Summer Baits

[kelpy kid]

Not having my own crab traps tends to turn out quite expensive throughout the year when buying peeler crab. Is the expense worth it when I've generally had more success using lugworm cocktailed with bluey. If you couldn't get you're hands on any crab, what would be your second choice bait.....

[g.ordon]

Sandeel mate

[dabcatcher]

it depends what species your after and at times where your fishing.

worm tipped with mackerel will take all flatfish.
whiting like small chunks of mackerel.
coalfish will happily take mussel.
cod this time of year prefer crab but in the open sea lug can get them.

[Wood22]

Not having my own crab traps tends to turn out quite expensive throughout the year when buying peeler crab. Is the expense worth it when I've generally had more success using lugworm cocktailed with bluey. If you couldn't get you're hands on any crab, what would be your second choice bait.....

For example: you could fish most summer marks with crab and 'most' fish you would get would be codling.

Same marks using ragworm - you will pick up pollack, wrasse with an outside chance of codling

Add fish baits to the mix and you would perhaps tempt dogfish.

I hear what you're saying though. I myself fall into the pattern of crab-at-all-costs which is bad are there a range of species that will fall to a specific change in bait.