Best bait that can be stored

Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:38 pm

Hey folks, Ive fished for years now but in the last 2 years getting much more into shore angling..
My approach to using bait is typically frozen mack as it means I can keep it in the freezer and it's ready and on hand when I'm able to get out for a few hours (sometimes short notice)... I sometimes use frozen sand eel for this purpose too. I mainly fish Wicklow and Wexford beaches.
My question is am I really impacting my chances of catching using this approach? IE are there days when flatties will only be taking rag/lug for example? And are there any other baits that I should consider that store we'll also? (I've heard you can salt rag for example)
Thanks!

Re: Best bait that can be stored

Mon Mar 11, 2024 6:29 pm

frozen lug, razor, squid and crab are all useful too

Re: Best bait that can be stored

Mon Mar 11, 2024 7:41 pm

I was thinking of squid alright! Can you freeze lug? I had no idea, thanks

Re: Best bait that can be stored

Tue Mar 12, 2024 1:37 pm

Nope, not impacting
Frozen mack and sandeel are a great all-round bait, all fish love them esp, flatties
some people swear by rag or lug for flatties, I believe fish is as good. Try frozen raw prawn too, its a great bait
if you aren't catching then don't blame the bait choice, the chances are there are just no fish in the area or they aren't on the feed..

Re: Best bait that can be stored

Tue Mar 12, 2024 5:28 pm

If you cut the lug and squeeze the guts out of them they can be frozen if wrapped in news paper. Worked fine me when I fished the Wexford beaches lately.

You didn't mention what rigs you are using. A lot of the Wicklow beaches have small fish in close. Small hooks (size 4 or size 6) should get you a few fish.

Enjoy.

Re: Best bait that can be stored

Tue Mar 12, 2024 5:38 pm

Thanks for the info folks - I'm fishing mostly Wicklow and Wexford beaches at the moment (with the occasional group trip to Donegal a couple of times a year). Mostly 2/3 hook flappers with size 2's but maybe I'll need to size down again by the sounds of it.. I'll check out some vids on gutting the lug - it would be great to be able to save some from session to session! Also I'll check out some frozen prawn too!