One of the most beneficial items for an angler to possess is a bait fridge. A shed or garage with a power supply is the ideal location, and if you look in the classified ads of your local newspaper you will most likely find a second hand fridge for five to ten pounds. In fact due to the new legislation regarding the disposal of fridges etc you are likely to find a suitable unit for free, if you can collect it yourself, as this will save the owner the cost of disposal. The benefits of a bait fridge are that you can store maggots, casters, etc for a longer period of time and in better condition, and also keep the left over bait at the end of a session for another trip. If you have the luck to obtain a fridge freezer the options for storing and freezing baits to flavour them ie pellets, corn, meat, hemp and such like are not only more convenient but also save you money as you can purchase in larger quantities then freeze in bags suitably sized for a single session.
Bread Boilies Casters Corn Hemp Jokers Maggot Maize Meat Paste Pellets Worms
Bread is one of the most versatile baits available, and can be used in many different ways to suit either the conditions or the species the angler is targeting. Bread is a cheap, clean, easy to use bait that is attractive to fish of all sizes.
Bread Flake
This is the soft white inside of a loaf, and although a fresh sliced loaf could be used if there is no alternative, a fresh uncut loaf is far superior.Hooks between sizes 6 -14 are best, the larger sizes for Carp,Chub,tench and large Bream down to a 14 for Roach and Skimmer Bream. To use this bait take a pinch of the required size from the inside of the loaf, fold it around the hook and give the bread one firm squeeze around the shank of the hook. Care must be taken to keep the squeezed part of the bait to just the top of the shank of the hook, as the fluffy nature of this bait is part of its attraction to the fish. A lot of anglers compress the bait far to much, as they are worried about it staying on the hook, rest assured that if the loaf is fresh enough, one firm squeeze is sufficient. This lack of confidence in the bait staying on the hook generally arises from the bait being missing when retrieved, contrary to being a problem, this is in fact a benefit as by striking off the bait before retrieving will feed the swim for you. This bait may be freelined, ledgered,or float fished and works in summer and winter no matter how extreme the temperature may be.
Bread Crust
This is very buoyant, so is ideal for surface fishing in either still or flowing water. The crust from a fresh uncut loaf is best and should be torn from the loaf, as the the ragged edges seem to alarm the fish less. Although generally more successful in the warmer months, it will sometimes work in the coldest of weather when the sun has warmed the upper layers of the water. Carp and Chub are good targets for this bait, and will readily accept it if presented correctly. Use a fairly large hook, somewhere between a size 10 - 4 depending on the size of the bait, and pass the point through the crust side and back out the same side.for surface fishing there are a number of controller floats available although I prefer to use a three inch length of hardwood dowel attached to the line by a rubber ring either end, as I feel this is less likely to spook fish looking just like a piece of floating debris. Another alternative is a length of white candle with a a length of rig tube fitted through the centre, a short length of tube left protruding from one end allows it to be fished semi-fixed, the weight of the candle enabling a long cast and making the rig self hooking.
Bread Punch
An excellent bait for small fish in still or fairly slow water, especially when the water is very clear and cold. Commercially produced punches are readily available and normally come in a set to cover a number of sizes. Unlike bread for other methods the best loaf is a fresh cheap white medium sliced, the long life type are normally good. Take three or four slices, and with some tongs hold each slice over a steaming kettle for two or three seconds(Please be very careful when doing this) then place in a plastic bag and seal. You will need a firm flat surface on which to punch the bread whilst fishing. Once exposed to the air the bread quickly dries out and becomes useless, to overcome this problem after steaming I cut each slice in half then take a sheet of cling film place a piece of bread on it and wrap once, then repeat for each piece making a neat parcel. When you start fishing you remove the first piece only, leaving the rest sealed and then when it starts to dry out you unwind the wrap to release the next piece and so on.
