The problem with soft baits like mussel is keeping it on the hook when you are going to cast. i will look here at a few solutions to this problem.
Mussel as a hook bait
Mussel in my opinion is a very underrated bait. It occurs naturally on almost every beach along the UK coast line and is a huge natural food source to many species, including birds, fish and humans!
Some creatures have developed special adaptations to catch shelf fish such as mussel. Rasping teeth like our well known wrasse, knorr through the shell to get to the meaty interior. Birds have developed strong probing beaks and other shelf fish have developed ways to bore into mussel shells for a tasty snack.
Fish are very oppertunistic, and a nutritious morsel, such as a mussel out of its shelf wafting in the current will be quickly devoured by a whole range of species including: Cod, Pollock, Coal fish, silver eel, Wrasse, Plaice and Bass.
Being so popular and enjoyed by fish why do we not use it more often for sea angling? I feel it is because of the soft nature of the mussel it is very hard to keep on the shank of the hook. Casting it is almost impossible, but there are some simple ideas and solutions.
Hooking Mussel
- Bait elastic - Wrapping bait elastic around the mussel when it is on the hook is a quick and simple method to securing it on your hook. First place a few mussels on the hook, then wrap the bait elastic around the meat until it is well wrapped and secure on the hook.
- PVA Bags - Placing the hooked mussel into a dissolvable PVA bag (carp fishing tackle) will assist you in getting your mussel bait out there and fishing for you. The bags take a short time to dissolve when they hit the water and I have used PVA tape to attach the bag to the sinker to create a stream lined “pod” to cast at long range. The bag can also be filled with some ground bait soaked in mussel oil!
- Bait Bombs - An aerodynamic weight / pod that holds the hook length and bait securely inside until impact with the water, when the lid parts and allows your snood to start fishing. The problem with these devices is they are very expensive if you start loosing them!
- Frozen Mussel - This method to get mussel out there requires a little planning and forethought. It is very effective and simple though. Pre hook aload of baits and freeze them down for a few days. They can be stored in a thermos when you are fishing and just tied on each time. OK its a pain to tie them on, but you have a solid lump of fresh bait, which will thaw out in no time at all once in contact with the sea, even in winter.
To finish off
Get out there and try putting a little Mussel into your sea fishing. I have given you a few ideas on how to get the bait out there, but if you know other ideas or improvements on what I have said then comment on this post please.
If you do not belive me, have a look over here - Mike “the mussel” Ladle and some very interesting findings he had!
