Collecting bait

[BaggieRich]

Is there anyone here who collects their own bait on a regular basis?

I went bouldering last weekend, but only managed to find 2 suitable sized crabs in half an hour, and one of those was hard backed and the other newly molted. This after wading across the river Otter at Budliegh to get to the rocks!!!

I suppose it's the wrong time of year for peeler anyway (Too cold)?????

I've gotta say, digging for worms doesn't sound too appealing... Too much like hard work for me, especially when it's cheap as chips from the tackle shop.

I think I'd like to try squid, but I've never seen this in the tackle shop. Can I get it from a fishmongers of Sainsburys or something or is it usually dressed??

Cheers,

Rich.

[geejayy]

i'm told that squid ona super market fish counter has often been bleached to make it nice n white, either way i've little faith in it, but it makes a stand by.
a few years ago when i was in that area i had trouble getting decent squid , i could only get them in sml vacume packs which were expensive, i usually buy calamari in 1lb boxes round here, also come in 5lb boxes.
might be worth asking charter skippers where they source thiers.
geejayy.

[pingu]

you can dig the duck pool at exmouth for worm but is easier to buy
get the squid from the fishmongerson strand(in freezer inside door) or tackle shop(is hidden in freezer that looks like ice cream freezer)
only place for peeler locally is newsagent at docks exmouth or exeter angling
tackle shop does have frozen crab
hope this helps
dave

[fishingbonsai]

Round here people who collect there own bait are pretty secretive about where and when. It takes some time and effort to get to know the spots, I know a couple but not by any means all of them, and I'm just as sectretive now. Must be turning local.

[FlyingFox]

Your not wrong about the secretive bait collectors
lol im one myself

I tend to collect all my bait all year round from my local areas.....tend to have to travel a few miles at sertain parts of the year for the best results but id rather travel then buy bait that doesnt last or is not quite as good quality as i would like. after many years of fishing and taking in knoledge you can find the best places availible nr to you and save on a packet but the down side is my back kills after a hour or so's digging in the winter!!

Ollie.

[fishingbonsai]

Must be getting old my back kills after 10 mins.

[Charter Skipper]

Dug worm is miles better than the farmed stuff most tackle shops supply these days.Its got a better scent trail as i actually feeds on nutrients from the sea bedBest place to buy squid is in your ocal chinese food shop,half the price of tackle shops.

[FlyingFox]

Bonsai....believe me my back gives me some real grief in the winter when the worms are down deep but after years of digging im not surprised lol

I normally get my squid from the local fish mongers....same as macks if i aint got any frozen....not sure of the prices but i find the quility pretty good for both.

Ollie.

[big guy]

i dig/ collect as much of my own bait as i can. it saves a packet and ensures you've good the best bait going.

practise makes perfect and when you get fish on your own bait that you put the effort into getting it seems so much more satisfying.