Bait for Bass

[chuckaroo]

am sure that this subject that has been covered on here a few times before, but anyway..

So, the question is:
Whats the best frozen bait for bass?

The reason I ask is that folk on the north coast here are insisting that rag by far outfishes everything else (these guys have become known as the 'rag brigade' ), they use very little else. But becuase there is next to no ready supply of rag during the winter here then I use frozen options - black lug, razor, sandeel, squid, mack etc

I only wish to use bait, not spinning. I just want an opinion on how people rate these frozen options..

thanks in advance

Last edited by chuckaroo on Fri Dec 02, 2016 5:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I have failed to catch bass on the north coast, well failed to land then, lost the three I have hooked in the surf. One took lug/mackerel combo, the other two I hooked while fishing for flounder and ray, so they took mackerel strip and double sandeel. In other parts of this island I have caught them on razor, crab and 3 day old lug. Biggest bass I landed took single sandeel in Kerry, hope that helps

for the next three months, nothing will beat a mackerel head (frozen) freelined into the surf...

Only "frozen" bait from your list that I would have had consistent success with would be razorfish with the odd fish on frozen sandeel.The thing to remember about using razor is that it is a bait that down here anyways that worked really well when plenty of colour in the water and the smellier the better.Very underated just remember it stinks!

Seen them on razor and squid on clare beaches this time of year - mind you the blow hasn't been that bad yet so id say the lug would do alright still - up there though what do I know.

Kieran ive never seen a bass on a mack head - only heard a handful of stories - wouldn't be my go to suggestion
Think its more for that 10lb bass fish of a lifetime sort - that only exists for the chosen few - I would def hedge my bets on the other baits first

Frozen Razor fish top bait for Bass in cork


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Fresh lug rag or fresh crab me personally would never feel confident on going for bass with frozen bait

for the next three months, nothing will beat a mackerel head (frozen) freelined into the surf...

How would you present the Mac head and what size hooks would you be using??

for the next three months, nothing will beat a mackerel head (frozen) freelined into the surf...

How would you present the Mac head and what size hooks would you be using??

Circle hook threw the head and lobbed out

[quote="chuckaroo"

So, the question is:
Whats the best frozen bait for bass?

I would have to say Frozen peeler is my favourite for Bass (I would much rather fresh peeler )
Biggest bass to be landed aboard my boat was 8.5lb and it took a frozen head of mackerel intended for Tope on a wire trace !!

for the next three months, nothing will beat a mackerel head (frozen) freelined into the surf...

How would you present the Mac head and what size hooks would you be using??

Circle hook threw the head and lobbed out

4/0 hook through just behind the lips, whipped down or held with an elastic band.

I hear you Corby, it only works for the bigger fish, but I had a 4.5 lber on it down in Courtmac many years ago - a hungry bass has a big mouth.
The real benefit of a mack head is that from frozen, it releases a scent trail slowly and being the head, it's tough, so even if small fish get there first, it stays intact.
Always good to have one out rolling in the suds, and trying something else on another rod...

Frozen razor Chuckaroo. I had a good few bass in louth on razor so not too far from you. I've found with razor though that it has to be on a beach where there is evidence of them, broken shells etc. The only way to answer the question properly is to know what beach youre on. I wouldnt go to kerry without lug, Wexford without crab or galway without sandeel. Same goes for the beach you're fishing. It's a bass and it's in the surf looking for food. What ever theyre likely to encounter is your best bet, frozen or fresh, I'm fairly confident they don't check it's temperature before they decide to eat it.

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Thanks for all the replies, some great responses

Yeah, fresh might arguably be the best option but it sounds like there are many anglers who are confident to use all manners of frozen baits, with proven success.

Frozen razor tends to be the most recurring popular frozen option but many others also follow close behind: sandeel (or launce), crab, mack, squid, lug, all good.

There were 3 of us out again on Saturday on the north coast, we fished 6hours, with 2 rods each in the water. We had all manners of bait: fresh rag as well as frozen razor, sandeel, mack, lug and even spratt.
I was confident with this pile of bait, if the bass turned up, but they didnt..
"Maybe next time"...

for the next three months, nothing will beat a mackerel head (frozen) freelined into the surf...

Agreed!!

Simple fishing, mac head on a size 4" with a spinning rod, fixed spool, 18lb line and hold the rod. You might have to wait but when they are there you will be in!

Frozen whole calamari squid on a pennel pulley would be worth a try. Tough and durable and relatively cheap for a box. I have had Bass to just shy of Specimen weight in areas where people thought I was bonkers using it