Cuttlefish cut into thin strips will entice the larger black bream, bull huss and rays.
One thing that cannot be stated enough is the value of the bait for sea angling. In fact, the quality of the bait is the major factor in catches made by anglers whether at sea or on the shore. Luck only comes into it occasionally, while the use of the freshest and most correct bait for the species is the deciding factor for good catches 99% of the time. The best rod and reel in the world won’t help at all unless you can tempt the fish onto your hook, and that’s down to the bait. Fish have clearly defined preferences, and using the right one at the right time will definitely increase catches. Here are a few of the regularly used baits and which fish are likely to take them.
CUTTLEFISH FILLET AND STRIPS
Apart from the readily available mackerel and squid, cuttlefish makes good bait for bigger species as it is a firm meat that can’t be ripped off by smaller fish. It can be used whole or in large fillets for big cod or conger, and when cut up into thin strips it will entice the larger black bream, bull huss and rays.
Cuttlefish cut into thin strips will entice the larger black bream, bull huss and rays.
WHOLE CUTTLEFISH
To avoid small fish and to try for one of the bigger species, like conger eel or big cod, it pays to use a large, sturdy bait. Whole cuttlefish are ideal for this purpose as the flesh is very firm, and even if small fish nibble at some of the looser bits, there’s always plenty left for the larger fish to find. They can be fished on a large single hook of 8/0 or even larger, but a two hook pennel rig (see here) is more efficient as it holds the bait in a more natural shape.
CALAMARI SQUID
Calamari squid is available in 1lb or 5lb boxes and can be kept in the freezer for some time. It is good for many of the UK’s resident species including cod, bull huss, bream, smooth hound, conger and rays. Squid stays on the hook well, and if a thin strip is hooked just once in one end it will flutter in the tide enticingly.
LUGWORM
Lugworm is one of the most widely used baits in the UK. Nearly all tackle shops keep them and they can be bought fresh or frozen, wrapped in newspaper. The smaller blow lug are often available live and being small are sold by the pound rather than individually. Lugworm are popular bait because they catch such a wide range of sea fish. Codling, bream, whiting, plaice, pouting and dabs are the most likely species to be caught on lugworm. There are several others that will also be caught on occasions such as sole, gurnard and dogfish. It’s an easy bait to use as it can be threaded up the shank of the hook to look very natural in the water. Lugworm give off a strong scent trail which makes them particularly good in dark waters.
Lugworm are extremely common around the British Isles and are, without doubt, the king of worm baits as they act as a great lure for fish.
Rag worm are a superb sea fishing bait as they stay alive on the hook for a long time.
RAG WORM
Rag worm are available in many tackle shops and are another bait that will catch plenty of species. They will attract all the same species as lugworm and a few more. Codling, whiting, bream, plaice, pouting and dabs are regularly caught on rag worm but they are also excellent for pollack, smooth hound and wrasse.
Rag worm don’t need to be threaded up the shank of the hook. They work better if hooked once through the head. This allows them to swim naturally in the tide attracting the attention of any passing fish. They work well in clear water as the fish are attracted to their movement.
FROZEN SAND EELS
Flash frozen sand eels are convenient to keep and, used to fish at anchor, can catch a wide variety of fish. They pick up bass, rays, dogfish, plaice, brill, turbot and bull huss. They are a versatile bait as they work well on their own and when mixed with other baits such as squid and mackerel strip. Fished under a float they will pick up garfish.
Live sand eels make superb bait but are not easy to obtain. They work best on the drift for pollack and bass. It is possible to catch a supply on sand banks at slack tide using very small lures such as sabiki lures with size 6 hooks. These are sold in sets with four to six lures on a light trace, and if worked near the bottom with a shiny pirk as a weight, will pick up sand eels and their larger cousins the launce.
Frozen sand eels are a good standby bait and will catch several species.
HERMIT CRABS
Hermit crabs can be purchased at some tackle shops or they can be caught in a small crab pot dropped down from the side of the boat. Commercial fishermen get plenty in their crab and lobster pots and, with the right approach, may be persuaded to part with a few. Although hermit crabs are not a universal bait they will pick out certain species. They are a favourite food for smooth hounds and will generally out-fish any other offerings put down for them. Put them on whole for the big smooth hounds but break off the large claws for other fish. In the autumn and winter they will catch cod which spend much of their time feeding on brittle starfish, crabs and hermits.
Hermit crabs are an under-valued bait which can attract a large number of species.
LIVE RAZORS
After a severe gale or onshore storm the beaches can be littered with shellfish of all sorts. Most of them, such as slipper limpets, butterfish and mussels, will all catch fish in certain conditions, but the best ones to collect are the razorfish. They are a conveniently-shaped bait, similar to a lugworm, that fish love and they will freeze successfully. They are another bait that can be purchased year round from the local tackle shop. Bass, cod and flounders all love them and other fish such as dabs, whiting, pouting and plaice will take them especially when tipping off lugworm baits. Tipping off means adding a small piece of something different to a bait to increase the attraction.
Fish love razors and you can find them littered on the beach following a storm.
Lugworm can be collected by using a lugworm pump or bait pump as above, or you can dig for lugworm using simply a spade or fork.
COLLECTING BAIT
There is so much more to sea angling than just dangling a line over the side and waiting for a bite. Anyone who appreciates this will want to know more about the way the tides influence fishing, why some fish only eat particular foods and how high up in the water they feed. The more knowledge gained, the more fish will be caught, as all this information eliminates a lot of wasted time trying things that do not work.
Having the best bait is usually the first thing anyone who fishes regularly realises is the key to success. Tackle shops can provide frozen bait, in many cases fresh worms, but collecting your own bait makes the whole fishing experience more satisfying. Rummaging around in rocks pools looking for crabs and prawns can be rewarding, but one of the best methods is to collect your own lugworm using a bait pump.
Digging lugworm used to be a skillful business and hard work as well. The arrival of the bait pump from Australia a decade ago has changed all that. It’s now possible to purchase a bait pump from your local tackle shop, wander down the beach at low tide and have a good chance of pumping up enough worms for a fishing session. There’s still a certain technique to be mastered but it’s something that can be accomplished fairly easily, and the thrill of providing your own bait adds greatly to the fishing experience.
PUMPING LUGWORM
First find a lugworm cast, push the pump down over it with one hand and draw up the handle with the other.
Lift the pump out and push out the contents – including the lugworm – onto the sand.
Collect the worm from the debris and store in a plastic bucket.
The coiled castings of the lugworm are a familiar sight on a beach at low tide. The animal itself is rarely seen except by those who use them as fishing bait.
FREEZING SHELLFISH
More or less any shellfish will catch fish. The best method is to walk along the beach at low tide after an onshore gale. A variety of mussels, slipper limpets, butterfish, cockles and razor fish are all likely to have been blown in by the waves. To keep them for fishing it’s best to blanch them. This involves pouring boiling water on them for a few seconds. It shouldn’t be done long enough to cook them but it makes them stiffen up. They can now be removed from their shells easily and frozen. They will come out of the freezer firm and stay on the hook well. If they aren’t blanched first, they unfreeze into a sloppy mess.
PREPARING SHELLFISH FOR FREEZING
First blanch the shellfish by pouring boiling water over them for a few seconds.
Remove the fish from their shells and freeze immediately.
