Keeping ragworm

[zigzag Freddie]

I lads what’s your preferred way of keeping rag alive so I can use them later in week

 

[Wolf]

I put mine in a mushroom tray on newspaper ,covered by newspaper in the fridge,change the paper twice a day & they seem to last ok,hope this helps

 

[zigzag Freddie]

Thanks wolf

 

[Shirleycodlin]

2 ways.
Both in the fridge.
Dry. Newspaper, top and bottom, spread them out and change daily, preferably twice, discarding any dead/damaged.
Wet. In fresh sea water, changed daily, again, discard any dead or damaged.

 

[flappy]

Can you not freeze the dead or damaged..?

 

[Stevie69]

My brother when he's got a load of rag left over after a session salts his rag then wraps in newspaper like blacks and freezes them to be honest he's outta fished all of us sometimes using salted rag. Hope this helps.

 

[Ianpick]

Lots and lots of salt. Make sure they're completely encased in it. Let the salt suck the moisture out of them then repeat.
Then freeze as said above.
TBH I've not caught much other than whiting and doggies on salted rag.
In the fridge is best for keeping them for use a few days later, vermiculite, peat, damp seaweed but a lot will die and they must be removed quickly and they won't be as good as freshly dug worms. They will be a lot less firm and lively.
If I've only got a few and no-one else on the beach wants them I'm happy to chuck them in the sea.
The better your bait the better your catch.

 

[Bass&Chips]

In a bait fridge. Box half filled with sea water and an aerator pump. Have the air stones in the top inch or so of the water so they don't disturb the rag in the bottom. Position the air lines and simply shut the fridge door. Intact worms last for many weeks/months like this until they start spawning and turn green. You may need to change the water a couple of time as they flush themselves of weed ect but then the water should stay clear. Hopefully they get used well before that happens. I like to have a stock of worms kept like that for whenever a break in the weather turns up and don't have to rely on spring tides coinciding with that in order to dig them.

 

[Bass&Chips]

Forgot to mention. When changing the sea water it's important to have stored it in the fridge so its cold. It's ok to return air temp rag to the cold water but not adding warm water to cold rag worm as they tend to twist and break up.