Zander bait

[robm]

Hi guys
I was wondering what the views are on using baits that have been frozen,are you confident that frozen baits are ok as opposed to fresh deads.
I am off for a session tomorrow night on the coventry canal and would like to take fresh deads but i wont get chance to go bit bashing tomorrow so will have to use frozen baits instead will this reduce my chances or does it not matter.The baits i have in my freezer are roach and gudgeon and were frozen on the day they were caught and havent been defrosted since so should be described as being fairly fresh.

regards robm

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Kev or the other zander anglers will answer this better but if your bait was froozen there and then they will be fine ( better than the shop stuff IMO) I always give the bait a few stabs with a knife to help the juices get out

Good luck tomm and looking forward to reading how it goes weather must be much better than here in gloucester as its building to be a very windy day tomm

[robm]

hi Richard
I put off an overnight Bream session friday night after looking at the weather forecast but it didnt turn out as bad as they said so was miffed that i didnt go,so i havent looked at the forecast for tomorrow as long as my mate is up for it we will be going whatever the weather,so hopefully i can post how the session goes.
The Bream fishing has been a bit slow lately,7 blanks in a row in Dec 5 nights and 2 in Jan so admittedly it didnt take a lot to stop me going friday night.
But im a bit keen on the Zander at the moment so wont be put off so easily.

regards robm

[Barrie C]

Hi Rob,

welcome to the forum!

Preference is always for fresh dead's - but i would be confident with fresh frozen as well.

I would suggest letting them defrost, just before using them - you can do this by putting them in sealed pastic bag and sitting them in the water.

I reckon you get a better scent trail this way than if you cast them in still frozen
Could well be worth puncturing in the body and around the gills - once defrosted

Good luck tomorrow

Barrie

[robm]

cheers Barrie
I,ll give it a try puncturing the bait,i,ve got a 1 1/4hrs drive to where im going so should be defrosted by time we get there.

regards robm.

[baitmaster]

hi robm

my preference would be very fresh deads indeed but i,m totally confident in using frozen deads as barrie has all ready said frozen dead really need to be defrosted first this will allow the oils and juices to leak out better .
but i have to say i sometimes like to use them frozen so i,ll all ways take three or four frozen aswell as my thawed out deads .
this give me a alternative bait presentation cause casting out a frozen bait will automatically pop up but as the baits thaws is will slowly sink and the amount of times its given me a bonus fish within the first 10 minutes after casting .
also cut the head clean off as sometime they do get fussy with deads and ringing the changes can land you a bonus fish or two .
so good luck and fish with confidence and i hope you get a fish or two and be good to hear how you get on

tightlines
kevin

[robm]

cheers Kev
Any tips are welcome im looking forward to tomorrows session i hope we get some succcess and for sure i,ll post how we get on.
I must say you put together some very interesting and informative articles about the Zander and how to catch them and also some cracking pictures, at the moment where we are having a go i,ve heard that they run to about 7-8 lb,which for now i,d be happy to get but no doubt i,d like to have a go at getting a double once i,ve got a few under my belt so may,be tapping you up for a bit of info on where you would recommend in the near future.

regards robm

[baitmaster]

well if i can help you i will i suppose i,ll have to get out soon not been zedding for 6 days now i must be slipping

tightlines
kevin