Here is a list of other baits to try fishing with:-
1. Mussels.
2. Cockles.
3. Sand clams (White).
4. Limpets.
5. Winkles.
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 ... Read review
(+) 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.
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.
Advantages: Great for Chub, stops them buggering up your garden, simple set up Disadvantages: Possibly the grossest bait possible (apart from Maggots)
...myself, but I've heard from other it does work...... and it's worked for a very long time, right back as far as before the year 1653 when "The Compleat Angler" by Isaac Walton was published.
Fishing with them is simplicity itself........ just tie a hook to the end of your reel line (about size 2 - 8 should do the trick)....... stick the slug on the hook..... then very quietly (so you don't spook the fish) go looking for the Chub (this is where a ... ...Chub takes it....... you'll know about it...... they'll hit it like an express train.
If you're too squeamish to pick the slug up with your bare fingers, you can try gently picking them up with your forceps (as used for unhooking the fish with... they're a very handy tool to have with you when fishing).
An additional benefit to using them as bait (as well as getting revenge on them for buggering up your prize petunia's) is when collecting them ...
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Advantages: it is free Disadvantages: Takes a bit of time and effort, and can be a bit smelly
Mackerel as bait for sea fishing.
Those of you that have been sea fishing from a boat will know that Mackies can be a pain in the proverbial b*m when you are trying to get your rigs down to the sea bed where the decent fish are supposed to be.
But you probably know that Mackerel make good bait for those self same (and in my case, ELUSIVE) big boys.
Here is my tip for you: Catch the b*ggers, fillet them and freeze them.
BEFORE YOU START CLICKING ... ...BUTTON, let me explain a bit more.
Freezing mackies, or more accurately, THAWING mackies, makes them go mushy and difficult to keep on the hook. The clever thing to do is to cut into fillets whilst fresh, layer them in a box containing 3 cm of salt and totally cover them in MORE SALT, 6 - 10 cms deep.
These fillets should be left in the garage FOR A WEEK before they are bagged and frozen.
When you are going to use them, take them out of the freezer, ...
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Advantages: cat food a good bait for carp Disadvantages: banned on some commercial fisheries
cat food is a very cheap and easily obtainable bait. The type of cat food to be used is chunks in gravy as you can hook the chunks as you use luncheon meat. It can either be fished on the hook or hair rigged.
It is very good bait on commercial fisheries as all types of fish will take it especially carp, tench and bream. I have also had large roach using this method. Be careful how much feed you place in because some anglers have been throwing large ... ...forms scum on top of the water hence some commercial fisheries have banned this bait.
I would recommend any cat food in gravy but meat flavours seem to work best. The branded names of cat food seem to be better ie. whiskas. The best way to buy the cat food is in resealable pouches and peel back packs. ...
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Advantages: Acurate, sleek, reliable and well priced Disadvantages: None
...This one is for the fisherman or to be more politically correct the angler as it is both male and females who now enjoy this popular sport.
I seem to get through bait catapults at an alarming rate, that was until they brought out the Rod Hutchinson Horizon Catapults. There are two available, one is a dedicated boilie catapult the other a particle and gropund bait one. Made from black alloy frames, heavy duty latex and black PVC pouches these catapults are extremely robust.
The boilie version holds up to six 16-18 mm boilies and casts them well grouped at medium range and can fire a single bait a great distance, further than any other catapult I have used.
The particle version has a wide mesh pouch which accomodates a decent size bait ball without squashing it. A small loop for your finger on the back of both pouches make this...
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Advantages: Mail Order, Good prices, cheap bait Disadvantages: To far away for me to travel to
...There are so many fine fishing shops about these days that it can be difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff. Hinders is one of those stores which rates as the wheat.
I frequently shop using their mail order facilities but have never yet visited their actual store. It is I am told easy to get to the shop as it is just off junction 16 of the M4 at Manor Garden Centre, Cheney Manor, Swindon. I will get round to visiting them next time I find myself down that way.
They stock a huge range of takle, baits and accessories and will send you an excellent brochure upon request. Goods ordered always arrive on time and in top condition. You can even buy Angling Gift Vouchers for that hard to buy for fisherman (or woman).
I regularly buy my boilies and other carp baits from here as they are the cheapest I have found so far and the baits...
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Advantages: Tried and tested Disadvantages: Angling is not everyone's cup of tea.
...Imagine a lake on a hot summer's day. Imagine sitting back on a sun lounger by the side of the lake, relaxing and enjoying the peaceful sounds of the countryside waiting for the fish to bite. Your eyes are fixed on your float that is just beyond a bed of lily pads, you are distracted for a moment by a small frog popping up onto the lilies and when you look back your float is slowly disappearing under the water. Strike, you lift your rod sharply and feel the tell tale resistance of a fish on the other end. A battle of wits ensues as you fight to keep the fish out of the lilies and bring it to the shore. Success it's in the net. The wonder bait has done it again.
The wonder bait? Sweetcorn is the answer to that and the point of this piece of writing.
Sweetcorn has been used as a fishing bait for many, many years and has been used...
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It is that time of year again, we have a little bit of sunshine and the ants decide to come out to play. Having recently sorted the garden out I must have disturbed a nest and found that I had an army of ants walking not only outside my front door but... more
11.12.2000
10.08.2005
