Hot to get fresh sandeel bait?

I have looked into catching my own sandeel ans there seems to be 2 ways as i have seen. One being vingling (i think its called) which involves running a slasher type utensil through sand where you can trap the sandeel on your boot and utensil. The other being using a fine mesh net that you pull to the shore.

My question is - what is the best way to obtain your own sandeel bait and what type of area is best. If anyone in the east cork region knows of a few areas i could try my luck it would be appreciated if you could give me some advice.

I am generally new to sea angling and would like to learn as much as i can about it.
Thanks.

I have made a pushnet myself to try and get some sandeel last summer. All i got though was small flatties and shrimp.I think it is all about being at the right place at the right time. Low tide on a full or new moon seems to be the most reccomended time, the tricky part from there seems to be finding the right place. I am very interested in hearing others opinions/experiece on this.

A sandeel net is the best way!you will need 5 lads to do it quickly. Enough eels for a whole club in a few hours!it is a great way to find who has holes in there waders too!

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Hi Roger,
What type of area is best to do this with the sandeel net?

Any sandy beach should throw up some,estuarine areas and large inlets can all produce the period over low water will let you get out further to where they hang out ,trile and error really I'm sure their are spots never tried that are bulging with them!

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One last question roger - the time of the year for them. Is it year round or the summer months may-august?

water temp would have a lot to do with results,april to oct with bigger tides prob best

I have caught the odd one on small shakespare bait rigs while fishing down Warren strand, West Cork it was during the summer months a few years ago.

Earliest I've ever vinglered one up is St Patrick's Day.

I caught some fish last week and some of them were stuffed with sandeels if thats anything to go by.

Plenty time yet to think about collecting them, most effective when fish will be chasing them later in the year.

This time of year lug, wraps and mac are top baits for a lot of species so focus on those for now if you're new to it all.

Regards.

My own experience , I made a big push 4ft wide 3 foot deep and a cod end of 2foot. and I caught every thing but sand eel so its now sitting in the shed. I tryed a net but getting help was the problem and where we had to go we had to wade out to the top of our Chet waders. So not to safe. And poor results from our marks. Last I watched the tides and moons, and the big strands and timed it right so the sand banks where the sand eel where showing . Filled buckets and have enough for a year ahead . Safer way and a better result IMHO . Good luck