Tips for getting razorfish?????????

I have tried all the methods outlined above,

The walking backwards works the best for me, as soon as you pass the fish usually squirt water giving away their position.
As far as getting them out, fdigging them is much easier than digging lug, they are usually not more than a foot under the sand. The only thing is that they not be vertically down, the burrows may run at angles, so it possible to miss them if you just dig on at the location of the exit hole.

I usually get them on a spring tide and can get sandeel at the same time. They seem to live close to the spring low water mark.

Time to get out the salt again. Big tides mon and Tue of next week. Hopefully the southeasterlies will be gone.

I'm amazed at the number of posts that mention the use of salt for collecting Razor Fish, and even debate using pure salt or a heavily salted solution. My advice is LEAVE THE SALT AT HOME!. The following is a tried and trusted method, which will fill your bucket with bait in no time. Your only kit, apart from your wellies and your bait bucket, will be a thin metal rod, with the end hammered to fashion a hook that looks like half an arrow head. In most areas you will need to wait for a spring tide, as "normal" tides will not uncover the Razor's preferred stretch of sand, which lies just that bit further out. Once on the sand in the right conditions, you will need to shuffle backwards in your wellies, with a light stomping action as you go. The reason for the backwards dance, is so you can immediately see the tell-tale keyhole appear in the sand, created by the Razor Fish as it attempts to dive deeper.
Now the simple bit, which completely replaces any need for salt of any description. As quick as the keyhole appears, jamb you index finger into it, and you will find (to your surprise the first time) that your finger is now IN the Razor Fish. There's a more crude way of describing the action, but now doubt you are getting the picture. They don't bite, so you won't be in any danger. Your finger is now blocking the syphon action that the Razor relies on to dive, so he's now not going anywhere. Now take your metal bar and slide in through the sand, down the side of the shell, keeping the barb on the end flat against it. A slight twist of the bar will then hook the barb under the Razor's shell, and it's then a simple matter of pulling it out of the sand. After pulling up a couple, you'll get very adept at it, and the quicker you go, the more Razor you'll collect. Remember that the tide won't stay out forever, so be sure to keep an eye for it's return. Better still if you can take a mate with you, just for safety's sake.

have to say millbank using the salt is a far better way by the sounds of it.
i absolutely fly trough it when using the salt and your not getting your hands dirty :!: :!:

I have tried both and reckon the salt is the better bet. Its easier on the back which helps when you have slipped discs. Which were probably caused by picking bait in the first place. You also can put salt down a few holes move on cover more ground. If you have a kids then it is great fun for them to pick up after you.

Some good tips here lads. But if anyone finds it hard to find razorfish in there area, they can buy them. but not from a tackle shop though. I buy them from a local fish wholesalers that delivers to restaurants etc. they work out good value too, at only something like £2 a LB. The ones i get are fresh and not frozen so its easy to sort them into freezer bags and just take what i need for a trip. They also refreeze very well after being out for a day or so.

Hey Guys....

I am looking for a north county Dublin spot for razors.... There seems to be decent enough tides at the moment for them... Failing that, anyone know if any of the fish mongers sell them by the kilo?

Kev

Point taken Brianbru - I've never used the salt method before but as life is a learning curve, I'll give it a go. By the way, I've had some success with Razor from boats, but is it any use from the beach? In the past I have blanched them (into boiling water for literally two seconds) to make them easier to handle, but thought they would be far too soft for casting. They look like they would need major ammounts of elastic?

Millbank,
deadly for bass off a beach, especially after a good blow. Will also pick up flats. Can be good at night as the dogs don't like them that much.
Rather than blanching them, lightly salt them for a few minutes before use and it toughens them up.

hey
I just became a REGULAR. Was sick of being a newbie.

Thanks Keeper - I'm very happy to give them a go from the beach, but I'll have a job persuading the missus to do her part! Seriously though, I did'nt know about the salting, so thanks for the tip.

Hey Guys....

Anyone know if you can collect Razor around Blackrock \ Merrion Gates area, I pass this area on the train everyday and see a lot of shells washed up, I'm in the Greystones area so I'm guessing this might be the best spot to try my hand.

Can you get Sand eel also here, do you need to dig these lads up.

Any pointers is much appreciated,

Cheers

Earlsie

Earlsie,

The back of the west pier in Dun Laoghaire is a good spot, and a bit closer to home for you. You'll need a spring tide to uncover the razors, but there's plenty there.

the razor's are spawning at the moment at the back of the harbour in dunlaoire !! i found that out the hard way by going down at 4 in the morning lastweek only to find that the bank was deserted!!

the razor's are spawning at the moment at the back of the harbour in dunlaoire !! i found that out the hard way by going down at 4 in the morning lastweek only to find that the bank was deserted!!

razors spawning??? can anyone explane?

yeah, always spawn on my beds too. Usually 6 or 7 times a year about the same time as the new moon. LOL

look it up on google art ! i went down a few weeks ago expecting to get the usual 300 or 400 razor but i only got 5 !!!
the 5 thats came up had this weird looking orange coloured sponge lookin thing on the top of them it was about the size of ans acorn !! i hadn got a clue what it was so when i got home i looked it up on the net and it turned out to be a larvae sack !!! there is diagrams on google !!