Post by Alan Ziobry on Apr 7, 2005 20:20:15 GMT
MACKEREL
Ammo and Predator baits have the best track record. You can expect frozen mackerel to cost possibly 25% of normal catch returns when fishing fresh mackerel. An acceptable drop given that blast frozen is relatively easy to find, be it from tackle shops or even supermarkets and is often a better than fresh mackerel left sat on a counter top for a couple of days. This percentage drops below half if the bait is poorly frozen in a domestic freezer.
It catches all the species fresh mackerel will, but dogfish and huss show a definate liking for the blast frozen over the fresh and big shark and common skate have ignored fresh baits for a frozen bait. It's to do with the way the flesh breaks down and the corresponding change in the way the bait smells. conger also take to the frozen quite happily.
HERRING
Proves a better bait than frozen mackerel for spring time thornbacks and also out performs fresh mackerel from the fishmonger in the same period. It's also excellent for tipping off worm baits when fishing for dabs and whiting and again is better than mackerel for this in many areas.
SANDEEL
Blast frozen sandeel is twice as good as fresh sandeel when fishing for small eyed rays, whiting and huss. Bass though, do not like frozen sandeel so muchl. It's a good bait when fished under a float which imparts some life to it for pollock over rocky ground. Dogfish are also partial to frozen sandeel.
A good test with frozen sandeel is to bend them round into a u shape after thawing. poor examples will burst at the sides and bellies. Best of the lot is the Predator product which are the firmest by far.
SQUID
Can be used to tip worm baits when targeting Whiting and Cod, or used whole for winter cod,It is used alot by Boat anglers Whole in two's and three's.Also a good bait for dabs, Whiting,Dogfish, Rays and Bullhuss, though the latter prefer the frozen at times.
BLACK LUG
Basically a good bait to bulk up fresh lug,or used in a thingytail with other baits such as squid etc..It is good for codling in winter when fresh bait is hard to find.Dabs have aparticular liking to it and prefer it more to fresh.
RAZORFISH
Excellent bait for flounders after a good blow when they are searching the beaches,also good in a thingytail for cod alongside big lug,It takes Bass in the summer, again after a good blow.
MUSSELS
Good for cod over rocky ground,Dabs,Bass and Dogfish like it. It is not as good as fresh but a good substitute.
CRAB
It will take most fish like Cod,@ Dabs,Three bearded rockling prefer frozen to fresh. Bass prefer fresh, A good substitute for Smoothhounds in the summer when fresh is scarce, Wrasse prefer frozen to fresh everytime......
Summing up then, Obviosly fresh bait is often better every time, but a good quality blast frozen bait presented properly is a pretty good substitute.
Ammo and Predator baits have the best track record. You can expect frozen mackerel to cost possibly 25% of normal catch returns when fishing fresh mackerel. An acceptable drop given that blast frozen is relatively easy to find, be it from tackle shops or even supermarkets and is often a better than fresh mackerel left sat on a counter top for a couple of days. This percentage drops below half if the bait is poorly frozen in a domestic freezer.
It catches all the species fresh mackerel will, but dogfish and huss show a definate liking for the blast frozen over the fresh and big shark and common skate have ignored fresh baits for a frozen bait. It's to do with the way the flesh breaks down and the corresponding change in the way the bait smells. conger also take to the frozen quite happily.
HERRING
Proves a better bait than frozen mackerel for spring time thornbacks and also out performs fresh mackerel from the fishmonger in the same period. It's also excellent for tipping off worm baits when fishing for dabs and whiting and again is better than mackerel for this in many areas.
SANDEEL
Blast frozen sandeel is twice as good as fresh sandeel when fishing for small eyed rays, whiting and huss. Bass though, do not like frozen sandeel so muchl. It's a good bait when fished under a float which imparts some life to it for pollock over rocky ground. Dogfish are also partial to frozen sandeel.
A good test with frozen sandeel is to bend them round into a u shape after thawing. poor examples will burst at the sides and bellies. Best of the lot is the Predator product which are the firmest by far.
SQUID
Can be used to tip worm baits when targeting Whiting and Cod, or used whole for winter cod,It is used alot by Boat anglers Whole in two's and three's.Also a good bait for dabs, Whiting,Dogfish, Rays and Bullhuss, though the latter prefer the frozen at times.
BLACK LUG
Basically a good bait to bulk up fresh lug,or used in a thingytail with other baits such as squid etc..It is good for codling in winter when fresh bait is hard to find.Dabs have aparticular liking to it and prefer it more to fresh.
RAZORFISH
Excellent bait for flounders after a good blow when they are searching the beaches,also good in a thingytail for cod alongside big lug,It takes Bass in the summer, again after a good blow.
MUSSELS
Good for cod over rocky ground,Dabs,Bass and Dogfish like it. It is not as good as fresh but a good substitute.
CRAB
It will take most fish like Cod,@ Dabs,Three bearded rockling prefer frozen to fresh. Bass prefer fresh, A good substitute for Smoothhounds in the summer when fresh is scarce, Wrasse prefer frozen to fresh everytime......
Summing up then, Obviosly fresh bait is often better every time, but a good quality blast frozen bait presented properly is a pretty good substitute.