Sandeels

[spirit42]

I was flicking through the sea rods section on ebay last night and came across packs of preserved sandeels for auction. Has anyone tried these before and if so do they work? The easiest way to find them is in the auction only section on page one. They cost less than a box off sqid even with the postage which seems too good to be true.

[motobro]

hi i had a pack of these off a m8 (red ones) we fished all day last summer from my boat with crabs and sandeel (regular ones) for bass not a bite all day and on the last drift before heading home i remembered about the red ones so we put one on each rod (6 rods) and my m8 had a 2lb bass.
i think this was more down to luck than the bait but we had to head in so hmm
one thing i did find with them is thay were tougher than live or frozen ones so may stay on the hook better if casting far out off a beach
ime gowing to try that in the summer myself
hope this helps

[steve devon]

Everyone will have a different opinion, but personally I would say preserved baits are rubbish

They don't let out the scents needed like fresh baits and my local shops wont stock them even if they are out of fresh bait

[MRG2000]

Preserved baits are ok for a back up ,but you really cant beat fresh bait to give yourself the best opertunity

[paul p]

Good point guys fresh sandeels if poss, if not frozen sandeels ie ammo or predetor or bait box and as said the sent that comes off frozen can sometimes out fish fresh. Its the movement of the eel that triggers a take slow slow retrieve any species plus the sent that catches in my opinion. And the most important part if they are there in the 1st place, a good skipper is the ticket to your catch rate as well as your bait. I love sandeel its a very underestimated bait. I have 25 pckts of sandeel in my freezer and i cant wait till summer time on the boat. Great bait sandeel of the beach just take the head and tail of whip it on with rag and you will catch any shore species that swims. Good post