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Price of bait

Pendeenpiscator said:
Used a bait needle and elastic but it was so slimy it was almost impossible to keep the worms in place, I had about five left,so have refrozen them after adding salt to them. Not sure what that will do though! I have watched loads of videos, the worms in them look drier and firmer, they also firm up when thrown on a hard surface. The ones I had, just laid there like the deceased parrot, they did stink though!
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Sound like they've gone off I've refrozen the odd half pack and they have fished ok bit tarry but flounder seem to like them .
 
Phis said:
Sound like they've gone off I've refrozen the odd half pack and they have fished ok bit tarry but flounder seem to like them .
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Think you're right but I also need to go back to sea fishing school, I still found it relaxing, bit too much to be honest?. I realise that the amount of effort I can put into it will limit my success, I can't walk far, or fish at night in the middle of a storm, these sea fish are very unreasonable if that's what's needed. Maybe next month will be better.
 
Pendeenpiscator said:
Think you're right but I also need to go back to sea fishing school, I still found it relaxing, bit too much to be honest?. I realise that the amount of effort I can put into it will limit my success, I can't walk far, or fish at night in the middle of a storm, these sea fish are very unreasonable if that's what's needed. Maybe next month will be better.
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Any fish caught is a bonus these days, considering the amount of super trawlers raping our seas.
 
If you don't pump your own then it's gutted black £3 for 10, swimer/yellow tail lug in water the same from bait diggers. Rarely use much else and can't remember the last time I bought sea baits from a shop. I blanch then freeze black lug to use in winter and poor pumping tides.
 
Mail order blacks for a fiver, local now 6 quid for 10..... rag 18 quid a lb.
I completely agree with above post about frozen maks are now shite. Recently we have been using morrisons, its cheaper and better.
The sardines definitely work for rays.
Baits like the tax man its an unavoidable cost.
My biggest nag is the quality of frozen its definitely gone down hill in the last few years.
I used to dig all my own bait, and get my own crab when I lived near the Solent....
Still the shops have got to make a few quid and baits the main source of income since the tackle trade moved online, and if you dont buy it from the shops they will close and then you are stuck for quick trips out.
Still by the time you have done tackle, food, fuel baits just another cost of going out......
Just miss being able to gather my own!.
 
I was surprised by the secrecy regarding marks etc down here when I first decided to give sea fishing a go, now I am starting to understand, if I add up the cost of my last trip, it comes to about £20, with an outside chance of catching something worth having, say a bass of around a couple of pounds. (I blanked) I gave up going to a local commercial fishery where you would almost be guaranteed a fish a cast, up to about eight pounds in weight, I got bored,as it was more about catching than fishing. If you are young(ish) and reasonably fit, collecting your own bait is the way to go, I shall give it a good go this year, there are other benefits besides catching actual fish that I enjoy.
 
I go fishing for the fresh air, peace & quiet. Catching a fish is a bonus, even undersized which I always put back. I don't do fish mongering.
 
Pendeenpiscator said:
Used a bait needle and elastic but it was so slimy it was almost impossible to keep the worms in place, I had about five left,so have refrozen them after adding salt to them. Not sure what that will do though! I have watched loads of videos, the worms in them look drier and firmer, they also firm up when thrown on a hard surface. The ones I had, just laid there like the deceased parrot, they did stink though!
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Easier to turn into a bait sausage on the hook if they’re semi frozen I find.
Decent fresh should be pretty firm when you slap them about and easy to use.

Not sure where in Cornwall you fish but I have to say generally in North Devon we don’t find black lug a very good bait.
I’ve had some success on it at Chesil and up channel as big cod baits but not much on my coast.
Dabs and tings have been known to take the odd bit but usually a strip of fish or squid is better for them here.
Might be a similar scenario?
 
Pendeenpiscator said:
Thanks, I will try the frozen Mackerel and squid, much more civilised,and less stink!
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Limpets,mussels and razors are easy to collect,I get my own bait,it's not the money side of it but if I collect my own and look after it properly it gives be confidence! I get some frozen squid off a mate who has a bait company,get it for free cos I help him occasionally.
 
I pay about 15 quid for a pound of ragworm,I dig my own lug, frozen baits anywhere between 3 to 5 quid a packet depending on what bait it is,I collect my own mussels when I need them
 
Cfish said:
Limpets,mussels and razors are easy to collect,I get my own bait,it's not the money side of it but if I collect my own and look after it properly it gives be confidence! I get some frozen squid off a mate who has a bait company,get it for free cos I help him occasionally.
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I'll be in Saundersfoot on the big tides around 20th March to collect enough razors for the bait freezer for the year ( only 25 or so large ones) Only problem is that low water will be mid day so you have hoards of other collectors , some taking 10/20kg razors each depending how much they can pull on their sleds.
 

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