what is the best bait to use off a pier?

[vasos]

cany any1 help??

[maghouse]

Same as on the beach really, depending on what you are after, locally, fish small hooks and small bits of rag for small Wrasse, big baits can work for Bass or casting out far - then usual rigs & baits as from the beach.

When the mackerel are there, obviously feathers work, for pollack - worth trying strips of squid or even black jellies work ...

What is great fun is a small spinning rod with one hook/feather for Mackerel - great fighters !

[vasos]

thx ill giv all of them a go.

[gullyworm]

Bloomin eck mate,where to start?

I ll keep it short .
Bait choice depends on lots of things-Location ,fish expected,target fish,time of year i.e in summer pier anglers will be targetting ,mackerel,garfish,Bass,and bream on the whole.

This time of year the fishing is slower and the water is stired up so baits with a lot of scent like worm and crab are worth a go whereas in the summer you would use live baits and fish strips.

If your fishing piers in the solent area this time of year or even in the summer you wont go far wrong with local ragworm,in the summer for some of the summer species you will have to change your baits and methods.
Good luck

[gullyworm]

Mate if your fishing milenium pier in Gosport a lot then ragworm,lug and crab are your top baits for now.
In a few months try ledgering a whole squid or a huge wedge of mackerel for the Bass.

[fishyrob]

Rather depends on the area you are fishing, and what the bass are pre-occupied on. Late summer you cant go wrong with live mackerel/live pout, although you need to fish these baits in such a way that they are still alive when they get to the target zone.
Earlier in the year, Live prawns, crabs where the fish are feeding on crabs (especially Velevet Swimmer, Bass go mental for these where you find them peeling). Ragworm and Lugworm have their place, but if you are single mindedly after bass, I would advise you dont use worm, as other fish are likely to be on it before the bass. Rough weather and coloured seas, a fillet of fresh frozen mackerel, whole calamaris, or decent sized wedges of cuttlefish are all first class.