leeches

[hugo]

Was clearing an old drain last week and dug up two strange looking wormlike things - about 2 to 3ins long, flatish head, distinct ring sections, greenish black, and curled up in a ball when exposed. Googled them and the nearest that turned up was the Horse Leech. anybody know anything about them? any good as bait?
Shouldve taken pix but didnt think. Here's a google image:

[JOHN1]

you sure it's not out of a pack of new soft plastics you have just got

[red]

you sure it's not out of a pack of new soft plastics you have just got

Was thinkin that myself too.

[blowin]

If it looked like that it will be either a Flatworm or a Horse Leech . More likely to be the latter . They don't suck human blood tho' they will cling to your hand in a rather alarming manner . They don't suck horses either -- I think they eat earthworms and suchlike . Not reckoned to be a particularly good freshwater bait so I imagine no good at all in the sea unless you fish them like a jelly worm . Even then I suspect the tail end would be torn off by the first pluck from that big pollack you would rather not miss ! Still , it might be worth a try if you have the elusive Vampire Eel on your species wish list haha .
Good luck .

[Ronan]

They are brilliant for rainbow trout!! They will devour the hook and leech in seconds! Tried and tested!

[blowin]

What can I say ? I will never trust google again . There are no Rainbow around here but plenty of ( small ) Brownies and those leeches aren't too hard to find , that's why I looked it up a long time ago . I retract what I said . Give them a go then . Good luck .