I prefer to fish punch on the pole, usually a whip as with a greater distance between pole tip and float you are less likely to spook the fish in clear water. The float needs to be fairly light with a fine sensitive tip,for depths less than a metre, shot in a shirt button fashion with No.10 and No.12 shot, or for an even slower fall to the bait use Style Leads.In swims deeper than a metre use a bulk of two or three No.8 shot at 60% depth with two No.12 shot spread between the bulk and the hook. I normally set the float to fish between the full depth and 100mm off bottom, only shallowing up if I get bites on the drop. The line should be as fine as possible and the hook a fine wire pattern between a size 16 and 24. I normally start a session by introducing a golf ball sized ball of liquidised bread, or dampened punch crumb if the water is cold. If I then start to catch, I then feed a pigeon egg sized ball after every second fish. A number of years ago I used to fish a very fine waggler in similar fashion at fairly close range, the floats were Reverse Crow Quill in sizes from 2 No.4 to 4 No.4 which were extremely sensitive . I don't know if these floats are still commercially available, so you may have to make something similar to try this. back to the top
These are the chrysalis stage of the maggot. They are known for their ability to tempt better size fish than the maggot.When float fishing leave more distance from the tell tale shot to the
hook(typically when fishing the full depth I would leave 300-380mm) and use a light hook in either a size18 or 16 dependant on the size of the casters.
They can be presented either side hooked (the point is inserted into the flatter end of the caster and it exits through the side) which is quick and easy, and normally produces results.
However if the fish are finicky or you are trotting the bait over depth, better presentation can be obtained by burying the hook(you need a spade end hook, insert as before but instead of bringing the point out of the side, thread the whole hook into the caster tapping the spade into the shell).
Double caster
If using a double hook bait try side hooking the first caster as before then insert the point into the side only of the second one at the other end so that it is on the opposite way round with the hook point hidden. This reduces the likelihood of the hook length spinning badly on the retrieve, and helps conceal more of the hook. The downside of burying the hook is that it is more time consuming and also sometimes the hook doesn't penetrate the shell cleanly on the strike leading to a missed fish (this is normally only a problem with very small fish, as their weight doesn't provide enough resistance for the point to penetrate the shell and set the hook).
Preparation
Casters are normally sold in plastic bags in pint measures. When you get them home you can do a lot to improve them, which should lead to more fish in the net. The first step is to remove them from the bag and tip them into a container of clean cold water, if any float they should be removed as should any that are greyish coloured or black. Now is also the time to remove any maggot skins or other debris. Next tip the casters onto a maggot riddle and rinse under a cold tap, take a clean bait box, shake the excess water off the casters and place them in the box, cover with a couple of sheets of paper kitchen roll folded to fit then stretch a plastic bag over the top of the box, replace the lid over the bag to form a seal then place upside down in the fridge until you need them. Prepared in this fashion all the casters will be sinkers and the shells should turn an even colour and crisp. They will normally keep in good condition if prepared in this fashion for four days, if you wish to keep them any longer you should carry out the preparation again and you may well be able to keep them for a couple more days.
On the Bank
Remove the bait box lid, plastic bag, and kitchen roll then fill the box with water (enough to cover the casters , on a hot day you will need to replace the water at intervals to prevent the casters getting too warm) this will prevent them becoming floaters as you fish. Remove a small handful of the casters and place on a flat surface in the air, these will become floaters making them perfect for use on the hook, where their buoyancy will counteract the weight of the hook allowing them to behave like any free offerings you introduce. If using two casters on the hook you may need to use one of each to obtain the correct buoyancy (drop your baited hook into the margin to check how it behaves).
Float Fishing Casters
When loose feeding use as light a float as the conditions allow and shot it shirt button style with number 8 shot except for the last two before the hook which should be number 10 shot. Any additional shot required for casting or combating the wind should be placed adjacent to the float. This will produce a natural fall to the bait which should allow you to see bites on the drop (have a practice cast and note how many seconds it takes for each shot to register on the float) if when fishing a shot fails to register in the correct time you have a bite.
When fishing at full depth (or in cold conditions on stillwaters) I normally place a small bulk of shots at approx 60% of the depth with a couple of number 10 shot spread between this and the hook. Once again I would countdown the shot registering, hoping to spot bites on the drop, with this configuration of shot it would be more likely that one of the no10 shot would fail to register. I would introduce a quantity of casters at the off (dependant on temperature and head of fish in the water, if the water temperature is below 10 degrees then no more than 10) and see how the fish respond before introducing more. If the water temperature is low I prefer to refrain from feeding again until bites dry up, this reduces the chances of over feeding, as unlike maggot, casters do not crawl under debris on the bottom and hide. back to the top
One of the most convenient, and successful baits over the last thirty or so years. Attractive to most species and responsible for the capture of numerous specimen fish.
For use on the hook, I would recommend the tinned variety, either in its plain form or the coloured and flavoured varieties available from tackle shops. My personal preference is for the plain variety in salt water with added sugar, which I rinse quickly before use so that my hands don' t become sticky, this will readily take on most colours or flavourings that you may prefer.
