New guy! aiming for Ballan Wrasse

[MPS]

Im new to the website and forum so thought i would post here.

Im interested in fishing for Ballan Wrasse. I usually fish at marks on Loch Long and at Furnace (Loch Fyne).
I use Rag worm, Lug worm and peeler crab as bait.

Ive been told that the Mull of Galloway, Luce Bay and West Tarbet are good spots for catching Ballan but these locations are a good drive away for me. Can anyone recomend any marks at these locations?
Any advice regarding bait and tackle would also be welcome!

If possible, can anyone tell me how to post photos in these threads?

Mark

[MRG2000]

Welcome to the forum Mark....

Best bait by far for "BIG" Ballens is whole shore crab

Details on picture posting can be found here Picture Posting on the Forum

If you upload the pics to your album (USER CP (top left on homepage),then select NETWORKING from column on left,then ALBUMS & PICTURES ,click on create new album)) ...... ,follow from step 6 onwards

[KKK]

As Mike said forget peeler, hard back crab for the better ballans

[MPS]

how do you go about baiting up with a hard back crab ?

[MRG2000]

Originally Posted by MPS

how do you go about baiting up with a hard back crab ?

Whole crab ,legs and claws still on,and alive .... turn the crab upside down ,insert the hook thro the triangle under neath and out thro the top shell ,can be fished running leger or ideally float fished close in to the kelp , use crabs upto around 1 1/2 " across the back.

[MPS]

sounds about right! where d you get your gear? im short on floats right now. best to get them online? if so can anyone reccomend a website?

[Portland Pirate]

Disagree with you guys a bit.

I fish for Ballans in the Wrasse Meca (Portland) and the two best baits are live Hermits and velvet swimmers.
With Hermits you use two. Use the tail section only of one and then pull the main claws of the lower crab. bait elastic them both on and bang it out.

With Velvet Swimmers, which I believe are the better bait, you pull the legs and top shell off. Cut it in half and thread it on to a 4/0 hook through the legs.

That's how I fish it, and I have had over 100 Ballan's over 4lb, and I got all the info from my mate Pete Hegg (Ballan Wrasse British record holder, 9lb 2oz) so I think he knows what he is talking about.

[MPS]

i dont mean to seem like i dont know my baits but.... whats a Velvet Swimmer?
the hermits tip sounds good though! will give it a go in a few weeks

[Portland Pirate]

Originally Posted by MPS

i dont mean to seem like i dont know my baits but.... whats a Velvet Swimmer?
the hermits tip sounds good though! will give it a go in a few weeks

Velvet Swimmer are so called because they are designed to make quick getaways by using there paddle like rear legs to swim away.

Here is a Picture:



Wrasse love them. They ambush them as they swim past. I have watched them do it whilst I have been snorkelling.

[MPS]

wow thx for the advice and pic info! any idea how you collect the velvet swimmers?