fished with a float will produce bags full of mackerel from almost any pier in the summer. When the shoals are in it is worth taken a few for dinner and bait but don't go crazy, dozens of dead fish next to you impresses no one and you risk a earful from more conservation minded anglers. Mackerel are also caught using feathers or any small shiny lure on light tackle. Although mackerel and herring can be bought frozen from bait shops they often turn to a mush when defrosted. Fish mongers are a better source but buy ready filleted as you will get more for your money and make sure they have not been smoked.
PILCHARDS, SARDINES
No not the tinned ones, I've tried them they don't work. These can be bought frozen in many supermarkets and fish mongers. Like mackerel and herring they are an oily fish giving off plently of scent. Being smaller they can be used whole when a mackeral would be too large or cut into strips. Warning, it is a good idea to keep the bag marked "pilchards" with you when fishing in case someone accuses you of killing undersized fish for bait.
SANDEELS AND LANCE FISH
Sandeels can be used live by hooking threw the upper lip or threw the base of the eye socket using a fine wire hook. There is a space here so little damage is done. Dead sandeels are hooked by sliding them mouth first on to the hook and turning so the hook comes out the anal area. The quality of frozen sandeels varies from bait shop to bait shop with those which turn mushy best avoided in future. Sandeels are best fished with a light rig with a long snood that moves around giving the impression that the sandeel is struggling in the surf. It is common to find cod and whiting stuffed full of sandeels. Live Sandeels cast poorly, ripping lose if any real power is applied (unless you use bait elastic). Live sandeels are caught in seine nets or found buried in the sand along the low watermark. Keep cold and well aerated in a non metal container.
Lance fish are bought frozen from pet shops. Make sure you get the larger size (about 2 inches) and make a good alternative to sandeels when a smaller bait is needed. Unlike sandeels they may be fed to pet fish at home. If the fishing tackle shop is closed or out of bait pet shops can be a good alternative
WHITEBAIT
Bags of these little silver fish can be bought cheaply from fishmongers. Defrost enough for your trip because they dont refreeze well.
SQUID
Squid is readily available from fishmongers, supermarkets and of course your local bait shop. It can be used whole or cut in to strips for the smaller species. Strips can seem a tad thin so cutting twice the length and folding in half is a good idea. Squid is a tough bait which lasts a long time in the water and withstands hard casting making it suitable for tipping off other baits, lug and squid cocktails being an all time cod classic.
Peeler Crab
The outer shell (carapace) of the common shore crab Carcinus maenas needs to be cast if the crab is to grow. During this stage the crab becomes known to anglers as peeler crab and to cod as dinner. I have been told that fish in aquariums seem to know when the carpace is due to come off and hang around the rock impatiently, it is rumoured the crab always leaves it's shelter after casting and seeks new shelter.
Look for crabs in areas with lots of rock and weed, children seem to have an uncanny knack of knowing which rocks to look under. Look for medium sized crabs, large ones moult less frequently and small specimens should be left till another day. Crabs that are ready to peel will have a hairline crack near the tail end, be dull in colour with a soapy feel. A discarded shell nearby often indicates a freshly peeled crab is nearby. Those not quite ready can be hurried along by storing in seaweed (change regularly) in a cool spot. Never keep soft crabs in the same container as peelers. Leave females with eggs alone. If you intend to lay a bit pipe to catch crabs put it in an difficult to reach place out of site to prevent your crabs from been stolen.
To use remove the legs (use to make cocktails), bung on a hook and tie with thread (elasticated bait thread is best but ordinary will do). Large specimens can be cut into smaller pieces. To freeze crab remove the lungs first, I like to freeze them on the hook and pack individually, store in a thermos flask when fishing.
authors website http//:www.cheapestebooksaround.co.uk
Friday, 9 January 2009
Thought of the Week!!
Three quarters of the earth's surface is water, and one quarter is land. Pretty obvious that the good lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn. If only my wife agreed!!!
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Long Range Casting-Try the hook bait casting capsule
This is a piece of tackle I have used a few times with some success. Named the 'DVice', it's a casting weight with a long plastic bait capsule so it protects soft or live baits while casting and gives better presentation. It also helps to achieve greater distances. Upon impact, the bait is automatically ejected by jets of water flowing through channels in the body. Try a bit of squid or some juicy ragworm.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Grauvell from Santa
Very happy with Santa this year! Managed to slide a Grauvell 15' "Red Rocket" Teknos Beachcaster and matched "Big Pit" reel down the chimney. Used off Rustington just before new year and brought in a nice ling. Great distance rod!
OnLine Fishing
Just to let you all know that OnlineFishing.tv is now up and running, providing a new online television channel for anglers everywhere.
Check out www.OnlineFishing.tv/channel
As you’ll see, there’s a great mix of completely new shows including sea fishing. There are trailers, completely FREE to view, and there’s also one complete show that you can watch for free, so that you can get a feel for the viewing experience. Cost is £4.95 per month, on a six-month membership.
Check out www.OnlineFishing.tv/channel
As you’ll see, there’s a great mix of completely new shows including sea fishing. There are trailers, completely FREE to view, and there’s also one complete show that you can watch for free, so that you can get a feel for the viewing experience. Cost is £4.95 per month, on a six-month membership.
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