Bait Digging

Member Joined: Sep 03, 2008 Posts: 13

Hi all

Ok..this newbie to this totaly addictive pastime has another problem...what with the current credit crunch biscuit we are all eating and the fact that my employer decided that it was my turn to have a one way ticket home ...it's time to save money. SO....get on with it I hear you all shout... I decided to dig my own bait but I draw a blank every time. Somehow these little worms see me comng. I know they are there as I've seen lads come away with bucket loads of the lil darlins but when I go ...nothing! If it helps the beach I use is Bartons point to the Leas on Sheppey.

I would appreciate any help...please.

Gregs big grin

Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:51 am

Welcome to the site. Are you using a pump or digging the lug?
I personaly cant get on with bait pumps and have far more success digging them. I suppose eveyone has there own method of digging and im sure people will tell you this is the right way and thats not the right way etc etc.
I find the cast and scope the first spade load off and then just follow the hole down at the angle the worm has gone, not taking to much sand per dig as that can slow you down, then when I reach the point of seing the tail I get on my knees and lightley using my index finger and middle finger to hold its tail and SLOWLY pull it out. If your to quick or rough the tail will break off and the worm will be gone.
Everyones method will vary and theres no right or wrong way of geting lug, Just whatever suits the person digging them.
Once you have got a couple im sure you will be fine, I hope this helps and best of luck.

Cheers

Craig

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:34 pm

for some reason my mate just dug in a big shoe shape and we always got loads but wen i had a go i didnt get nothing so ive got my own method since the worm sits in a U shaped burrow i just dig inbetween the blowhole and the squiggle it usally work p.s my freind had worm powers big grin

Member Joined: Nov 14, 2008 Posts: 10

Half the battle is in the tools you use.

Im not sure of the technical name, I've call em a 'cornish spade' but basically you want a spade with a very long wooden handle, the diggin end is triangular shape.

The long handle will let you lever much more sand in one go, its much faster and less back strain.

Believe me, digging for worms can be back breaking at times...

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:15 am

Cant argue with that one about being back breaking but a spade tends to cut the worms in half, try a wide tinned fork for best results.

I would also recommend the trench method and backfill so as to avoid making pot holes for some child to walk in. Cheers keith big grin

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:05 pm

A graft ( pointy spade) is ok for clean to muddy sand but any broken /shelly ground needs a fork

Regular Joined: Oct 14, 2005 Posts: 400 Location: Holyhead

4codsakes that a clever method. Am I right in saying that you need a spade for this method so you can clearly see the hole as your getting deeper?

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:52 pm

Yes AH a spade is best, A smaller one is also better and quicker than a larger one. big grin

Craig

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:30 pm

by no means an expert at this, but a potato fork seems to work well, or any fork with wide, flat prongs....find a spot with plenty of cast and dig away, a good tip is to try and keep the hole 'clean' ie get all the loose stuff out, otherwise your're fighting a losing battle.
I find pumps work well when conditions are right: little or no cold wind, and lower air pressure (below 1000mb) otherwise it's a fork (you can also find the odd white rag using this method...but keep em in a seperate tub of clean water)
hope that helps...tight lines

Member Joined: Nov 13, 2007 Posts: 27 Location: SUNDERLAND

Hope this helps mate just click on the link below.

http://www.planetseafishing.com/tutorials/read/bait-of-the-art-lugworm/

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:20 pm

awesome site! cheers eddiet

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:53 pm

Like I said, good small spade and you cant go wrong happy

Craig

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:13 pm

yep, individually targeting blacks looks like the way forward...must take quite a long time tho? suppose like anything it's gonna take some practise...the hunt for a mini spade commences!

tight lines and overflowing bait buckets one and all!

Member Joined: Dec 07, 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Kent

Barton's Point worried

I didn't think the tide went out far enough there confused

.

I have seen people digging between the White house and the little oyster.

I am not sure how abundant the blow lug are these days, but I would dig and move on as trenching I feel is not worth the effort whew!

Oh and use a fork happy

Joined: Dec 30, 2008 Posts: 3

well PSF now have some tutorials about black, brown and white rag worm.http://www.planetseafishing.com/tutorials/read/bait-of-the-art-ragworm/