Options other than crab for codling

I do think fresh peeler is the best bait for codling. However if you are not in a position to collect or buy crab (they are not always available to buy and if fishing regularly are expensive) what bait do people rate and in what order for codling fishing? What bait would you be confident with? Last year razor worked for me this year it doesnt seem to? pat

ive had a few this year on razor down monkstown, a lot of people reckon mussel is good to but its a bit akward to put on a hook.

I have had some off the beaches on razor this year.
Lug will work well, use big lug baits. Last winter I also had some on rag and squid.
I reckon those baits will work well off the beaches but in the estuaries they wont last long before the crabs devour them - although last winter one of the biggest codling I caught in Youghal was on a big lug bait. When the current is strong the crabs arn't as active, but when it slackens off they will be all over the bait in minutes.

Frozen black lug can be a killer bait for codling

hi pat dunnes stores king prawns with a drizzle of lemon optional , you heading out this week

Is that a bag per hook sean? Def get out this week maybe not estuary with the big tides and rain water what you think? Frank maybe its crab for the estuaries and more options on the beaches so. Razor do you make the lug into a sausage or what do you use one per bait?

Mussel and smelly old razor worked as good as peeler last year in Monkstown, altho i reckon a bit of sponge soaked in bait juices would have worked that day

I find the lug is a good bait for cod I use it with squid and razor. I've hadf cod in monkstown this season with squid/mackerel cocktails. Thread the lug onto the hook try not to pierce it to many times. Use a bit of bait elastic.

Hi there mate i would use either lug or rag tipped with a strip of squid fishing for codling some people say lug is the better option but i have caught on both. I also use whole squid sometimes when trying to tempt the bigger fish.

Is that a bag per hook sean? Def get out this week maybe not estuary with the big tides and rain water what you think? Frank maybe its crab for the estuaries and more options on the beaches so. Razor do you make the lug into a sausage or what do you use one per bait?

i make the lug into sausage. at this time you can pick up the odd bass on it awell.but i find it unreal fod cod

i just merged the 2 threads together lads - it still reads alright

must give crabsticks another go youd think cod would love em

a lot of crabsticks dont have crab in them!!!

http://www.mikeladle.com/chapter3.html , good reading i reckon cod are pigs and why the hell do they find human hand rinse water " very attractive"

i have had a good few codling on mackerel and squid so far this year in monkstown

must give crabsticks another go youd think cod would love em

I tried them once for a laugh and had codling and coalies!!!
very hard to keep on the hook tho

squid stuffed with lug always worked well up here...

i would use lug squid or razor thats wat i have been taking them on recently..............

well pat gave the prawns a lash tonight got about 10 codling, 2x 500g bags for a tenner today , fished 3 hours and still had half a bag coming home

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well pat gave the prawns a lash tonight got about 10 codling, 2x 500g bags for a tenner today , fished 3 hours and still had half a bag coming home

Excellent! Although is there something to be said when your bait is tastier than the fish your catching...

Personal taste of course.

If that was me they'd be eaten. One for the hook, 3 for me!

good result there sean impressed will try them i think!