keeping maggots dry

[samantha G]

hi, i was just wondering what i could put into my maggot box to keep them dry? only thing i have at the moment is self raising flour, would that be ok? if not what else could i use, thanks :)

[djfarth]

Not my area of expertise, I hate the wriggly stinking things but think they use maize if im not mistaken??!! Im sure some of the experienced maggot drowners can advise you more!

[samantha G]

Originally Posted by djfarth

Not my area of expertise, I hate the wriggly stinking things but think they use maize if im not mistaken??!! Im sure some of the experienced maggot drowners can advise you more!

yh i do too, but if they catch me fish i aint complaining!! :P

[martin56]

Hi Sam - I think any flour/maize or even sawdust (from pet shop) are all good.

Ya' can't beat a Maggot bag (in my opinion) as it's round yer neck and can't get kicked over & lose all yer bait, takes less room up in tackle box & keeps hands warm in cold weather.

Maggot bags are not in common use these days (or so i was informed when another angler saw mine, which surprised me as i use em' all the time)

They're made of softish cloth & have a cloth tape sewn on to go round the neck. & hold a good 2pints+ Make sure you tie it up tight though cos' they can get through the tiniest holes.

[chris.oldgit]

hi sam, yep maize meal or corn meal, both can be bought at most supermarkets where there is an asian customer base, very cheap 50- 60p a bag. on the river bank a small umbrella,( 10/12" round) that fits to the bankstick keeps them dry whilst fishing in the rain.

[Cherry Tree]

Tackle shops just use saw dust these days

[northern eye]

A little trick I always use if maggots get damp or have sweated in transit is to sprinkle a bit of the groundbait you are using onto them and give them a shake in the tub - the groundbait will soak up the moisture and you will have nice dry and flavoured grubs. Or if you use flour, mix a bit of curry powder in with it - again, drys em' out and flavours em' too.

[samantha G]

thanks for all the replies!! :)

[BoldBear]

Originally Posted by samantha G

hi, i was just wondering what i could put into my maggot box to keep them dry? only thing i have at the moment is self raising flour, would that be ok? if not what else could i use, thanks :)

I don't think flour would work because if they get damp or sweat I would think that they would get sticky and stodgey.

As others have already said Maize meal is very cheap and is what the tackleshops around me usually use however some use soft sawdust.

When I used to fish a lot of club team matches; the night before a match I used to wash and rinse my maggots and dry them by rolling them inside a folded towel to get rid of any ammonia smell and then place them in some fresh bran or maize meal.
and keep the lid off them to let the air get at them until the match to prevent them sweatng and smelling.

It sounds over the top but it certainly seemed to catch me a lot more fish in matches, plus it gave me a lot more confidence, which counts a lot when you are fishing a tough match.

So if you can't get any maize/corn meal then try some soft bran or sawdust, they all work.

NB. I also used to occasionally flavour them with various things like curry powder or spray a small ammount liquid boily flavouring on them or sprinkle some other spicey flavouring on them.
One of my favourite flavourings was 'wasp grub' which was a very sweet flavour that used to waft a long way down the bank; Im not sure whether it caught any more fish but it was a nice smell; a lot better than smelling of ammonia anyway.

Keith (BoldBear)

[chris.oldgit]

attracts the wasps as well as fish