Interval Between Changing Bait

[Steve_640]

I have been trying to investigate why when I retrieve my line why my lugworms presentation on the hook is so poor. It all looks good, when I first bait up, but when I retrieve, the worm has usually slipped round the hook shank and the barb is no longer clear of the worm. Clearly as the worm gets washed out and simply becomes a piece of skin this is going to happen, but I get this with a fresh looking worm. In my investigations I found suggestions that the bait should be changed after every cast, or every 10 minutes. Again clearly the freshest juiciest bait is going to have better results, but this does seem to be a bit excessive, not to mention expensive. What interval do most people change their bait casts/time wise?
What is the likelihood that the bait has slipped during the cast?

Thanks Steve.

[Simon TorbayFishing]

I change my worms every 20 to 30 minutes because some fish willl nibble and not strike for quite a while.

I tend to use a small piece of squid or mackerel to tip the hook which does help prevent the problem you have. You could also use bait elastic and bind 2 or 3 worms together to the hook to make a more secure bait. This would also help stop it happening.

I also believe that in a lot of cases it's the reeling back in that can cause a lot of the mess to rigs and baits. This I can't prove, it's more of a gut feeling.

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Try using a bait needle

This threads the worm/ worms up the hook and the line helps alot and they only cost a £1.00 or so

[Simon TorbayFishing]

One more thing. With Rag dip them in sea water before casting. They tighten up a little when you do this.

[Hooker]

When using gutted lug either tip it off with a bit of fish ( as simon said ) or cut a small square or elastic band off and thread that on the hook, this then stops the bait from slipping down. ( also use bait stops up the line to stop the bait being forced up the line )

As for changing baits, in a match every 10 - 15 mins depending on tide and stuff as a smaller tide will keep the bait in better condition for longer and bites will be seen easier.

if im pleasure fishing wenever i can be assed!

[kiwimarty]

Also try using a pennel rig and if you can get them, Worm hooks sold by Mustad. These have two small barbs on the shank of the hook which stops the worm sliding back down.

[Steve_640]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I do use a baiting needle, otherwise beleive me it wouldn't look good even before I cast. I have been using bait elastic and last time even tried tipping with a peice of squid, which did help.
The small piece of rubber band threaded onto the hook shaft, definately sounds worth a try.

Steve.

[pixybasher]

steve, also you can use an impact shield, this will protect the worm bait from the supersonic launch. Ive seen worm baits explode when cast without them.Especially when pendulum casting.

[bigfish]

Have to agree with Pixy about impact sheilds - they are a fantastic bit of kit!

[Old Smoothound]

hi Steve,

Using a baiting needle is fine and I would suggest for Novice Sea Anglers they use them.

In most cases, as simon says, the bait is forced down towards the hook when you re reeling in, which is ok. The worst thing is that the force of the cast pushes the worm too far up the snood, or worst still gets forced off the hook by the impact of the lead hitting the water.

Some Tips for you:

1. Always use an impact shield for distance casting.

2. Hook a piece of normal elastic band on the hook over the barb when using really soft worms such as maddies.

3. Use a pennel rig with a smallish hook as the top hook of the rig and you can stretch the worms out and hook the top of the worm on the top pennel hook.

4. When using "gutted" fresh black lug hook it on... then come out about an inch down then twist the lug, hook it through again, tiwst it a few times more, then hook it through and so on unitl the worm is "up the line", this will keep it straight and stop it slipping back to the hook in a soggy mess.

5. Use bait stops or tie in a sliding knot from Drennan elastic and sometimes use sequins.

Hope this helps.