If you are going to use a quantity as feed, then it is more economical to purchase the frozen variety in larger quantities. This however when thawed does not make such a good hook bait.
For use as loose feed or in groundbait the corn can be used as it comes, however I have had a lot of success using liquidised corn, which works very well if quickly blitzed and then mixed with the mixing water for your groundbait, or introduced neat via a pole cup to form an enticing cloud in the water. Be aware when using liquidised corn in groundbait that it is a very efficient binder and can turn your mix into a concrete like material if you over do it. This ability to bind a groundbait makes it ideal to add to a method mix.
I have found corn to be an excellent hook bait fished over a bed of Hemp, a few grains dyed black make an excellent change bait when used in this way.
Corn may be used as single or multiple hookbaits either mounted directly on the hook or on a hair rig. It is worth experimenting with the mounting of the bait, to find the most successful method on a
given day as an example you may find you miss bites when float fishing with the hook in the closed end of the grain, when you examine the bait you may find the inside has been partially sucked out, to try and overcome this you
could insert the point of the hook into the open end and out of the side making it harder for a fish to remove the inside without taking the hook into it's mouth.
Another trick for when fishing on the drop is to squeeze the
centre out before casting making a bait fall slower in a fluttering fashion.
When legering or feeder fishing a popped up bait is sometimes beneficial this can be achieved with a piece of rig foam, or the addition of one of
the buoyant artificials that are now available.
The larvae of the Bluebottle fly, attractive to most fish. And available from tackle shops in a variety of colours, white, red, and bronze being the most commonly used. Generally the freshest maggots are the best, and you should make sure they have a black feed spot in their bodies when purchased.
Once you get the maggots home there are a few steps you can take to ensure your bait is in the best condition for use.
Run the maggots through a riddle to remove any debris or dead skins, then check them for any smell of ammonia, if there is no smell then add a handful of ground maize and refrigerate. If there was a smell I leave them in the fresh maize for an hour or two, then run them through the riddle again before adding a handful of ground maize, they should now be odourless.
Your bait is now in ideal condition for use, being clean dry and all the maggots should sink.
Maggot will keep in a refrigerator for up to a week or more, but I would always recommend a further cleansing as above before use.
On The Bank
I like to remove the lid from the bait box as soon as possible to allow them the maximum amount of air, and ensure that they are out of direct sunlight to prevent them sweating.
Before starting to fish I take a handful of clean maggots and place them in another bait box, then add just enough diet lemonade or diet cola to cover them. I have a lid for the bait box with a circular cut out in the centre which prevents the maggots from escaping, but allows easy access. After about 15 minutes these maggots will have taken in some air and become buoyant, they will also have picked up the sweet flavour of the drink. These floating maggots are exclusively for use on the hook.
The maggot can be used singularly or in bunches on the hook, whether float fishing or legering. It can also be used in combination with other baits very successfully, ie.worm and maggot, bread
flake and maggot. corn and maggot.
The maggot should be hooked through the blunt end as in the picture on the left, this allows the bait to move freely but helps prevent it from masking the point of the hook
Double red maggot on the hook.
My catches on maggot increased greatly when I discovered the floating maggot as mentioned earlier, as by checking in the margin in front of you it is relatively easy to find a bait with the right amount of buoyancy to counteract the weight of the hook so that it behaves as your feed.
In fact a bunch of maggots can be buoyant enough to be fished popped up on a leger rig. This can be of great advantage when fishing the method for Carp, if you bury the bait in the ball the maggots will float enticingly out as the fish break up the ball, sometimes Carp find this irresistable
Another variation that has regained popularity is the use of dead maggots. As feed these are particularly good for Carp and Bream, as they are unable to crawl under debris or into the silt on the bottom.
The best method of killing the maggots is to place them in a plastic bag, expell all the air then seal. Place them in the freezer and by the next morning you should have perfect dead maggots.
Another, but not so good method is to pour hot water, tea, or coffee over some maggots until they stop moving, then cool them quickly with water to prevent them cooking. Whilst this can be done on the bank the result is not as good as freezing, the bait tends to discolour and be tougher.
When bites are hard to come by, it is worth trying a dead maggot on the hook. A favourite method of mine is to take a maggot, put it on my thigh and roll it backwards and forwards under steady pressure from my finger for about 15 seconds, this kills or stuns the bait and also seems to soften it a little, this ruse has been very successful.
double dead maggot.
