Wrasse and hardbacks.

A number of questions here:-

1) Hardback crabs:- Can they be frozen for later use. Save an angler from wasting precious fishing time collecting them.

2) Wrasse:-
What baits can you get them on. I know rag, lug and peeler, but are there other cheaper options for wrasse bait?
I took one a number of years back on mackeral, that was kinda mashed onto a hook(Cause we didn't have a knife with us).

Don't know about freezing hardbacks, I think its the movement that makes them attractive to the wrasse. As for other baits, ragworm would be the other main bait that I would use for wrasse but that said I've caught them on all sorts, sand eel, mackerel and prawns etc.

the cheaper option for a wrasse bait is to use the limpets attached to the rocks on low tide !! there free

don't know about freezing hardbacks, but my bait fridge has a simple cat litter tray air pump set up that keeps my hardbacks alive for weeks during the summer. i'm using it at the moment for rag and lug, but it all works on the same principle. an inch or so of fresh sea water changed daily and a cheap air pump oxygenating the water will keep your worms or hardbacks alive for weeks. costs less than £15 to set up if you can lay your hands on a fridge. got mines at the local recycling centre (AKA the dump )for free i worked out that it saved me over £300 in bait last year. and thats not counting the 200 mackerel i froze down for the winter that i'm still working my way through

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Whoah.

That's impressive Alan.

i was looking at them air pumps on ebay the other day. they were ranging from about £3(honk kong) to £15(UK). wasnt sure how good they were so left it off. might get one now after seein them pics.

they also had waterproof cooler bags with the pump built in for live bait durin the summer.
http://cgi.ebay.ie/LIVE-BAIT-BUCKET-WITH-AIR-PUMP-PIKE-PERCH-BASS-FISHING_W0QQitemZ380071415455QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportsLeisure_Fishing_Lures_JN?hash=item380071415455&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

i use most baits for wrasse including rag, lug, mack, sandeel, squid, peeler, hardbacks, sprats and to extremes like earthworm, maggot, castor, even hemp, pellets, sweetcorn, bread and carp pastes it just shows all baits work even if it isnt that well known for wrasse

I'd agree with boycie on this one limpets are an excellent bait for the wrasse, easy enough to get and great at staying on the hook. used them for years down in kilmore quay and worked brilliant.
How do ya run that oxygen pump in the fridge..

runs on a standard 1.5 volt battery you would use for torches, radios and stuff. i use rechargable ones i had lying about the house.

don't know about freezing hardbacks, but my bait fridge has a simple cat litter tray air pump set up that keeps my hardbacks alive for weeks during the summer. i'm using it at the moment for rag and lug, but it all works on the same principle. an inch or so of fresh sea water changed daily and a cheap air pump oxygenating the water will keep your worms or hardbacks alive for weeks. costs less than £15 to set up if you can lay your hands on a fridge. got mines at the local recycling centre (AKA the dump )for free i worked out that it saved me over £300 in bait last year. and thats not counting the 200 mackerel i froze down for the winter that i'm still working my way through

eeeppp!
ever come in wit a lot of pints on board....and.....ya know.....get the deep fryer out???

well,,,.... there was that one time with the funny tasting noodles. but i'm pretty sure i just soaked them too long ........... I HOPE

doubt that frozen hard back would be any good why not freeze some and on your next trip fish 2 rods 1 rod with fresh hard backs and the other 1 with frozen you will have your answer for fact and not just a whole load of guesses have to agree with previous posts about wrasse they eat everything if you do decide to fish with froze and fresh at same time post results would like to know how it goes

I will try that.

When I was younger we used to go to Portnoo and throw some limpets into the rock pools. I saw a couple of wrasse coming out to take them, but mostly what I thought we're catfish.
I know now they are bearded rockling.

Anyone have Boycies phone No.????

i do ! ill pm it to you

Hi Anthony i would collect a load of limpets and crush them up but use Lug worm as bait and tip them of with limpets .

Throw the limpets in as ruby and set up a descent sent trail and then introduce the Lug/limpet on your hook......... Stand back and have fun.........

I have used this principle with great results in Donegal and you never know you might get a bonus species also