1. Mussels are found plentiful on roacks either just below the mean highwater mark (a mark even on the small tides that is covered by water), orsheltered gullies. They are a soft bait and care should be taken when opening them because a knife is required and also the shell it self is very sharp when broken. Inside you will find a soft fleshy part and a harder tougher foot, this is the place to put the hook through (twice if you can). Plaice are a fish that spend alot of their time cruising around the mussel beds looking for food and go mad for a freshly presented mussel, try tipping with a very small piece of Mackeral to keep it on the hook and also use a small amount of bait elastic. Cheap bait as they are free to the collector if you should feel the need to store them then a bowl of seawater changed everyday in the bottom of a fridge is fine though you should only put 5-6 in each bowl, they will last 2-3 days after that throw them back in the area you are going to be fishing for Plaice etc, and this in turn will bait up the area you are planning to target.
2. Cockles Go to a sandy Harbour and use a normal garden grass rake and rake the top of the sand and you should depending on your area gather enough for a fishing trip in a short space of time and effort. Again care with a knife is needed to open these but they are easier than the Mussel. These make for excellent cocktail mixers when Bass or Cod fishing either from shore or boat Red Gurnards love them to. Again a small amount of bait elastic is needed, and look for the firm part to set your hook into. When other baits failed i have found that by using these as an extra they are enough to exite the fish into feeding especially Bass. Storage is the same as for Mussels above.
3. Sand clams These are excellent as bait for flatfish, but near on impossible to keep on the hook so an investment in bait elastic for securing them onto the hook is essential, best used when aboard a boat where your bait is lowered to the sea bed, full of scent and flavour and again collection is with a garden rake. Storage is the same but i have found that the slightest temperature change kills these very very quickly so best collect on the day of your trip.
4. Limpets A very under-rated bait as it is excellent for the little anglers with their rods dangling into a rockpool, try it next time mum and dad are fishing put limpets on the little ones rods and they will catch Gobies etc (always supervise youngsters near the sea). Also they are a favourite for the Wrasse family as these are there staple diet.
5. Winkles Try these for tipping off soft baits though i have never caught using just them alone they are really tough and excellent at resisting pulling and tuugging you get when smaller fish are present and continue to pull your bait apart and empty your hook.
All these baits are underated and free, not only are they good but also collecting them can be fun.
Always be safety aware. Good Luck.
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Price
Free
Durability
Satisfactory
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(+) Cheap to do when done correctly, good results. (-) FEAR FACTOR - You will look silly if you do it without results. Difficult to carry a large amount.
